Hello again

After a long absence I feel like my life is getting back to "normal" again. i have time to create, share some of my ideas, inspirations and finds and to browse and enjoy the wonderful creations of other artists.

Today's Etsy find comes from Ashville North Carolina. Heather Knight of elemententclaystudio creates the most beautiful vessels and micro tiles. The simplicity of her work awed me!

Enjoy the weekend and be blessed beyond your wildest imagination!!!!

Splashes of color

Let your imagination run.....

Jason Tozer from Belgium has shot a collection of highspeed photographs of water figures. Using some homemade hardware that involves lasers, the photographer captures water dropping and splashing in perfect frozen detail. The water is made even more captivating because of the vivid colours used. Each shot freezes the action in mid-splash, allowing the viewer to see the out of this world forms created.

Beautiful Color

Betty Bushby of Albuquerque's Etsy store is a riot of color. I love browsing her Etsy store and website. Each of her quilts tells it's own story.... a frog hiding between the river reeds....a weepy willowtree etched against the colors of the setting sun..... a riot of color in a field filled with flowers.

I hope her creations bring a splash of color and a jolt of inspiration to a cold and dreary winter's day.

City Spirit

2-Roses Studio is a life long collaboration between Corliss Rose and John Lemieux Rose. Each is a master craftsman in their own right, and together they encompass a formidable range of expertise across a wide range of mediums.

Read more about their work here:

City Spirit Bracelet

Time and time again I loose myself in the wonderworld of John and Corliss' work. It's a feast for the eye and a resting place for the soul.

The abundance of color and pattern always inspiring and energising my inner muse.

Golden inspiration

Little towers of precious gold created by German artist Christa Lühtje.

These earrings takes me into the wonderful world of Aladdin and his magic lamp. They remind me of far way exotic places still to be explored and enjoyed.

Dream

Explore

Visualize

Create

Sea inspired

The sea - the place where probably the most interesting and unique inspirations are found, color, pattern and texture. I was always fascinated by sea urchins. As children we went to the rock pools at low tide to search for our little green treasures. Great was the pleasure if we found one that was not broken against the rocks by the waves.

I stumbled upon the work of artists Esther and Estella , a mother and daughter team from Turkey's, work on Etsy. There I found the most beautiful jewelry pieces made from real sea urchins.

Another Etsy artist, Tina Holden from Vancouver Island in British Columbia, makes the most beautiful sea urchin beads using polymer clay.

And finally from France, this beautiful brooch by Celine, gRiS bLEu on Flickr, also polymer clay.

Inspiration

In 1975 Lady Susan Wood hired two Kenyan woman and started making beads in a shed on the farm of the former Karen Blixen(Out of Africa). She quickly realized that there were many more women who were in need of jobs and so Kazuri Beads (Swahili for small and beautiful) was created and began its long and successful journey as a help center for the needy women especially single mothers who had no other source of income.

Today Kazuri produces a wide range of hand made, hand painted ceramic beads and jewelry that shines with a kaleidoscope of African colors and Kenyan art that reflects a culture.

A true inspiration for every beadmaker!

This beautiful necklace made by Pamela Wolfersberger

Beautiful copper

I love the "your contacts" page on Flickr. Every day it's a small surprise packet filled with fresh delights.

A little while ago I found this gorgeous piece in my Flickr contacts. The warmth and softness of the copper cought my eye immediately.

A copper cuff bracelet.... folded copper and a lampwork focal. Cyndie Smith creates wearable art jewelry using primarily silver, copper and brass.

The perfect piece for fall!

Color inspiration

One of my favorite vegetables during autumn and winter are leeks. Related to union and garlic, but with a taste softer and more subtle.... delicious and beautiful!

A rich winter green color palette:

...and a yummy Leek confit to delight your tastebuds - served in scrambled eggs, pasta or on crostini with goat cheese.

1/2 stick butter

4 large leeks ( white and light green parts only) halved lengthwise and cut into 1/4 inch slices

2 tablespoons water

12/ teaspoon salt

Melt butter in dutch oven, add leeks and stir to coat.

Stir in water and salt, cover and sook on low for about 25 minutes or till soft.

Serve warm.

Bonappetit October 2008

I prepared this recipe yesterday and the confit did not last long enough to make it to the table. Everyone grabbed a piece of toasted french bread, goat cheese and spooned leeks over..... buttery, soft and oh so yummy!!!

Inspiration

Artist Julia Turner combines African Blackwood from Tanzania , silver, gold and silk in these brooches and a pendant. Their beautiful simplicity tug at my heartstrings.

Inspiration

This necklace from UK based artist Gerlinde Huth

http://www.gerlindehuth.com/index_flash8.html

I see the possibility for beautiful beads ... something new for my polymer clay "to do" list.

The perfect teapot

"The discipline between form and function......" is what Antoinette Badenhorst is striving to perfect in the creation of her porcelain teapots.

Antoinette is a fellow South African that I got to know here in the US. I've never met her eye to eye, but the bond between us is unmistakable..... the love of creating something beautiful. Antoinette is light years ahead of me but she's always there to help, give advice and have long, relaxing chats on the phone with.

When I look at her work I always return to the teapots. Light as air, amazing artistry, perfect functionality.... a teapot to make teatime a dream time.

You can see more of Antoinette's beautiful work here:http://www.clayandcanvas.com/home.html