On Christmas Eve I was on my way home with the groceries for Christmas dinner, and on the spur of the moment I stopped by the bead wholesalers to see if they had some small labradorite beads. Along with the labradorite I walked out with a very expensive strand of spectacular Ethiopian opals. I used the carpet money I'd been saving for the studio--it is just on the verge of wearing completely through--but I was totally blown away by these. They are full of vivid color, and while bright color is something I usually avoid, opals have always been my favorite gemstones. These are just full of the most joyous light! And they are huge; the clay dish is 4" long. So the carpet will have to wait, and today while snow falls outside I'm creating two handwoven cairn necklaces with the two that are outside the bowl. I have other new pieces ready for photography, but they will wait until the weather clears...stay tuned.