I wish I could take photos like these

I just love these photos from Your Willing Skin on Etsy. I really wish I knew how to take photos like these. But alas, I'll just have to be content with ogling them.


They just capture the golden light so beautifully. The photographer, Eadaoin, also has a lovely blog called City of Blackbirds, with many more gorgeous photos that you can see here.

Hand-painted Glass Magnets to Dress Up Your Fridge

I found these beautiful hand-painted glass magnets in the Etsy shop SunnysWoodnGifts. Definitely a huge step up up from those magnetized business cards and other miscellaneous freebie magnets that are scattered all over my fridge.


The hand-painted image is actually behind the glass (instead of painted on the glass itself), so the magnet is smooth to touch and shiny.

Included in this post are some of my very favorites from Sunny's shop, but she has lots more, so be sure and check out her Etsy shop here.

Prices range from $7 for some of the single magnets, to $14 for some of the sets of 4. Sunny also has wooden key-chains and painted wooden magnets in her shop.


Love these blues!


And just had to include these as well; such great, earthy colors!

Bought these gorgeous handmade earrings for $5!

I rarely buy things on Etsy. Not because I don't want to. Far from it! Mostly because there are just so many things I'd like to buy, I can never narrow it down to actually making a purchase.

So last week, when I was taking a look through the beFreedesigns shop, I had no intention of actually buying anything. Again, not because I didn't want to. I had hearted a number of items in the shop before and was coming back to pick some out for a blog feature. But, lo and behold, one of the sets that I had hearted had been put on sale... on sale for only $5! I couldn't resist!


The earrings arrived yesterday, and I just love them! I actually bought them with my sister-in-law in mind, because she has these beautiful bright blue eyes, and I do not. But when I saw them I just had to try them on, and you can't give away earrings once they've been worn, right? Like, it's some kind of rule, right?


These earrings are actually much prettier in person... for some reason neither my photos or the shop listing photos really do them justice. I especially love the way they swing; and that the inside stone swings completely independently from the outer hoop, which also swings nicely from the hook. So all in all, very swingy! This was an unbelievable deal and one that I am very happy with.

Here are a few more of my very favorite items from the beFreedesign shop. Be sure and check out the actual shop; there are lots more beauties, at excellent prices too!

Essence of Seas Earrings... just $15!


A Night in Bombay Earrings... only $10, and free shipping too!

Thanks for reading!

Mealy Monsters

Sometimes, while I crochet or work on some other project, I like to watch Flickr slideshows. I do a search for a particular term, depending on my mood (landscape, nature, crochet, crafts, etc) and then turn the results on slideshow. Put on some music, pick up my crochet, and I'm entertained.

That's how I came across these beauties. I had to learn more about them, so I followed the links to the MealyMonster shop on Etsy. These hand-sculpted art dolls are just so unique and funny, and strangely cute as well; I just love their expressions! The artist also writes short, humorous stories about each creature in her descriptions; something I always appreciate.

Here are a few of my favorites, but be sure and check out her shop for more!

Marvin and his Jack 'o Lantern:
























Marvin has a pumpkin friend, lately his friend had gotten a little rotten and his attitude, well let's just say, not so good.


Ace and his Dog:






























Ace found a dog
he had been looking for a snack
would go good with a side of frog
and maybe a six pack


Poor puppy! I guess even monsters have to eat though... Thanks for reading and have a great day!

Art From the Heart

I came across these gorgeous hand-painted tiles on Etsy the other day, and absolutely love them! So sweet and almost old-fashioned. Just beautiful!


















You can find this, and other beauties, at ArtFromTheHeartBySue. Sue not only has an Etsy shop, but is also a very talented muralist, and you can see some of her lovely work here.