Friday, October 26, 2007

It All Started When a Fire Truck Drove Past Our House...

(Warning: Long circuitous story alert!)

Yes, I said a fire truck. To understand how unusual this is, you have to know that we live down a half mile long, narrow, dead end, dirt road that only has four homes on it, and we're next to the last.

Well, as I said, this fire truck comes (gingerly) past our house, lights flashing madly, and I run out to see what the heck is happening. Turns out, they're looking for a fire. Actually... a chimney fire, to be precise. We new immediately that it was most likely our neighbor at the end of the road (long story), so we pointed them in the right direction and off they went.

Being a very rural area, our Fire Department is totally volunteer. So, when there is a call all the volunteers drop what they are doing, hop in their cars and head for the fire. Tom and I decided we better stand at the end of our driveway to direct the volunteers to the right house, and I offered to take the first shift...

I know this is a long story, but stay with me here... it's almost over.

So, there I am, standing at the end of our driveway with nothing to do but wait... and wait... and wait. Boredom is a huge invitation for my muse to get working, and work she did! I spent most of my time staring at the yellow and orange and red leaves against the cobalt sky. Simply stunning! And suddenly, I just HAD to make a cane with all those fantastic colors! Luckily, Tom was just coming up the road to relieve me, so off I went and... here's what my muse came up with...

And then... not being satisfied with just one cane.... I made these...

10 comments:

artandtea said...

Hi! I found your blog through PCD and love the colors in your new beads! Our New England fall foliage is such a wonderful inspiration, isn't it? -Karen

Lisa Clarke said...

Oh, those are fun! And I totally know what you mean about the leaves and the sky - I was just gazing at them myself a few days ago thinking about how the vibrancy of the oranges in the leaves is really accentuated by the blue of the sky. I never really noticed them as complementary colors before - I just thought they were pretty ;-)

Michelle said...

Wow! Those are great. The contrasts are gorgeous, and the shapes you've used suit the canes very well. Brava to you and your muse!

Anonymous said...

What a great story! Love the colors on your new beads!
Nadja

PS: I hope they could extinguish the fire. ;o)

Susan Turney said...

Very, very cool!!!

Raven's Clay said...

Greetings all! Thank you soooo much for your kind words! My ego has been mega stroked over the last 24 hours. Phew!

Hi Karen - Thanks for visiting Raven's Caw! I have been staring at these wild fall colors for 50 years, but this is the first time I've allowed myself to play with the contrasting colors of blue and orange. It felt pretty cool... think I'll be using these color combos again. ;)

Hi Lisa! I think my muse has me on one of those inversion tables... I've been seeing things totally upside down. Lol!

Hi Michelle - Thank you!! But you're making my head swell - and now my muse is walking around like a peacock!! Lol!

Nadja!! Thank you, thank you, my dear sister! Is it February yet?!?! ;)

Raven's Clay said...

Hi Susan! Wow, my heads about to pop from all these wonderful comments!! Yikes! Lol!

Stonehouse Studio said...

Melanie,
Great minds think alike....Just yesterday I was walking around Charlestown and was taken by the contrasting colors and textures of green and crimson autumn ivy on a brick house. I think my muse also spoke to me and told me to use those colors. Thanks to Maggie, I know exactly how to get there....

Betsy

Connie (The Purple Princess) said...

Hey Mel! GORGEOUS beads!! I love 'em!!

Did you get my bracelet blank order off Etsy?? And how did the guild meeting go??

I emailed Linda and got nothing from her. Poo! You two are the hardest folks to hear from! LOL

Kim Cavender said...

Just beautiful beads, Melanie! Love them!