October Fest with Toltec Jewels

I am participating in Toltec Jewels' October Fest.  We are sharing our autumn inspirations in whatever form they may take.  They could be jewelry, beads, recipes, treats, poems, pictures, crafts, etc.

 

My autumn inspirations center around the colors so evident in our Blue Ridge Mountains this time of year.  Surprisingly the trees are changing very slowly this year but I already have plenty of leaves falling in my yard.  Oh yay!  Get out the rakes!

 The colors inspire my choices in making lampwork beads.  They pull me out of my usual palette, sometimes with happy results.

Sunlight filtering through the colorful leaves just puts me in a good mood even in the middle of this nasty cold that has managed to knock me off my feet.

Autumn gives us a chance to pull out some different jewelry to go with our cooler weather clothes.

Even though we had a freeze last night, there are still some flowers hanging around for a last showy appearance.  Sometimes they bring us colors we wouldn't think of with fall.

Some colors just say autumn.

  
Gold, brown, red, orange, and rust mix with all the shades of green to paint the trees.  Nature knows best how to put colors together.

This Jack-o-Lantern pendant just has to show its face here.  I won this pendant from the lovely and generous Gaea Cannaday of Gaea Handmade through the Art Bead Scene blog.  Thanks Gaea.  So this is a big autumn inspiration for a necklace I have in the works.

 

 Here is the list of all the participants in the October Fest so you can enjoy all the autumn goodness.

Caroline                                       http:// Carolynscreationswa.blogspot.com

Andrea Glick-Zenith                     http://zenithjade.blogspot.com/
Dolores Raml                               http://craftydscreations.wordpress.com/
Karla Morgan                               http://TexasPepperJams.blogspot.com
Susie Harris                                 http://jewelleryjunkie.blogspot.com/
Susan                                          http://libellulajewelry.com
Mischelle                                      http://micheladasmusings.blogspot.com/
Billi                                               http://billi-rs-rothove.blogspot.com/
Kay Thomerson                           http://kayzkreationz.blogspot.com/
Jean Yates                                  http://prettykittydogmoonjewelry.blogspot.com/
Kelly Hosford Patterson               http://travelingsideshow.blogspot.com
Kathy Lindemer                           http://bay-moon-design.blogspot.com
Liz E                                            http://beadcontagion.blogspot.com
Jasvanti Patel                              http://jewelrybyjasvanti.blogspot.com
Christie Murrow                           www.charisdesignsjewelry.blogspot.com
Jodie Marshall                             http://marshalljodie.blogspot.com/
Andrea Trank                              http://heavenlanecreations.com/
Dini Bruinsma                              http://angazabychanges.blogspot.nl
Elsie Deliz Fonseca                     http://ladelizchica.blogspot.com/
Pepita                                         www.pepita-handmade.blogspot.com
Karla Morgan                              http://texaspepperjams.blogspot.com/
Kathleen                                     http://99bobotw.blogspot.com/
Vera Lynn                                   http://veradesigns.blogspot.com/
Rana Wilson                               http://ranaleadesigns.blogspot.com/
Catherine King                           http://catherines-musings.blogspot.com/
Lily Vincent                                 http://thecreativeklutz.blogspot.co.uk/
Janice Hidey (Janimar)               http://drawingthelinesomewhere.com/
Cory Tompkins                           http://TealwaterDesigns.blogspot.com
Candida Castleberry                  www.spunsugarbeadworks.blogspot.com
Cynthia Kent Machata                http://antiquitytravelers.blogspot.com/
Alicia Marinache                         http://www.allprettythings.ca
Linda Anderson                          http://fromTheBeadBoard.blogspot.com
Leah Curtis                                 http://beadyeyedbunny.blogspot.com/
Jennifer Reno (JenRen)              http://jenrenjewelry.blogspot.com/
Robin Reed                                 http://willowdragon.blogspot.com/
Tanty Sri Hartanti                        www.tjewellicious.blogspot.com
Lisa Lodge                                  http://gratefulartist.blogspot.com/
Ingrid A.                                      http://lilisgems.wordpress.com/
Judy Turner                                www.silver-rains.blogspot.com
Gina Hockett                               http://freestyleelements.blogspot.com/
Nelly May                                    www.smellynelly.blogspot.com
Tanya McGuire                           http://tanyamcguire.blogspot.com/
Ahowin                                        http://www.blog.ahowinjewelry.com
Sonya Stille                                 http://dreaminofbeads.blogspot.com
Pam                                            http://www.klassyjoolz.blogspot.com
Carol D.                                      http://dillmansdallies.blogspot.com/
Asri Wahyuningsih                      http://asribeadwork.blogspot.com/
Ginger Bishop                             http://lilmummylikes.blogspot.com
Janine                                         http://www.esfera.me/travel/blog/travel-stories
Shaiha Williams                          http://shaihasramblings.blogspot.com/
Toltec Jewels (Rita, your hostess)  www.JewelSchoolFriends.com

