Aging Gracefully

First up this week we have Ngan from eNVe Designs with her Ancient Earth necklace. This one-of-a-kind beauty, which is one of Ngan's signature wrap and thread necklaces, is made from antique bronze, petrified green opal and a vintage Italian brass key. Gorgeous!

Next up we have Kristin from loveartstudios with her favorite portrait shot she's ever taken, Taos Pueblo Elder. It's an incredible picture and I love Kristin's recollection of that day: "It was a glorious Spring morning in Northern New Mexico and I was avidly exploring the ancient beauty of the historic Taos Pueblo.... I came around a corner and sitting next to a pile of chopped wood, resting in the warm morning sun, was this gentleman, a Taos Pueblo Elder.... We spoke a while, his English was slow and somewhat unsteady, and then he asked me if I would like to take his picture. I only took one shot out of respect for the old ways and I think it shows exactly what he would have wanted."

Our third entry comes from Joe (nice to see a fella around here, isn't it?) of Prospero's Bookshelf. Joe entered With a Feather on My Nose by Billie Burke, one of the vintage books in his shop. Not only has the book itself aged gracefully (it's a First Edition 1949 print!), but this memoir also traces the life of an actress (you might recognize her as Glinda from The Wizard of Oz) as she too ages gracefully!

Jean from 3squares is next with her Wild Mushrooms copper collage necklace. Jean gives a great description of it: "A wild and crazy diva is featured in a collage print, surrounded by a hand-cut brushed copper frame." I love the vintage feel of this piece!

Dreamy

First up this week we have Elizabeth from Foret and her Shimmery Pastel Gemstone Choker Necklace with Rainbow Moonstone, Amethyst and Aquamarine. The moonstone in this necklace glow, which just adds to its dreaminess. And like Elizabeth says, "This light, sparkly piece just sings!"

Next up is Angie from Cherry and Violet with her oh-so lovely Aegean Stack Necklace. "The deep, vivid blues make me think of midnight dreaming," says Angie. "And I think the photo is my most ethereal." I don't know about you, but I certainly agree!

Our next entry is from Jill of Antiqueish. She decided to enter her stunning Antique Victorian Sterling Gold Filigree Pin Brooch because, she says, "there is just something about this pin. There are so may layers and textures and it seems as it ages, the patina not only darkens but an array of colors has started to appear. I wouldn't even think of polishing it. Very dreamy..."

Next up is Erica from Mazzy Jewelry Designs with her Cloud necklace, which features a milky white moonstone pendant and oxidized sterling silver. "As white and fluffy as a soft afternoon cloud," this piece couldn't get any dreamier!

>Our fifth entry this week comes from the always FUN-tabulous Kristin of loveartworks. Kristin entered her Raven's Full Moon Dream Journey Wall Hanging. Kristin says "I truly believe that it is through our dreams that we find our best selves." This image came to her in a dream after she had spent some time thinking about the best way to convey Eleanor Roosevelt's words.

Playing in Fall Leaves

First up we have Katie from BlackStar with her Autumn Leaves necklace. Hand knotted on red silk with vintage red and periwinkle glass leaves and brick red freshwater pearls, this pretty piece definitely has me ready to play!

The next entry thrown into our little leaf pile comes from Jean of 3squares. Jean entered her gorgeous Peruvian Blue necklace, which is made of a periwinkle blue swirly leaf fabric that's surrounded by a lovely hand-cut sterling silver frame.

Our third entry is from Carmela of Beggar's Tomb Pottery, who entered her Leaf trinket dish. Carmela made this cool stoneware dish by pressing a Paulownia tree leaf into a slab and raising the edges to make a shallow bowl.

Next up we have Rebecca from Knee Deep Originals and her Moore's Wall in Fall oil painting. Inspired by the view from her bedroom window in mid-October, this beauty is perfect for this Challenge!
Erica from Mazzy Jewelry Designs was next with her Autumn Leaves necklace, which is a long wrap necklace with oxidized sterling silver and lemon quartz. Erica says "This piece reminds me of those golden leaves softly floating down to earth."

Suz from Simply Suzula is our next entrant with her vintage hand embroidered cotton napkins. Purchased from a girls orphanage in Niamey, Niger in the early '80s, these napkins feature African baobab trees in orange, gold, and brown.

Our final entry this week comes from Jill of Moonlight Beadworks. Jill entered her Copper Tree Pendant Beadwoven Necklace. This one-of-a-kind beauty started as a copper blank which Jill stamped, etched, sanded and heated until there seemed to be a twilight sunset behind the tree.

Starry Night

First up this week we have Cathy from Celtic Cat Photos. How cool is her Tree Of Life With Star Field Fine Art 5 x 7 Photograph?! It's just perfect for this week's theme.

This second I knew what this week's theme would be, I thought of Rose from Waterrose and her Starry Night Hand Embroidered Cuff. This limited edition piece has amazed me since the first time I saw it. The detail is just incredible and it looks just like the Van Gogh piece that inspired it-- that's no easy feat!

Next up we have Rebecca from Knee Deep Originals with her awesome Night Sky scrimshaw bookmark. I just love Rebecca's description of her inspiration for this piece: "Where I live in the woods of North Carolina, with the mountains surrounding our little valley, we see thousands of stars at night. It's incredible to stand outside at night, with no street lights and no city lights, and look up into the vast sky filled with bright constellations and planets and stars."

Lastly, we have Mollie from Rough Magic Holidays.v She entered her oh-so lovely Look a Shooting Starfish Handmade Copper Necklace. How pretty is this little piece? I just love that hammered star!