Autumn in Maine on the Forest Floor

Fall in Maine is a beautiful time. We get to enjoy the fantastic, classic New England foliage that draws people from around the country, all to witness the blazing colors of the trees against the cobalt blue skies.

While the changing colors of leaves are the showiest and most obviously beautiful part of autumn in Maine, there are a thousand tiny changes to observe as well. I love to get down and look at the little things. Near the forest floor, we can find infinite varieties of lichens and mosses. Patterns and textures. Groupings and shapes.

These clusters are communities of many species of moss, fungus and lichen. The many species create a mosaic of life. See those little red dots in the above pictures? Those are fruiting bodies from the fungal part of lichen, like the equivalent of tiny mushrooms. These communities of life can survive almost anywhere, even where there's no soil at all. Clinging to the sides of big boulders brought by glaciers long ago, they thrive, perfectly at home.

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Suzanne Anderson is the creator of YIKES! Studio Jewelry. Suzanne has been busy creating for most of her life. After graduating with a BA from Maine College of Art, she worked as a graphic designer and a painter. Suzanne works to ensure that YIKES! Studio creates work that is fun, beautiful, always interesting, and adorns the wearer with joy. Catch up with her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or Etsy, or her website at www.yikesstudio.com.

Studio Party

On Saturday, September 21, I held a private studio party at my jewelry studio on Lucerne Lake in Maine. What a great time! It was wonderful to meet you all. Here are a few photos:

If you would like to book a private studio party for your group, please contact me to schedule one! I provide wine and snacks with jewelry demos and opportunities for shopping. A fun afternoon or evening in the studio for a group. Beautiful lakeside property on Lucerne Lake, gorgeous in all seasons, but especially beautiful with the fall foliage that's just beginning to kick in!❉


Suzanne Anderson is the creator of YIKES! Studio Jewelry. Suzanne has been busy creating for most of her life. After graduating with a BA from Maine College of Art, she worked as a graphic designer and a painter. Suzanne works to ensure that YIKES! Studio creates work that is fun, beautiful, always interesting, and adorns the wearer with joy. Catch up with her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or Etsy, or her website at www.yikesstudio.com.

Pantone Fall Colors 2013

Pantone's Fall Color Report is a versatile, exciting mix of natural colors and cool Emerald, Mykonos Blue and Acai. It could best be described as a moody palette, one that can be paired up and arranged in many ways.

The 2013 Color of the Year, Emerald, is still at home in the palette, but it's ready to be lightened by the influence of bright, natural Linden Green. Pantone recommends pairing both with Mykonos Blue for a classic fall look. 

Acai is a great addition to this collection. It will pair beautifully with Samba for a dramatic punch of color, or can be regal and dressed-up when combined with Emerald.

On the opposite end of the palette is Carafe, a deep brown that invites pairing with any of the brights, especially Vivacious, Samba and Koi. This deep, expressive brown serves as an alternative to black this season.

What fall colors do you like best? If you like these selections, do you plan to incorporate any of them into your wardrobe?

10 Cute Handmade Autumn Finds

Is it too early to declare that Fall is here? I don't see any leaves turning color yet.

I'm not sure that any small animals are storing up foods in their burrows. I haven't seen any fat, fluffy, winter-ready squirrels bumbling across the yard.

In fact, the tomatos haven't all ripened yet. The cucumbers are in the peak of their harvest. The grass is green as ever.

But I refuse to believe that it's too early to look at cute fall stuff! After all, in Maine, fall comes on quickly. (And if you like shopping online for perfect handmade items, now would be the perfect time to make your choices and put in an order.)

Here are 10 adorable, cozy, and autumnal finds!



 1. Foxy Bike Handwarmers

These Bike Fox Hand Warmers will make a perfect autumn/fall/winter accessory. They are soft and cozy and they are one of those items that you just don't want to ride a bike without.

The Etsy artisan, WarmYourself from Poland, makes them in kids' sizes too.











2. Beeswax candle collection shaped like antique jars and bottles.

This brilliant wax burns longer, brighter, and cleaner than any other wax on the planet, actually ionizing the atmosphere and pulling dust and allergens from your sweet home air as it burns.

Each collection is hand-poured to order.

These lovely candle sets come in various shapes and sizes, all based upon antique canning jars and bottles. Lovely.





3. Lemongrass Green Hand Knit Hat with Wood Button

This thick and chunky knit hat is the perfect little number for comfort, style, and warmth - jazz up your autumn/spring/winter wardrobe!

The yarn is a wool and acrylic blend, with zero itchiness! The button is genuine wood.

I love the big, big button! It's a great accent for a chunky knit. The color is awesome, too.

By UpNorthKnits.









4. Pumpkin Cheesecake Lip Balm

"Sweet scented Pumpkin Cheesecake Lip Balm! Such a fun flavor for adults and kids alike."

That sounds too good to pass up!










5. Fall Yarn and Felt Striped Wreath

Celebrate Fall and it's beautiful colors with this gorgeous wreath! Featuring striped yarn with coordinating handmade felt flowers in orange, warm yellow, tan and chocolate brown finished with cream pearls!

This wreath is unique and beautiful! Have the best wreath on the block!

One of a kind by Anita Rex Designs. Check it out!





6. Autumn Glass Acorn Decorations

Gorgeous faceted glass with real acorn bead caps. These beautiful little autumn gems come in a pack of six.

They would be perfect for accenting a fall centerpiece or keeping in a small, beautiful bowl. By WhysperFairy.











7. Artisan Collection Felted Soap

These lovely felted soaps are perfect for a hand soap in the bathroom or a personal soap and scrubbie in one.

The gorgeous green and gold variegated wool soap (middle) is a great fall color and is scented Pomegranate Pear. Made by TurtleWorksShop.

For silly autumn felted soaps, try Sapling Naturals' mini monsters, Halloween Owl in a Tree or the adorable Wise Owl by Englefelt.



 8. Crochet Knit Leg Warmers

These look so cozy! Perfect for early fall. By Designer Scarves World.

These soft leg warmers are a thin delicate light weight design, fitting just perfectly under boots. They show themselves off with hand detailed off white knit lace and off white faux buttons.

The Pointelle Openwork knit is on the height of fashion trends looking absolutely fabulous over skinny jeans, leggings or tights. Give your 'any-day look' the perfect bit of lacey flair!

And get ready for people to stop and ask you where you got them!




9. Mustard Yellow and Seafoam Green Leather Journal with Antique Skeleton Key

Wow! These journals by Binding Bee are very special. The journal is created from repurposed leather and handmade paper.

The leather is thick and heavy with a gorgeous oil-rubbed finish and a feel so soft that you will never want to put it down.

The journal closure uses a leather strap and antique skeleton key in a wonderful sea foam green color. The book is hand-bound using a 600 year old binding technique that is incredibly sturdy and long lasting and allows all of the pages to lay flat when the book is open.

Record some drawings and thoughts under falling leaves this fall. 





10. Autumn Tutu Dress

"This tutu dress features the warm colors of fall; scarlet, brown, gold, orange and yellow. Yards and yards of tulle is hand looped and tied around a brown crocheted bodice. Scarlet flowers and gold ribbon give the finishing touches."

Made by My Sugar Muffin. Aw! ❉