: bright, sunny, open, cheerful and tropical

If ever you find yourself in downtown Fort Myers here in the sunshine state, you must make a stop at the Franklin Shops on First Street.  The building is just about completed, being completely renovated and spaces have been made for people like me to come set up shop:

Tons of windows and a very open plan make this a wonderful space!  There is even a loft for designers to host shows and introduce new lines and collections.  (up at the top of that cool spiral staircase)

I've got a little square on the first floor.

So it isn't as impressive as this fabulous spot by an interior designer:

But its a start!

How amazing is that green wall?

I love the tropical feel and cheerfulness.

The streets downtown are so lovely.  Brick lined and palm trees all over.  Bliss.

The Franklin Shops on First Street

I think the place will be a pretty big hit.

Thank you Allison - just look what you did!  Such a smart girl with amazing vision.

♥

Have a lovely Thursday!

: custom pendants from Makenzi and Madilyn and some fun stuff

 Working on some custom listings for fine silver charms.  This one can hold up to four letters, and can be customized on the back as well:

Here's the link for ordering:  fine silver pendant

It has a 16 inch sterling ball chain with that funny little ball chain clasp.  I like that clasp a lot, because its so sturdy.  You can wear these chains constantly and they hold up really well.

This larger one can hold a little message, or a few names, about three rows vertically.

Still working on a link for that one.

Wouldn't the "so in love" be a great gift for a new bride?  I can't wait until someone I know gets engaged.

This one is really long, done in brass with stations of star shaped tourmaline beads.

Now for the fun stuff- have you seen this site:  perpetual kid

They have the funniest things.

Like this:

And this:

I know mustaches are popular but I haven't quite caught on yet.  Would be funny for photos- instead of the family jokester doing the bunny ears thing he does this mustache thing across peoples lips.  hmm.  I dunno.  What do you think?  The crayon pen though, I think is the best!

Happy Monday, have a lovely week.  ♥

: new pretties and misc. stuff

 New things:

Natural brass butterfly necklace:

Fine silver pendant on hand dyed silk necklace:

(this one is going in The Franklin Shops )

Cutie vintage bubble gum pink flower brooch:

(isn't she cute??)

Tourmaline and sterling silver earrings:

Natural brass necklace and ceramic bead pendant:

I truly need a studio away from my home.  There's stuff everywhere here in my house and while nobody seems to mind, I think I could be way more organized if I had space outside home for just art and making things.

So I'm really excited about the Franklin Shops opening this month!  Not that it will be a studio, but it is sales away from here. Can't wait to see what everyone else is doing.

Hope you had a lovely weekend!

♥

: the wine of life. an ode to art of all sorts.

Art is indeed not the bread but the wine of life.  ~Jean Paul Richter

It does not matter what it is that you create with- paper, clay, paint, ink, plastic, photos, metal...

it is all "the wine of life."  It is the extra, not necessarily needed but very much enjoyed stuff of life

that makes everything more beautiful and rich.

Without art, the crudeness of reality would make the world unbearable.  ~George Bernard Shaw

(Could you imagine a world without art?)

Baking and cooking, photography, embroidery, decorating, sewing... it is all a form of art.

 

Collecting is an art form also.

 

Writing, digital design, furniture construction... all art.

 

photo by gogoloopie on flickr 

Fashion, clothing design, styling... all art.

Audrey Hepburn

Art Print

Buy at AllPosters.com

Don't  you just love Audrey?  Her style is indeed an art.

Photoshop also, art.

What else is art?  What do you do?  
Here are some favorite places I go to see what other people do and create:


 http://madebygirl.blogspot.com/

http://amytangerine.blogspot.com/ 

http://julieannshahin.blogspot.com/ 

http://absolutelybeautifulthings.blogspot.com/ 

http://materialgirlsblog.com/ 

http://dinastamps.typepad.com/ 


Of course there are more.
But these are some favorites and I hope you've enjoyed my little post.
Have a lovely Monday!




♥


 

: before and after photo

 

This is Mick.  He's the coolest cat because unlike your average, aloof, uppity feline, Mick loves people.

He's sort of like a dog that way.  Just wants to be loved and rubbed.  You can even pat his head and grab his tail.  He loves it.  Its a good thing too, because my girls drag him all over the place, even putting hats on him and little doll clothes... and he's pretty okay with it.

I thought this was a pretty good photo of him:

But I LOVE how this looks with my favorite Pioneer Woman photoshop actions:

Boost + Slight lighten + Define and Sharpen + Quick edge burn

What a handsome guy.

Cannot live without those actions now that they are in my life.  If you have photoshop and don't have the Pioneer Woman set, go to her blog and click on photography, then photoshop actions.

Even little tomatoes can look pretty with some tweaking:

 Now they look like little fairies are growing them:

Boost x2 + Slight lighten + Lovely and Etheral

Love that the simplest things can be so beatuiful.

Speaking of fairies and lovely and etheral-

this is one of my favorite jewelry pieces:

It is hand dyed silk ribbon, wrapped with citrine and peridot beads which are strung on sterling silver wire.  Wrapped and wrapped until its all bundled up.  I wish I could figure out how many carats of semi precious gems are in this necklace, because its quite a bit.

The clasp is nice and heavy natural brass.

It is here:

Makenzi and Madilyn etsy store

And speaking of Etsy stores- I had to share the best candles ever:

 

This latest one I ordered is coconut cream pie.

I've also had a tropical scented one from the same seller and it is heavenly!

All natural soy with a wooden wick.

You can find them here:  Caribbean scents

As I love anything island-y and tropical, this is a favorite seller of mine.

The bath whip is good too.

(and its just fun to say "bath whip")

Have a wonderful weekend!

♥

: the best pair of pants EVER.

It's no secret, I'm an anthropologie lover.

But I'm frugal most of the time, and I mostly only shop in the sale section.

So this is like a public service announcement, for you sale lovers that want to get something really cute for yourself:

First, the jacket.

This jacket is still there, in the sale section and I have no idea why because it is FABULOUS and I would think that it should have sold out at regular price long ago.   I wore it today and felt like a million bucks.  Its perfect for cooler Florida weather like we had today because it isn't lined but is still a nice weight and a bit stretchy.  The cuffs are just the cutest ever.  Cinches in a bit at the waist which is always a good thing.  If you need a casual jacket, go get this one!

Okay, now, these pants.

OMG.  They are the best ever.  Been looking for skinny leg pants for a really long time, ones that don't look ridiculous and strange.  They're called 'world over cargos' and I know why, because I will wear them the world over.  The fit is absolutely perfect and the fabric is heavy and drapey, if you can get drapey fabric out of a skinny leg pant, (not sure how they did that) and the pockets and everything are just great.  Zippers on the inside ankle are such a cool detail.  Not many left, but still some there in the sale section.  You will love them.

And then there's this tee.  SO neat.  And it was only $19.95.  Bargain, because the details are just way cool.

On to some lovely inspiration from Graphic 45:

Isn't it beautiful?  I know everybody else everywhere is all winter themed stuff but I'm not a snow or winter person and I'm ready for spring.

On that note, I found this WONDERFUL site with the cutest girl:

The Fancy Farm Girl

She is indeed fancy and a farm girl as well.

And has the sweetest studio.

Alrighty folks, that's all my super duper finds for the day, have a lovely mid week!  ♥