Archive for the Things of Beauty category
Beautiful Desktop Wallpaper
by evie s. on May 16th, 2008
I love these stunning images that you can download as desktop wallpaper.
Choose from 19 beautiful images and download the one you love here.
Shrinky Dink Key Chains for Mother’s Day
by evie s. on May 12th, 2008
I love creating handmade things for our moms on Mother’s Day. This year, I was inspired by How About Orange and Making it Lovely to create shrinky dink key chains. It was my first time to work with the shrinky plastic, and it took some trial and error for them to come out just right. The instructions suggest reducing the saturation of your design by 50%. After trying that, I opted for full color saturation. The brighter colors were prettier to me. I purchased my sheets at a local craft store, but you can buy a package online for $8.50 and that gives you six 8×10 sheets.
To see more photos, go here.
I hope everyone had a great Mother’s Day!
The Beauty of Intricately Cut Wood
by evie s. on May 6th, 2008
Laser cut wood can be so intricate and beautiful, and it’s great for designs that require precision. Hand-etching can only do so much, but with a smart laser, just look at what you can do!
From left to right:
Laser Etched Art on Skateboards // Laser-Cut filigree wood earrings // Wood Laser-Cut Coasters
LightArt
by evie s. on April 29th, 2008
I love seeing art installations located in everyday places. You shouldn’t have to go to a museum to admire some art…it should be everywhere to enjoy! That’s why I love this “artscape” in Kijkduin, Holland. Between December 2007 and January 2008, the third edition of LightArt Kijkduin created a fairy tale like landscape in the dunes of The Hague’s southern beach resort of Kijkduin. One hundred and forty illuminated globes of different sizes and colors were spread among the dunes, constantly changing their hues in the evening hours.
You can see more photos here and here.
[ Via Gala Darling ]
Collecting: Children’s Stuff
by evie s. on April 23rd, 2008
This is a collection I’m just beginning, because I’m 12 weeks pregnant with our first child! Ever since discovering this wonderful news, I’ve been keeping my eye out at estate sales for cute vintage kid stuff. With that said, don’t be surprised if I start posting more things that fall into the “baby” category.
From left to right:
Vintage finger puppets (lion and bear) // A Little Elephant vintage book // Things to Color vintage coloring book
Collecting: Globes
by evie s. on April 22nd, 2008
Globes are a pretty common collector’s item. I’ve been collecting various shapes and sizes for about 10 years now. Here are just a few from my collection.
From left to right from top shelf to bottom:
Vintage Seagrams globe // Globe from Bombay Company // Glass globe // Hand-carved wooden globe made by my husband // Second shelf // Plastic globe on stand // Small vintage globe // Large lit globe // Timex clock globe // Third shelf // Vintage globe bookend // Plastic globe by Hammond // Clear glass globe
Free Download: Mother’s Day Card
by evie s. on April 21st, 2008
May 11th is Mother’s Day and for those of you that like to plan ahead, here is a free card you can download just for her. Just download the template using the link below, print out on 8.5 x 11 card stock, cut around the guides and fold in the middle.
Here’s to all of our wonderful mothers!
Collecting: Elephants
by evie s. on April 18th, 2008
I think my love and fascination for elephants started right along with my love and fascination with the country of India. Ever since then, I’ve been collecting them in my travels, and these days, I love snatching up a unique vintage elephant to add to my ever-growing collection. They are by far my favorite animal, and to see them in person is extraordinary.
If you read my last post on Westmoreland glass, you would be interested to know that the elephant bowl in the middle is part of that collection. I saved it for this post since it is so special.
1. wooden hand carved elephant from Cameroon // 2. Carved stone elephant from India // 3. Wooden hand carved elephant from Jamaica // 4. Vintage small metal pillbox // 5. Small hand carved figurine // 6. Metal ornate elephant from India // 7. Small figurine by Monet // 8. vintage green elephant // 9. wooden hand carved elephant from Cameroon // 10. cast iron bank elephant
Collecting: Westmoreland Glass
by evie s. on April 16th, 2008
One of the (many) things I inherited through marriage was my husband’s Westmoreland glass collection. His family collects these beautiful handmade pieces partly for appreciation but mostly because my father-in-law worked in the glass factory years and years ago. Ever since then the family has been adding to the collection little by little with some of the rarest and most beautiful pieces in the company’s production history.
Westmoreland glass was made by the Westmoreland Glass Company of Grapeville, Pennsylvania, from 1890 to 1984. They made clear and colored glass of many varieties, such as milk glass, pressed glass, and slag glass.
Below is a photo of some of the many pieces in our own personal collection.
From left to right:
Blue satin glass candle holder // Green candle lamp // Blue pearlized carnival glass vase // Amber wheel cut candy dish // Charcoal basket vase // Blue satin glass compote
Do any evie s. readers collect Westmoreland glass? If not, is there another specific type of glassware that you find yourself amassing? Please share!
Batucada Jewelry from France
by evie s. on April 14th, 2008
I recently received a package from Ann with Brooklyn 5 and 10. She was so sweet to send me a sample of the Batucada jewelry collection designed in France. The Batucada designs, which include necklaces and bracelets, are inspired by nature and organic shapes. What’s more is that this beautiful product is made from eco-plastic, a material that hugs the skin and is environmentally friendly.
The bracelet I received in the “Hawaii” motif is just lovely. It fits my tiny wrist pretty well too, since it is flexible and adjustable. Thank you Ann!
To purchase, go to the Brooklyn 5 and 10 online store.