Hallowed Eve

It's no big secret what my favorite holiday is...


But my love of Halloween isn't about the spookiness or candy or even the costumes (although dressing up is pretty high on the list). For me, this Autumn-to-Winter time of year, which coincides with the Mexican celebration Dios de los Muertos is an extremely healthy, spiritual period. It's a time we're reminded that the burgeoning life of Summer and harvest of Fall must end, but that Spring will come again... It's a beautiful metaphor for our lives. A great time to not only honor the dead and feel their presence, but also acknowledge the basic human tenet "You can't take it with you."


The frippery, trimmings, and general stuff we own, want, and pine for will still be here when we're gone. All we really have is what's inside, you know? What we've experienced in our own lives and how we've been a part in others' lives...


Sculptures like this one (photo by Tomascastelazo) are so poignant to me. They depict Las Catrinas, or high society women. The costume, flowers, and bones are all that's left, you know? Her spirit doesn't have anything to do with all that pretty stuff, but boy, she probably worked hard her whole life trying to get it. A great reminder for all of us as we work ourselves ragged, wanting more and more...


In the Latin tradition, I usually put together a little arrangement on my shelf this week honoring the people in my life who've moved on. I place their photos and maybe a bauble or two that reminds me of them. People like my mom and dad....


And my brother...


The practice feels pretty powerful. I'd highly recommend it, no matter what your spiritual bent.

It's a great time of year, but I'm not contemplative 24/7, of course--I completely celebrate the all-out goofiness of Halloween. We usually have a rousing pumpkin-carving party and we go all-out with zombies sitting on the front porch, ghosts in the trees, and terrifying music blaring. So dramatic and fun!

Halloween is just about the only time of year that I'm interested in holiday-themed jewelry. You might want to check out my Beading Daily blog on Vampire Couture, which I find pretty interesting (a nice tie-in to Steampunk, actually!). Other bits and pieces I'm loving right now? Check out these fabulous charms from Green Girl Studios. I'm such a sucker for these folk-style skulls, and I adore how the heart looks like a mad scientist made it...


And wow! Look at these eyeball beads from Nightside Studios. Don't they make your mind reel with ideas?


Ralph McCaskey, the mad genius behind Nightside also sent me these eyeball posts. They come in a wide range of colors and shapes. Can't you just see them embedded into
a polymer clay sculpture or incorporated into a beadwoven/strung piece? Definitely check out the Nightside Gallery for some great ideas.


I can't go without sharing these wonderfully whimsical Memento Mori pendants from Earthenwood Studio. They are so like Mexican calaveras de azucar and hit right at the heart of my love of this time of year! Well done, Melanie!


Do you have the same love of this time of year that I do? How do you celebrate? What's your favorite part? What will be your costume? Going to a party? I'm dying to know!