Saturday, October 9, 2010

custom jewelry

I'm so excited! I just finished a custom order for a necklace and bracelet to match earrings that were purchased a few weeks ago from me. Here's the earrings. Aren't they cute? I love the stone... Peruvian blue opal... it takes me to the Caribbean every time I wear it or work with it.

I had preliminary pictures of a necklace that I'd started for another lady, but never finished because she lost her job. So I sent those pictures as a place to begin our designing collaboration. The rest of the design for the necklace and the matching bracelet came from my customer. Goodness... I'm inspired to make some more blue opal jewelry. I love going tropical in my designs.
Along with my jewelry, there's some southern Utah to enjoy. We're camping (my friends call it glamping) in the Escalante Grand Staircase National Monument near Boulder, Utah. Magic. Pure magic. My next entry will have some pictures of the incredible landscape.


Wednesday, October 6, 2010

ancient voices

This is our second night in a forest service campground near Loa, Utah. We're in a short open canyon filled with red rock walls, red rock formations, Utah juniper, willow and some blooming sagebrush. It's beautiful. It's good to be back in Utah.

A low is stalled over southern California sending storms and heavy rains to south and central Utah for the past two days. There has been flash flooding on the usually dry wash next to the campground. Nothing serious. The bad storms have been passing just east of us. Thankfully.



We walked the dog when the rains let up this afternoon. The dry wash was still running with chocolately red water. I know I'm in the land of the ancients. I heard their voices in the babbling water. I'm anxious to visit their dwellings.

Saturday, October 2, 2010

goodbye Birdwood hello open road

I have mixed feelings about heading south for the winter, but they are mostly excited feelings. I'll miss family, friends, and the 5 acres we call Birdwood. This has been our third summer here. We hope next summer brings a house. Yes, the bad economy has affected us trailer trash.

But I ramble. We've spent the last week getting everything ready to survive the winter without us. The outbuildings are just about ready to lock. The last outdoor showers have been taken. Tulips have been planted to greet us next spring when we return. The weather has been perfect. Mt. Hood, I will miss you as well. Tomorrow we leave for southern Utah. Soon I will be able to sit and make jewelry for the holidays. Soon.