Autumn Festival - colorful inspiration

We were surrounded by color

From sunrises and Terra's multi-layered skirt

to rusty knobs and sunlight through kale

Autumn Festival 2010

A whirlwind week of creativity, color and conversation.

Beads pulled us together,
Laughter and inspiration forged friendships!

Some furry guests joined in the fun!

Easter and back to real life

A gorgeous Easter after days of wind and rain. We awoke to a faint, but beautiful sunrise over Puget Sound and the mountains, flowers dripping with rain, and my sons bursting with excitement for the annual treasure hunt (map, clues and all)... the Easter Bunny at my mother's house goes all out.

I've been away for over 2 weeks and feel buried. Being without internet and phone felt strange at first, but I have to admit, I got used to the solitude. It felt nice to sleep and wake with the sun, only answering to the basic needs of myself and my family - who joined me the 2nd week.

Now I'm struggling to get back to 'real life': reply to messages, ship out book orders, fill out paperwork for junior high, nurse a sick kid, sit on the founding board of a new Choice School (focused on math, science and technology), design art lessons for 125 kids, prep for jewelry classes and trunk show in New York, write a newsletter (sadly behind schedule), plan my Autumn Festival retreat, finalize color proofs for the next iteration of Eye For Color, write a section for a Dutch book, apply to teach at venues a year or so out... all due this month.

I feel overwhelmed and a bit resentful to give up my peace and quiet and simple life of the last 2 weeks. But at the same time I am excited about all of the items on my plate. Perhaps I just need a bit of ramp-up time. And a cup of tea.

Whirlwind of colorful beads and women

Beachcomber Pendant by Betty
(using Hydrangea Bead Soup)

Beads on Metal Pendant by Adrienne
(using Autumn Leaves Bead Soup)

Wander with Color Necklace by Adrienne
(using Grass, Spring Rain, Deep Teal, Dark Chocolate, Olive Grove Bead Soups)

Wander with Color Bracelet by Kerstin
(using Dark Chocolate, Grass, Tropical Punch, Fuchsia Bead Soups)

Beachcomber Pendant by Dini
(using Twilight Bead Soup enhanced by Dini)

Start of Wanderlust Bracelet by Joie
(using Spring Rain Bead Soup)

It all began with Adrienne from Wales... Our conversations last winter snowballed into an Autumn Festival with 5 days of classes, food and wine and even a bit of massage on the last day.

What amazing, creative, fun women! Some came for a day, others for the whole week, all were a joy to have in my home.

Colorful, prolific Dini joined in for all 5 days!

Turns out Carol lives in my home town right next to my old high school!

We beaded in the 'barn'

and ate downstairs - Kristi and Pam from Bellingham Washington, Adrienne from Wales, Dini from southern Oregon, Betty from North Carolina, Carol from Gig Harbor.

Dini and Joie (co-publisher of EYE FOR COLOR, did I mention college roomie and dear friend?)

The 'gang' from Tacoma - Jacquie, Candace, Lynda Janeen - friends for decades (we heard lots of good stories)

Kerstin from Bellingham joined for the weekend - so good to meet her in person after long admiring her amazing photography. See her photos from the workshops here.

I didn't capture a photo of Charron from Winnepeg - she hopped out early to travel up to Vancouver for Canadian Thanksgiving.

Autumn Festival in 2 weeks!

Wanderlust Bracelet

Monday October 5

Looking forward to a creative explosion in my barn with a small group of gals, lots of beads, food and wine!

Beads on Metal
Tuesday, October 6

Beachcomber
Thursday, Oct. 8

Wander with Color
Friday - Saturday, Oct. 9-10

Come join us!

Looking forward

to teaching the following classes at Studio Beads in Chicago, November 19-22!

La Duet

Wander with Flair

Flower Garden

Eye for Color

Rippled Netting

Am finalizing classes to be taught at Beads by Blanche in New Jersey (November 14-15). Will let you know soon!

Spots still open in the Autumn Festival - Jewelry Workshops in the Barn to be held October 5-10 in my studio near Seattle, Washington. Come join us for a day or more of creativity, food, wine and beads! Yes of course, chocolate too!