Going by Blum

Trees beginning to change colors - slightly

Autumn in Texas can be beautiful, but this year it’s been fairly blah when it comes to leaves changing color. Lack of color didn’t stop us from getting out and about looking for some adventure. It was in this pursuit that we discovered Blum, Texas.

Adventuring in Avon

Fall in Connecticut – what a great time of year! I’ve been through the

Top L to R: Four Seasons Necklace,
Autumn Acorn Necklace
Bottom: Harvest Moon Bracelet

state at other times of the year, but I’d never stayed in any particular city and I’d not spent any time exploring. This year I got to participate in the Fall Foliage Bead Retreat in Avon, Connecticut. This event is led by Amy Blevins; each year she brings nationally known beading instructors in for a few days of playing in the beads. This year the instructors were Nancy Cain, Laura McCabe, and Melissa Grakowsky-Shippee. We began two necklaces and a bracelet. I’m still not finished with any of them, but I’m enjoying the work.

Sliding through San Diego

I love to go to beading retreats. I get to see old friends, meet new friends,

Top L to R: Varvona by Marcia De Coster,
Siena by Sabine Lippert
Bottom: Woodland Jewels by Beki Haley

learn from excellent teachers, and create some lovely jewelry. Beaders Dream Retreat was back in San Diego this year and completely met my expectations. I’d taken lessons from two of the instructors previously, Marcia DeCoster and Beki Haley. The person I’d not met before was Sabine Lippert. The pieces for this year were inventive and intricate – I love them all.

Weaving to Weaverville

Main Street in Weaverville

Although I’ve been to the Asheville area several times, I haven’t ventured far from that city. However, this year Linnea and I heard about an art festival in Weaverville. This is a town with a population of about 3000 people just to the north of Asheville. It’s going to be worth another visit whether there is an art festival or not!