Four and Twenty Blackbirds - Friday Feature

Sing a song of sixpence,
A pocket full of rye.
Four and twenty blackbirds,
Baked in a pie.

The old English nursery rhyme, Sing a Song of Sixpence, is the inspiration for today's Friday Feature. I have a fondness for crows and ravens. They are so intelligent that studies have shown that they have modest linguistic capabilities and even use tools. I see ravens fly overhead on my walks on a daily basis. They always seem curious and fly close by to utter a guttural greeting. I was amazed at how many charming "raven" items I could find on Etsy. It was hard to choose these few. Stop by their shops to see all of their wonderful work. You provide the pie.

A Sacred Sort of Protection
by Altered Abbey
click here for more information on this print

Garden Gate Locket, Black, Raven, Olive/Green
by M Stevenson Designs
click here for more information on this locket

RAVEN SONG
by Barbara Carter
click here for more information on this photo

Just Us Two
by Sherri Conley
click here for more information on this photo

Poe's Raven Clutch in Silk Handmade
by Clutch That
click here for more information on this clutch purse

GothiCrow Haunting Cemetary Ceramic Coaster Set
by House of Six Cats
click here for more information on this coaster set

Click here to see more "Four and Twenty Blackbirds" items on Etsy

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Enchanted Forest - Friday Features

It rained all night, a rare event in the semi-arid American West. It put me to sleep and was still drizzling when I awoke. Although the forest was damp and gloomy, it was also enchanting with mist and fog swirling through the trees as if inviting unseen creatures to briefly appear among the tall trunks. It inspired this woodland collection of charming items. Be sure to click on the item for more information or the artist's name to visit their shop. Enjoy!

Les Racines numero 2
by Marco La Grenouille
click here for purchase information on this photo

Carved jasper leaf necklace
by jbEbert
click here for purchase information on this necklace

The Colliegette-Green Leaves
by Cecil and Co
click here for purchase information on this bag

Gentle One
by Karen Casey Smith
click here for purchase information on this photo

The Alaskan Warmer
by Ozetta
click here for purchase information on this warmer

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A Blush of Pink

A blush of pink tints the eastern horizon the color of a child's flushed cheeks. The whole world becomes saturated with pinkness. My own skin takes on a fresh young glow as the rose colored light permeates the room. Everything is awash with the rosy color of a new day.

Be sure to click on the names of these wonderful artisans to visit their Etsy shops and see all of their fine items.

Dancing In The Spotlight
by Urban Design
click here for purchase information on this photo

Acid Rose - Scrabble Tile Necklace
by House of Six Cats
click here for purchase information on this pendant

Labrador Retriever Dog Art
by Ron Krajewski
click here for purchase information on this signed art print

Dreams In Pink
by Kristybee
click here for purchase information on this photo

Hobbit Birdhouse Shelf
by J and D Woodcrafts
click here for purchase information on this birdhouse

Etsy Buy Handmade JulieMagersSoulen

Sunrise Sunset

It is once again time for my Friday feature of guest photography. This week I searched for the very best sunrise and sunset shots from the Photographers of Etsy. It was difficult to choose only six. There is some amazing talent out there in the "Etsyverse." Be sure to visit each of these wonderful galleries by clicking on the shop name or the photo information link. Enjoy the show!

Children in the Sunset
by finfera
click here for information on this photo

Folly Sunrise
by FlashForward
click here for information on this photo

Haystack Rock
by mesmanimages
click here for information on this photo

Eternity
by mysaturnalia
click here for information on this photo

Tandem
by everydayeros
click here for information on this photo

second silhouette
by ravencolours
click here for information on this photo

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March Hare

"Mad as a March Hare" was a common phrase in Lewis Carroll's time and thus was born the character in his famous book, Alice in Wonderland. I have always loved this book as well as the companion book, Through the Looking Glass, since I was a child. So naturally I had to see the recent Alice in Wonderland movie starring Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter. I was charmed by Tim Burton's original approach to the characters of Wonderland. So in honor of March and the irrepressible hare, here are a few of my favorites from the handmade artisans of Etsy.

Blackberry
Blackberry is a sensitive, serious rabbit. He is concerned about global warming and endangered species.
click here for purchase information on this print
amberalexander

hold me
original 5x7 black and white photograph
click here for purchase information on this photo
allieart4children

Bunny Foo Foo Locket
This adorable locket features a hand finished antique brass / bronze vintage bunny rabbit on a vintage basket weave brass locket.
click here for purchase information on this locket
envisage

Bunny Beanie
This sweet bunny beanie is here just in time for Easter! It comes in either white or brown for boys and girls!
click here for purchase information on this infant hat
SweetLoveCreates

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Silver and Gold

It is time for Friday Features and I wanted to share some of my favorite artisans on Etsy. Each of these skilled technicians is an expert at their craft. There are many more fabulous items in their shops so be sure to have fun browsing by clicking on their links.

