Woolnimals

Eva Funderburgh 's ceramic beasties are some of the most whimsical and otherworldy creations I've seen on Etsy. I've watched her shop for a while now, waiting on the day that I could purchase one of her sculptures. I've seen a lot of favorites purchased by other lucky collectors, but I'm still so glad for her success on Etsy and out in the world. The pale cow blobs gossiping is one of my favorites: As I get older and refine my space, it's important to me to surround myself with inspiration and art. There are few things in this world that bring me more joy than my art collection - which is meager, but growing. I'm blessed to be able to purchase one-of-a-kind pieces of art with the money I earn selling MY art. What a dream come true! So this morning, I finally purchased one of Eva's sculptures: Lately, I've been feeling a little down and out - struggling with work, life, and Self. There is something greatly inspiring about this Grinning Flier. It look...

I've been slowly going through my favorite Etsy shops and finding/reading their blogs. I just love reading blogs of other artists. It's inspiring and informative and I feel like I have friends. :) Here are two of my recent favorites: * Oh Chalet - The blog for Cool Ranch Studio , fine purveyors of awesome paintings of pugs, foxes, and other delightful things. * Maybeads - the blog for Maybeads' Etsy Shop . Lauren does amazing lampwork beads. One of her little beads was inspired by my needle felted Koala bear - you can see her post about it here! More to come soon!

As everyone already knows, I love Etsy. It's my favorite place to buy gifts for others, and every now and then I buy myself a little treat too. I have been nothing but pleased with every purchase I've made on Etsy...until now. Meet Hamilton the Pig: I am not simply "pleased" with this purchase...he is hands down my favorite purchase ever! I bought him from Knitted for Ewe on Etsy after reading this blog post on Nicole's Knitting Blog. Hamilton is made from bubblegum pink yarn - upcycled from a thrifted sweater. He's so plump and squishy and fat and pink that I can barely stand it. I brought him to a Father's Day picnic at Charlotte Beach in Charlotte, Vermont - and he enjoyed the lake views and being hugged by my husband's entire family. His first adventure was hanging out on the dock, catching some sun. And my husband may love him even more than me. Here he is posing proudly with our new piglet... I think Hamilton has a lot of adventures ahead of...

I think I'm coming down with my once-yearly summer cold. Body hurts. Scraggly throat. Tired. Grumpy. Ugh. Here is a picture of something ridiculously cute to make me (and you) happy. This original illustration is entitled "I'm Floating" and can be purchased (as a gift for me only) at Runaway Dreams on Etsy. I really want this in my studio, but I can't afford it. I'm hoping for MY sake that it's still available in a couple of months. I'm hoping for THEIR sake that they sell it right away. He's just so adorable. I love how he's barely off the ground, but so pleased with himself. I hope I feel better soon. *sad face*

I'm unabashedly an Etsy addict. I have more feedback about things I've purchased than things I've sold - and I have a considerably large collection of artwork and handmade items from Etsians. It's kind of a problem. I know (deep down in my marrow) that I don't need any more things - that I am content to Make Do and Mend - that I can be happy without possessions. While that may be true, I also like beautiful little things. Unfortunately, I'm on a spending freeze. The husband and I have decided that some of my hard-earned craft dollars should go back into our savings account to help cover the cost of wool and expenses - at least until I've made back what I spent to get my shop up and running. When and if I am ever square again and making a little profit, I will know exactly what to spend it on: This... and this... oh...and this. Skeptis is the first of many stops on my future spending spree. I love Nat's shop and was delighted to see that she featured...

I've been busy on Etsy's Treasury East making all sorts of lovely collages. Sometimes I wish I could print these out and paint them as an abstract painting - and I really do think I have a talent not only for finding beautiful things, but putting them together nicely. I never ever compliment myself and I feel ashamed just writing that, but I'm going to leave it, because it could be true. You can check out my treasuries by clicking here! This post is in lieu of a traditional Wednesday Treasury.

I loved making this treasury. These are some of the most peaceful colors and some of my favorite Etsy finds! Hope you find a new treasure! Top Row (l to r): Lion Paper and Wire Sculpture Vintage Swirled Amber Glass Ginger Cat Middle Row (l to r): Miniature Pride of Lions Creamsicle Purse with Vintage Fabric Vintage Enamel Leaf Pin Bottom Row (l to r): Octopus Art Print Porcupine Art Print Spring Deer - Brown

"Fox in Winter" Woodcut Print by Vermont artist Sabra Field . This day is so beautiful.

Yesterday afternoon I arrived home to a very special package in the mailbox. Michelle Palmer, who is one of my favorite artists and people on the planet sent me three (!) original drawings on cloth. I'm so overwhelmed by her kindness and the beauty of these pieces that I'm speechless. Please go read her blog and see all of her amazing work. My favorite detail is below: a beautiful pigeon. And to Michelle, who I know reads my little blog, thank you, thank you, thank you. This is an immense kindness and I had myself a good little cry about it because it meant so much to me. I hope that you love the giraffe as much as I love my drawings. I'm going to have them professionally framed!

It'd be an understatement to say I'm obsessed with Etsy. My dream would be to open a store in Burlington called "The Best of Etsy" and stock work from Etsy artists. Of course, people can just go online and buy art directly from the artists, so it'd be a little redundant. The next best thing is having my own showcases with the hope that someone somewhere (Hi Szilvia!) is reading my blog periodically and being exposed to new and great artists. I've decided to start talking about other artists in my favorites list and to post weekly treasuries of my own to share with the world. I'll be working on my first Treasury later today. I'm still waiting for my felting needles...so crafting is a little slow going... Also, today my coworker gave me a copy of the New Yorker with this image on the cover: It's by illustrator Kathy Osborn (www.kathyosborn.com) and despite it not being 100% my style, there's something really, really appealing about it. I love bun...