Etsy Special!

  One of the things that has been bugging me lately...besides the rain...is looking around at so many wonderful and special shops on ETSY http://www.etsy.com/ that are not getting much traffic! I'm going to share four of them today.
   The first shop is "jguilddesigns" http://www.etsy.com/shop/jguilddesigns
She has always absolutely loved how jewelry can transform a look, from dressy to stylish to edgy, and she has made it for years to fit her own mood. She loves to work with Agate because it comes in so many amazing colors and transparencies.  This is her "Fiery Red Love Agate With Red Orange Sapphires". http://www.etsy.com/listing/37941245/fiery-red-love-agate-with-red-orange

 And "Deep Blue Druzy Crystal AgateWith Fresh Water Pearls" http://www.etsy.com/listing/37941793/deep-blue-druzy-crystal-agate-with-fresh

She works with other stones as well. Like this "Rose Amethyst Slice Necklace On Gold" http://www.etsy.com/listing/47235386/rose-amethyst-slice-necklace-on-gold

Something special that you should know is that all of her necklaces are completely hand wrapped and crafted by her. She uses quality sterling silver and gold filled or plated chain and gold filled wire in her jewelry. Her sterling silver wire is Argentium sterling, which is 92.5% silver alloyed with copper and germanium. The germanium gives it improved tarnish resistance, so it doesn't have to be polished as often as regular sterling silver. She'd love to create something custom for you. You can also follow her for discounts and updates at       http://twitter.com/jguilddesigns See her profile in her ETSY shop for other details.

The Next shop is "DomusModern" http://www.etsy.com/shop/DomusModern They are a shop that specializes in vintage modern, or anything that makes a statement. You can tell that in this first piece I chose from their shop. This is a "Vintage Paperweight-Art Glass Apple" http://www.etsy.com/listing/44129660/vintage-paperweight-art-glass-apple

  They also have this "Eames Era Grape Swag Lamp in Yellow Amber" http://www.etsy.com/listing/48213123/eames-era-grape-swag-lamp-in-yellow

and this "1970s Kitsch Owl Vase Pot-Large" http://www.etsy.com/listing/47882001/1970s-kitsch-owl-vase-pot-large-by-domus

They also carry some antiques, and are always on the look out for anything interesting, original, or well-designed. From furniture to retro fabrics, to ephemera and vintage electronics, whatever adds beauty to life you will find in their selections. They are always on the look out for one of a kind furniture and housewares that you may never see again...

  Next is "lbilbs14" http://www.etsy.com/shop/lbilbs14 The shop of LKB Photography is Capturing Life in a Natural World. This "Rain Droplets on Leaf 8x10 Nature Photography Print" is currently being exhibited at the Museum of Natural Sciences in Raleigh, N.C. http://naturalsciences.org/

   Most of her photographs were taken in the southern Appalachian mountains of western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee. This is "Fog and Trees 10x15 Nature Photography Print" http://www.etsy.com/listing/33593118/fog-and-trees-10x15-nature-photography

Because she is a biologist by day, she's tried to include a brief description for each photo regarding the subject of the photo. If you know me, you know that this photograph doesn't even need a description! I love a flower!!!...But she calls it "Unique Poppy 8x10 Nature Photography Print" http://www.etsy.com/listing/48535702/unique-poppy-8x12-nature-photography

 One of her photos recently placed 2nd in the Wild Plants category in the NC Wildlife Magazine Photo Competition...She would be more than happy to custom mat your photo (for an additional fee). Prints are available in a variety of sizes, typically up to 11x14. Not all photos can be printed that large and others can be printed larger. See the details on the announcement page of her shop...Also she is currently running a thread killer for a free 8x10 print: http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=6538092  Make sure you get in on it!

Now, last, but by no means least, is "SallyAnnesSupplies" http://www.etsy.com/shop/SallyAnnesSupplies 
She enjoys using many mediums of paint and fabric art , working on an eclectic mix of Mohair Bears, Artist Cloth Dolls, and Painting of various kinds. The soft and lustrous nature of silk is particularly pleasing for her to work with, as can be seen by this "Rainbow Fabric, Silk Gauze, Hand dyed, Silk Fabric,2" http://www.etsy.com/listing/41522906/rainbow-fabric-silk-gauze-hand-dyed-silk

It was this fabric that was the first thing that caught my eye in her shop! But she also has other goodies, like this "Jewelry Tool Wrap,  Tool Organizer" http://www.etsy.com/listing/40618077/jewellery-tool-wrap-jewelry-tool-wrap

And this "Glasses Case, Hand dyed Silk" http://www.etsy.com/listing/42005387/spectacle-case-glasses-case-hand-dyed

She is a self taught artist. She has an amazing husband who has encouraged her to experiment and learn over the years. Their four children have grown up thinking it normal to be surrounded by fabric and paint. Also particularly pleasing for her to work with is the beautiful Australian Bush, with its diverse colours of flora and fauna. This has inspired much of her work. Check out her shop and see for yourself!

I hope, like me, you can appreciate what special people and artists these are. Let them know, will ya! I'll share more shops with you at a later time. For now....a little poetry!

I Am Thankful

I am thankful I can breathe
when I wake up every day;
I am thankful I have time
in which I can spend to pray.

I am thankful that my husband
is a good, hard-working man;
I am thankful I can write
with a steady flowing hand.

I am thankful for good friends,
who are always there for me;
I am thankful for my ears,
and the sunsets I can see.

I am thankful for the Bible,
`cause from it I learned the truth;
I am thankful for the rain,
and my layered rain-proof roof.

I am thankful for my life,
because without it I'd be dead-
and the dead can't serve Jehovah,
or even practice what he's said.

I am thankful for this poem,
writing it was not a chore,
`cause it made me stop and think
of all the things I'm thankful for.