Sunday Morning Coffee and Etsy 04/05/10

Happy Easter Sunday to all of those who celebrate.   I hope it is a glorious morning where you are – it surely is here!  I’ve got my lavender latte in hand, and am taking a wee little break from my busy Easter Sunday  with a browse through my latest Etsy discoveries.

One of these recent new discoveries is Ethereal Art, the shop of  hugely talented artist, Marcia Snedecor.  Her work is dreamy and magical, and is the type of art that has a different meaning to all who look upon it. 

My favorite in her shop is a lovely piece titled “Delicate Balance IV”.   I just can’t stop looking at it – it reminds me of everything I love about nature, which is indeed a delicate balance of many pieces. 

In addition to original art, her shop also offers note cards using many of her  paintings.  Ive always been a lover of spirals in any form, so the card titled “Guardians” is one of my favorites.    The following is from her description of the work:  "This piece of art was inspired by the Golden Mean, a ratio that celebrates a harmonious relationship pf parts to a while. The ratio is roughly depicted in the spiral shell. Archways combine two geometric shapes, cube and chalice, and symbolize the triumph of the spirit. Identical twins present a mirror image and symbolize perfect balance inner harmony and Oneness. The golden spiral, our sacred path, is the guarded treasure."  Do be sure and visit Marcia’s  own website where you can see more of her lovely work.  

These  beautiful paintings remind me a bit of the amazing work of bead artist Kerri Fuhr.  It’s been a while since I have visited her Etsy shop, so I took a look this morning to see what  she’s been up to lately.  I first fell in love with her work a couple of years ago when I purchased one of  her dragonfly beads.  I think I need another one, and this lovely bead on a background of ivory tapestry is a stunner.  

She has bumblebees, too, which I might like even more than her dragonflies.  Check out this amazing set with a large focal, two smaller matching beads, and several little accent beads.  Oh, what I’d like to make with these!   New this year in Kerri’s shop are her lovely horse beads, as detailed as tiny little paintings,  just like the bees and dragonflies.  This beauty in shades of white and grey is just begging to be made into an incredible necklace.    I used to have an Arabian horse, and this bead reminds me of one of the greatest of all – Nazeer.  My sweet little bay filly was one of his great-great-great granddaughters.   Hmm, I think this gorgeous spring weather we’re having is making me want to go riding.  Wow, I wonder if I remember how – its been years! 

Alas, it’s time to stop daydreaming and get on with my day, so on that note, I’ll say goodbye for now…….

Saturday Night at the Market – 04/3/10

It was a glorious day of balmy air and spring breezes , and  lawn care season officially began today with the  annual First Starting of the Mower.  Now, I admit, I am a very neglectful mower owner.  There was still a little gas in it from last summer, and to add insult to injury, I topped it off with more old gas from what was left in the can unused all winter.  I did not clean the spark plug.  I said a small prayer and pulled the cord.  (yes, I have a non-self-propelled push mower with a pull cord starter).  It was a miracle – 3 pulls and I was mowing!  I should be ashamed of how I treat my poor mower especially since it treats me far better.   So now I sit here on my couch with the smell of freshly mowed wild onions drifting in through the open window happy with the knowledge that my lawn will be lovely for Easter Sunday. 

Speaking of the smell of fresh cut grass – check out this great  looking  cold processed soap I found while ‘armchair shopping’ tonight at 1000 Markets.  From the shop of Southern Vermont Soap, this one is actually called Fresh Cut Grass – I just  had to smile when I saw it! 

This great shop is filled with irresistible looking  soaps that are also gorgeous to look at.  No doubt that I’ll be ordering soon!  One I’d definitely like to try is the Manuka Honey Lavender with goat’s milk, also a cold-processed soap.  Soap making is a passion at Southern Vermont Soap.  Not only do they use the best ingredients, but they are always happy to explain more about the their cold and hot process soap making.

I found another lovely soap shop tonight,too - Enchanted Soap Favors.    What a refreshing twist for wedding or shower favors – gorgeous soaps that look like flowers!   This lovely white flower, made of soap, measures approximately 3." It is decorated with the ribbon color of your choice and white beads. A "Thank You" charm is attached as well.   The hand carved leaf base, also made of soap, measures approximately 5" from left to right.   These little beauties are the perfect accent for a lovely spring wedding!

And speaking of weddings – I just have to show you the exquisite “Wedding Nite” earrings from my friend Sandra’s shop – Preserve Jewelry Studio.  Sandra specializes in earrings, and if you’re an earring addict like me, you will love her shop!   (be sure to check out the great necklaces, too)  Her work is meticulous and top quality- I have several of her earring designs, and now have my eye on the lovely Wedding Nite design,  as well as the delightful pair, new for Spring,  titled “Sweet Lemon Tea”.   I love the pretty pale yellow against the tea-colored crystal rondelles.  Simple. Elegant. Perfect.  And nobody can have just one!

Have a great Saturday, and I hope the Spring Breezes are blowing your way…