Lazy, crazy, hazy days of summer.....

Now that the 4th of July Holiday is over, I feel a broad expanse of summer possibilities in front of me.  Those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer!  The warm, heavy air - redolent of tomato plants and beach breezes makes you just want to drowse on the porch with a good book.  And since the days are so long, everything is possible and there's time for everything.  I find myself going from the garden to my jewelry bench and then off to the Amish farm stand for some just picked corn and local peaches! Yum!

Seems like I want to get it all in .....maybe because I know that summer will be flying by me all too soon.  Don't you feel like time is speeding up???

My daughter and her family visited over the 4th and we had a great visit.  Just the right amount of "doing" and "not doing".  Some of our activities included a water tour of the local beaches in our new (old) boat, visiting a nearby lighthouse, a whole afternoon floating in the water getting some sun (burn!), playing games of horse shoes (young men vs. older men), eating lots of great food and going to the Gem show.

The Gem show was held near Baltimore, MD and had jewelry and jewelry related things for sale (beads, crystals, silver and gold).  I mostly go there to find unique beads and crystals and also look for good ideas.  There was a whole building of dealers selling things.  Many with hundreds of beads in hundreds of sizes, colors and material.   Here is a bird's eye view of just a part of the Hall!

This trip I bought some lovely Swarovski crystals that have Aurora Borealis highlights. These crystals are small and light green like the old jadeite dinnerware I sometimes find as beach glass.  These have that additional colored sparkle that "AB" is known for. 

Another find was some great carved bone beads.  I think these will look great with turquoise or brown.   Very island wear. 

One of the funniest beads I saw (and had to buy) were these lizard beads.  I guess they are lamp work - it looks like each lizard is just a little different from the other.  When I go to these shows, one of the pitfalls of loving jewelry is that I spend too much $$$!  See, I didn't really have an idea of what I'd do with the lizards, just that I really, really liked them! 

A classic trend I was reminded of was the combination of gold and turquoise.  It's so elegant and rich looking and also very summery.  In the 1900's this was a combination used in rings and necklaces. It would be fun to make something with this look.  I do have some genuine turquoise beads and golden brown beach glass.  I wonder how that would look???

Actually, I will be making some new designs .....   First a walk on the beach, then I'll check my tomatoes, and than maybe some home made ice tea just right for relaxing on the porch!  Supper will be light fare and sleeping will be sweet with the sound of the waves through the window.