Halloween Inspiration

I know I'd said I'd try to be more regular with my posts but it's been hectic since we've returned.  I hope you don't mind the wait.

Each Monday, it's my Bean day.  She goes to pre-Kindergarten for a half day but with her Mom in school until after 2PM, I get to pick her up and spend the day doing whatever we want.  So far we've been to the beach a few times, back to TDH and my house a few times (swimming, gardening and her new interest, catching Lizards) and a few times we went out for lunch and shopped.  It's been a really wonderful opportunity and I treasure it each week.

Last week, TDH and I met our daughter, the Bean and the Duke at a Halloween Bash thrown by the local Nature Park, Boyd Hill.  The Bean was disguised as Jack Skellington from The Nightmare Before Christmas and the Duke was The Big "Plaid" Wolf!!!!  It was a great night with entertainment, hay ride and haunted houses for the kids.  Of course, at each house they could 'Trick or Treat' as they exited.  They literally ran through so they could get the candy or glo bracelets and necklaces.

Halloween has inspired me to do some more with my jewelry.  It started with an easy pumpkin I made for the Bean while she was stringing beads for a bracelet.

Then, I made a spider and web for a friend who'd invited TDH and I to her Halloween party on Saturday night.  I wasn't happy with the spider, it looks like an ant to me.  Maybe if the legs were longer and spread out more.  The web, I thought, turned out great.

 

I tried again with a round body and thinner legs, and I think this one turned out a bit better.

 Then, I wanted a bat necklace to wear to the party, so made that. Isn't it adorable?  I strung it on a black ribbon choker.  It looked really cute.

Last year, I'd bought some Mah Jongg tiles to fill in an older set that my Dad had given me a while ago, but they were too big so I'd put them away until inspiration struck ... here is the result ... for one of them, at least.

My last item is one that I've been working on since early summer.  I found this odd piece of wood in the garden while weeding.  I knew something good was in store.  I've worked it with beads, thin wire, thick wire, wrapped, strung and apart again so many times that I thought maybe I'd just give up.  I mean, almost 6 months on one piece, really?  Nothing seemed right.  Then, I picked it up this past week and it just flowed.  When inspiration strikes, you don't question the guidance.  It's a ritual rattle based on the sea.  Blue below (water) silver above (air) with a shell at the tip and coral, shells and an ocean rock as the rattles.  I'm so pleased with it, I hope you like it too.

Well, that's all folks!  Be well.  Until next time.