Is It The End of Summer?

We spent a few days at the beach this week and you would have thought it was Fall. It was cold and rainy. I don't think it ever got above 63. When it really started to rain on Wednesday we decided that we had had enough and came back home. Yes, at home it was a balmy 80 and today somewhere in the 70's. So, note to those living in Washington and wanting to go to the beach, don't bother unless you want to get out of the heat as you won't find any sun there. I think Summer has definitely ended at the beach. This is my spoiled dog Leo, he thinks he is a baby most of the time.

I did get a nice surprise today in the mail. I had won a necklace from Laurel at Rue's Daftique. What a cool necklace and surprisingly it looks heavy but it very lightweight. It is the perfect mixed media piece and will look really funky with my odd assortment of clothing. Since I'm not working my attire is somewhat different as I usually just put on whatever is clean and sometimes I don't really match. I guess if just my hubby is seeing me it doesn't really matter does it? Here are the cool pics. First one is on the packaging...so cute isn't it.

Isn't this just the coolest necklace. I may have to make me some key earrings to go with it.

I think I told you last week that I had ordered the book Making Mixed Media Art Charms & Jewelry by Peggy Krzyzewski and Christine Hansen, well I took some inspiration from that book and created this pendant. It is kind of hard to see as the photo isn't that great but the base is a facet mesh strainer with a button mounted in the center and then a crystal on top. The dangle is brass wire with various sizes of glass beads. I highly recommend the book as it does give you lots of ideas and techniques from soldering around glass to resin making, using paper to create charms and other found objects. I'm now looking for a group to do some charm swapping. I think creating charms and swapping them with other people would be a fun activity. If you hear of a group, let me know.

Tonight I was searching though my beads for a new bead swap that I'm participating in and found some doozies. Lots of pearls, some pewter, seed beads and mis matched gems. I have so many that I need to thin out of my stash that I may have to have a giveaway....Ah something to look forward to.