MaryLou's time2cre8

I've been dashing out to the mailbox every day in anticipation of receiving the package of clay pendants and cabachons created just for me by JenniferFoxArt.

I "met" Jen on Etsy when she ordered some of my Fox Felicitations cards and tags (kind of perfect for her, actually). She really liked the cards, and when she came back for more (and extra special ones created just for her!) the next time, we worked out a trade. Jen received a bunch of cards and tags, and I received this beautiful mushroom-shaped bowl. I just love it!

Well, after the bowl arrived (promptly unpacked and placed on my hearth), I asked Jen about making some porcelain/clay pendants and cabachons for me. I've been wanting to experiment more with my beadweaving, and I knew I'd love whatever she created for me. Shortly after I returned from vacation, Jen let me know that she'd made seven pieces for me.

And then today... there was a package in the mailbox!!!

I opened the bubble mailer and found this inside:

Now you just know that when the wrapping's that cute, it's bound to be something wonderful. The next stage of unwrapping revealed these brightly colored tissue packages (I can't even tell you how difficult it was to have to PAUSE during this unwrapping so I could take these photos!):


And then... (insert drumroll here) TA DA!!!

You still can't really tell just how beautiful these are, and I can hardly wait to start creating with them. Of course, I'll have to sit and look at them for awhile to make sure I create something extra special. I have some ideas, though... I know at least one of these is going to give me the chance to try a new braiding technique from the book I bought about a month ago, 200 Braids to Twist, Knot, Loop, or Weave (and thanks once again to Carol Dean for causing me to give Amazon some more of my money -- I couldn't resist).

Aren't packages in the mail FUN!?!?! :-)