This is a recent photo, taken one evening on the sofa – Orlando is being cuddled with – not sure if he is enjoying it …….. but he stayed. Siddy was exhausted after a busy day and his mumma wasn’t sitting still, so the kitty had to do.
Mumma was busy. Making light catchers for my customers, another one for a friend, another [really special one] for a Christmas gift. I’ll show you most of them in another post, right now I want to show you what I’ve just finished.
If you have been popping into my store in recent weeks you may have noticed that most of the light catchers have ‘SOLD’ printed across them in big letters. Which is not a good look for any store is it? So I’m off to clean up my shop as soon as this post is up!
Any way, having woken with a bit of an inspiration yesterday morning, I set to and made another one.
For this one I had two colours in mind that I wanted to play with. Blue and purple.
I chose the beads. I chose the bead caps and the little extras – and started to thread.
Almost immediately Don McLean began singing in my head. ‘Starry, starry night, paint your palette blue and grey …………’ and then I began musing on starry nights and dreams and wishes. the beads grew and the strands multiplied beneath my fingers as my mind wandered through wishes and dreams and the magic of the night that grants those wishes and dreams……………..charms began to appear dangling from the charm strands – a unicorn, a fairy, an angel sitting in the moon. Harbingers of dreams coming true were placed, a bell, a crow, the word ‘miracles’, a heart, young lovers………….
And I found I had made a light catcher for a dreamer, one to make wishes come true.
It’s not quite as deep a blue as the photos are showing – it is a softer hue of lilac, pinky purpley blue …….. unfortunately seemingly impossible to photograph with my skill level.
I think it’s really pretty!
What do you think?
Thanks for coming by today, I love that you did!
Oh gosh, it’s gorgeous! And I love your musical inspiration!
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Don’t you love it when it all comes together! xoxo
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Absolutely beautiful, Pauline. I think sold signs in your shop actually inspire people to want one. It shows that people are interested in what you have to offer and might make him think, I want one too! You are so creative.
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I love the colors…all my favourites! And the photo of the kiddies is so precious. I thought it was so cute that Siddy “sleeps around” when Mumma isn’t available! Thanks for visiting and following my blog. I will return to read more of your posts.
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My friend Sherri was the intermediary – where she goes we follow 🙂 Thanks for visiting.
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And thank you Sherri!
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Oh, I have been away too long-how pretty. Congrats on all the bold SOLD strips!!!
cuddle buddies that is what they are + to think it was not too l ong ago they were not so friendly..I remember you with pictures of Orlando on the top of the fridge-lol
Happy creating Pauline!
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Pauline your Starry Starry Night Lightcatcher is just beautiful! My favourite colours and the song is an old favourite too. This is sure to have sold out on it in a trice. Love the photo of Orlando and Siddy snuggled up together, who would have thought it eh.
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I’m glad you like it Kym. It hasn’t sold though – which has surprised me…… but maybe I am meant to keep this one 🙂
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I think it’s beautiful Pauline, I just love the colours. And your photo of Orlando and Siddy is priceless! Orlando has ‘that’ same look as Maisy with Bunnykins doesn’t he? Haha… love it 😀 Just so sweet, and lovely to see you busy with orders. That’s great news that most of your items have sold, your lightcatchers are very popular and I can see why! I need to check out your shop, thanks for the reminder! xoxo
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Cat’s are hilarious aren’t they! The long suffering look is in place whenever a camera is around – the rest of the time he is purring and whuffling quite happily with his little friend!
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Love that…’whuffling’ 🙂
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Good job!
I used to make beaded jewelry a couple of years back. Totally enjoyed it. Each creation was so unique.
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Thank you 🙂 It is fun isn’t it!
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Love the beads! … but the opening pic is adorable. Hi Pauline!
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Hi Frank!! Lovely to see you are back – I’ll be popping in soon for a cuppa and a catch up xo
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🙂 …. Looking forward to you stopping by … coffee is on for you.
