cool weather and cozy plans

so the weather here is gorgeous!

i don't think it could be more perfect..

the air is cool and crisp

some sun some rain

lots of wind

that swirling playful wind

you know that special autumn wind

that smells of change

that picks up leaves and carries them as if celebrating

..so many reds browns and yellows dancing

and singing

it's absolutely perfect scarf weather

sweet woolen hat weather

boots and sweaters

and cozy thoughts of visiting friends at pubs

sharing laughs and a nice dark beer

(or hot chocolate..)

and some cozy wonderful music

weather

i would so love to be at my favorite pub

with favorite friends

seeing these guys playing.

how cozy..

(i think cozy is my favorite word when it gets cold out..)

doesn't that piano sound like rain and leaves falling?

and her hat and dress..

adorable.

and her lovely voice and sensitively thoughtful

and playful words.

perfect.

what are you planning for this gorgeous fall?

xo

*ps. thank you to everyone who participated in my photography giveaway at 'kind over matter' this past week!

the winners have been announced at kom..so congratulations!

oh, and i had such a great (and giddy) time reading through everyone's comments...

the world is filled with so many sweet people!

(((big smile)))

xo

feeling lucky?

well

the gorgeously inspiring and oh so generous ladies

over at

~kind over matter~

(one of my daily haunts..and all time favorite inspirational blogs..)

are hosting a giveaway of my work!

from now until october 7th

head on over

for your chance to win one of my photographs

..of your choosing..

..from anything at all..

in my photo shop or even from my flickr

i can't wait to see what everyone picks..

..and to see who wins..

it might even by you!

good luck!

xox

*head on over now, so you don't forget!

*and thank you sweet jenn and amanda

you are two extremely amazing ladies!

xo

butterflies gathered around..

butterflies gathered around to protect them from the night

when i first saw this painting

i have to admit to you

that it brought tears to my eyes

with it's beauty

and it's hope..

nigel and lily embrace at sunrise

my emotions are often stirred though, with amanda blake's work.

she creates a seemingly endless stream of vignettes and stories

nigel and lily embrace at sunset

often visiting the characters over and again

so over time we get to know them

and wonder about them

caroline carefully arranges everything she holds dear

and love them.

butterflies gathered around to protect them from the night

rich in color and depth

they have the power to simultaneously

make you feel calm and still spark the imagination

lead you into a dream

or take you on a journey for a moment

(a journey that is sometimes surprising but somehow always seems familar..)

this one though...with the angel butterflies..

i just want to climb in to

and stay for a while.

i think we could all use butterflies surrounding us

sometimes.

don't you?

enjoy more of her incredible paintings here, here and here.

happy wednesday.

xo

*ps. tomorrow (thursday) my photo store is being featured on one of my favorite blogs

where they're giving away two of my prints!

more info and a link tomorrow..

i really do

*alyssaduhe

how perfectly sweet is this image?

and how lovely it feels to read (or hear!) this sentiment

a sweet and simple thought..

but with deep and happy effects.

looking at this makes me smile from the inside out.

take a second to stare at it

does it do the same for you?

i hope so

and i hope you have a refreshing weekend

full of even

more smiles too.

xox

see you next week

with sneak peeks of....

owls!

(there's a whole flock of em coming to my shop in early october)

xo

*you can find more fresh playful work from alyssa here and here

a little press..

so, my little secret that i wanted to blurt out to you guys

a few months ago

is in print now and i can finally reveal that i am the featured artiste

in the fall issue of bead & button magazine

it's been a few years since a magazine has featured me,

and so it was nice to be interviewed again.

it puts things in perspective for you as an artist, i think,

to revisit your journey..to look at changes and new directions

by looking back at where you started.

it's quite a nice long article

with large lovely images..hehe

(except i really wish photo credit had been given..)

yvette doss did a great job writing it..i like her perspective and intuitive writing style

she (happily) mentions

the wonderful 'san gabriel bead company' in los angeles

where all of this crazy clay bead business started for me

and also peppers the article with mentions of 'etsy'

(which i was also very happy about)

and salmon and cemeteries and guadalajara

and all sorts of things that inspire/inform my clay work.

it's always interesting to see yourself through someone else's eyes, isn't it?

(and funny enough, it's really not embarrassing at all..!)

if you want to see a copy, it's on newsstands and in craftstores

and bookstores all over the world

(how cool is that?!)

and please contact me if you want me to autograph a copy for you..

haha!

wishing you a really happy mid-week..

see you tomorrow

with more fun.

xo