Merry Go Round - Summer

It's time for another ride on the merry-go-round! Jump on and join a group of 9 artists/crafts-women as they link around the world and tell you a little about their lives in art and craft.

This month's question that myself and other merry-go-rounders are answering is not so much a question as a theme: Summer

Gosh - it's the end of August already! Can you believe it? Where has the summer gone?

We love to stay at home in Northern California in the summer as I can't think of anywhere I'd prefer to be! And for me summer here means: lovely warm sunny weather; picking our fruit off the trees; eating outside most evenings; parties outside; I'm never allowed to cook as my husband wants to grill/BBQ everything; the canoe in the pond;a late afternoon swim is a perfect way to end the day; lots of wildlife around;.....it's a great time of year.


And in August, one of the times we watch for is when the grapes start turning from green to black....Normally around the middle of the month....All those shades of summer..




If I think of what jewelry pieces I've made this summer that reflect the season, I think my kayak and boat necklaces were the most summery....





paddling out on the water, the sun glistening on the lake.......






All of them sold within a few hours of my listing them - so hopefully their new owners have captured their little bit of summer.....



Be sure to check out the other members of the merry go round and see what summer means to them. Here are their link:
Fabienne at Easterya http://easterya.blogspot.com
Wendren at Wren http://thewrendesign.com/
Sara at Sara's Texture Crafts http://sarastexturecrafts.blogspot.com
Marian at Florcita http://florcitasart.blogspot.com
Agathe at Le Bar du Vent http://lebarduvent.blogspot.com
Charlotte at FancyPicnic http://fancypicnic.blogspot.com
Lily Pang at Lily Pang Art http://lilypangart.blogspot.com
Jenny at Jenny Karlsson design http://designjennykarlsson.blogspot.com/

Sunday Paddle update

I got a lovely message yesterday from M, who commissioned the "sunday paddle" necklace from me - a little boat with a little boy in the front and a little girl in the back. She had asked me to make it for her as she had seen my single person in a kayak necklace and it reminded her of the treasured times when her kids go out together in their boat on the lake.


Her message was just delightful. She said she was "beyond thrilled!" and that she "sat, parked in the middle of the road, and put it on!". Luckily she lives in the country! and... "You have provided me a treasure I will cherish- just like the two little people it symbolizes". And here they are!!!:


Yes, to go with her message, she included some photos of her son and daughter in their boat and views of their lake! It's lovely to feel a part of her story and to share the photos of her family and the lake where they paddle...


So enjoy M's beautiful photos of her treasured kids and the lake.




Thanks again M. It was a treat to make it - and just a joy working with you. Thank you for your lovely feedback. Happy paddling for all your family.

No wonder I always go on about how much I love selling online! I just love being part of stories like this and working with lovely people like M.

Anyone can kayak

Summertime - and time to get out on the water and do a little bit of paddling around..... and that's what my latest "anyone can" piece is showing you! Anyone can kayak.


My little anyone figure in his very own kayak, enjoying the peace and sunshine and water and activity.

We used to love kayaking in Florida when we lived in Sanibel. Kayaking in the bay and the dolphins would come and say hi, and the manatees...and birds.....and one day I saw a hammer head shark swim under the kayak.....Oh - it was such a great way to experience nature. Nowadays our kayak seems to stay in the shed waiting for a day out.....and envious of the canoe who sits in our tiny pond!


The pond is so small that you only need to paddle about once and you get to the end and have to turn around :=D So instead we sometimes take our cocktails in the canoe with us - go round in circles a few times, look out for the fish, otters, frogs, and birds and then cocktail hour is done!

Have you been out on the water yet this summer?