Sacred Cake

I love that I meet a new friend almost every day thanks to blogging or Etsy. I met Jennifer of Sacred Cake only a few days ago and already I feel I have found a kindred spirit! We were both surprised that we hadn't known about each other sooner! I especially admire her vintage assemblage pieces- whether they're for dressing your walls or your sweet self-they have a really lovely eccentric heirloom quality. She also cleverly offers customized assemblage jewelry made from your own personal collection of keepsakes- contact her for more info through her Etsy shop. xo

Marme- vintage assemblage locket bracelet
I can't resist that avocado green velvet!

Yellow- An Antique Assemblage Necklace

Writing in Books

And So Will I- Vintage Assemblage Necklace

Irving Freedman's Radio-
an Assemblage Story

I love this- especially those radiating hairpins!!

Skunkboy Creatures

Katie with one of her Skunkboy Creatures

I just did a search of my own blog to verify my gnawing fear that I hadn't featured one of my very favorite Etsians and art doll makers, Katie of Skunkboy Creatures! I can't find any hint that I have although I've always told myself-yes you did. Well, no I surely didn't! After some serious deep thinking (ow!) I've brought up some repressed memories that the several times in the past when I would have done it- I stopped when I realized another blogger was posting about her the very same day! (end of sad long story excuse)

I've long admired the sweet homespun details of Skunkboy Creatures handmade (and made to order when purchased!) art dolls. For me- the enchantment of her work is in the recycled grey felt, her colorful top-stitching and the expressive button eyes-such as in little Suzette the Elephant. I imagine the artist might actually be a sweet little country woman making these for the children of travelers who stop by her little folk house. The details and colors are recollected from memories of her childhood outdoor adventures and the rare experience of attending a travelling circus menagerie that once came through a nearby town. Katie's real life muses for her magical and exceptional creatures can be found via her blog! *Katie also sings and plays a mean accordian...I mean, what a triple threat!! xo

Suzette the Little Grey Elephant

Camille and Owly Owls in Love
Enlarge this to see more clearly her precious scalloped eyelids!

Monkey
I'm crazy in love with Monkeys little green ears and stripes!

Owl Wedding Cake Toppers-Custom Designs
Her big doe eyelashes make me want to do it all over again!

Snail and Snail Mini-see similar here
I think can use the mini's base button to fasten her to your lapel!?

Robin Robin
Oh, that ruffled breast! Check out her
size in the first photo!

Happy Birthdays to yooou!

Happy Birthday to all my September Sweethearts!!

This is my small token of hooray and thanks for You!
xoxo

Ginny Branch Stelling

These mixed media drawings on found papers just created a commotion in my heart! They were made by the ever inspired-girl wonder, Ginny Branch Stelling- from her Curious Hands album on Flickr-and more on her endearing blog, My Favorite Color is Shiny. xo

glittering understudy 1

nudie 1

scrap fabrics

guilty 4

Jason Hackenwerth at ArtPrize

Hey Michigan friends! If you are lucky enough to make it to Art Prize in Grand Rapids-remember to register to vote-and please consider my old classmate-The brilliant Jason Hackenwerth and his mind-blowing (bad, i know) balloon sculpture-see below! Read all about the insane competition that is Art Prize-in this article. You can sign up online- but unfortunately you have to be there in person to confirm you actually witnessed the art- and then you're able to text or vote online. Go, Jason!

Jason with his Empress!
via Brian Kelley Photography

Scarlett Empress 2009 Photo from Flickr- RichardD72

Danielle Thompson's Artful Home

Just in case you got caught under a rock like I did...you must go check out Decor8's feature on artist and designer, Danielle Thompson's artful home! This is a girl who takes after my own heart- gluing doilies and paper to the wall! Holly also included a great q&a with Danielle who never ceases to inspire me with her sense of humor and unassuming nature on top of all that talent!

Photos copyright Danielle Thompson!

Friday Favorites (aka lazy blogger)

1. Donald and the giant velvet rabbits, 2. Fairy by O Hill, 3. dancing flowers pendant, 4. Soldier's goodbye & Bobbie the cat, ca. 1939-ca. 1945 / by Sam Hood, 5. Two women seated on bench, interior, 6. 50 miles of flea markets.., 7. Irma La Pierre , 8. Acorn Birds, 9. Under an enormous sunshade, 10. *, 11. Three girls with pets, 12. New, 13. abby cradling the sun, 14. sep9, 15. living room, 16. queen bunny, 17. Atomic Eggbeater Clock, 18. life's forest - il bosco della vita, 19. Doll, 20. Thank You For Your Support, 21. laptop case, 22. Buzzi as a Bee, 23. Bob-Bob Bobbin' Along, 24. ... tem destas..., 25. Strongman Eugen Sandow, circa 1900

