Swirling Like the Snow

Hello Friends! 

 You may have heard that the northeast has had some recent weather challenges. We've had something like 4 feet of snow in the past 12 days ,and it's not over yet. For those of you who romanticize winter in New England here's a little glimpse!

Snow piles on what, in summer, is the front lawn

So while I haven't actually done any designing recently, I have had lots of ideas swirling in my mind. Mostly I've been thinking about which pieces I should focus on and what materials I should select. Wire is always good so I've been working on some swirly leaf charms that I could add to a variety of pieces. They are fun to make and you can do it even when the power goes out (yes, really).

Oxidized copper swirly leaf charms

I've also  been pawing through my stash of rusty black components to see which ones I want to feature in some upcoming pieces. Below are some of the contenders. I just love the rich detail in these stampings and I know once I buff them out they are going to be stupendous.

All those blue and turquoise beads are delicious with the rusty black. Maybe I'm going a bit overboard with those colors?? Maybe a little too much summer daydreaming??? I think those little pink-ish rose beads are keepers and will find their way into one piece in this collection or another.  Don't you just love them paired with the rusty black copper?

Color is important but I also love to add texture.  Truthfully, I love multiple textures. Here are a few contenders in that same color palette. Hmmm, how can I use them in a way that isn't too labor intensive and get some pieces completed?

So while the snow has been swirling outside these are some of the ideas that have been swirling around in my head. Time to stop daydreaming and get to work on these beauties. According to that maddening groundhog it seems like we've got plenty more winter left but still I want my Rustic Garden to be ready for that first day of Spring!

If you've got some suggestions about color, design or even snow shoveling, please leave me a comment!

Nadine