New Blog Challenge for Spring !!!

I ran across the "Suddenly Spring Challenge" by Michelle Mach and knew immediately that I wanted to be part of it. Reason #1, I love the aqua colored crystals. Reason #2, I love the little blingy rhinestone spacers.

This is my second challenge of Michelle's and, just as before, my kit arrived beautifully packaged. Some people just have that flair!

If you're interested in participating in the challenge, go to Michelle's blog. Otherwise, come back for the big reveal, Tuesday, March 13th. See you then!

What is it about a bead shop . . .

. . . that always catches my eye? Saw one in this area last week, amazingly enough since it was very well tucked in behind other businesses on a particularly busy road with lots of construction going on. Jim and I made our way there today and here are the additions to my stash:

We've got some unakite, mooakite, abalone and an agate(?) pendant containing bits of amethyst. We have purple crazy lace agate, Cherry Creek jasper and some Swarovski crystals in colors that I needed. Then there is the New African Jade in a lovely aqua and beautiful mauve lace agate, along with a couple strands of Czech glass.

Jealous? Pat's Bead Shoppe is located in Leesburg, FL. Lovely shop, friendly and helpful staff, great prices.

Whew!

We had a GREAT show at Mount Dora, Florida this past weekend. There were 303 artist, 47 of whom were jewelers. It was a record show for us; we sold 83 pieces of jewelry! This was the view up and down the streets on both days:

Mount Dora is a charming town with beautiful homes around a huge lake. Thanks to the Mount Dora Center for the Arts, all the volunteers, and of course, the Popo for a very fine show!

Early Valentine's Day gift?

I think so. Jim knows that I often admire other jewelry designer's creations and he sometimes treats me to their wares. This pendant/slide was purchased at the Mount Dora Arts Festival last weekend. It is the creation of Robert and Teresa Nilsson of Sebastian, FL. The wire-set stone is Cherry Creek jasper with a citrine trillion in sterling silver. Yummy, isn't it?

On our way . . .

. . . to the 37th Annual Mount Dora Art Festival. Although we've participated in several other Mount Dora shows, this is our first time in this particular one.

I've been working on inventory and haven't had time for much photography, so here are a few pairs of earrings waiting for their sterling earwires:

Today is the deadline . . .

. . . for me to get my bead soup package out to my partner, Amy, so this will be a short post. Amy and I were paired for Lori Anderson's Bead Soup Blog Party. Click on the pic below to see where it started:

Here's a pic of the "teaser" of the package Amy sent to me. Click on the photo to go to her blog!

The package arrived yesterday, all tied up with a pretty green ribbon and included a sweet personal note from  Amy. Here's what I received:

  Here's a closeup of the GREAT items I get to work with. I can't wait!

Thanks, Amy, for the pretty pendants, beads and clasp? Many thanks to Lori for all her work in putting this party together! And, incidentally, Lori has a book currently being published by Kalmbach. Here's a pic of the cover, I hope the copyright police don't show up to arrest me for stealing it!

Look for it at your favorite bookstore!

Taking the journey . . .

. . . into civilization to procure a pedi for Miss P and some provisions for her as well, we passed by a huge citrus processing plant. Huge trucks full of oranges were lined up, one after the other, waiting to unload their golden treasures. The scent of orange juice was wonderful and inspired this:

Freshwater pearls, crystals and ceramic lemons, oranges and pink grapefruits. Think I'll go get myself a glass of OJ right now!