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That’s a pretty complex but very pretty light catcher and how suitable for that particular song.
xxx Massive Hugs xxx
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Thank you David – I think so too 🙂 xoxo
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As soon as I saw your blog title I started singing to myself, I love that song 🙂 The colours and the charms on your new light catcher are just beautiful. I’m not surprised they are selling so well, but I do hope you find time to continue with your painting too!
Such a cute picture of Siddy and Orlando! xx
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Jem, I thought I had replied to your lovely comment and have just found it sitting in the list all alone and unloved ………. I’m so sorry! Thanks for singing along!! 🙂
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Oh Pauline – you don’t have to apologise! 🙂 xx
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Pauline, I love Starry Nights, both the painting and the song, and I’m often moved to tears when I hear it. I Love your latest creation, full of magic, unicorns and the stuff of dreams. I’ll echo the others: it is no wonder your shop has quickly sold out.
I think one of the joys of creating in different mediums is that one may inform the other. In other words, when you return to painting, something of the light-catchers will follow. Does that make sense?
Our light has changed as we creep toward middle-autumn, so my light-catcher now bounces prisms off the ceiling and walls earlier in the day. It’s a delight. I hope I haven’t dragged my feet too long for placing an order. I must get details to you, STAT.
You’re love and patience paid off where Siddy and Orlando are concerned. They’re a couple of love bugs living the dream in your lovely nest. xox
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Light catchers work best in the spring and autumn I think – the light is just right then……….. but in summer you can hang them further away from windows and if you find the right place, magic happens!!
You are hopefully correct about the painting hiatus – next year I will be able to immerse myself once more I hope – and complete the course I abandoned in March 🙂 We will see then if the light follows me………
My ‘boys’ are such a hoot to sit back and watch – hours of entertainment when they get going. Siddy’s latest thing is to encourage O to chase him …. so every time the poor kitty takes a step towards him Siddy races about the place as fast as he can – he thunders up and down the hall and round and round the tiny living space, stopping only when he is out of breath, but feeling really happy …………. and all the while the cat sits with a look of pure disdain on his face 🙂
Do put your order in quite soon, time is running out for Christmas orders. I was thinking I need to put a note in the shop to that effect – I’d hate to not get gifts to people on time!
Take care of that foot – I’m sure you are – lots of love xoxo
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We were finally able to coordinate the hanging of Sharon’s light catcher over the weekend. Since she’s immobile and I”m as good as when it comes to climbing on ladders and chairs, we recruited Mike to hang the charms. We moved it into the room as you suggested and it looks perfect. It was an overcast day, so I’ll report back on the light bouncing effects when the sun returns. Not complaining though. We needed these cooler skies and the smidgen of rain that followed.
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Do you know I was just thinking of Sharon and wondering if her light catcher was working for her – and if she was going to wear it this Halloween!! 🙂
So glad to hear about the rain!!
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Her office decided to dress up as spooky Disney characters. We put together a scary Snow White. She’s going to where it Friday, October 30th. I’ll be sure to get pictures. Perhaps next year she can plan a costume around the light catcher. What fun that would be.
xox
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I love how Sharon does the scary bit!! Shall look forward to seeing those photos! xoxo
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She loves the scary bit and I love the glam. It’s funny, isn’t it? I rarely wear a lick of makeup, but have fun doing the big dress up once a year. We’re a good team.
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As for Siddy and Orlando, I can just picture the chase. What a pair, and what joy they bring you every day. xox
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They do!!
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🙂
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It is so great that your store runs well!! I am happy for you. I love the colors and the story of this light catcher! Oh and than your sweet animals….xo Johanna
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I am loving making these light catchers – I wonder if I will get back to painting ….
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I love those colours, my favourites, this is very beautiful Pauline! And also one of my favourite songs, when that comes on I just have to sit and listen to it 🙂 Lovely photo of your fur babies, very cute 🙂 🙂
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Hi Wendy, thank you – this is one of my favourite catchers for sure, it’s even better in real life!
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Oooh, Pauline, this is really gorgeous. It makes me think of the last few meteor showers we’ve had. Really lovely. I’m so glad you’re having to slap sold on on your photos. That’s really great and well-deserved. I love seeing Siddy and Orlando cuddling. A good hug is priceless, isn’t it?
