fantasy art and tree chatter of aquariann

Next week, the Ogre and I shall be climbing into his inferno red chariot and charging back to Atlantic City. We'll be staying at the Caesars resort for the first time. During our last visit, we walked through the casino on our way to its Pier Shops and I marveled at the towering pillars and sculptures. I look forward to exploring its vast chambers more and capturing more Wordless Wednesday worthy photographs. Before packing, I had to make my weekly odyssey through the Etsy empire. I came across a few Etsians whose handmade creations warned others to beware the Ides of March. Several more preferred to offer their countrymen shiny coins and charms featuring Julius Caesar himself. 1. Roman Caesar Coin Charm Necklace in Antique Copper Pewter with an 18 Inch Copper Plated Cable Chain by Evelyn Mae Creations 2. Vintage Charming Necklace Fleur de lis, Sun God, Julius Caesar, Pearl on Oxidized Chain by Wednesday Sisters 3. Greco-Roman Medallion Hoops by Humming Glow 4. Roman Coin Earr...

The two word magicians behind the Moira Rogers pen name is hosting a wild contest to celebrate the release of Wilder’s Mate , the first story in their new Bloodhounds series, set in an alternate Wild West that runs rampant with monstrous heroes, evil vampires, gunslinger adventures and a few mad scientists. They're giving away a brand new Wi-Fi Kindle 3! All you have to do is leave a comment on this post, and you can have your chance! For more chances to win, visit the main contest page. Every participating blog you visit gives you another chance to win! This post is part of Moira Rogers’ Wild Web Adventure Promo. For full rules and disclaimers, or to hold your own kindle contest, visit the contest post. Winners will be chosen during the first week of April. http://www.moirarogers.com/blog/archives/3473

The world is still revolving, the weather is growing hotter, and my 2011 Spring Blog Hop has officially come to an end. Visit my current blog hop to join the next seasonal dance. 2011 Spring Blog Hop Participants: Aulani Photography By Hand Giveaways beautiful things and trashy affairs From Mommy to Calm Insanity The Auld Grey Mare A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING Linda B's Jewelry Deepthi Udupa CremeMagnolia New End Studio Vagabond Carnival BeadedEmbellishments Handmade Nest ErtheFae's Meandering Thoughts Honey from the Bee Artisan Jewelry Diary of a Craft-aholic Shealynn's Faerie Shoppe Rose Works Jewelry Re-Purpose History Autena...Trinkets and Treasures Artists & Crafters Supply Community Simple Wyrdings Jewelry by Jane 29 Stitches by Kryss Create With Joy M's Place Spirrel Monkey The Homespun Loft Green Shoot Jewellery Designs Feelin Like Scrap One Blondes Ramblings Style 'n Decor Deals!! Avalon Cat Cartoons Author Vanessa Morgan Confessions of a Paper-Crafts Ch...

Tomorrow I am attending my first belly dance festival, Art of the Belly , in Ocean City, Maryland! I've only ever seen belly dancers perform live during class, Renaissance faires and fairy conventions, so I'm twirling in excitement to gaze at so many graceful souls in one place. To get my toes wet so I don't drown in sparkles tomorrow, I shimmied around the Fantasy Artists of Etsy troupe in search of what shiny handmade accessories they have to offer belly dancers. 1. Tribal Spiral Dance Sterling Silver Chandelier Earrings by Mermaiden Creations 2. Wacky Wavy Braided Headband Wig Extension (Modeled by Kimberly of Night Lily Design ) by Puppycatmeow! 3. Lakshmi - Chainmaille Belly Dance Belt by You've Got Maille 4. Steampunk Automatic Dance Accelerator Anklet by Erthe Fae Designs

EDIT: Giveaway is officially over! Congratulations to the randomly chosen 152nd commenter, Shari D . You're going to leap for this handmade prize - Corinna of the Frog Bag is giving away a whimsical necklace that will cause a flutter, in moonlight or sunlight. The moth pendant is made of ceramic. The chain measures about 20 inches long, shines with beads of glass and metal and closes with a silver-plated lobster claw clasp. Corinna is a long time crafter with a zoology degree. Her Etsy shop is crawling with unique jewelry, cat toys, and needle craft, many of them animal-themed. She even donates 20% of her sales to The Tapir Preservation Fund, a charity which supports the conservation of tapirs and their rainforest habitat. How To Enter The Giveaway Giveaway is open worldwide. I will be pulling a number from my random.org top hat after 11:59pm EST on March 31, 2011, and the corresponding commenter will win! Corinna will contact that lucky soul for a mailing address. If she doesn...

