A very happy Monday to all! I’m very excited to announce that I’m participating in the next Lowcountry Artist Market on December 7th! I have several pieces of my beautiful new vinyl cut out and now I have that deadline to get me in the pants again.

The Lowcountry Artist Market can be followed via: Facebook | Blog | Twitter | Pinterest

Share on Facebook

Adjustable Bat Garlands are back on the Etsy shop. I can also do custom orders for whatever length desired!

Share on Facebook

Michael is always looking for a chance to play with his black/uva light device. We have a small collection of vaseline/uranium/ouraline glass and are always looking to add to our collection. We have smaller version we carry with us when we’re hunting for vaseline glass. We’ve been asked how we’ve created some of the effects, so I thought I’d share a few things.

Our Halloween displays used a more focused exposure to the light as we were shooting in daylight and we were using a diluted solution for the specimen jars.

Our vaseline bowl, which was achieved by moving the light from the side, up over the top and to the other side. Rinse, lather and repeat for the duration of the timer.

(more…)

Share on Facebook

I treated myself to some of Aileen’s artwork recently. It arrived yesterday and this Instagram photo pales in showcasing it’s splendor. But that’s for another photo session! Currently, I’m trying to decide how to showcase it in our space. We have a pocket watch dome to display an old family timepiece but it’s brass so I started a search for something in a silver finish. It lead me to the discovery of this amazing timepiece, a Momento mori pocket watch.

‘Memento mori is a Latin phrase translated as “Remember you must die” (and the origin of the English word memento, which appeared as memento mori, “remembrance of death”). It names a genre of artistic creations that vary widely from one another, but which all share the same purpose: to remind people of their own mortality and the punishment they will receive if they transgress the rules of their religion. Skull form watches were popular during the renaissance.’

I found it on Stephen Bogoff‘s site via Watchismo. I’d love to know who has this in their possession!

Picture credits in post.

Share on Facebook

My sweet, sweet husband ordered me a few plants for my birthday last week. At his request I sent him lists from several sellers. He chose Wellspring Gardens in Florida on eBay, and they arrived today.

One Allspice, one coffee, two Nepenthes Lantern alata, two Agave potatorum, and two COLOCASIA ‘Tea Cups’.

Here they are without their protective wrappings.

This is the second time we’ve ordered from Wellspring and we’re very happy with our plants.

ETA – I totally forgot to mention that the box was filled with the scent of the Allspice when I opened it and it was wonderful.

Share on Facebook

How are these for some serious cuteness overload? Posted earlier today on Design*Sponge, these adorable plants by Sian Keegan, are a treat for those with green or black thumbs.

*Starts saving pennies*

{ All images from D*S / Sian Keegan }

Share on Facebook

Two amazing spaces that I’ve had the honor to share recently!

Leila & Buff’s Beautiful Beach Abode…

Loree’s Dangerously Beautiful Garden…

Here’s to a safe, fabulous and inspired weekend!

Share on Facebook

The new IKEA catalog is out and I’ve seen this little awesome little number making the rounds on the Internet. I would love to have one, or even two, for the studio. It would perfect for keeping various bits I need in multiple places while working. Color me not surprised when Lara Rossignol, one of my favorite photographers, posted hers today and not only does she make me want it more but I see spy my favorite book… Geek Love!

/blubbering fangirl moment.

Photo by Lara Rossignol.

Share on Facebook

I saw this amazing installation of giant fish made from discarded plastic bottles rising from the sands of Botafogo beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil last week and had to share! Hopefully I’m not the one of the last people to see this. I found these photos and info on the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) at Colossal. The photos of the fish at night are pretty spectacular.

Photo credit: Victor R. Caivano / AP

Share on Facebook

I decided to partake in Centsational Girl’s Favorite Souvenirs Link Party today. Michael and I went to France in the spring of 2006. We only had a day and a half in Paris at the end and we stayed in a lovely hotel in the Latin Quarter. We woke up to an overcast Sunday morning and made our way to see Luc Santiago at Vert d’Absinthe. Along our wonderful stroll we stopped by the Notre Dame while Mass was in progress. It was quite a sight. We made it to Luc’s and stocked up on several bits of absinthiana including the Art Nouveau lady fountain, and had a taste of a few vintage samples. As we headed back to our hotel it started to rain. Really rain. We found a delightful cafe and ducked in for shelter. As we were looking through our new treasures, the cafe owner pulled out a bottle of absinthe. People didn’t drink much of it – the ban had been lifted a couple years prior – so he was excited to watch the louching ritual. We gathered a small crowd and he gave us a few of the drinks on the house. Once the rain cleared we very merrily made our way back to the hotel, dropped of our stuff and headed out to the Eiffel Tower on foot.

Here are photos of both fountains used at our wedding reception…

Michael and our friend Al talking all things absinthe before louching up a couple glasses.

Michael and I had different flights as I arrived in France several days after him and we went for the lowest fares available. That meant his flight home had a connection in Frankfurt, where he had to go through customs with the fountain. He said it was quite a sight with him trying to explain what it was in his very poor German. They finally shook their shoulders and let him through and the fountain made it home safely. We’ve enjoyed many glasses since. As a matter of fact, I think we should partake tonight!

{ Photo credit: Stacey Bode Photography }

Share on Facebook