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I love a good hug!! Never have too many in my opinion 🙂 I love this latest catcher – maybe I should keep it for me 😀 Your package can’t be too far away now – I’m longing to hear what you think of it all.
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I’ll be looking for it. Excited to see it. Since the latest catcher was so inspired and came from your dreams, it seems, it may indeed be for you!
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🙂
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Scrumptious and no light, no matter how sparse, could pass by that gorgeousness without having a quick dart through the myriad of wonderful shiny things that call softly from that wonderful dream catcher. Love the song as well. One of my very favourite songs of all time. I adore that image of Orlando and Siddy. I remember when Orlando would rather have eaten his own feet than go anywhere near Siddy. How times change things. They certainly wore Orlando down ;). I hope your weather is as delicious as ours has been Miss Pauline :).
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There you are with your wonderfully poetic way of observing my words and photos xoxo O is rather more in like with young Siddy than he would have anyone know – he pretends the pup is a bane on his life but I have seen him snuggle in and wash his ears when he thinks no-one is looking! It has given him a new take on life really! The weather is still changeable here, but there are longer periods between the grey-wet-windy stuff and it isn’t too hot yet….. my garden is making very slow progress on account of light catcher orders and the grey-wet-windy stuff. 😦
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No wet and grey here and no rain for weeks. I am starting to think that the weather boffins might be spot on with El Nino and am thanking my lucky stars that we mulched Sanctuary. Got a few spots of rain today but nothing came of it and now the sun is out and beating down. I promise not to tell anyone about Orlando (especially Earl). It’s great that you are getting orders for your gorgeous light catchers. It’s perfect weather for them 🙂
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I love that people are liking them enough to want to own or gift on – I feel really privileged! 🙂 I keep hearing that it is going to be a long hot summer, but it is a bit slow getting off the ground really. I think there is just too much water surrounding us and we get rain when the temp rises. The garden makeover is going slowly!!
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Note to self “Lots of rain in N.Z.? MOVE THERE!”
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😀
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Beautiful light catcher. I love how you caught the mood in your work. Orlando and Siddy are just too cute together!
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Thank you SS – it’s all intuitive really. And yes, the furry fellas are just lovely together – they make me smile!!
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Wow–new heights reached in the dangler department! The blue and purple look great and, yes, the song is the perfect accompaniment. Of course, it’ll be in my head for the rest of the week now! The cat and dog have reached detente–who’da thunk?! They really are so sweet . . . must be a relief for you not to have to worry about their interactions anymore.
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Who’da thunk indeed!! And actually more in like than O would want you to know too ……. 🙂 Peace reigns in the tiny house again!!
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Oh my goodness, Pauline! It’s stunning. I love it. ♥♥♥ And that picture of Siddy and Orlando is just too cute for words. 🙂
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Thank you Robin! That bundle of fur is my pride and joy 🙂
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Oh, Pauline! The dangler couldn’t be more beautiful!!! You’ve outdone yourself and so no wonder everything in your shop has sold. I’ve seen danglers at craft fairs here and they do not measure up. If they weren’t so labor intensive you could sell hundreds. No factory can put that much love and attention to detail into the pretend stuff they try to pass off.
I knew Siddy and Orlando would end up together. Orlando is very patient as you have taught him well. My cat, many years ago, thought the dog was her mommy, Siddy thinks of Orlando as his papa. They forget they are different species after a while. That is a most precious photo of them. Hope all else is going well there. Giant hugs.
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I love the colour combinations in this one Marlene – it pays to pay attention to the inspiration on waking I find 🙂 I can’t do mass produced – there is no magic in that 🙂 The little fellows are wonderful together – it took a while as you say, but we got there. The secret I think was to always let O know he was top cat and first in line. And to be patient 🙂 Everything is going very well here 🙂 I hope to hear it is the same for you! xoxo
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You are so wise.
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Boy, Siddy and Orlando sure have come a long way, haven’t they Pauline? So cute! I’m jealous of Orlando, all that cuddle time with Siddy.
Oh, the light catcher is fabulous! The colors are perfect!
