Although I haven't officially put my shop into "vacation" mode, it must seem like it.  Unfortunately, I haven't really been on vacation.  

    Just 3 days after my last post, my mother-in-law passed away.  Although she had been going into steady decline since a massive stroke 3 years prior, her passing was nonetheless a "disturbance in the Force."  Coming on top of my uncle's unexpected passing barely a month before, I've pulled in to focus on home and hearth.

    Just when that began to mellow out, I sprained my ankle.  That healing process has gone well though at times frustrating.

    Presently, I'm working my way through my November-December holiday shows.  I've been creating more jewelry, leaf people, flowers--but have not had time to take photos.  That will come along in a couple weeks.  In the meantime, I'll nose around to see what's new at SilkFair and leave you with a photo in remembrance of happier times--working on the prototype for Magidah's Fascinator last Spring.

    Thanks for your support and patience.

    The title is a bit premature, with another month or so of summer "vacation" left, but I felt it time to share just a few things I've been working on:

   My love of ribbon flowers and rekindled passion for beads melded in what I call "Flair Sticks"-- dangling FLowers on hAIR sticks, based on the Fuchsia.  Accompanying photos illustrates just three of the many colors I've made so far.

    And "spent" in many ways has been the operative word and action.  Ordering beads and jewelry supplies has been a frequent activity with June's purchases including a kit to participate in a Bead Challenge known as "Use the Muse".  Although the kit contained a variety of beads and swarovski pearls and crystals and the mysterious muse intended to inspire our creativity, we were neither required to use all the components in the kit nor restricted from using other items.  However, since creating "inside the box" can actually be more challenging than outside the box, I gave myself some restrictions: (1) that I would use the muse as part of a hair stick; and (2) I would purchase no other supplies than the hairstick and wire (which was actually already in my stash).  I did allow a slight bending of the No New Supplies by begging a couple virtually matching beads to the tiny seed beads in the kit as those beads had too small a bore for the wire to fit through.  The result is a fun and "splashy" hairstick that actually came in handy during our July heatwave.  Part of the Challenge rules is that we are prohibited from revealing the Muse until the sponsor posts her Big Reveal. So until then "Shhh!"  (Check back for updated and Revealed photo.)

   July also brought a bride whose fiance had been a fire fighter. Their wedding colors were "fire flowers" running the gamut from pinks/fuchsias through reds into oranges and yellow.  For their decorations they picked a wide range of flowers.  However they asked me to create two corsages for the groom's grandmothers.  They wanted something that was both in keeping with the color theme and distinctive yet something they could wear again.  The bride was delighted to find tucked away in my projects bin a flaming swirl with leaf and feather that was perfect for one grandma.  For the other, I created a variation using Briar Rose (a yellow/berry-wine silk) using the same autumn-leaf and coordinating feathers.  It was a tug-o-heart to let them go, but I was happy to know they were going to two wonderful women to wear on a very special day.  (I think that is why the first one was tucked away instead of in inventory already--I just loved it so much.)

    With all this love in the air, my thoughts went to long-stemmed roses.  For all the 1300 plus flowers I've made, I've never gotten around to making stemmed roses.  So, here are my first ones, featuring the ribbon that got me making roses in the first place, silk satin "bourgainvilla."   American Beauty red, Briar Rose,  and even Black--are just a few of the ribbons on the work bench waiting for love.

  Hope your summer is bringing you fun and love!  I'm off to "spend" the rest of my summer "vacation" working on something wonderful.

    As mentioned in a previous blog, a "what if moment" while making French Beaded Leaves when "evil eye" beads were on the table, lead to the creation of Leaf People.

    Leaf People are here to serve: First as your guardian to ward off the "Evil Eye" and then as your Chief Morale Officer.  Cheerful, bright, and independent, they work well with others as well as on their own.  They work well in most environments:  Just plant them in a vase or similar container next to your computer, on your desk, in a kitchen window sill, on a wall in a hall, or in your bedroom--where ever you need a little boost.  A wink of an eye and they've got your back.

    Now Charlotte, who was too shy to introduce herself in a previous post, is by no means timid when it comes to doing her job.  Although she appears to be hiding among the leaves, she is really just quietly doing her job watching out.  Her most highly regarded attribute is her discretion.  What happens on Charlotte's watch, stays on Charlotte's watch.  "Mum's the word!"

    By contrast, Charlotte's sister Ruby (center back row), is one hot mama!  In fact, Ruby is so hot, she's thinking about becoming a flame-thrower.  She's checking out classes at the local community college.

    Ruby's cousin, Sara (front row center) is also pretty hot, but Sara keeps her flame on the down-low so's not to wilt her Fascinator Flower.

    Their friend, Daphne (far right) was named after the mythological Daphne, who became a laurel tree when Apollo persisted in chasing after her.  Ever since then, she's aspired to be a fashionista.  Inspired by the lily fascinator in my Fascinator Gallery ]http://flowersbyfarha.com/galleries/fascinators/fascinators.html, Daphne's decide try on some flowers.  She needs some help deciding which one suits her best.

    Right now they're taking a break, chilling out at Camp Cactus  http://campcactus.blogspot.com for the weekend.  When they're done partying, they'll be posting their resumes on the job board in my shop.

Until then, you can see larger pictures of them in my website galleries http://flowersbyfarha.com/galleries/gallery.html

    Now, Fred (see photo) is a good worker.  He specializes in guarding you against the Evil Eye.  And, he's totally hip with the whole, Go Green Movement.  Keeps life simple, doesn't acquire unnecessary belongings.

    But sometimes... you just have to wonder, what is he up to when he gets that, "Who, me?" look on his face.


[pssst!  Fred is currently employed guarding my inventory in the "greenhouse"  He doesn't know it yet, but he will be looking for a new job soon.  Keep him in mind if you need someone to guard you against the Evil Eye.  I'll post the link when I list his resume in my shop.]

UPDATE: While busy elsewhere, photo/software issues have sorted themselves out.  I'll get back to blogging more regularly soon.  Thx for your patience.

So want to show you the things I've been working on, but seem to have a case of the Software Blues.  Unable to load images to my blog.

Just to tease you, I'll link to some images in my website gallery and then blog about it when I can upload images to corresponding text later.

I've been working on learning French beaded techniques used for making beaded flowers. Although my goal is to continue making ribbon flowers, I do love adding some sparkle.  I will be incorporating beaded elements with my flowers.  See a prototype at http://www.flowersbyfarha.com/galleries/gallery.html

Then, somehow those little "Evil Eye" beads I've been working with this fall said they wanted to get into the act, and so now we have LEAF PEOPLE!  One is shy, blushing behind leaves at http://www.flowersbyfarha.com/galleries/gallery.html (top row, center icon) while another has a personality all his own.  http://www.flowersbyfarha.com/galleries/gallery.html
Let me know what you think.