Green Opal Bracelet

As a gardener, I really dislike garlic chives.....they are invasive and spread by root system and by seed. I made the mistake of planting them in my garden over seven years ago and I am still battling them today. Warning: Garlic Chives Are Invasive

I snapped the shot above at my husband's grandparent's farm in Waterville, Kansas. The farm has been abandoned for years and the flower beds are only tended a few times each year by visiting family members. The photo above is the garlic chives gone to seed at the farm.

They are really lovely with their black seeds against the straw colored stems. These little garlic chives have been growing in the flower beds and flourishing without any care, weeding, or water - AND they are thriving. This is where the invasive part comes in yet, again.... Caution: Garlic Chives Are Invasive

I have been busy filling custom orders for the Holidays - thank you all so much! I managed to squeeze in a little time to put this bracelet together made with faceted green opals. I added gold rondelles and beads for interest and a teardrop shaped natural pearl charm.

Those of you familiar with my work know that I like to throw in elements of "toughness" to my jewelry. It's my expression of the feminine - beautiful yet, tough - think Steel Magnolias... or Iron Jawed Angels...

To express this "toughness" I added a leather element to the closure, making a clasp of rawhide cord attached to the gold heart shaped clasp.

My last bouquet of cabbage roses from my garden. I adore them, they are a delicate pink - an old fashioned variety. I was so delighted to find one last group of blossoms in the month of November which is really rare for this time of year. Now these blossoms are dried and in my windowsill to remind me of Spring blossoms.

The Christmas tree is up, filled with silver and white balls and tiny mirrors in the shape of little birds, my favorite Christmas ornaments for my tree each year. A capiz shell star at the tip top of the tree and simple white lights seem perfect this year. My tree is contained in the Chrismas Tree corral my sweet husband made for me years ago. I'll try to take a few shots for you... it's really something special. It's of Czechoslavian design and provides the perfect place for presents under the tree.

We had our first snowfall last night that covered the pine tree branches with lovely white snow....it's beginning to look alot like Christmas in the prairie lands.... xo Julie