Not Winter Yet
The snow we got a few days ago, wasn’t the ‘real’ stuff. We’ve had a couple days of sunshine, and for the most part, it has melted away.
I did enjoy taking some photos in the yard, just after it fell, and this morning I took my camera outside to photograph some of the frosty leaves and plants in my yard.
I’ve left the (now dead) plants on the deck, even though they’re not very attractive. My hope is that we’ll be visited by some moose this winter, who will think the frozen zucchini and tomato plants are a welcome change from bare birch saplings.
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During the summer, you may remember that I photographed the Coffell Family. At the time, Abby and I agreed to barter with each other - exchanging my photographic services for one of her - and her husband Bo’s - beautiful pieces of jewelry. I’ve written about Abby and Bo a few times in the past. They are extraordinary glass artists, using lampwork, fused glass, and metalsmithing skills to create one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces.
I asked Abby and Bo to make me a bracelet using blue and black beads, adding in sterling charms that were representative of my photography passion and my love for Alaska. Abby delivered the final piece to me today, and I wanted to share it with you all:
Thank you, Abby and Bo, so much for the beautiful bracelet! I will wear it with pride, and of course, I’ll be bragging about you to anyone who comments on it. When you’re famous glass artists, I will be so proud to own one of your pieces. I’m sad to see you leave AK, but I know that you will continue to WOW folks with your talents in your new home too. You can check out Abby and Bo’s ETSY shop here. They add new pieces all the time, so check back regularly. They also do custom work, if you’d like a piece made especially for you.
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I want to thank those of you who have already emailed me about my 2010 Calendar. While interest hasn’t been as overwhelming as last year - and with the economy the way it is, I can certainly understand that, I am grateful to those of you who have asked to be added to the order list. I will be sending out emails to all of you in a few weeks, with further information. In addition, I have placed a thumbnail image of the calendar on the top right of this blog. By clicking the thumbnail, you can see a preview of the calendar, with more information on how to pre-order one. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
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Before I end this entry, I want to give a shout-out to my oldest (as in longest) friend, Michele! Happy Birthday Mich! I hope your day is absolutely spectacular! Enjoy that California sunshine, and make sure you eat some cake for me! ***smooch***
Until next time…
That bracelet is incredible!!
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susanstevenson Reply:
September 29th, 2009 at 7:18 pm
I love it! They do such awesome work!
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Comment by Michelle Simpson — September 29, 2009 @ 6:36 pm
I love the bracelet, but didn’t see anything similar on the jewelry website. What would be the range for one of her bracelts? I love yours and would add a whale to mine. Thnx
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susanstevenson Reply:
September 29th, 2009 at 8:23 pm
Hi Juli,
Contact Abby directly at abbycoffell@gmail.com and talk to her about it. I don’t know what her range of prices are for custom work as we traded services for goods (my photography for her glasswork/jewelry). She does awesome work! Her Etsy site is just now being populated with her jewelry. She has a bazaar this weekend locally, so I’m sure she has more stuff that’s not on the website.
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Comment by Juli james — September 29, 2009 @ 7:26 pm
Hi!
I didn’t get a chance to let you know earlier - things have been hectic lately! - but my husband and I are definitely interested in one of your calendars. Maybe two or three, I think they’d make great gifts for some of his more outdoorsy relatives! Although of course we’d keep one for ourselves.
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susanstevenson Reply:
September 30th, 2009 at 7:55 am
Hi Tealah, and thank you for your interest! I’ve put your name on the list and will be in contact in a couple of weeks, when I get ready to place the order.
Take care,
Susan
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Comment by Tealah — September 30, 2009 @ 6:07 am
Susan All I can say What a Beautiful Bracelet It really is something to see Abby and Bo really did a wonderful thing in getting it ready for you What I love about it is All the things on it that reminds you
of Alaska I do know you will enjoy it for ever
Love you both John and Shirley
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susanstevenson Reply:
September 30th, 2009 at 1:59 pm
I love Abby and Bo’s work! I am so proud to wear that bracelet because it was made especially for me!
I hope your hands are feeling better, John.
Love to you both,
Susan & Steve
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Comment by John & Shirley Strauser — September 30, 2009 @ 12:37 pm
The bracelet is beautiful. I have a friend that works with beads. She does nice work also.
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susanstevenson Reply:
September 30th, 2009 at 5:46 pm
What I love about Abby and Bo’s beads are that they are all hand made, so no two are exactly alike. This makes the bracelet even more special because I know they both put so much work into creating it!
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Comment by Tammy Kauffman — September 30, 2009 @ 5:10 pm
Hi Susan,
I will check out the website of Abby and Bo. I love lampwork beads, and have thought of trying to do them myself, but I’m so clumsy that I know I would burn my house down trying to do it. I guess my talents lie more with sewing cat and dog beds and quilted pads for carriers.
Linda
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susanstevenson Reply:
October 2nd, 2009 at 10:14 am
Hi Linda,
They don’t have very many things on their etsy site yet. They have a big holiday bazaar to do in the upcoming weeks, and most of their inventory will be taken there. I’m sure after the bazaar, they will have more on their site.
Bo makes the lampwork beads. He is so talented! His work is gorgeous!
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Comment by Linda Kauffman — October 1, 2009 @ 2:58 pm
What a beautiful bracelet. I was complaining about the few cold days we’ve had this week here in Idaho, I’m not ready as I’ve enjoyed the summer weather, but I see you already have gotten some snow so I shouldn’t complain.
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susanstevenson Reply:
October 2nd, 2009 at 10:17 am
Hi Kathy and thanks for commenting. Today we’re having a beautiful fall day in Alaska. It’s 27F and sunny. When the sun is out, the temperature isn’t so hard to take.
We might even reach 40F today.
We had some snow flurries yesterday, but it didn’t stick. So, for now, winter hasn’t ‘officially’ arrived. That will happen when we get the one day of 8″ of sticking snow that we’ll be looking at for 6-7 months.
What part of Idaho do you live in? We’ve only visited the northern part, and it was beautiful! We rafted the Lochsa River about 12 years ago, and explored the Lewis and Clark route. Gorgeous country there.
Take care,
Susan
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Comment by Kathy — October 1, 2009 @ 7:43 pm
Oh, I didn’t realize, are we supposed to pre-order a calender? I didn’t realize you were making a list. I want one!
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susanstevenson Reply:
October 3rd, 2009 at 6:13 pm
Hi Tracy,
I need to know in advance how many I will be ordering, as I will only be placing one bulk order sometime in mid October. I’ll put your name on the list.
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susanstevenson Reply:
October 3rd, 2009 at 6:14 pm
And thank you!
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Comment by Tracy — October 3, 2009 @ 5:13 pm