Macro Sunday...

Close-up peeks from Peru!

Woven alpaca throws in the market...

The crazy Sharpei-like cactus at the Larco Museum in Lima...

Viva Peru!

So my clues in past posts about my vacation destination were vague I know, but now I'm back and all will be revealed!

I had the pleasure of spending 9 days in beautiful Peru...I had no idea before my arrival what a clean and modern country it is, even in the more remote areas. I will try to not overdo the photos here, anyone interested in seeing more just leave me a comment and I'll send you a link to a wider variety (but still only just a fraction of the original 3500+ photos I took!).

Fantastic markets full of "Genuine Baby Alpaca" products...we learned early in our trip that anything that is a bargain is actually what I call "Genuine Acrylic Baby Alpaca". Doesn't matter, a bargain is a bargain and many of the scarves and sweaters were beautiful regardless.

Pisac Market in the Sacred Valley...


Your best friend for altitude sickness in Cusco... Coca tea! The moment we checked in to our hotel in Cusco we were all handed a cup of the tea and a carafe was in the lobby at all times (yes, these are the same type of leaves that are used to make an illegal and much less safe product but in the natural state they're used for several medicinal purposes including altitude adaptation, tummy troubles and instead of coffee for an energy boost) .

The most stunning mosaic wall surrounds the Parque del Amor, Lima...

My buddy the alpaca, he was hanging out in a hidden garden behind our hotel in the Sacred Valley. I was shooting photos of him and all of a sudden he decided to check me out...next thing I knew he was standing beside me nuzzling my elbow! So very soft...
Our group primarily consisted of educators so we had special arrangements to visit both a rural and urban school while in the Sacred Valley and Lima.

The private school in Lima, San Ignacio, had children lined up with flowers for us upon our arrival as well as a dance performance by students who are also Peruvian National Champions...

The Wvilloc Community in the Sacred Valley...a somewhat harrowing bus trip into the mountains to get there but well worth it!

Ceremonial Blood Pitcher at the Larco Museum in Lima...

More beautiful ceramics (without such nefarious purposes) at the Larco Museum...


Of course Machu Picchu was the highlight but there wasn't one stop on the trip that I would have wanted to skip. Hubster and me at the top of Machu Picchu...
Truly an experience of a lifetime and so many new friends made along the way!

Chirp Chirp...

Everyone was so nice about my little hummingbird pic on Sunday I thought I'd share just a couple more of his feathered friends from the zoo trip...


Momma hummingbird was so tiny and quiet on her nest but she gave me so many chances to get a good picture.

This fellow was so colorful he looked artificial!


Now I'm off to add a few new pieces to the website, including this Shipwreck glaze bracelet bar (shipwreck because it looks like it was hauled out of the ocean, right?). Blog partners this month have pendants with this glaze on the way! Have a most wonderful week!

Back in the Swing of Things...

Although much of my trip last week was of the not cheery nature (more on that at another time probably), I did have one evening with my mother at a succulent bowl class at a local greenhouse.


I love the variety of colors and textures in the plants...so many ideas for beads here...


Unlike in Canada where succulents either live inside for much of the year or they succumb to the elements, here in San Diego they flourish on my patio all year...which meant that I was sorely disappointed that the bowl I created chock full of beautiful plants stayed with my mom! (pretty sure that I would have had a bit of an issue at customs if I would have tried to transport it across the border!)


The Firesticks remind me of a field of coral...


They had beautiful "living walls" with succulents in frames that hang on the wall...this was one of my favorites...


I am extra fond of birdie photos and although the hubster had a day where he spotted three Woodpeckers and a BlueJay, I only spotted this little Robin.

However, I spent a good chunk of time on separate days following a flock of Canadian Geese down the riverbank...

They were remarkably cooperative!


In beady news... I was pleased to discover I've been featured in an Etsy treasury...

Dawn of Northern Adornments Jewelry Designs created this beautiful necklace with a Viking Knit chain in matte mint and silver and one of my Lagoon Batik pendants. Go check her work out!


I've added some of my new pendants to the website already in the Architectural section and the remainder will be updated today. Don't forget to swing by the Art Bead Scene Blog and sign up for their newsletter- I'm a featured sponsor for the challenge prizes this month. There's even a special discount code this month for ABS readers! A few bracelet bars are left although they go fast! I'm loving these new designs, the only problem is that I need to come up with names better than "Architectural 1", "Architectural 2" and so on... Suggestions are welcomed!

Much to get done now that I've been home for a week and still so very much to catch up on so I should probably stop procrastinating with this lengthy post and get to work. Thank you so much to those who sent me such kind emails/comments last week...it never ceases to amaze me how I've "met" such wonderful people via blogging. I truly appreciate you all :)

I Heart Macro Sundays...

Lori over at Studio Waterstone started a fun weekly blog event to share close up views...I love super duper close up shots of things so I was definitely in! My plan for "I Heart Macro" Sundays will be photos of things I love...we'll see if you can recognize what I'm photographing each week!


Well, this week isn't really a challenge I suppose...next time I'll scoot in closer!

Stop on over at Studio Waterstone and see who else linked up!

Hello Bunny...

So how many of you forgot to set your clocks forward for this morning? I still haven't done the rest of the clocks in the house but at least we had the alarm set correctly!

This cute little munchkin was hanging out this morning...he was quite unconcerned about my presence and went through his full grooming routine for me...


Pretty sure I haven't actually dropped any pounds and become impossibly fashionable just by carrying my new camera bag but as promised, here is a little peek at it in action!
Lowepro Passport Sling Camera Bag (Mica)


It has plenty of room for my camera with a lens attached, a second lens, wallet, keys, cell phone, extra battery and memory card, notebook and pen, a few filters and the manual. Here it is with the back zipper opened to increase the interior by about 30%...


There's a nice padded insert that my camera fits in just comfortably and there's enough space for my camera strap to fold up on top. Notice those two little black flaps? Those are the pockets for a cell phone and the extra battery.


Here's the thing for anyone with a larger camera like mine, the insert comes with a handy dandy divider that you would theoretically use to snuggle your extra lens into but when my camera is in the insert there's no room to spare. I figured I'd give you a picture of how it would look with the divider in...use your imagination that there's a camera there too!


I have a solution though, I plan to sew another side on to the divider and make it into a little pocket that will go beside the insert instead.

For those of you who are here for the beads, here's a peek of some of what came out of the kiln yesterday... This interesting glaze has a matte finish and did a neat antiqued kind of effect in places. I said I wanted a glaze that reminded me of the flamingos from my zoo post... I think I almost did it!
Now I must get some work done- I need to start pulling together last minute numbers before our ever so fun trip to the tax man this afternoon. I hope you have something more fun planned!

Fun at the Zoo...

with Miss Kelley last weekend! No beads, just critters... so if you're looking for beady goodness come on back on Sunday for the Beads of Clay Open House (and a giveaway)! Of course if you're looking for a really good version of most of these pictures you should go to her blog!

Seriously...have you NO modesty at all? We thought that he was completed knocked out but when I loaded the photo at home I discovered that he was quite blatantly flashing us the goods...
I find it so amazing that flamingos can be this color...I think I need a glaze this shade...
Have you ever seen such a relaxed rodent? This Capybara was completely zen!

Loving the lime of this prickly plant bloom... A chase in action...
One little sentinel keeping watch...
The proudest of peacocks (shaking and shimmying his tail feathers at the girls!)...
Quite the noble camel who looked like he was wearing furry Uggs!
I couldn't believe how large this Secretary Bird was...
Of course, can't forget about the furry bears... eucalyptus and bamboo on the menu!


Anyone still here or did I lose you with the lack of beads? You could humor me with a comment so I know you'll be back on Sunday for the open house : )