Story Necklace

I love how the elements in this photo create all kinds of possibilities for stories. A dog and a happy pet lover are out for a stroll, but looking again, is this a quest? Is the bird in the photo swooping in to bring a special message or guiding the master and the dog to a happy ending?

Beads can also tell a story. It's an old tradition, and a part of bead culture that fascinates and delights me. Over the years I have created different kinds of story necklaces that can be used for story telling.
 The necklaces are composed of background "narration" beads and special "plot" beads.The storyteller can look over the necklace and create and tell a story, bead by bead.

I love sitting with a group of children and showing them the special beads such as a magic bird, a golden boat or a farmer and his wife and letting them make up a story. Sometime the blue beads are the ocean, sometimes the sky.

Fairy Happy and My Beadboard Update

Who doesn't love a fairy door? They create heart happy moments of enchantment. I adore them and love to tuck them away in secret places in my garden.
For a lovely fairy stroll visit: Singingwoods and enjoy fairy doors from around the world.
 http://janet-singingwoods.blogspot.com/2010/09/fairy-homessome-jewellery-and-my-first.html

What's on my beadboard? I am finishing my third "Story Necklace". They are near and dear to my heart, and I have been collecting trinkets to use with these for a verrrrry long time, so I am happy  the trio is just about done. I will be posting some photos soon. Waiting in the wings, I have some beautiful vintage charms and cabochons that I will use for a series of color theme charm bracelets.

July Snow

In the middle of this NJ heatwave, here's something to cool you off.
 One of my favorite things about living in this lovely community is the path outside my back door which leads to a park. The park is steps away, perfect for an after dinner stroll amid the honeysuckle, bundles of yellow lilies, paths lined with rose of sharon and corners dotted with deep blue hydrangea.

Here's how the back path looks today: