The Witch's Broom and a Blog Hop

The lovely Lisa Lodge of Grateful Artist organized this blog hop.  The theme is Summer Color Surprise and, along with a fine bag o' beads, each participant received a focal.  My focal is a ceramic broom, created by Marla James. 

Together with the beads Lisa sent, with rich warm forest tones and bits of jasper and glass, the broom told a story... which became a bracelet.

There once was a witch of Khartoum,

With black cats and bats, and of whom

She asked, “Tell me truly

Why my spell’s unruly?

I can’t cast a spell in a tomb!”

Her potions were fetid and foul;

The very scent made the cats howl.

No deeds she predicted,

Her powers restricted,

She almost threw in the dish tow’l.

“If only, if only,” she cried,
“I had a broom like others ride,
I could cast spells, stir potions,
Pursue witchly notions,

And broadcast my powers worldwide.”

For days did the witch snarl and fume,

Stomping about in her room

Until owl, bat, and cat

Had enough of all that

And convened in the witch's boardroom.



“A broom is what’s needed, and now,
Though we’re lacking in skill and know-how.
With a magical mopper
Then nothing could stop her,”
So did all the animals vow.

They made it of brambles and twigs, 

Of leaves, string and supple green sprigs.

They added in straw,

Woven with the cat’s claw,

And claimed ‘twas the broom of bigwigs. 

The witch who was witchly distressed

Saw the broom and was duly impressed.

So sure of its magic

She stopped acting tragic

And did a trial ride heading west.

Now potions and spells she prepares.

“She’s the best,” her fat bat declares.

"The queen of bewitching

Without flub or hitching."

“All due to my broom,” the witch swears. 

I also made a set of asymmetrical earrings, using more of the treasures in my beads from Lisa. You never know what mood each ear will be in.  

  

To read more stories the beads told, hop along.

Your Hostess: Lisa Lodge, A Grateful Artist

Chris Eisenberg, Wander Ware 
Audrey Belanger, Dreams of an Absolution

Mary Govaars, MLH Jewelry Designs (Posting on Sunday the 25th)

Melissa Trudinger, Bead Recipes

Monique Urquhart, A Half-Baked Notion

Beti Horvath, Stringing Fool

Charlene Bausinger Jacka, Clay Space

Tara Plote, The Newbie Beader's Blog

Renetha Williams Stanziano, Lamplight Crafts

Leah Mifflin Tees, My Beady Little Eyes

Kathy Zeigler Lindemer, Bay Moon Design

Toltec Jewels, Toltec Jewels for Jewel School Friends

Molly Alexander, Beautifully Broken Me

Alicia Marinache, All the Pretty Things

Laurie Vyselaar, Lefthand Jewelry

You are here:  Eleanor Burian-Mohr, The Charmed Life

Julie Lockhart, Copar Aingeal

Dolores Rami, CraftyD's Creations

Elizabeth Bunn, Elizabeth Beads

Mowse Doyle, Mowse Made This

Veralynne Malone, Designed by Vera

Candida Elkins Castleberry, Spun Sugar Beadworks

Shaiha Williams, Shaiha's Ramblings

Christie Searle Murrow, Charis Designs Jewelry

Andrea Glick-Zenith, ZenithJade Creations