Fall 2011 Color Trends

Total excitement...the Pantone fall 2011 color report is out.  The colors are being called sensible and spirited.

Yes I can see it.


Sensible because they work well with the colors from last fall and even this spring.

Spirited because the colors are clear, happy and invigorating.

Once again turquoise is present as Deep Teal (my favorite), a lovely chocolate with Coffee Liqueur, and as a continuation from spring Honeysuckle.

I approve.  Now how can I use the colors in my fall collection...hmmmmm?

Do you take into account the color report when designing a new piece of jewelry?

You can get a pdf of the fall report at Pantone.

Where are my horses?

This time of year my beautiful horses....

Turn into MULES!

I'm a Winner

Last week one of my favorite bloggers Carol of Red Dirt in My Soul had her monthly QandA; as an added bonus she gave away one of her Wyoming Wildflower mugs.  And the luck winner was me!!  Look what I received in yesterday's mail.

Carol lives on a centennial ranch (that is a ranch that has been in the same family for 100 years or more) in northern Wyoming.  She photographs and blogs about her life as a ranch wife.

Thanks, Carol, my coffee was especially good this morning as I drank it from my lovely new mug.  Great pictures.

I encourage you to check out her blog; you will find it to be an enjoyable read.

Cymbidium Orchids

Because my Cymbidium loves me, even though I do not show her much love, she gave me one beautiful stock of blossoms this year.

International Charm Day at Garden of Beaden

Irene of Garden of Beaden hosted an International Charm Day Charm Swap on Saturday, May 7.

Look at all the lovelies I received!

Renee etched and fabricated the perfect little heart.  Both sides of the heart are etched with different patterns!  I can't wait for her to teach this class.  Gorgeous!

Diedre also etched her copper tab charms and embellished each of them with a resistor and shell.  One the back it says "Create".  Sweeeet!

Irene not only made each of us a copper bracelet! but gave us these lovely "Garden of Beaden" charms (we got to choose a flower or butterfly).  Score!

Crystal's charm is a vintage watch face and mine says "Only TIME will Tell" on the back.  She said she had a hard time parting with the watch faces; I can see why I would too.  Awesomeness!

Jessica made her charms from a vintage map of our area.  The map is from her personal map collection and it was made in the year of her birth.  Very special! Also her presentation was stunning; she painted a map on the card that each charm was attached too.

Omzahara made two charms (overacheiver!).  She upcycled beads from an old necklace and used them to embellish an old coin and a wire wrapped heart.  I love these charms.

Dawn, a master seedbeader, made a butterfly with a chaton in the middle.  Dawn did the charms in different colors so we got to choose our favorite.  Wonderful use of components!  Very lovely!

Tara began with a metal stamping painted the patina on it and embellished with a tiny brass bee.  She did three different versions so we got to choose the one we wanted.  Tara also had an awesome presentation; each charm dangled on a piece of vintage seam binding.  Most of us tied a little piece of the binding to the bracelet; me included.  I love her choice of colors and collaging of the components.

Linda, another master seedbeader, made the lovely butterfly with 15/0 Delicas...WOW! And, of course, in my book turquoise is the best. I am in awe of the perfection of this little butterfly.

I made the little leaf charm.  One of my goals for 2011 is to become proficient at soldering and riveting so I incorporated both techniques along with fabricating the charm from copper sheet.  All in all I am pleased with the results.

We had two ladies that could not make the get together on Saturday.  I can't wait to see their charms.  Dara and Brit we missed you.

I hope this becomes a tradition at GOB.

Did you celebrate International Charm Day?  If so, how?