Oktoberfest challenge

I have survived this weekend :)

If you'd like to check the other 2 blogs hops here they are:

Sharyl's Bead Packet Challenge

Solar Flare Blog Hop

When Rita (Toltec Jewels) put up the Oktoberfest event I had to participate. Who can look at that picture and stay on the sides?!

I knew October will be a busy month, but I also knew I will make something for it - I love autumn colours way too much. Plus she mentioned it doesn't have to be jewelry - decor will be accepted too. And boy, do we decorate for fall!

Nonetheless - I had to make a piece... actually 3! Almost 4 - but I have to solder the rings for the 4th, so I will leave it for another time.

I finally managed to use the vintage amber strand my mom sent me. I made 2 pieces (I took pictures of only one!) - a combination of fall / summer, I can't seem to let the summer go. I present you 'Autumn in Amber'; I am sure through the comments I will re-visit and re-name it :)

A flower made of copper and decorated with amber, and a amber-beaded chain: simple, elegant, light and beautiful to wear!

I love the colours and the texture: the metal against the organic amber is a very interesting feel!

When I dug the amber from the box, I also got two of the bracelets my mom sent (originally set on elastic): no fancy materials, but really interesting and good looking pieces. Out of one of them I made this Victorian necklace (yeah, a couple of weeks too late, I know!) using seed beads and Czech crystals, and a strand of velvet ribbon. I present you "Victorian October Evening":

It is incredibly elegant, I knew it would be - but when I added the black velvet I gasped; you have to see the Czech crystals glittering between those delicious chocolate beads to understand its full power. This is not a day piece: it must be worn with an elegant evening dress or even with a crisp white blouse and jeans and very high heels :) Watch for a Polyvore collage soon...

Last, but not least - with my newly found love of bead weaving I finally managed to make this piece. I had the inspiration for almost a year, I believe, it's from the book 'Stunning jewelry made easy'. I absolutely love the fiery colours (to think when I bought them I thought these are not my colours!) and I named the bracelet "Glorious Chrysanthemum"

I bought the daggers specifically for this focal, I wanted to make it for a very long time - and now that I did I wonder why I have waited for so long. It is delicious - and it matches the colours of the foliage perfectly!

With the ribbon I just bought for the 'Victorian Evening' necklace I decided to transform it into a bracelet. You can't see very well in the picture - but the ribbon ends are in a gold finish, and the actual hook is hand-made from copper. I wasn't sure about the combination at first, but because of the daggers, which are in a beautiful Siam Ruby and Apple Orange colours, I think the copper and brass make a nice autumn-like 'team' :)

I couldn't leave you without the décor items, could I?

I found this beautiful candle holder on one of our Royal Botanical Gardens trips - in the gift shop. I love its curves and William chose these (very expensive) poppy-like candles.

This is our cornucopia on the mantel :) There is something soothing about getting the horn out of storage and filling it with colourful gourds.

I hope you have enjoyed my Oktoberfest adventures - thank you, Rita, for hosting it and making it happen!
And Happy Birthday to our wonderful host, Rita of Toltec Jewels :)

Thank you, my visitor, for taking the journey with me.
And please make sure you visit the other participants: 

Our host:  Toltec Jewels

Heather Otto	Mischelle Fanucchi	Margareta Saari
Marlene Cupo	Shaiha Williams	Marita Suominen
Shelly Graham Turner	Shelly Joyce	Lisa Posthumus
Charlie Jacka	Pam Sears	Jeannie Dukic
Cheri Reed	Arlene Dean	Duffy Blevins
Susan Kennedy	Dita Basu	Sonya Ann Stille
Audrey Allen	Kashmira Patel	Kathy Lindemer
Kris Mattingly	Lennis Carrier	Shannon Hicks
Paula Hisel	Karin Slaton	Shirley Moore
Alicia Marinache  <-- You are here	Valeria G. Rome	Lo
Zoe Marcin	Carolyn Lawson	Kimberly Booth
Sherri Stokey	Tanya McGuire	Debbie Rasmussen
Christine Stonefield	Sandra McGriff	Renetha Stanziano
Evelyn Shelby	Tanty Sri Hartanti	Colene Waltermire
Lee Nova	Facebook Group Posts