I have come to Aireys inlet a few times now, and each time it is like all the stress drains out of my body as soon as I have climbed the hill up to the lighthouse. The view is breathtaking; the blue sky and the blue ocean; all different shades of blue. The fresh smell of seasalt, dry wood and spices. As I inhale the healing air, The Lighthouse Song (one of my absolute favourite songs, btw!) by Josh Pyke starts to play in my head:

“So we are moving to a lighthouse, you and I
While seas drown sailors, we’ll be locked up safe and dry
And though our doors may knock and rattle in the wind
I’ll just hold you tight and we’ll not let those fuckers in”

I just had to make a necklace inspired by the colours. I had some ancient African trade beads resembling light bulbs; they are truly unique; I immediately felt that they were the right beads for this necklace. The material resembles sea glass that has been polished by the ocean for a very long time, and the subtle irregular swirls look like the ocean bed.The beads have so much history and have been touched by so many hands; they were made in the early 1900s in Bohemia (modern-day Czech Republic) for trade with Mali, where brides would wear them on their wedding day. I bought them from a Malinese lady; she said that she thought they were really old-fashioned, but I absolutely love them. For me, they really capture the essence of the Great Ocean Road.

Up near the lighthouse, we visited the Old Stables cafe; this is my favourite cafe in the whole world, seriously. The atmosphere is casually bohemian, and the chai tea is to die for. They also sell wonderful hand made home decorations, clothes and bags and I always buy something, to have a little piece of the Great Ocean Road in my suitcase when I go back home.

The view from the lighthouse; my husband and kids on the beach, and My Favourite Cafe In The Whole Wide World.

I had stopped by the Local Bead Store, ostensibly to buy an anvil (they were sold out). Still, I looked around so I wouldn’t have to leave empty-handed and found some pretties.

Purty..

They’re a light blue-gray color, almost exactly my favorite color. But I knew nothing about angelite, so I asked the lady at the register and she looked it up in her handy-dandy book of gems. They’re kinda – New Agey. Apparently they’re a recent discovery, a type of anhydrite (look it up if you need to learn something new today), and is associated with the throat chakra, astral travel, and improving communications with your angel guide. Also weight loss.

Goin' to the Chapel..

The other acquisition from that day were the wedding beads, which are thankfully not New-Agey in origin. The name caught my eye because Lil’ Sis is getting married sometime soonish (Yes, I’m almost 30 and my younger sister is getting married – cue the stereotypical movie!).

As it turns out, wedding beads were worn by brides in West Africa, hence the name.

I’ve also put in an order online this week. I’m finally getting a bench block! And Renaissance wax! And some silver wire that’s so expensive it had better grant wishes or something…