(From top to bottom: "Sometimes I Act Like Myself" by Tim Sebright; "Ode to the Pollinators" by Theater Clouds - Elly Mackay; "Ember Bunny" by Tiny Fawn - Darrah Gooden; "Mae" by Holli - Paola Zakimi; finger puppet box by Lazy Animals; and hand-felted baby mobile by Sheep Creek Needlecraft - Andrea Burnett.)

I started out doing a completely different collection this week, then stumbled upon Tim Sebright's illustration and was so inspired by it I decided to abandon that post in favor of a nursery collection. None of the art featured here is strictly off-limits for those of us who don't have any bambinos, of course. I would gladly hang any of these awesome pieces in my apartment.

I love the retro color palette and whimsy of Sebright's illustration; the texture, layers and light in "Ode to the Pollinators" and "Ember Bunny"; the sweet, storybook feel and loose drawing in Holli's illustration; the super cute finger puppets (that mini pastel bunting kills me); and the wonderful texture and soft forms in the needle-felted mobile. All of these pieces have a soft color palette and a serene, calming affect, don't you think?

You can see more Instant Art Collections here.

Shop Update

It's been a while since I did a shop update. I added this little sea turtle a couple of weeks ago. There are a few whales and a shark too, if you like sea creatures.

I also got the chance to make a custom poodle pin for a girl in Canada. She's getting ready to go off to university and wanted a brooch made of her dog Lacey to take with her. Isn't that sweet?

And I relisted this fireworks brooch from last year, which I think would be cute for the 4th of July without being all over-the-top USA! Of course, if you're into wearing flag pants or stars and stripes from head to toe, who am I to criticize?

I'm working on a few other things that aren't quite ready to list yet; hopefully, I'll have some new things to share in a couple of weeks!

What have you been making?

(Clockwise from top left: Prairie Willow by Seminary Road Artists; "Portrait of an Old Shack" by Gary Heller; "Alone" by emerald snow; and "The Sufferer" by Kai Samuels-Davis.)

Last week's collection was all about color and fun; this week's collection is more somber and contemplative. I would say this one is for a dreamer, a storyteller...perhaps a fan of Andrew Wyeth, Edward Hopper, or other artists who create scenes at once familiar and unknown...or perhaps I'm just describing myself. :)

I happen to be a fan of all types of art and all the wondrous forms it takes, but I'm curious, do you guys have a particular style or medium you gravitate toward?

Let us look for secret things somewhere in the world, on the blue shore of silence or where the storm has passed, rampaging like a train. There the faint signs are left, coins of time and water, debris, celestial ash and the irreplaceable rapture of sharing in the labour of solitude and sand.

I've been meaning to show you guys my new druzy ring from Rachel Pfeffer Designs for a couple of weeks. I'm in love! It's a flash of sparkle and light every time I look down at my hand. Trust me, these photos do not adequately capture the magic.

My favorite thing about it is that the color shifts from green with gold flecks to teal to darker blue with hints of purple depending on the angle. And the silver setting Rachel created suits the stone perfectly. I don't think I've ever seen another ring quite like it, and I feel as if I'm wearing a serendipitous fusion of nature and artistry.

I'd been stalking Rachel's shop for a while because I really love her jewelry; she's just the coolest, and it's an added bonus that I get to support a fellow DC artist.

Have you uncovered any treasures lately?

*Post title is an excerpt from "Forget About Me" by Pablo Neruda in On the Blue Shore of Silence.

(From top to bottom: "Blue wren watercolor painting" by Splodgepodge; "Diagonal abstract print" by twoems; "Colorful Vintage Cars" by make.life.paradise; and "Hand shadows on the wall" by LouisestArt.

This collection is all about color! How fantastic is chartreuse and magenta mixed with cool blues and greens. I think this color palette is energizing and fun but not so bright that it would overwhelm your space. Plus, I love that each piece feels sort of vintage and modern at the same time. What do you think?

You can see other Instant Art Collections here and here.

Never Have I Ever

I started to write another random facts post, and when I realized that the first couple were things I've never done, I just continued on with that theme...sort of like a game of "never have I ever" except without the drinking...unless you happen to be drinking while reading this, then by all means. :)

Never have I ever...

1. been to a drive-in movie theater.

2. seen the Pacific Ocean.

3. operated a lawn mower or done really any yard work at all.

4. been skiing.

5. eaten lobster.

6. thrown a party at my place (not including my parent's house).

7. been married.

8. had a professional pedicure.

9. gotten a tattoo.

10. written fan mail to a celebrity.

What are some random things you've never done?

Flickr Favorites

(Click on images to go directly to sources.)

Happy Friday

(Clockwise from top left: "No. 022 High Line" by Pocket Square; "Portrait of a Lady" by Courtney Oquist; "La Esquina Corner Taqueria" by Alice Gao; and New York Landscape Series 4 by Isabella Di Sclafani.)

This collection is for all those who love nostalgia, urban landscapes, and a muted color palette.

To see last week's Instant Art Collection, click here.

Message of the Day

(Print from Bates Mercantile Co.)

What are you guys up to this weekend? We were supposed to go see a house, but it got nabbed out from under us. This is approximately the 800th time this has happened, but I guess it just wasn't meant to be. I'm still holding out hope that the perfect place will open up in the next couple of weeks. Other than that, we might go see Moonrise Kingdom or just laze about, read, and make things for the shop.

Hope everyone has a great weekend full of wonders.  xo, Mary