Encounters in Stone, by Caprilicious

Hello folks, how are you this beautiful weekend? I'm heaving a sigh of relief because we have managed to come through the junior doctors strike safely and in one piece. All of us pitched in and worked hard, but the main thing was that everyone was safe and well at the end of the week. 

I even found the time to put together a simple necklace - it is simple, and not as highly colourful as my usual offerings, but I found these unusual slices of rough cut agate from a bead shop near me - the stones seemed to smile at me and invite me to pick them up. I brought them home and looked at them carefully - the lapidary artist had cut through the strata of agate vertically and pierced the slabs in the direction of the cut. You can see the layers of rock at the edge of each bead and it is a symphony in dark grey, black and white, with a few oranges and browns thrown in. I wanted to add a bit of colour - I usually add a chunk of bamboo coral to contrast with monochrome but then I saw this lovely handmade bead in my stash.

This bead was made at a Polymania workshop - I think it was Loretta Lam who taught us how to make a large but light double sided bead, and embellish it in various ways. I polished it up and Voila! Here was the perfect contrast to my agate beads.

Encounters in Stone

I'm not known for my flights of fancy but these stones really did speak to me - they called out and sang. There was no way I could leave the shop without them. I hope you can understand how this necklace enticed me in a primeval way. 

I even tried it on before going to work on Monday, and I'm very pleased with it. 

That's me for this week, folks. I leave you with a photograph of a magnolia tree in bloom that grows in the hospital courtyard. I've worked there for 23 years and only noticed it for the first time a couple of days ago. Isn't that terrible, the way we rush about our business without spending a moment to take in our surroundings? We truly have no time to stop and stare.

Have a wonderful weekend and I'll catch you soon, 
Until then
​xx

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