The Colors of Fall

I have quite a few talented Face Book friends who come out with the most amazing works!  And since Fall is my favorite time of year, I thought I'd share some of their Fall/Halloween themed items.

This Witch Necklace by Janet of JypsyJewels is so fun and funky and perfect for all you Halloween lovers out there!

Here is a wonderful Dream Catcher by Karen of Journey Finds Again is both beautiful and spiritual

This Amber Crystal Bracelet by Debra of Debra Ann Creations evokes the color of a sunlit Autumn woods.

These Rusty Leaves Earrings by Marlene of Marlene's Craft House also show off the coppery color of Autumn leaves.

This creative use of canning jar lids in this Mason Jar Lid Pumpkin by Carol of Treasure Isle Gift Shop makes a wonderful Fall decoration in your home.

This Spider Jar by Tracy of GrandmasJarsByTracy  is another creative and fabulous use of the lowly mason jar.

This Owl Plate with Easel by Ana of DecoArtz can be used at any time but would make a fantastic Halloween/Fall statement.

And finally there's this Halloween Ornament with Needle Felted Pumpkin by Nancy (that's me!) of  Wyvern Designs Home 

All these talented artisans offer there items for sale on ETSY.  I suggest that you check out the shops of these very creative artists.

Here Comes Autumn

Autumn is my favorite time of year.  The greens of summer are replaced with the vibrant yellows, oranges, reds, and, yes, even purples.  The air turns crisp and the skies can be the most amazing blue.  It's the time we vacation in our favorite spot in Maine, walking the mostly deserted beaches with our dog and finding treasures along the way.

And speaking of treasures, I'd like to share some amazing creations from a Face Book group to which I belong.  The members of  Sabrina's Fabulous Fashionistas Buy & Sell Group are a group of creative sellers who turn out the most fantastic wares.  From jewelry, hair jewelry, and home decor, these wonderful artists are a talented and caring group of people.  Here is just a sampling of these creative artisans work!

This Sugar Skull Beanie 

Sabrina, from Designs By Sea, is just too cute.  Your little one or, even, your big one would love this adorable cap!  Sabrina's shop also has some wonderful beaded jewelry, ranging from the fun and funky, to the dramatic and elegant.

Evoking the colors of Fall, this Leather Wrap Bracelet

by Kathi of Lilly Beads Designs, would look wonderful with all your Autumn sweaters and jerseys.  Kathi also has lovely earrings, as well as, lots and lots of leather wrapped bracelets in a myriad of colors.  Something for every taste.

Bring the scent of Fall into your home with these Fall Scented Wax Melts

from 2 Curly Cues.  Laurie also has a wide variety of greeting cards, as well as wax melts.


Welcome your guest right at the front door with this Autumn Scarecrow Grapevine Wreath

Barbara of Sebaugh Fashion Accent also has an amazing selection of hand crafted jewelry.

Trish, of TFAS, offers hair jewelry, as well as tablet pouches and centerpieces.
Her Sugar Skull Barrette is spookily spectacular!

 This gorgeous Beaded Necklace from Linda of Lindy Loos Treasures brings thoughts of Fall.

Linda also offers wedding items, Fascinators, all kinds of lovely jewelry, and holiday items.

And finally, there is me!  I run Wyvern Designs and here is an example of what I have to offer.
Set of Three Autumn Pumpkins  

I also have ornaments, both Fall and Holiday, as well as, handmade baskets.

I recommend that if you're interested in quality handmade items, that you check out the shops above!

Yellow Jacket Alert!

Today is a cool rainy Wednesday in Massachusetts and I decided it was time to update my blog.  The past month has been unseasonably dry, actually the whole summer since July has featured very little rain here in central Massachusetts.  While that's wonderful for vacationer's, it puts stress on the vegetation. 

I live on the edge of a patch of woods.  The dry weather has killed off a lot of the usual weeds and low growing foliage.  The usually verdant ferns that grow with great abandon around my house have been turning yellow and brown much earlier this year.  Even the trees are stressed by the dry weather.  Maple leaves are turning brown and falling off early and litter my yard with their debris.  So it's not surprising that I didn't notice that a colony of yellow jackets had burrowed under a tree root at the edge of my yard.

Every day, weather permitting, I take my Lab mix, Finn out to run around in the yard.  He loves being unrestrained by a lease and he loves playing fetch and chasing an old basketball around the yard.

 One day last week I took him out as usual.  We had been outside for about 20 minutes and he had just gone to the edge of the yard to retrieve his toy, when all of a sudden, he jumped about 4 feet straight up in the air.   When he landed he started shaking his head and pawing at his ears.  I saw something moving on his head and assumed it was a nasty horsefly that are a major nuisance during the summer months.  He ran over to me and I saw more insects on him.  He was jumping and shaking and pawing at his head.  That's when I realized that the bugs weren't horseflies but yellow jackets! 

