Oct. 28 October Fest and Beginning of Holiday Craft Fairs

Baywood Holiday Craft and Collectibles Fair 2011

Welcome to October Fest sponsored by Toltec Jewels for Jewel School Friends!  This is a jewelry, craft, bead, home and hearth blog and facebook challenge and celebration!

 For me this weekend marks the beginning of preparing for the holiday craft fairs.  Delaware by Hand members of which I am one are invited to participate in the Biggs Museum of American Art  Holiday Fair on November 3 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This market will be held in conjunction with First State Heritage Park's 18th Century Market Fair. Please go into the museum to see our holiday creations.  My second is at Baywood Golf and Country Club on November 10.  I can't wait to see how Baywood is decorated last this year.  Can they top the autumn decorations from 2011?  I hope my Delaware friends will stop by and say hi.

Ceramic Owl by Sandy Sapienze

In between the two fairs, I am going to a Sewing by the Sea Fall 2012 Retreat in Ocean City, Maryland,  for a few days to rejuvination.  This retreat is put together by the mixed media artist Sandra Sapienza.  She gifted me with a series of ceramic owls that she created.  I used one of her smaller owls with an eclectic mix of some of my favorite beads-pearls and jasper.  It created an earthy necklace that is perfect for the Fall. 

I live at the beach so my Fall has leaves, empty sandy beaches, and local wildlife like this deer at Cape Henlopen State Park. 

                       Halloween is one of my favorite holidays because it involves chocolate.

I am not know for spending much time in the kitchen and when I do it usually involves chocolate.  I found a perfect fall treat--acorn cookies. It is very easy to make. 

                       Acorn Treats made with Chocolate Kisses

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 48 semisweet chocolate chips
• 48 milk chocolate kisses
• 48 Nutter Butter Bites

Directions

• In a microwave, melt chocolate chips; stir until smooth. Spread the flat side of each kiss with a small amount of melted chocolate; immediately attach each to a cookie.
• Attach a semisweet chocolate chip by spreading a small amount of melted chocolate on the opposite side immediately attach each to a cookie . Place on waxed paper-lined baking sheets; refrigerate until set. Store in an airtight container. Yield: 4 dozen.

The Witchery by the Castle in Edinburgh, Scotland

                                        Happy Halloween!