signs of Spring

All New Englanders know that Spring does its fair sharing of teasing us, yet somehow we always seem to fall for it (or spring for it I suppose).  What I am referring to are those (few and far between) days of warm, sunny 60+ degrees, when everyone dusts off their sandals and sundresses and trots about town as if it were the 4th of July.  Needless to say, we're jinxing it because typically the day after a "treat" like that, it's usually cold and windy, if not even snowing again.  Well, we've managed to pass the days of snow, (or so I hope) and we are well on our way to the little Spring we do have here in Boston.

I think that Spring has got to be Boston's best time of year.  You know it's really Spring when all the tulips burst open in the public garden, the cherry blossoms and magnolia buds are starting to bloom along beacon street and comm. ave and all the runners, seasoned marathoners and winter couch potatoes alike, flock from the woodwork to hit the paths of the esplanade.  There's something so refreshing about seeing people out and about, enjoying the beautiful weather and the company of others.

After a jog this morning, I decided that it was time to stop by my favorite local flower nursery in Union Square, Ricky's Flower Market to get pansies for my window box and pots.  I do this every year when I know it's finally Spring and they continue to flourish and bloom right through to Summer.  This year, I decided to put all varieties of purple pansies in my window box and then use single colors in the pots.  I can't wait for them to grow and fill in, until their pots are spilling with blooms.

BEFORE potting

BEFORE potting

AFTER potting...happy pansies, welcoming Spring! 

new materials means new projects to come

I've been away from the blog for a bit, busy celebrating St. Patrick's Day followed by a quick trip to Florida to visit my family and relax in the sun.  While I was there, I hunted down some bead shops to see if the selection would be any different than what I was used to at home. My parents were nice enough to drive me around town looking for bead stores throughout Ocala, Florida, where we were staying with my Aunt and Uncle.  It just so happened there were two in the same town, so we first went to the The Bead Strand and were unhappily greeted by a CLOSED sign (apparently they are closed on Mondays).  Judging from their website however, it looks like I missed out on a rather large selection. We ventured to the other side of town to Beed Time.  At first glance it didn't look like it had much to offer, but once I walked in I was pleasantly surprised to find what I was looking for and more!  The owner, Lydia was so friendly, helpful and extremely knowledgeable about all things beads and jewelry-making.

I picked up a variety of beautiful faceted Czech glass beads to use on my leather wrap bracelets, in a clear, light steel blue, fire-polished sage green and a fire-polished silver/clear that catches the light and sparkles just so.

I can find those Czech glass beads at most bead shops but the colors were so beautiful and the price was right, I just couldn't resist.  I also bought a few dainty silver buttons, to use on the leather wrap bracelets as well.

I found some really unique hand-made polymer Plumeria flowers from Spain, that I plan on using in a tropical inspired bracelet.  

The most unique purchase I made was on these tiny Czech glass beads that came in a collection of approximately 12 strands per color.

At first glance they look similar to seed beads, but they are even smaller as each bead is slightly faceted on one side, which catches the light and makes them sparkle.  I am not yet sure what I'm going to do with them , but they were just so beautiful I couldn't go home without them.  In fact I couldn't resist them, so I bought four different colors; turquoise, gold, silver and bronze.  I can't wait to think up a project where I can use them, ideas welcome!