I, immediately, ripped my sweatshirt off and swished it over him to dislodge the stinging insects.  I dragged him up on the deck and ran my hands over his belly to get any yellow jackets hiding on his underside, but even after doing that, a few still made it into the house. 

Of course, I immediately went on the internet to see what treatment was appropriate for venomous insect stings in dogs.  Icing the stings was recommended but as he had 10 to 20 bumps where the wasps had stung him, that wasn't feasible.  Benadryl was also mentioned but as I don't as a rule keep that in the house, he was out of luck.

The only thing to do was call the vet.  Luckily, I've been taking my animals to him for a long time and even though he had been planning to leave, he stuck around until I could bring Finn in.    A shot of cortisone an $70.00  later, Finn was back to normal.

Even though I don't usually use any pesticides in my yard, I went out and sprayed the hell out of that nest!  I'm just lucky it wasn't my grandson out there playing when the yellow jackets decided to attack.

So this is a cautionary tale.  In the Fall, all manner of creatures are looking for somewhere to spend the cold winter months.  Make sure you check your yard for these insects that like to burrow in the ground and take appropriate action when you do.

Here's a picture of Finn with his best human bud.

Here Comes Fall

I know it's still summer and a lot of people don't like to be reminded that Autumn, and hence Winter is right around the corner, but Fall is my favorite season.

You can't beat the sights and smells of Autumn, from the invigorating scent of a crisp Fall morning to the glorious sight of the riotous Fall foliage, Autumn is the best.

Since the topic for the Blogging Again Ring on Face Book was a "chose your own topic", I decided to feature some items with Fall colors.

This whimsical Baby or Toddller Hat from SolHeritage is an adorable addition to your child's wardrobe.

 With the deep red color of Autumn leaves, this Rose Shimmer Clutch by HevVinDesigns  is evocative of that almost maroon color some maple trees put out in the Fall.

The Red Head Witch Doll by FantasyClayStore  Is the perfect decoration for Halloween, my favorite holiday.

From Pottery Heaven, I chose this Orange Unity Set  Perfect for a Fall wedding.

This Butterscotch Polymer Clay pendant by ValeriesStuff  Has the golds, salmons and browns of Autumn leaves.

This Slouch Beanie by TLYarnCrafts  would be the perfect accessory for a crisp Fall day!

Black and Orange Fingerless Gloves by Wyverndesigns  
would keep you warm out trick or treating on a cool Halloween night.

However you slice it, Autumn is one of the coolest(pun intended) time of the year.

Back To School

As the summer winds down, all those parents out there and millions of school age kids thoughts turn to the start of a new school year.  Some with relief that the kids will soon be out of their hair for part of the day or in the case of school age kids, with trepidation, anticipation or resignation. 

It's the time for new school clothes and supplies.  While browsing through the shops of my fellow Smooshers from the Polymer Clay Smooshers Guild on Art Fire,  I found a few school related items that any kid would love to own.

These Bookworm Bookmarks from Amazing Designs are the cutest things for your new or young reader.

This Polymer Clay Charm Pen by Kael Mijoy will appeal to the older student, say middle to high school age.

The Little White Mouse with Red Apple from Quernus Crafts 
is amazingly cute!

And this wonderful Ponytail Holder from Kimis-Jewelry-From-The-Heart  would be wonderful for any age student!

Visit all these talented artist's shops to see more of their wonderful works.

Let's Welcome Autumn

After the horrendous summer, with scorching heat, debilitating drought, and hurricanes, I think almost everyone is ready for Autumn.

To me, Autumn conjures up visions of cool, crisp days, apple picking, the scent and sight of vibrantly colored leaves, and of course, Halloween!

I've searched through the Polymer Clay Smooshers Guild on Art Fire and found some amazing pieces that depict the essence of the Fall season.

This Golden Fall Leaf Necklace by Strange Whimsy 
evokes the golden colors of Autumn.

The Orange Clouds Cuff Bracelet by Valerie's Stuff
reminds me of the mountains in Fall.

Happy Jacko Halloween Tea Candle Holder by Harrison Hollow Designs
is perfect for my favorite holiday!

Fall Leaves Votive Candle Holder by KKSPolymerClyArt
is a gorgeous way to bright the glow of soft candlelight to your environment.

This Autumn Copper Necklace and Bracelet Set by Flower Child's Artsy Jewelry
is both dramatic and beautiful with it's vibrant copper and black coloring.

I could go on and on but I think I've chosen a good representation of what these amazing artists at the Smoosher's Guild can produce.