Changing Seasons

We see the change very sharply here. Although a few of the maple trees are still ablaze. This one is right outside our bathroom window and so makes a lovely statement first thing in the morning as the sun's rays creep over the hill. The yellows and burgundies of fall cling determinedly to the rickety gazebo...We do, however, live on a Christmas Tree farm and see the folks flocking in like clockwork to start the preparations for their Christmas holiday.

They actually started early this year and managed to show up during our family dinner on Thursday. This is something new as usually, if our customers show up at all on Turkey Day, they make sure to do it early in the morning or late in the afternoon.

Toward the end of the day yesterday, I lit the torch and was inspired to make a few Christmasy beads. Here are some of the trees in various stages of decor, plus a blurry snowman. I have to say that my Christmas trees have definitely improved over the years and the decorations on them have come a long way from blurry blobs and strands to a much better representation of actual garlands and balls! The trees are only around 1/2-3/4" high, so they will make cute charms or small pendants.

The final bead was just a barrel with a couple of greens making some interesting leaves and some red berries. I think it's a nice look and will probably make a whole bracelet using this pattern while the original bead will make a nice little necklace.

I'll probably get a shot at the torch again today and will post more later!

I can hardly wait!

This has been an interesting year. I haven't done any "bead shows" as a vendor this year and I must say I miss it, but I still seem to be connecting with people who like what I do.

I've been collecting emails from happy customers. I keep them so that on those days when I feel that I've just lost it, I can read them and have my confidence bolstered.

You may know that we live on a Christmas Tree farm. That means that our busy season is rapidly approaching. We've been putting together a little "gifts and goodies" shop for the past couple of years and it's a nice outlet for soap, Tina's books and magazine, for my jewelry and for all the other little myriad projects we collaborate on during the year.

This is my jewelry display from the shop at Frog Hollow last year.

I have a lot of new things to bring out this year and I can hardly wait to see our customers from years past along with some who we met at some of the herb fairs we did this year and at our little local market that we did on Saturday mornings this summer.

We've decided not to do the PA Farm Show this year. Somehow the physical consequences just don't balance the monetary rewards for me. We were sick for a month following the show and apparently this is the case for all the humans and animals who are a part of it. I'm just too old to play that game any more.

That means we won't be making soap like madwomen during the Christmas season and will be able to enjoy it. It's soon time to send out our reminder post cards. A couple of trees are already marked for the years.... I can hardly wait!