Chiricahua National Monument

This past weekend, we went down to Willcox, AZ for the first annual Wine and Arts Festival as vendors. We went a day early so we could do some exploring. So we took a drive out to Chiricahua National Monumnet. WOW ! Just stunning! It was a beautiful crystal clear day with a typical blue blue blue Arizona sky. I'll let the photos speak for themselves.

Willcox Wine and Art Festival

We did a two day craft show in Willcox, Arizona, sponsored by the Arizona Wine Growers Association. Willcox is famous for Rex Allen, hydroponic tomatoes, and trains. The festival was held on Railroad Avenue in front of the Rex Allen Cowboy Museum. The Avenue was closed off to traffic, and the vendors set up in the road. Wine tasting took place near the pavilion in the park. The weather was absolutely gorgeous! This was the first year for this festival, so there weren't droves of folks there. It was ~ok~ for the first year. We didn't make a killing. Hopefully, I picked up a few new customers. We'll see!!






We arrived early enough on Friday to take a drive out to Chiricahua National Monument. Just absolutely beautiful!! I will be posting pics later this week.

Farmers Market, Reed Diffusers, and a Two Day Craft Show

This weekend's farmers market at the Rincon Valley Farmers Market was pretty wild and wooly, weather-wise. I guess pieces of the hurricane Norbert were giving us just an itty bitty little "hello" and driving some winds and rain around the mountains. A few wind gusts sent some of the vendors running to hold down their displays. A few vendors had to leave early because of the wind. Since we are in the barn, we had no worries ... other than the rain and wind keeping customers away! There were quite a few customers, but most of them just bought their veggies and nothing else. I had a few people scoping out Christmas gifts already, and I was always quick to point out that handmade soap makes a wonderful gift, and that I would be having gift packages as the Christmas season got closer.

Speaking of Christmas season, I am going to be trying out something new for me. Reed diffusers. I'm testing a diffuser base now, and so far I am happy with it. Now to find some pretty diffuser bottles. I will offer them as an entire kit in nice packaging so they'll make nice Christmas presents, and the diffuser oil separately for refill.

Next weekend, Ray and I will not be at our regular farmers market. We will be doing a two day show in Willcox, AZ. This is the Willcox Wine and Art Festival, Oct. 18-19. So far, it looks like nice weather. According to the publicity I have read, there will be plenty of artisans, and there will be wine tasting! Plus Willcox is home to a few pick-your-own farms, including apples and pumpkins. So anyone within the area, I hope to see you there!!

Photos of the Santa Ritas

Ray is on vacation this week. It's mostly a stacation, you know, stay at home, do yard work, and sleep vacation. :)

But yesterday we went exploring. We picked Patagonia Lake as our destination. Patagonia Lake is southeast of Tucson, in the hills above Nogales. To get there, we decided to go the long way, east to Vail, then south to Sonoita through the Santa Rita Mountains.

How do you say ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL !!!! I mean it! I am in awe of the mountains around here. We live in the Tucson Mountains, which seem like individual peaks within a range. And to the north of us are the Catalinas, standing like one huge rugged rocky mountain. And to the east, the Rincon Mountains, a rolling sloping range. And to the southeast, the Santa Ritas, with rolling ridges looking like tree roots.

Here are some pics for you



There are yellow flowers everywhere. I believe they are some kind of aster, but haven't been able to identify them yet. I'm sure the folks native to this area will laugh and say well, heck, those are ______ ! :)



Everyone looks very self sufficient in this area. Windmills, solar panels. Here's a windmill in a pasture of cows.



And this is the lake ... small compared to what we are used to in New England, but very nice!!



Plenty of birds around. A few ducks, which I need to get out my bird book to identify ... I still haven't learned my western birds yet, which for an old birdwatcher like me is just bad! Great blue herons, which were nice to see again. Turkey vultures hanging around, casting shadows on our picnic. Here's one just hanging around the campground area of the lake.



And here's a look back at the lake as we head out towards Nogales.

Love That Turquoise!

I spent some time this week making jewelry. The fall gem show was here at the beginning of September, and I went on a small buying spree. I always check out the guys from the Kingman mine. The Kingman mine has a variety of turquoise, from the vibrant blue that I just love, to a beautiful subtle green. I bought a gorgeous strand of 8mm rondells in a beautiful blue. And a graduated strand of blue with a black matrix. And a couple of blue-green heshi strands.

So I made this with the blue turquoise





The accent beads are purple jade, from Turkey, and are really lovely!




This is the necklace I made with the strand of graduated beads, with matrix. Accents are Bali sterling silver.



Matching earrings



AND ..
A special order for one of my farmers market customer - she was looking for a plum/purple color necklace to wear to a wedding next month. She found an amethyst bracelet that she thought would match, and ask if I could make a necklace just like it. Fortunately, I had plenty of the beads so this is what I made





She just called a while ago to let me know she received it, and that it is perfect!! :-D That's what we like to hear!!!

New Listings on Etsy

I'm trying something a little different for me. Soap logs! These are 8 inch soap logs, which weigh in at about 2 1/2 pounds.

The prettiest is the Herbal Rosemary



I also have an Oatmeal and Honey



And a Lemon and Honey



I have a couple of other logs that I need to take pics of ... White Sage, and Lavender. I also have a couple of Pumpkin Spice logs that will be ready soon!

Fun at the Roasted Chili Festival

I wish I had gotten pictures! There was a good crowd at the Chili Festival at the Rincon Valley Farmers Market this past Saturday. I sold lots of soap and some jewelry.

For jewelry, I sold my Cantaloupe and Honey Dew necklace


And a carnelian wire wrapped bracelet and matching earrings




And other assorted earrings and wire wrapped rings.

The best sellers in the soap category were Pumpkin Spice, Lavender, and Herbal Rosemary.

One of the entertaining parts of our farmers market is there is a dog food vendor in the barn. And people are always bringing their dogs. Saturday the Greyhound Rescue group was set up, so there were beautiful greyhounds around all day. They are such sweet dogs! I never met a greyhound I didn't love!