Art and some trees

I splurged on this print today by Margaret Rankin. I've been eyeing it for weeks now at her Etsy shop, Magprint. I love the bare branches and swirling snowflakes. I probably don't need to be reminded of the cold in Chicago winters, but I loved it from the first time I saw it on her shop. I decided to splurge because my 25th birthday is coming up and I just received a very nice birthday card and check from my grandparents (thanks again!). Art seems a good way to spend the money. I'm going to have to get it framed.

Last year I bought this little painting at a Madison art fair last summer with my birthday money. (My *very* convincing friend Mary twisted my arm.) It's by a painter named Andy Fletcher from Waukesha. He had these much larger paintings that were mostly highly charged sky, like before a storm, with small farms beneath the clouds. Unfortunately for me, they were priced considerably more than my birthday check. But this painting makes me think of my family's farm in Wisconsin, and it looks so nice and friendly on my bookshelf. Especially next to the hammy camel.

Today I received this necklace in the mail. It's from Tracy Antonik's Etsy shop, Photoglassworks. She's recently started working with other artists on Etsy, as well as some others, to create some really beautiful pieces of jewelry. This necklace is based on one of Margaret Rankin's prints (yeah, apparently I like her work). I bought this necklace because it reminds me of this tree. It's a bit bigger than I expected, and I'm going to put it on a black cord instead of the ball chain, but I like it.

Check out those Etsy shops and wander around that site a while. I guarantee you'll find something you'll want. It's nice to support handmade crafts, even if I'm at my desk instead of a craft fair. There is a greater ability to lurk and build favorite lists and cruise through the shops you love. Actually, it's a very dangerous place... Make sure you hide your wallet before you go!

Comments

[jamica]

nice sight:) thanks for the comment...and yes, i did put the branch in water. it was my own lil' experiment, didn't really expect it to bloom but it did:)

[blue girl]

Pretty things!!

I've been in a *blah* mood today and you picked me up, Claire!

I have a gift certificate that's just been waiting to be spent. I think I'll do a little surfing.

Thanks for the pick me up.

[Claire]

Oh good! I'm glad to hear that.

(Was it the camel? Did he pick you up? He can get very fresh.)

Happy shopping!