The Autumn has always been my favorite season. I have many fond memories of road trips to the more scenic parts of North Carolina with my family. Well, most of NC is beautiful, but to get the best show of Autumn's colors, we'd drive to the mountains.
From there, you could see the exciting terrain dappled and splashed with fantastic colors. I always think of leaves and those trips to the mountains when the Fall comes around.
I couldn't resist joining in Rita's OctoberFest. She challenged us to share our happy memories, recipes, crafts, or whatever we were inspired to make. I was so distracted recently, I forgot I signed up! It wasn't until Rita, very efficiently, emailed the participants with a full list of blogs. With only a few days left before the hop, I wasn't about to give up, so I went on a walk to find some inspiration.
The colours here in the UK are not always as dramatic - maybe it's that mild, crawl into the cooler months - but there's still plenty of inspiration out there. I love the surprise of orange leaves popping out from these trees.
I know what I said about the leaves in my home State being more dramatic, but these wild rose hips were stunning! There were bushes full of them along the path sprawling in all directions.
And finally, the reason I walked on this path, to find a lovely oak tree. I've been watching this tree since Autumn began to creep in. I saw the first tiny signs of acorns turn to huge, green fruits until there was one last acorn waiting to drop. A glimpse of the faded branches of Winter, and a reminder of the new growth to come.
With all those images in my mind, I began to form my earrings. I chose some Czech glass leaves in warm orange and fleeting green and paired them with my handmade blackened brass wire leaves.
I call the earrings Fall Reflection because of the memories they evoke (thanks to Solange for the great name!).
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I wasn't sure what beads to use above the leaves, but I found some recycled, and worn little bead caps in my stash. I thought they'd give the earrings a great "assemblage" feel. Last night, I thought about some African trade beads I bought from my friend at Ahowin. I thought the bright red might clash with the leaves, but they look beautiful against the dark metals. A lot like the rose hips!
The metals are all brass and patinaed with heat from shades of nut brown, to remind of the acorns, to black. I think the pops of color from the rose-hip red trade beads and the leaves are a wonderful reminder of Autumn.
I hope you've enjoyed sharing in my Autumnal inspiration! There is much more to see. You can find all the blog hop participants below. A big thank you to Rita for hosting this great blog hop! Happy hopping!
Octoberfest 13 Artists
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/
Mischelle http://micheladasmusings.blogspot.com/
Kay Thomerson http://kayzkreationz.blogspot.com/
Kelly Hosford Patterson http://travelingsideshow.blogspot.com
Kathy Lindemer http://bay-moon-design.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/
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/
Sonya Stille http://dreaminofbeads.blogspot.com
Carol D. http://dillmansdallies.blogspot.com/
Asri Wahyuningsih http://asribeadwork.blogspot.com/
Ginger Bishop http://lilmummylikes.blogspot.com
Shaiha Williams http://shaihasramblings.blogspot.com/
Toltec Jewels (Rita, your hostess) www.JewelSchoolFriends.com
