There is no season when such pleasant and sunny spots may be lighted on, and produce so pleasant an effect on the feelings, as now in October. - Nathaniel Hawthorne

Last week I found myself wondering if Anchorage has a fall craft show tradition like many places in the lower 48.  Autumn weather makes me want to bake, walk through fallen leaves, attend craft shows, and get creative in my craft room so I looked online for any hint of seasonal shows.  I wasn't disappointed.

I never tire of Czech glass.  These beauties came from Wicked Good Beadz.

Last weekend alone, I had my pick of the annual Make It Alaskan Festival, a Bead Arts Market hosted by the Alaska Bead Society at the Anchorage Museum (the museum was well worth the trip by itself!), AND the Alaska Bead and Gem Show.  No kidding.  Tim and I visited all three events and met many fun, interesting, creative and friendly people.  There were so many beautiful things to look at and be inspired by at each venue that I regretted not bringing a notebook to jot down ideas.  

These lovely clay pieces are from Lila Koberstein of Aurora Bead + Craft.

We met a lovely woman who makes focals for her gorgeous jewelry with delicate and colorful tatting, a husband and wife team who carve wood, antlers, and old vinyl records into everything from clocks to back scratchers, a man who takes years to create individual pieces of art by layering pigments from rocks and minerals he collects all over the world, a woman who creates one-of-a-kind pieces with up-cycled beads, creative soldering and unique ephemera plus many, many others.  

Tim fell for this bear ornament so he also came home with us from Aurora Bead + Craft.

At the museum we saw stunning bead work, and we were able to wander the collections and exhibits as well.  We eagerly learned a lot about Native Alaskan culture and history, listened to live performances, and appreciated the many works reflecting Alaska's bygone days and modern artists.  I've a feeling we'll visit this museum often.

Some lovely lampwork focals and beads by Susan Kaplan of Kaplan Creations.  The bead pair reminded Tim and me of looking at the Royal Society Mountains from McMurdo Station in Antarctica. 

By Saturday afternoon, after several trips through the Bead and Gem Show, my mind was racing with designs and plans.  I am very happy with the beads I purchased, and I really enjoyed chatting with so many innovative people.  Now...to sit down and get making!

Strands of Czech glass from Odie's Odds and Ends.  The vendor at this booth has a holiday home rental where she also keeps a cabin full of beads (glass, stone, pearls, etc.) for those who want to shop while on vacation.  Brilliant for her, dangerous for people like me!

There are some things you learn best in calm, and some in storm. - Willa Cather

Here are a few photos from a ramble around Potter Marsh a few days ago.  Salmon are still running up the creek to spawn, the grasses, undergrowth and trees are all changing color, and although the prolific waterfowl of spring and summer has dwindled, a treat was to be had as three common mergansers preened and swam along Rabbit Creek.