Art | Bead Happily Ever After

Things that Make Me Go – Ahhhhh!

Posted on July 7, 2009 by crystal

I love to shop and etsy is one of my favorite places to browse online!

Wanna window shop with me?

You do? 🙂

OK, great! Let’s go . . .

Is this little purse your “Cup of Tea”?

Teacup pouches are quilted and have a 9 inch corded handle and a handmade tea tag. They have a zipper closure and measure 6 inches across the top and are 5″ deep. They are finished the same on both sides. Perfect for carrying all your basics. Available from Patchwork Pottery .

Then there’s artwork . . .

This adorable print, “April Showers”, is one in a series of 12 drawings representing each month of the year. Available from Sarah Jane Studios.

I love pottery and I love flowers so this stunning vase is right up my alley!

Three sunflowers in full bloom adorn this highfired stoneware vase. Each petal was meticulously applied by hand to this wheel thrown form…no molds here! This rustic beauty would look gorgeous with flowers in it or just all by itself. Available from muddyfingers.

Gee, that was fun! Thanks for your company. Let’s do it again soon!

Friday Favorites – Rockwell’s Gift

Posted on June 12, 2009 by crystal

Norman Rockwell was always the first one to call himself an “illustrator” and not a fine artist. All I know is he had an amazing talent for capturing the ordinary little scenes and events of everyday life in such a realistic way that they almost seem to jump off the canvas!

After touring the Rockwell Museum this week, I just knew I’d have to choose some of his art for this week’s Friday Favorites.

It was difficult to decide, but here are a few charmers. 🙂

The Soda Fountain

The Runaway

Pride of Parenthood

Enjoy all the ordinary moments in your world this weekend! See you Monday with the new questions!

Friday Favorites

Posted on February 27, 2009 by crystal

This week’s Friday Favorites features a glorious painting –

“Carnation, Lily, Lily, Rose” by John Singer Sargent.

After the harsh winter that many of us have been through, I thought we might need a gentle reminder that the flowers will return eventually!

This painting of two young girls lighting lanterns in an English garden is considered by many to be Sargent’s masterpiece. His desire was to capture the garden at the end of the day, when the twilight made the flowers glow as if they were lit from within – much like the paper lanterns strewn among them.

Enjoy the weekend! See ya Monday with new questions! 🙂

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Friday Favorites

Posted on January 2, 2009 by crystal

This week’s Friday Favorites has a blend of three of my favorite things – art, tea, and poetry!

“The Tea”, painted by artist Mary Cassatt, depicts two young ladies sharing the ritual of afternoon tea. It’s currently part of the collection at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. During an exhibition there, a couple of years ago, I had the opportunity to view the painting and the silver tea service that you see, which actually belonged to Cassatt!

“The Tea”
Oil on canvas, 25 x 36 inches
by Mary Cassatt (circa 1880)
Museum of Fine Arts Boston

And here’s a sweet little poem that would be a great accompaniment to a tea-themed gift basket!

~A CUP OF TEA

When your day seems topsy turvey
And as stormy as can be
There’s nothing quite as tranquil
As a nice hot cup of tea

While you savor this ambrosia
Your problems fade away
Its warmth will bring you comfort
And brighten up your day

So take a private moment
There’s a calmness as you’ll see
All because you briefly stopped
To sip a cup of tea.

~Anonymous

Are you also a fan of tea?

For more of my take on tea, please click here

Friday Favorites

Posted on November 28, 2008 by crystal

Dance at Bougival, Renoir - MFA Boston

Today I’m launching a new series called “Friday Favorites”! Each week I’ll highlight a work of art, poem, quotation, recipe, new product, or craft idea! Please don’t hesitate to request something that you’d like to see featured!

I’ll start things off with one of my all-time favorites from the world of art: Dance at Bougival, by Pierre-Auguste Renoir, 1883. Oil on canvas. Approx. 6 ft. by 3 ft. Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

(If you’d like to see a larger version of this beautiful painting, click on the photo and you’ll be taken to the museum’s website.)