Cuyler Hovey-King

Cuyler Hovey-King is one of my very favorite mixed media jewelry artists! I was so excited to see these new pieces listed on her site today!! I can't get over the tiny circus pony Cracker-Jack charm she turned into a unicorn! Its, bananas! (as my new favorite Bravo designer would say.) Her work is available through her website and shopSCAD! Hooray, Cuyler! You are an inspiration! xo

Unicorn Necklace

Vintage Face Pendant

Vintage Brooch Necklace

Vintage Button Necklace

Bunny Ring
(Not new-but on sale!)

These are pieces available through ShopSCAD...
to inquire call 912.525.5180

handmade and vintage wedding toppers

I apologize for the lean amount of posts lately! I've been so thrilled to be accepting orders for my graphic design sevices...and I've been learning more about website design- practicing on myself. My site is almost finished! I've been sitting on my hands to post about this- but since I'm so preoccupied today I thought- eh! Go, ahead! I'm super excited that Martha Stewart Weddings- Fall edition will be coming out next week! Grace Bonney of Design*Sponge was kind enough to commission me to make their cake topper and her wedding is going to be featured in the new issue! I can't wait to see the whole layout- I've only seen bits and pieces! I'm hoping that this might bring about other orders for custom toppers. I've listed an example of one above. If you or a someone you know is getting hitched soon- please consider a custom topper assembled just for you! xo

Homemade Circus...new works!

Tammy Smith of Homemade Circus has some new works listed on her blog! I believe she is saving them for the upcoming Plaza Art Fair in Kansas City, MO this Sept. 25-27! (Jennifer- I really think you need to go check it out for me!!) I especially love the lighting elements and that Circus Wagon! xo

Hanging Light w/ Circus Wagon
18" tall by 15" wide

Large Hanging Light
34" tall by 18" wide

Hanging Light w/ Rollercoaster
16" tall by 15" wide

Ferris Wheel on Wood Base
16" tall by 9" wide

Lorie Corbus Art Classes!

The awesome Lorie Corbus is forming new art classes now for adults and kids! The classes will be taught out at her beautiful bright studio in the woods near Bonaventure! She's even offering portfolio preparation for emerging artists- so those of you in Savannah,Ga...don't miss this opportunity! Click the poster to enlarge for contact info! xo

Lorie Corbus graduated summa cum laude from the Savannah College of Art and Design in 2002. She was chosen as one of Georgia's Young Movers and Shakers of 2006 by the Museum of Contemporary Art in Atlanta, Ga.

Sing Out Loud...

Sing Out Loud Every Day Print
by Jen Renninger
I love everything about this! xo

wishing i was here...

The Country Living Fair 2009
Columbus Ohio
September 18–20
Friday, Saturday, Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

I'd make a beeline to McMaster & Storm
and the Earth Angels Artist Market...*sigh*

found paper co.

The found paper co. is my kind of shop!

Vintage Folding Ruler - Red, White, and Black

Vintage Woodgrain Word Tiles-set of 12

Vintage Family Game Pieces-set of four

Vintage Wavy Subtraction Cards-set of 6

Vintage Type Set - Handicraft Printer

30 Vintage Game Pieces

thank you!

I need to thank my kind friend Barb Blair of Knack Studios for giving me a much-appreciated boost of support on her blog last Friday! Barb is so talented and such a lovely person- I feel so fortunate just to know her! Thank you also to Christy of farouche for her super sweet post yesterday about my work on her blog, Dandy Bread and Candy. I can't tell you how much I appreciate these kind gestures from folks I so admire! xo

Make Do and Mend
by Farouche

Kathy Thompson's History Boxes

My good friend, Kathy Thompson-a fantastic mixed media artist in Fayetteville, Arkansas-has created a new art business called Hboxes or History Boxes. For years Kathy has collected and created highly sought after art and assemblages from found objects. She is now accepting commissions to use your treasured items to create a customized work of art or Hbox. Watch the video below featuring Kathy in her studio to find out more! xo

Kathy with a group of her Hboxes featured at the
Fayetteville Public Library.

Contact Kathy at kathy@hboxes.com

Happy Birthday, dear Mother!

To my precious Mom...
I hope you have a marvelous birthday! I wish we could be together...but always know I carry you in my heart wherever I go! I love and appreciate you to the ends of the earth!! xoxo, katie

handmade poetry heart(and photo) by Cathy Cullis