early morning sky, another (!) amulet and some kitty love

When I got up this morning - this is what the sky looked like. Immediately had to get my camera.

This is another amulet I worked on yesterday. Sterling silver fused with a copper wire spiral. Haven't decided yet whether to attach a leather cord or go with beads...

 

Every once in a while my kitties will come by and say hello (they are very busy now that the weather is hot - you know - the sleeping in the flower beds and under shrubs kind of busy).

Captain - a little crazy, but such a cuddly guy!

Socks - she is such a sweet little girl.

another amulet

This piece was made on commission and was picked up today. It is a good bit smaller than the one I made for Max - this one is about 3 cm in diameter and riveted. I have already started another one - apparently they are a bit addictive.

Sunday Flea Market

A perfect day for the flea market - sunshine, warm temps! I got there before 8 a.m., figuring there would likely be lots to look at and I was right! Would you like to take a look?

Looks of wonderful and strange things to see.

I hadn't even been there for 10 minutes, before spotting the first thing I had to buy. And so it continued. I just kept finding things - at a reasonable price (after all, I always find things; I just don't buy everything I find) - and it just kept on going.

Lovely old photographs.

Couldn't pass up the round nose pliers.

Some lovely vintage and antique jewelry bits and pieces.

Some lovely old stampings from France.

Frozen Charlottes - much too good to pass up.

Some gorgeous old pillow cases and other vintage fabrics with lace. Soooo soft. And just look at those mother of pearl buttons! Too good to be true!

Thanks for joining me! Hope everyone has a wonderful Sunday!

Getting back into the groove

I had fallen out of my creative space. I tried to entice my muse back by clearing up my jewelry studio. She remained elusive. What to do? But apparently, she was telling me what she wanted and I was just too dense to understand. The good news is - the message finally reached me. It was that line - these are the days of roses...

I went digging through my CDs and put on some music in my studio. And my muse came dancing back in the door, bringing soft summer air and birdsong with her.
Together, we made some earrings.

I am looking forward to visiting the big flea market tomorrow!

These are the days of roses ...

It's been going round and round in my head. Although the song line actually goes "...those were the days of roses, of poetry and prose and ..." - a favorite song of mine from Tom Waits. But now that temps are back up around 20° and the sun has remembered where I live - everything in my garden is trying frantically to catch up. Which means, everything will explode into bloom at once and then it will be all over. Sigh.
The last winter we had was bad for my garden. I lost about 10 rose bushes and half a dozen clematis.

But these are the days of roses - won't you join me in the garden?

Love the way the light comes through the blooms here!

I hope the sun is kissing you, where ever you are!

Some more pics from my husband in South Africa

I just got some more pics from my husband, who is still in South Africa.

These are pictures of the Guest House where he is staying in Durban - Beside Still Waters. Look at all those palm trees - looks so exotic to me.

This is the hotel he was at in Port Elizabeth - the Victorian Villa. Wow!

And this is my husband on the job. Anyone recognize what he does?

Sunday Flea Market

Well, we had a week of summer weather. Today the temps are just barely 20° (after being at above 30° all week) and it is cloudy with occasional rain. I ventured out to a small flea market. Wasn't much going on there, but look what I found!

A stack of handwritten music, on musty old paper!!!!
Yes, it is true - some people like very unsual things.

These seem to be church music for a choir, all hand written and arranged for the different voices. Some of the text is Latin, some German. Possibly also arranged for instruments - I am not a musician, so I wouldn't know for sure.
And then hand sewn into cardboard covers.

Actually, this is one of the less worn pages - most are severely yellowed and stained.  I can't even read some of the writing, because it is in the old handwritten style.

Less spectacular, but still very gratifying - a handmade box, that was used for coins (and I will sort components or beads in this) and some wonderful pure copper rivets.

On another note:
I am sure you all already know, but just in case -

Registration for the Inaugural Event - ArtBliss - has opened today. Since I won't be able to be there (and believe me, I am crying in my keyboard), I hope many of you sign up for this very special event. The workshops will be fantastic! Go check it out here, if you haven't already.

South Africa - Ilali Guest House

Max, my husband, is currently in South Africa. Some of you might have heard that the Soccer World Championships are being held there. He is part of an enormous team of television professionals, who will ensure that people at home will be seeing the games and the interviews and all the rest.

He is currently in Johannisburg and is lodging at the Ilali Guest House. Now, believe me, Max has seen a great many hotels and guest houses due to his work. But I don't think I have ever heard him so excited and enthusiastic before. He only got there yesterday and has already sent me pictures. Which I would like to share with you, because it really does look fantastic.

So, have a look at the Ilali Guest House.

This last is my favorite photo - got to love the crystal prisms on the candelabra.