Enjoy and keep creating,
Carol

Leather Shop Now Open!

I have been promising a recycled leather section to my Etsy shop.  Well I have listed the first two items.  I shared the large chocolate brown tote bag here.  

The second bag is a small makeup bag / clutch.  It is made from a soft red leather and an accent of black and white herringbone.  This little bag is great for holding your makeup or other essentials inside a larger tote. Or carry it alone as a small clutch to carry your cell phone, money and keys.

The bag is lined with a black and white striped cotton with an interior pocket. It is topped off with a zipper closure.

It is no secret that I love to sew, especially when I can be creative with the project.  Many of these leather projects are designed as I go to fit the pieces of leather.  

The big secret is that this bag is made from a red leather jacket. I love giving garments a new life. When using the leather skirts or jackets, I try to use any interesting seams or pockets from the original item in the bag design. With jackets, I often get great pockets which you will see on future bags.  So what will be the next transformation?

Create with what ya got-
Carol

The Last of Summer

It has been so warm here this week.  Since I love summer weather, I was glad to have more temps around 80.  I searched the flower bead and found some zinnias and dahlias (and whatever those orange and gold flowers are) still in bloom.  These colors are so cheery.

 

So I brought some in to brighten my kitchen.  I love flowers in my house.  Thought you might enjoy seeing them too.   Are you still hanging on to summer?

 

 

I guess it is time to pull out some fall decor.  Do you change things in your house for the seasons or holidays?

Hope you find some time for creating,
Carol

Fresh from the Kiln and A Winner!

Here are a few beads fresh from the kiln yesterday. They are not even off the mandrel yet.  I just had a short time to work but needed some ideas for a custom order.  I will be back on the torch today cooking with some new inspiration.

Thanks to all who visited my blog and my Facebook page and entered the Giveaway.  I wish all of you could win.  But the winning name has been drawn.

Drum roll please!  The winner of the Earring Giveaway is...

 Louise

Congrats!  Please send me your mailing address and I will get the earrings out to you right away.  I hope you enjoy them.

Keep creating,
Carol

Upcycled Leather Bags - Finally!

If you are looking for the Lampwork Earring Giveaway, please go here.  Good luck!

Those of you who know me are aware that I love to do both lampwork beads along with other jewelry making AND I love to sew.  I have been sewing since about age 8 or 9 with my first 4-H apron.  Most of my female relatives (grandmothers, aunts and mother) sewed and passed on those skills.  My mother and grandmother also made lots of our clothes while we were growing up.  We were soooooo lucky!

So, for a while, I have been promising some upcycled leather bags and purses.  I have made a couple of bags as a test and am now ready to reveal one.  Get ready 'cause it is a BIG one!

See how big!!  Check the magazine in the pocket.

 

And look at this fabric used for the lining.  I love, love, love it.  See the bird?  And there is a butterfly hidden down inside too.

 

 

 The handles are so soft and comfortable riding on your shoulder or arm.  

This bag is padded so you can carry your tablet and maybe even a lightweight laptop.  And so many extras inside - center zipper pocket, key fob, side pockets... 

 

 

and pen slots.

The big secret is that this bag is made from 3 upcycled skirts - 2 of soft, dark chocolate brown leather and 1 of red batik.  I love giving garments a new life.  When using the leather skirts or jackets, I try to use any interesting seams or pockets from the original item in the bag design.  On this one, it was seams on the front of the bag.  With jackets, I often get great pockets which you will see on future bags.

So what do you think?  Do you like it?  Would you carry it?

Keep creating,

Carol