Solid 18k Yellow Gold Hammered Hoop Earrings
Hoops are a staple in everyone's wardrobe and a classic that goes with everything.
click here for purchase information on these earrings
msbelle Etsy Shop

Ford Vintage Classic Car Archer Radiator Cap
Ford Archer Classic Car is a 5 x 7 photograph matted to 8 x 10, almost a Black & White, comes in a clear plastic sleeve ready to frame.
click here for purchase information on this photo
Celticcatphotos Etsy Shop

Coffee Cup Cozy
Make your coffee or tea not only taste good, but also look and feel good. Forget those nasty standard paper sleeves and try something soft, natural and truly unique.
click here for purchase information on this cup cozy
natalya1905 Etsy Shop

Drizzle Earrings
Sterling silver and carnelians. This piece is part of the Circles and Knots line.
click here for purchase information on these earrings
aroluna Etsy Shop

ACEO Venetian Carnival Mask
This is an ACEO photo art collecting card of an exquisite white and gold mask from Venice. This is the second in my series of Mask photos from Venice.
click here for purchase information on this photograph
LDphotography Etsy Shop

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The Many Faces of Gary Heller

Gary Heller Photography caught my attention over a year ago with a stunning winter shot of a farm house. His photography of derelict barns is award winning; he was the Grand Prize recipient of the Historical Ithaca's 2009 Barn Survey competition. His New York water towers have been featured on Warner Bros epic series "V" on the ABC television network. And this is just the tip of the iceberg. His repertoire is vast and not only includes architectural features but also beautiful and dreamy nature photography.

Gary's photography has often been described by his peers with such adjectives as "unusual," "dark," "foreboding," "unique”. One fellow photographer has used the term "pleasantly strange". That description sums it up best for him as he strives for strange, yet pleasing compositions.

Gary says, "I was brought up in a household of culture and an appreciation for the arts. My mother is an artist and would spend much of her free time working on her paintings. I can remember as a child, sitting by her side as she explained to me the how and why of what she was doing. Her influence has been with me ever since. I approach my photography as I would a painting, from composition to post processing."

Gary's latest adventure with self portraiture is fascinating, humorous and inspiring in the technical purity and artistic flair of his work. Portraiture is an area of photography that takes a great amount of skill and to do self portraiture not only takes courage but a bit of self deprecation. Personally, I would love to see Gary do a whole book of these wonderful self portraits. Wouldn't you?

Visit him on Esty at Gary Heller Photography to see all of his award winning work or read about the behind the scenes production of Gary's work on his blog.

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade garyhellerphotograph.etsy.com

Isopoda Pendant

Bill Martin at Purified Art is an independent artist from the Philadelphia area. He graduated from the Tyler School of Art and is currently working toward creating his functional and wearable art as his full time vocation. His inspiration often comes from the natural world but has that edgy and popular steampunk flair. Visit his shop on Etsy to see his whole collection. You will not be disappointed!

Isopoda Pendant
Isopoda sterling silver and brass hollow pendant. Width of pendant is 23mm. Comes with an 18" 1.7mm sterling venetian box chain with lobster claw clasp.
click here for purchase information on this pendant

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade purifiedart.etsy.com

Sugarplum Bracelet

A friend of mine and very talented jewelry designer, jbEbert, designs one-of-a-kind bracelets and necklaces that the stars seek. She carefully chooses only the finest stones and hand picks each for its unique color before carefully hand wrapping gold wire into a design that is not only beautiful but comfortable too.

Judy is also a woman with a big heart. She generously donates 10% of each sale to Heifer International. She says, "I believe well-fed, productive people of any culture and religion cherish peace. So, Heifer is my choice."

This Sugarplum bracelet is just dripping in pearls with interspersed sparkling pastel cubic zirconia briolettes. What a fabulous work of art to wear on your wrist! Please check out the shop of jbEbert, Irresistible Gemstone Jewelry for more drop dead gorgeous jewelry.

Sugarplum Bracelet
A confection of a bracelet, sprinkled with pastel cubic zirconium sparkling like sugar among the mélange of white pearls with undertones of pink and blue. The gem set clasp is adorned with a pearl charm.
click here for purchase information on this bracelet

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade jbEbert.etsy.com

Etsy Buy Handmade JulieMagersSoulen

Branching Out

Today I want to share one of my very favorite pieces of art on Etsy. This framed photograph is stunning and the frame is a lovingly restored vintage window frame with original hardware. The pairing is exquisite! This is a one of a kind piece that would look beautiful in your living room. Please click on Made by Swirly Girl today and check out her wonderful assortment of cards, coasters, and matted photo art.

Branching Out Matted and Framed Photo Art
This signed and dated print of "Branching Out", a fine art photo of a tree silhouetted against a brooding sky is professionally framed with double matting and set in a vintage window frame (with new glass)with original hardware. The wood on the frame has been stripped of it's original paint and lovingly coated with beeswax for a rich natural luster that brings out the wood's aged patina and grain.
Ready to hang on your wall!
click here for purchase information on this framed fine art photo

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade madebyswirlygirl.etsy.com