This was a concept i had years ago, but was never satisfied with the end product..I think, I perhaps hadn't had the right dimensions in mind. Larger shells are harder to find, but for this, I wanted a shell that was not too large, had a greener tone to it (rather than purple, as many beautifully are), and had good proportion to the bead size.

.....

Blue ThinderBird with carnelian cabachon. Set in glass seed beads

Blue ThunderBird

For long distance travel, a secure, double pouched belt. Keep all the essentials like passport, wallet,keys,phone, medications in sturdy leather accessory.

"Harvest Pouch"

As the season cools,  the landscape takes on an amazing array of colors.. sunsets are especially beautiful with the cold, and there's a festive mood in the air.

Chevron beads woven alongside tiny shell boxes make this a perfect necklace (or belt )to be worn when that vitamin schedule is a must!

Puffy clouds surrounded by freshwayer pearls delicately lay on the wearer's neck.

Discovered these lovely tibetan silver pieces and was immediately inspired.

A beautiful silver vessel to hold sacred sigils and writings.

This necklace was especially satisfying to make because I had been wanting to use the odd shaped V beads for quite some time. Nothing ever seemed to call out for them, that is, until I saw this silver fish! 

A longer necklace, made with sterling spacer beads.

Various caps in clusters found this fall...makes pretty, teeny tiny pincushions for travel, or simple carry..Filled with emery powder, sand and lavender flowers.

Spindly webs of galvanized steel create a perfect addition for any Samhain celebration.

Various heights allow flowers to fill the lanscape.

Exploring chip beads a bit more, here is a larimar chip bead set with sterling beads. Incredibly satisfying to create, chip beads were never a very satisfying bead to work with because I never found a uniformity in them that I enjoyed. This new approach opens up a realm of possibilities!

Turning something I never really enjoyed, chip beads, into something I love! Coral chip beads make a voluptuous bracelet to be worn any which way.

Letting freedom bling in this Afghani inspired design- Lady Liberty emblazoned on US sterling silver coins reflect the Goddess immortalized in American history.

.Sterling silver dollar coin

Vintage shell design inspired this series of necklaces. I love how the bubble shells mimic a wisteria type flower. Freashwater pearls and frosted seed beads add a nice contrast.

Made in the french beaded wire style, using newer miyuki beads with antique hex cut green beads.

A gentle yellow wax  bead makes a nice addition for the inner parts of the petal.

.

Hand carved larimar cabachon accented with blue flourite beads, stertling silver and rutilated quartz

.

.

.

Exloring the air element found in nature, with a human hand lending. This design flitters in the wind, and sparkles with sunlight- A remembrance to the winds of change , the wings of the woods.

BlueJay alongside handmade glazed ceramic discs ( thank you L!) make a lovely balance for feathers to dance(found resources only).

Cardinal feathers hang alongside handmade ceramic stamped designs in a red glaze ( Thank you L!)

Feeling inspired by this first  box, I decided to explore the idea in a variety of ways.Wood burning always takes longer than it seems. It can be very satisfying once you learn your tools as well as wood types- More images to come!

Inspired by mobiles I spied at RenFaire, I added various elements for a mixed sound of silverware, crystals and sterling bells( Handmade- thanks J!).

I have seen many of these types of chimes from various online searches, yet haven't really seen many that had emphasis on balance found in mobiles. Most of the ones I see are heavy set chimes which takes huge wind gusts to move and sound.

I felt challenged by this because I wanted to see how this would sound if made with balance points found in  mobiles. What I love about mobiles is the delicate balance that they require to MAKE it balanced.

Every little part matters.

.

.

Happy Samhain!

WIth the new year beginning, time to announce the addition of the StellarCellar (In BEADS)!! Just works that are from my private collection. I hope to add more images as time allows-some of my favorites that became keepers! Go look now! Go!

Lovely malachite beads with copper design.

Earrings, of course!

With Granny Chic in style, there's no one more inspiring than my very own grandmother to help inspire this creation! Her influence shows free and easy associations, colors, playfulness, fullness and complexity, all rolled into an in-your-face honesty that expresses the uninhibited spirit.

While many Granny Chic styles are more reflective of a kitschy nostalgia, this necklace incorporates a sort of eternal artistic freedom, that truly embodies the essence of MY Grandmother- who is obviously an artist at heart.

What I love about her approach has always been this sort of messy 'chaos' that somehow fits all together. Elements you would never think work together, simply DO.....

With MY Grandmas Granny Chic 'guidelines' helping to create this piece, there really is no wrong addition!

How freeing!