Red Creek Jasper

Red Creek Jasper makes a beautiful and interesting bead necklace with lots of red, green and grey variation running through the stone. I found and purchased some at a trunkshow at A 2 Z Beads a few months ago and it's fairly inexpensive.

Red Creek Jasper has only been available on the market for about five years and interestingly enough, it is not considered a "true" jasper. It originates from China and is actually softer then Jasper (6.5-7 on the Mohs scale). Apparently the stone is still so new to the market that it has'nt been completely tested. Read more about it at Jewelry Making Daily, they did a great article on this last June.

The Sun Came Out for a Bit...

It's been rainy today, but the sun has peeked in and out. I had just enough time a little earlier to run out and snap a few pictures.  Here is a bougainvillae:

I love rainy days and have learned to appreciate them. Everything smells so new and fresh - a welcome break from blowing dust and much warmer days to come. And here is a Meyer Lemon that still has a while to get ripe.

 

Stop by Studio Waterstone for more great macro shots. Just click below...

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Glass Focal from Ozmay Designs

You must see this beautiful glass focal Jill at Ozmay Designs gave to me a while back. I have been looking at this turquoise and pink glass bead for quite a while and finally decided to use it with gemstone chips in this bracelet.

I'm really happy with the way it turned out -using a lot of color with gold and silver accents. And, I hope you like it too.  ;)

Visit to Phoenix Art Museum

Had an enjoyable drive and visit to the Phoenix Art Museum last week.  A good friend and I went to see Sacred Word and Image: Five World Religions. It was smaller than expected, but of course, somewhat thought provoking.  We had plenty of time afterwards to view the main galleries. This photo taken last week reminds me more of my previous visit quite some time ago when I chaperoned my son's fifth grade class field trip. -Something definately more in my comfort zone, full of color and very playful, a work by Karel Appel.

M. Campbell

The pink and yellow background to this photo, by the way, is not paint. It is stack upon stack of colored paper cards. Never would have guessed it, even seeing it in person -a new idea, something unexpected... and that is what I like most about going to museums.

Click here to go to Phoenix Art Museum website.