Anne of Ankolie's Corner went stargazing around the Fantasy Artists of Etsy team galaxy. Through her telescope, she spied many twinkling handmade creations, including glittering jewelry galore, a miniature magic wand, and my winged wolf magnet. Treasuries shared by readers between March 15 - 21 Beware... The Luck of the Irish... Enchanted Beauty This one is Plum Perfect... Etsy Chai Passover and Judaica Gifts Front Page News Choices (Delaware Etsy Street Team) What was behind the Closed Door Summer Fun! white wedding Take me to the sea... Spring Pink Chick Garden Party Prep Love. Letters. Here Comes Peter Cotton Tail Bark Me! welcome to my cozy cottage Mirage Peaceful Protest Pay it Forward Mirror Mirror on the Wall Shamrock Shake Frog Prince Can't live without PAPER! a kaleidoscope of color & fun Sun Exposed Facing Our Fears

St. Patrick's Day is next week, so I couldn't help but stroll around the rolling green hills of Etsyland in search of a pot of gold. My fellow members of the Fantasy Artists of Etsy are no strangers to faerie folk, and introduced me to the handmade creations below. The leprechauns refused to part with their gold, but shared their luck happily. 1. Pot of Gold Leprechaun Original Painting by Julia Finucane 2. Patrick O'Mousey, Leprechaun Mouse by The Mouse Hole 3. Crochet Leprechaun with Pot O' Gold by Be Good 2 Mother Earth 4. Luck of the Leprechauns Soy Spell Candle by Moonlit Herbals

We're not out of winter's woods yet - the wind yesterday had me grimacing and pulling my wool jacket tighter. However, the last of the dirty snow piles have finally melted from parking lots and shadowy corners. Green buds have started to stretch toward the sunlight, and vibrant blooms are sure to follow. The Delaware Etsy Street Team is ready to greet spring with bright colors of their own, from Swarovski crystal jewelry and fabric headbands to Lardnar Oatar the monster doll and my sunset unicorn magnet. Treasuries shared by readers between March 8 - 14 Love Etsy A little mustard on the side Texas- Sized Giveaway From Etsy Dallas into the spring of it! Mardi Gras Midwest Style Luck of the Irish Dove and Canary sitting in a tree, K-I- S- S- I- N- G Lace and Pearls Spring Sunshine Coming Right Up Top 16 HCS Entries Something Pink Something Sweet Pretty as a Princess Fae Fairies and Flowers Moo Cow Love! March into Spring Flower Power Fresh For Spring (Del...

Don't fall out of your chair, but despite my hectic work schedule this week, I actually finished a piece in time to share it on the Sunday Sketches Linky ! This Fire dragon is quite demanding, he refused to let me put down my Prismacolor pencils until his ACEO was finished. By the end, my eyes were almost as red as his. He's even already available as a fridge magnet on Etsy.

Won't you join the Fantasy Artists of Etsy in a dance? Quickly, before the porpoise close behind us treads on your tail! A band of curiouser and curiouser creatures is awaiting your arrival at the current FAE exhibition . EDIT: Curiouser and Curiouser has been replaced by another exhibition, but click on the screenshot below to view all the FAE items currently for sale that are tagged with the word "creature."

EDIT: Giveaway is officially over. Congratulations to the randomly chosen 466th commenter, Roswell! And I have good news for even those that didn't win - Cheryl is offering 10% off in her Etsy shop, just use coupon code "AQUARIANN" before June 15th, 2011. Cheryl of Sunday Creek is offering a choice between the amazing Crystal Point and Bullet Casing Necklace above and an elegant Winchester 45 Auto Bullet Casing Necklace to one bold woman with attitude out there. Either piece is sure to cause a scene wherever you go, but the first stops my heart. The pendant features a golden brass .380 auto caliber bullet casing deeply etched in a wave pattern with an unpolished natural quartz crystal point (and a baby terminated point!) with a multi-faceted crystal rondelle for extra bling! Cheryl turns trash to treasure with her unique line of bullet jewelry. Many of her designs resemble gold pieces favored by the ancient Romans, Etruscans and Byzantine with their rich golden hues and...

Eva of KapKa Design Jewelry Studio cast a spell and a myriad of marvelous creatures magically appeared out of the shadows to battle for attention. My peridot dragon is gloating about being the first featured, amongst such amazing handmade creations as a stained glass and brass dragon sculpture, sterling silver and antique metal dragon rings, and dragon scale bracers. Treasuries shared by readers between March 1 - 7 Her true love, the wine nymph... Faeries help my garden grow Faerie Garden Dreams Where's Your Sign? March-In like a Gryphon and out like a Unicorn take me away. . .to brighter days chocolate drops and vanilla cream The Dude Abides A Bolt of Blue It's A Spring Thing (HCS) Slainte -- Raise a Pint of the Black Stuff to St Pat! I'll see you on the dark side... You can keep the beads, Mister... throw me some of these! Baby is cold outside... Hop Reflections of the Sea Visit to the Emerald City Military Love Hoorah! The Carnival is in Town! ...