悲しみ - kanashimi - sadness

Chiri mo tsumoreba yama to naru (great oaks from little acorns grow).

-- Japanese proverb

My heart, as well as thoughts and prayers, is with the people of Japan during this frightening time.

Many Japanese-inspired, hand-created items fill shops on Etsy.com. And several vendors are sending proceeds from sales to the victims of the Japanese earthquake and tsunami, via the Red Cross.

Relief for Japan canvas print of Japanese Maple from Heather Gardner Photography

Japan Tsunami Support - Map of Japan Covered Travel Journal from Fourviere Hill

I Love Japan t-shirt from Fepa Design

100 large origami paper cranes from Made by Jo

Japan earthquake relief opal "Sakura" necklace from GemsBerry

pendant in Japanese variegated art glass cabochon from Millefiori Designs

vintage kimono silk scarf from greenolive

with egypt in mind and heart

Some items from Etsy.

Prayers for freedom and well being to the people of the Egypt.



Egyptian Aqua Crackle Heart Pendant from earthenwood

Cairo Spoon Ring from undeadmushroom12

Blue Agate Egyptian Ring from arosha

A Beautiful Thing Egyptian Proverb Typography Print from lisabarbero

Egyptian Rose Cashmere Lotion from bodyspell

Egyptian Spice Market Print from illuminatedluna

Egyptian Musk Shea Butter and Olive Oil Bar Soap from DeepSouthSoap

a handmade thanksgiving

As much as I love a good "girly girl" trinket or purchase, there's a certain female gene that I'm apparently missing -- the desire to spend hours on end shopping.

I'm not a fan of crowds, malls, or schlepping myself all over God's green Earth in search of a bargain. I'd much rather pass the hours with family or friends, sipping a cocktail, nibbling on some good cheese, and admiring a purchase made via a much easier fashion -- online shopping -- my preferred and usual method of bargain-hunting.

Enter Etsy.com.

Every occasion or holiday is a new reason to search for one-of-a-kind goodies, and Thanksgiving is the latest opportunity.

Some of my favorite Etsy finds this turkey season ....












wrap bracelet from RowdyWear ; bloomers from Bella Claire Baby ; edible sugar leaves from Andie's Specialty Sweets ; scarf from ZuZu's World ; knit hat from BeaCreative

slippers for a princess

My sister sent us a beautiful pair of ballet slipper booties for our baby girl, and I fell in love with them. So much so that I had to visit the Etsy store (TillyWhistle) and do some poking around of my own.

Of course I couldn't resist buying another pair -- this time, Mary Janes. They're precious and perfectly adorable, and I can't wait to see them on her tiny little feet.

happiness is ROY G. BIV

Remember when you were a kid and learned about the color spectrum with the pnemonic, Roy G. Biv? Among all the facts and figures we were forced to soak up, it's funny how the simplest ones seem to stick.

If Roy G. Biv was a real person, I have a feeling he'd be one cool cat -- someone to hang out with and ponder life, while sipping martinis and listening to live jazz or something. Yep. I'm certain he'd be that kind of guy -- smoothe and easy. ;)

I adore color. The brighter, the better, even if there's no rhyme or reason to it (look no further than my crazy tin ornament tree or my fascination with Alamo Fiesta on Main). Rich, gem-tone colors have me breathing deep and smiling on the inside.

Throughout my life, I've taken advantage of various outlets for the creative chunk of my soul that is mostly ignored. My twin sister and I have collaborated together on projects, big and small. Some were fun. Some were good. Some sucked. Not all were technically art, and frequently they involved written language. I've always enjoyed creating something from nothing, and color was consistently an important component of all projects.

Recently, that urge to create has really kicked in again. It's a side of my personality that, I'm ashamed to say, I don't embrace like I should; however, it's ever-present, and it's strong. One of my goals over the next few years is to "get creative" again. No specifics yet, other than it must involve color.

There's a piece of art -- Om Mosaic Window -- I found on Etsy by Mandolin Mosaics that absolutely captivates me. I can only imagine how it must harness and display sunlight -- spectacular, no doubt. Om Mosaic Window epitomizes color -- true, solid, deep, saturated color. Gem tones. Deep reds, blues and oranges. And for some reason, I return to it often and just stare at it. If I had an extra $3,000.00 to plunk down on such things, I'd snatch it up in a heartbeat.

But for now, I'm content to look at Om from afar and to let it inspire me ... to soak it up in all its Roy G. Biv glory and think of all the possibilities ... and of course, all its color.

color

One of my students knitted me a cap for Christmas, and I adore it. I told her this morning that its the softest, best thing I've ever worn. Plus, with all the cold weather we're experiencing right now, wearing it is like buttah -- so soothing and warm.

I've also started poking into winter sales in preparation for the next several years in New England. I think the greatest items I've come across are some fabulous scarves and hats on Etsy. I don't know how I'm going to have the restraint to not buy hundreds, but I'll try.

These, in particular, from Cricket's Creations are gorgeous ... the colors are spectacular!

more halloween fun from etsy

The rest of my signs arrived ... DARLING!

From the CountryWorkshop in Baltimore, Maryland.

I may have to leave the Vampire sign out year-round. ;)

i love etsy

One of my favorite simple pleasures in life is my Etsy.com addiction. I'm not a big shopper (malls suck), and over the past several years, I've pretty much done most of my purchasing exclusively online. Which leads me back to Etsy -- your place to buy & sell all things handmade. It feels great ordering stuff from a place that's made up of people who put their labors of love on display for the whole world to see.

I've bought jewelry, clothes for Aidan (I love the holiday applique shirts), crafting stuff (ribbon), luggage tags, wind chimes, personalized invitations and stickers, Valentine's Day cards for Aidan's class, signs for my classroom ... I could go on and on.

Recently I've been writing about my eagerness for Halloween. Part of my "in the mood for orange and black" had me browsing Etsy the other day for Halloween decor. I ordered a few things, and the first of my booty arrived today.

Love these signs from DreamCreationsArt. So fun.