(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.

(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?

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

Instant Art Collection

I get emails from readers all the time asking for art recommendations. And people sometimes tell me they have trouble navigating Etsy or that the sheer number of results when they search for a print is overwhelming. I know. There are A LOT of shops on Etsy these days, and believe me, I experience this frustration on a daily basis both as a buyer browsing and as a seller trying to get my shop noticed among the thousands.

I love responding to reader emails individually, but since this seems to be a common query, I thought, "Why don't I start a regular feature on the blog with collections of art I think would go well together?" And here's the first collection: one for the illustration lover who enjoys plays on perspective...that things aren't always what they seem. Add to that visually striking line work and a pleasing color palette, and I think this is a grouping you wouldn't quickly tire of looking at.

(Clockwise from top left: "UpsideDown" by Jennifer Davis; modern mobile: himmeli no. 1 by AMradio; "Let's Make a Pile" by Leah Duncan; and Giclee Print "2,3,4" by Jenn Ski.)

What do you think? Are there any artists you would add to this collection?

Do Not Be Scared

I've been meaning to share these brilliant 3d box frames I got from my pal Paul since last November. I wrote about his shop here last year and immediately started saving my paypal pennies to purchase some of his work. I absolutely love his "Do Not Be Scared" series, which will be no surprise to anyone who reads this blog. (Art that combines animals, vintage illustrations, and a sense of humor?? It's like a trifecta of awesomeness.) Paul took a bit of a break from Etsy for the best reason ever, to become a dad, but now his shop is back open! So I guess the little guy is fending for himself now. ;)

Wishful Decorating

Clockwise from top left: RRRaoul postcard by Courtney Oquist; vintage Abraham Palatnik lucite bird sculpture from junkhouse; vintage sea foam green sofa from Hindsvik; and "the message" by pool pony.

We're making it up. The world, the universe, life, reality. Especially reality.

Three by Jennifer Davis

Grasp porcelain bowls by Bryce Wymer

modern cat lounge by CANOPYstudio

baku dream eater by Saori Yanagi

Family by Timo Handmade

*Post title is a quote by Tom Robbins.

Tang Yau Hoong

These limited edition prints from Malaysian artist Tang Yau Hoong are making me smile on this cloudy Monday. I love a clever artist with a sense of humor. His images are surreal and whimsical and have a retro feel that reminds me of illustrations I liked as a child. Take a look at more of his prints here.

Wibbly Wobbly

Nan Lawson

"People assume that time is a strict progression of cause to effect, but *actually* from a non-linear, non-subjective viewpoint - it's more like a big ball of wibbly wobbly... timey wimey... stuff."

Even though most of us must live in linear time, we do get an extra day today. How will you spend it?

Tuesday Playlist

Matte Stephens

Garden Delights

(Clockwise from top left: Eye Candy by Peggy Wolf Design; Golden Crumbs by JPG Photography; 1950s candy tulips party dress from Custard Heart Vintage; and vintage lotus bowls from same same mary jane.)

Daphne van den Heuvel

I'm in love with these illustrations by Daphne van den Heuvel of the Dutch model/photographer Iekeline Stange. I'm a sucker for bold fields of color combined with graphic black and white "comic book" style figures. And van den Heuvel captures Stange's unique features perfectly, which she outlines and emphasizes through the use of defined black shadows, almost as if Stange is lit by spotlight in each image.

Daphne van den Heuvel is also a fashion designer. You can see a few of her designs modeled here.

No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn.

We've had a couple of warmer sunny days, and I'm so ready for spring. (I know some of you are with me!) Here are a few lovely things from Etsy...fresh, light, and blooming...that have temporarily quelled my spring fever...or maybe made it worse, I don't know. ;)

(Clockwise from top left: felt bird from Sea Pinks; New York art print from Laura Amiss; tangerine silk blouse from janeyclothing; and crochet garland from Emma Lamb.)

(Clockwise from top left: notecard set from wit & whistle; hot air balloon necklace from BeautySpot; floral fabric tape from GiftWrapSoPretty; and Sir Hopsalot from Forestblue.)

*post title from a quote by Hal Borland.

Tuesday Playlist - Be Mine

Sophie Blackall

Charley Harper

All of these images come from a 1961 biology book illustrated by one of my favorite artists, Charley Harper. I wish text books had looked like this when I was in school; I might have been more interested in science class. Actually, who am I kidding? I would've just stared at the illustrations and doodled in my notebook. :)

(Click on images to go directly to sources.)

How to Stay Warm in Four Easy Steps

Shops featured: 1. tastes orangey; 2. Bird and Bloke; 3. Hello Jenuine; 4. Kiki & Polly.

(photo layout from Pugly Pixel)

Mail is the Most Fun

I wanted to share my card from the truly talented and super adorable Ren. You can see last year's card here. I love the overlapping washes of kaleidoscope color and the elf-like creature rising from the ether with Merry Christmas hair, no less!

I still haven't taken down any of our Christmas decorations or cards, so this one will be proudly displayed too. I guess if I had a house, I'd actually have to worry about those kinds of things lest I embarrass my neighbors, but that's one of the perks of living in an apartment building with an odd lot of characters. I can only imagine what goes on in other apartments, but I have an idea that Christmas decor in January is tame by comparison!

Anything is Possible

I love this print from Marc Johns. Available here.

Stocking Stuffers

I've mentioned before how I love stocking stuffers: something about lots of small, cute gifts is endlessly appealing to me. Here's a collection of pretty things for every style and taste (and everything is under $20):

Hand soap (hee hee) from foliage

Hand-calligraphed notecards from sparrownestscript

Silver bow earrings from RingBinder

Polaroid magnets from paintedfishstudio

Illustration postcard set - pick any five by minifanfan

For lip balm addicts - pick 5 from Flourish bath & body