I like to explore and tell descriptive stories about places. I also make jewelry, music and mixed-media art.
Spruce Pine Mining District, North Carolina, July 2025 At the access to the mica mine stands a sign, “area closed to storm damage/not safe to enter.” Fallen trees and rocks rolled by nature can be seen. This is my first trip to western NC after Hurricane Helene. IT’S A SHAME ABOUT RAY I came for the […]
Read More GEMS OF THE BLUE RIDGE, GOING THROUGH CHANGESMarch, April, and May 2025 While walking in a brick plant, on pressed red earth near Moncure, NC, I step over small rectangular pieces of brick, lying across the lot. The size, flat surface, color palette and softness of this material, I felt, would be perfect for rune casting stones, and this source in the […]
Read More Rune Brick and Red Drek – Vikings in CarolingiaSAVANNAH, GEORGIA, April 2025 Spanish moss, hanging from old oaks, dances in the breeze. Bright, warm afternoon sunlight streams across stone statues as I enter the garden of memories. Azaleas bloom as tourists walk along rows of beautiful and historic graves. I’m amazed; like at Père Lachaise, I could spend here all day. Morning started […]
Read More Gardens of Good, Ages of EvilJanuary-February full moons Across brown, rolling fields , gray layers of clouds slowly cover clear patches of morning sky. Pines provide patches of green on an otherwise muted pallette. This time, snow and sleet are on their way. I pass through, embracing the season of the far sun for a change. At the Dan River, […]
Read More Winter Dread and GuidanceCold Moon, December 2024 As the final full moon rises before winter solstice on a cloudy night in the North american eastern woodlands, I look back through the past solar year and then to the path that lies ahead. Earlier this year, I decided to update the name of this blog to “Arianna’s Creative Travels” […]
Read More Creative Travels: observations of a cycleAs cold weather envelops the Eastern Woodlands, local artisan markets or bazaars take form. This coming weekend, my “Starri Ari Stones” will be set up at two of these: Saturday, November 23, in Danville, VA at the community market downtown , and “Chance’s Flea” Sunday, November 24 at Rebus Works, Boylan Heights, Raleigh, NC. Times, […]
Read More Holiday Markets begin this weekendThis upcoming week, I’ll be in Franklin, NC for the summer gem and mineral shows. The show dates are July 24-28, and you can find me and my jewelry at El Paso Rock Shop’s tent in the G&LW Watauga festival ground on US Hwy 23/441 (6295 Sylva Rd, Franklin, NC 28734, north of town). Franklin’s […]
Read More Franklin, NC gem show is comingThis year, one of my travel goals has been to see the rhododendron in bloom. Through exploration and research, ecstasy was achieved; the blooms were awesome, and they inspired a beaded art necklace. June, 2024. The spring bloom period in the eastern woodlands finally reaches the Appalachian mountains. Gardens in the cloud forest create a […]
Read More Rhododendron flowers, a necklace, and pride
arianna's creative travels 