Begonias

My begonias are finally big enough to deserve a photograph.  They do well in the shade of my eaves, so I always use them in my hanging baskets.  This year, we were fortunate enough to get 7 different colors of begonias, so each basket has a different color.

These pink ones on the far end are my favorites.  I think the actual name of the color was Go-Go Pink, or something equally ridiculous.

I'm too short to get a better photo and I'm too lazy to get the ladder.

The Deepest Red Garnets

And they're large too!  These garnet briolettes were so spectacular, I bought 3 strands of them.  I don't often do that, but I had never seen such large garnets.

The color is so hard to capture in a photograph.  Trust me, they're gorgeous!

About those 2 wholesale orders last week ...

I may have mentioned that I had 2 wholesale orders last week.  The funny part is that both stores are located on 4th Avenue in downtown Anchorage -- just 1 block away from each other.  How do I feel about that?  About having 2 stores so close to one another carrying my merchandise?  I feel fine about it.  Wanna know why?  I'll tell you anyway.

One store (Grizzly's Gifts) is kitschy and geared primarily towards the tourist traffic.  What do they order from me, you ask?  They are only interested in my ivory and sterling silver jewelry and order from my wholesale catalog.  This photo is a sampling of what I offer there:

The fossilized mammoth ivory is elegant and neutral and sells well in these types of stores.  Grizzly's has a selection of ivory jewelry from artists all over the state.  I'm glad to be represented there.  And they pay in a timely manner -- always a big plus!

The second store is Cabin Fever.  I've known the owner, Jana, for many years.  She's a terrific supporter of local artists.  She buys only my one-of-a-kind pieces, much like what you find in my etsy shop.  It really moves in her shop because she displays it well and is a master marketer.  Oh, and she pays in a timely manner as well.  Gotta love that.

These 2 retail stores are different and they sell completely different product lines of mine.  Most customers wouldn't even realize that those 2 product lines are produced by the same artist.  And that's fine with me.  I admit that I'm not in this business to "make a statement" with my art.  I'm here because I need to make a living and I truly enjoy what I do.  But I'm no purist.  Most of the time, business objectives trump artistic freedom. 

That's just the way it is ... for me.  Please tell me how you feel about this.

Wild Currants

Some of you may remember my posts last summer regarding the red currants growing here & there around our property.  This year, it's a sad state of affairs.  The berries are coming along nicely, but some nasty caterpillars have destroyed the leaves.  I suspect these bushes may not be around next summer.

On a brighter note, the wild flowers at the inlet are at the height of bloom.  The shooting stars are a brilliant pinkish-purple.  I've transplanted some to my own yard with much success.

These chocolate lilies on the other hand, have me stumped.  I transplanted 3 plants 2 summers ago.  They bloomed beautifully last summer, but this year, they did not even make an appearance!  It's too bad because even though they only bloom for a week or so, they are gorgeous and a bit mysterious with that deep brown coloration.

And Another Eclectic Color Combination!

Ripe eggplants.  That's what these earrings remind me of. 

I was down to my last 2 smooth amethyst briolettes (that actually make a pair) and thought, "what should I do with these?"  "I know!", I exclaimed, in my head.  "I'll mix them with some beautiful peridot rondelles!"  I love purple and green together ... all different shades of each.

These 2 stones work beautifully together.  Neither one overwhelms the other.  Harmony.  Ahhh ....

Click on the photo to go directly to the listing in my etsy shop.

Fun Photography!

I recently purchased this amazingly clever set of alphabet photos from alfabetfotos.  They are so intriguing. The artist finds things -- either natural or man made -- that resemble letters, like this "D".

and this "C".

I bought a set of 26.  One has to look at one's environment with a new set of eyes to see these letters in their natural state.  I admire that.  It's a lesson we can all learn from.

Of course, I have no specific plans for these letters, but I think it would be cool to have a space on my wall where I could hang some letters to make words and change them whenever I feel like it.  Sheesh -- I can't even make my name unless I get another set!