Thanks for the Siddy ❤ on Facebook! Have a great day! ❤
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They have come a long way Jill – do you remember that Orlando lived on top of the fridge for the first year? Now he is always on the floor, teasing the puppy, snuggling, putting up with a wet nose investigating where he has been, collapsing under the weight of the paw of a [hefty] pup on his shoulders in a facsimile of a hug……… They make me laugh every day!
Hope the rewrites are not causing too many headaches – Siddy is a available any time he is needed xoxo
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Yes, I do remember Orland on top of the refrigerator. I’m so happy they’re living in harmony now. 🙂 Things are moving along, thanks. Soon I’ll submit back to the editor and wait for the line edits. One day, it will be finished. Thank you for the Siddy offer, that’s comforting to know. ❤ ❤
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It’s quite a palaver isn’t it! I admire your ability to stick with it and get it done!! We are waving you on and sending love and happily published times to come xo
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Beautiful, as always! Great to hear things are selling well in the shop. Love the picture of Orlando and Siddy. Mr Hicks isn’t very cuddly, so tell Siddy to come over here any time he needs an extra hug.
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Siddy loves people and loves to cuddle – he can’t believe it when he meets someone who doesn’t appreciate his enthusiasm for life……. I am made very happy at the way so many like my light catchers – my art work sits in the shop ignored while the catchers are charging out the door 😀
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I know how Siddy feels – life is to be embraced. Maybe it’s just not the right time for your art work. Great to hear you’re doing so well with the light catchers 🙂
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This is so wonderful, the starry nights glass and beads are beautiful and slumbering ♡♡ precious pets send my endorphins of happiness soaring. Pauline, it is 600 am and need to get ready for work. It just turned 15th for us. 🙂
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Hours later and it is first coffee time on the 16th – good morning Robin!! My boys are a tumble of coloured fur and ears and noses when they settle down together – and yes on the endorphin soar!! ❤
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I love the fact those two were in a while other place last year. Almost like Orlando was looking down on Siddy with “disdain” or even, “disbelief,” Pauline. So sweetly tousled hair and Siddy is still the baby pup who needs his naps and long evening’s sleep. 🙂
Your unicorn and fairies in this danglers add a lot to the magical appearance and to dreaming while in the “Land of Nod.” 🙂
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While= whole. . . other place from where they are now.
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🙂 I constantly do things like that – I read ‘whole’ anyway 🙂
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Disdain and disbelief are exactly right Robin! Isn’t it wonderful the difference a year can make!
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It is lovely Pauline. I love the bead combinations and the charms that you used. They sparkle and give off a very serene feeling. Your post is making me miss all my beads back home.
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I love my beads Carrie 🙂
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What is there not to love with beads. They are colorful, sparkly, comes in different shapes and can adorn any clothing. I also loved mine when I was beading. 🙂 I had a difficult time parting with them.
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Stunning Pauline, you are so gifted! 🙂 Can’t wait to receive my parcel :))) love that song, I play it often on guitar. I am the same as you with songs, my 14 yr old stepson says I know a song about EVERYTHING..he tests me with random comments like ‘guinea pig’…so far he hasn’t stumped me…:) x
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I’d be stumped by ‘guinea pig’ Bianca – do tell! Your parcel should be with you at any moment – I’m excited about you getting it too! xo
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Yeah…don’t ask how I had heard it cos I don’t know…:) xo
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😀 😀 😀
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Lovely lovely stuff! Oh to be a millionaire! Or even have a spare thousand! A hundred? A ten!!!! Terrific Pauline. Keep creating. And today I had a cat and a dog cuddle, AND with a goat and a cow! All kissing each other. They stopped when I got the camera! Keep catching the light!
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You’re a bit lucky – I should have liked to see that! Glad to see you back on line!
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Well done, Pauline. Good combination
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Thank you Deerrick.
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Derrick!!
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You’re absolutely right about having songs creep to the surface at any given time. I often can’t help but reply to some posts with lyric quotes from songs that emerge because of the subject matter of said posts.
