Saturday Night at the market - 01/31/09

I do love pretty paper, and I have blogged about it several times. 1000 Markets has
a great arcade called Papercraft, and I stopped by for a visit tonight. One of my favorite shops is a member of the arcade, Taylor's Eclectic. Their shop is filled with amazing wearable sculptures and decorative vases created from paper and wire.

The stunning 'Under the Sea: Jewel of the Ocean' sculptural vase is a study in vibrant plum accented with multicolored 'bubbles'.

I also love the 'Grains of Sand' earrings, another study in brilliant colors, and just begging to be worn.

Another shop I discovered has just recently joined 1000 Markets and the Papercraft Arcade - Emily Wilson's Paperlace Greetings. Her work is positively enchanting - it was love at first sight for me when I saw her valentines!



Of course, my favorite is the Double Dragonfly Valentine, but then again, the Hearts and Flowers is a total stunner too - I might have to order both of them! I know I'll be a regular visitor to her shop, and the Papercraft Arcade.



Paperlace's valentines got me in the mood for more Valentine goodies, so tonight's 1000 Markets Search Engine Find is based on the search keywords, Valentine & Pink. I got 136 completely relevant lovely pink Valentine-y things.


I love this little box of ceramic chocolates - no calories! All the little flowers are completely handmade, wow! Check out this stunning teapot, too! I found the most perfect mug in the world in Bud and Lucy's Kid's Ceramic Confections shop, too. Yes, I know I have blogged about 'the perfect mug' before, ha ha...but this is my *new* perfect mug, which I just had to order. My very own Violet Rose mug is now on its way to me - what could be more perfect for Lavender Cottage?

Hearts .........and Chocolate

I love making hearts - I can't believe I haven't had any in my Etsy or 1000 Markets shops for ages! I've fixed that, and hearts have begun making their sweet appearance in my shop once again. I've had some of this beautiful pink chalcedony for quite a while, and decided that it needed to swing from a dainty little heart, so I made one. And I think I feel another one coming soon - I like the way it turned out!

I also made a variation of the original heart style that I have made for years in wire. I shaped the spirals into a nice taper and made the top of the heart just a little bit 3-D. Of course, it needed a dragonfly and a jewel for embellishment, so there they are! Might do another pendant and some earrings, we'll see.

Thinking of Valentines Day made me think about chocolate. I so wish I had some!! I might just be bad today and make some Fudge Pie Brownies, one of our most popular recipes from my days as an innkeeper chef. The recipe is ridiculously easy, and perfect for a sudden chocolate craving. (Also quite good warmed, with vanilla ice cream - mmmmmm!)

Fudge Pie Brownies

1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup + 2 Tablespoons cocoa
1 cup sugar
2 eggs slightly beaten
1/3 cup flour
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
dash salt
1/2 cup chopped walnuts, optional

Melt butter in saucepan, remove from heat. Add remaining ingredients, beat well. Pour into 8 or 9 inch lightly greased square pan. Bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes. Cool. Bake slightly longer if using an 8" pan. If you like them extra gooey, just bake for the 15 minutes.