Falling for Fall....

The leaves have begun turning gold and a few have already fallen to the ground. Here at Washington State University, the Cougars have begun playing football and school spirit is in the air.


I've just returned from a week at the ocean with my old high school girlfriends. Imagine, six of us still great friends after not seeing each other for years. A great treat!


Of course, I had to go bead shopping, there are some great bead shops in Astoria and I made the most of the opportunity! My cup runneth over, literally, with new beads and findings. Stay tuned for my new ideas, I feel so inspired. I'm also working with combinations of copper and brass. With silver prices going thru the roof, many artists are looking for new ways to design and create new goodies. Stay tuned!

September Song

The first day of September, harvesting has begun. From my studio widow I can see a huge combine combing the wheat on the high hills where I live. Farmers used to do this using teams of horses, spectacular and very dangerous work. Old photos showing several to 18 head of horses are fascinating to see. Imagine the cooperation needed to produce and process wheat to flour to bread. It's a part of our colorful, local heritage here in the Palouse.

I, on the other hand, am laboring in fields of beads. I've been working on a series of treasure bracelets many of which you can see here on my website. I'm now creating these bracelets with clasps for those of you who prefer a more structured bracelet. It gives me a choice of new toggle clasps and charms to adorn these colorful beads.

I've also been focusing on Krobo beads. Krobo beads are handcrafted in the African nation of Ghana, made from recycled glass ground by hand in a mortar and pestle, then fired using traditional techniques, i.e. homemade clay molds, homemade clay ovens fired with wood, and hand painting with a re-firing of the beads after each color is applied. I love the ‘primitive’ look and the wonderful vibrant colors of these beads and I enjoy supporting the handicrafts of that country. 

Garden Inspiration

I have taken nearly a month off from my website and blog. I'm still doing jewelry I'm just having trouble making myself sit down in front of the computer to talk about it. With luck, one of these evenings I'll have enough energy to catch up a little bit.


While working in the garden last week I saw a pair of butterflies reviewing my plantings. I was inspired.

Four Month Anniversary

I can't believe it's been four months since my website has launched! Who knew it would be such a steep learning curve. Perhaps another way of saying it is 'fools rush in'.

Someone ought to give college credit for this sort of thing. Really, most of the credit goes to my webmaster, Laurel, or should I say, webmistress? It's been a wonderful collaboration as long as no one checks on our phone bills. Creating jewelry, photographing it, writing descriptive copy, blogging about it, and all the technical stuff that goes into the actual presentation on the web. Phew!

The fun begins when I can actually view my creations on my website. People connect, become friends and customers begin to arrive. It's very exciting to realize that folks around the world are looking at the jewelry I've created in my small studio here in eastern Washington. 

My cup runneth over.

Behold, my friends, the spring is come; the earth has gladly received the embraces of the sun, and we shall soon see the results of their love!                              -Sitting Bull

Tonight's Moon

The moon and sky tonight are beautiful. 

It is a waning gibbous moon.

Recharging My Batteries

Just back after getting out of town for a few days. We enjoyed a quiet week on the Snake River. It's particularly lovely this time of year. I managed to create a couple of pieces while I was out, including this World's Treasure Bracelet.