That Dreamer’s light catcher is absolutely marvelous, “…an ocean of violets in bloom…” -Prince.
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I do that too – often leave a song lyric in response to a post. And such a lovely line from Prince, it really fits – thank you Oscar 🙂
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I’ll be humming that song all day now! I know how incredibly difficult it is to photograph any kind of crystal/glass and capture the colour accurately and I think you’ve done a great job. Beautiful stolen moment of Siddy and Orlando – how wonderful that they comfort each other when mum isn’t available.
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Sorry about that Sheila! It can drive you batty when there’s a song in your head and it keeps going round and round. Thanks for the vote of confidence in my photography skills – much appreciated 🙂
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Oh, this is one song I’m happy to have stuck in my head, it’s a lovely tune!
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Your new creation is very pretty and how great that there are sold signs all over your shop! Well done.
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I know – I have been absolutely rapt with it!! No more sold signs though, I’ve just had a tidy up and restock 🙂
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Excellent!
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It IS very pretty! I love the idea that the music gave you inspiration, or that those colours set you off to sing ‘starry night….’ Perhaps you are synaesthetic? I have a form of it where I see days and months and numbers as colours but Kandinsky heard colour. Weird and interesting – like your light catchers!
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🙂 I think I just have a song for every occasion in my head – someone will say something and I hear the song being sung – I will have an idea and a song usually follows on – complete with the singer ………. I think this happens to a lot of people – am I wrong? I have never paid any attention to whether certain colours evoke certain music – maybe I should 🙂 It was definitely working with the colours that set the song off this time………. You are so right – weird and interesting!!
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I really like it very pretty! I love all of the colors and the charms! so beautiful!
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Hi Lynn, I found a comment from you for my last post yesterday in my spam folder – I don’t often look in there, so thought that was most fortunate. I took it out and hopefully published it, and then forgot to go back and respond 😦 So sorry, you will think me very rude!! I shall do that immediately.
Thank you for your kind comments here 🙂
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oh no I would never think that! 🙂
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Very pretty indeed! I like those charms. I have make light catchers but have not added any charms yet. I also adore your little fur babies, mine are very helpful with my crafts 🙂
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I have seen your light catchers, they were very pretty and I was especially struck by how beautifully you photographed them – I don’t seem to have that ability. I adore my little fellows too 🙂 they are also often very helpful 🙂
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Well thanks, I enjoy taking photos and I got to work with some genuine photographers in my last job and that was very helpful. I learned some things. Do you have an Etsy shop?
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My shop is right here on my blog, under the header photo. 🙂
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Oh wow…it is the simple things that derail me…I will check it out…thanks!
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😀 It’s exactly the kind of question I ask too …….. Bless us both!!
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I think it is just beautiful, Pauline, and a beautiful frame of mind you were in, too, as you created it. The photo of Orlando and Siddy is a hoot. I love it when cat and dog cuddle—mine do, occasionally…very occasionally. It’s wonderful, too, that the light catchers are selling so well! I was wondering, what is your source for beads and charms, and how much customer input is involved in custom orders for the light catchers?
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Hello Cynthia – thank you for these great questions!! I source from all over the place – mostly on-line but also from some local shops, sometimes I use vintage beads too – -it all depends. I spend hours as you may imagine, hunting down what I am looking for. Most of the charms are tibetan silver or antique bronze – anything else makes the catchers too expensive.
I use an eclectic mix of beads – faceted crystals for bling and sparkle, glass for colour and purity, acrylic for shape [and they are also invaluable as they are light and help keep the weight manageable]. I use semi precious beads quite often too though they add to the cost and weight they are invaluable in the curative and healing component.
As to customer input, it is as much as possible – given that I have to have or be able to get what they want. I actually prefer to make especially for someone and the better I know them the better the whole thing works. Colours, style, charms, amount of strands and/or crystal balls are all up for discussion – making something unique and special for someone is the main pleasure [and stress 🙂 ] for me.
Does that gives you more of a picture?
Siddy would cuddle all day long with Orlando if the cat would only let him – poor kitty will tell you he is much put upon but secretly likes it I think 🙂
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