fantasy art and tree chatter of aquariann

EDIT: Giveaway is officially over. Congratulations to Blogul Cu Hainutze for submitting the randomly chosen 273rd entry. No need to pinch yourself - it's not a dream that the Victorian Twilight wire ear cuff above could be yours for free. In fact, Karla of Thyme2dream is giving away a $25 gift card so the winner can choose her very own favorite fantasy jewelry piece. It'll be a tough decision - Thyme2dream is filled with fanciful things, from elven rings to fairy crowns to bubble wands. Karla began designing for fae folk, then discovered that mortals like her accessories, too. Wrapping and spiraling with wire and gemstones is a natural combination for Karla. She rarely plans pieces; the design falls into place as she plays with the elements. All stones inspire her, from the naturally heart shaped piece of Kansas River rock her boys brought home for her to the lovely cool feeling of blue chalcedony or the magical shimmer of rainbow moonstone. She is fascinated by the ‘per...

EDIT: Giveaway is officially over. Winner will be announced later in the week. I'm still too attached to paper books to buy an eReader - but you can bet I've been trying to win one in free sweepstakes. The digital book world is immense and I'm just starting to explore it. Karla, a fellow Fantasy Artist of Etsy, recently introduced me to the writings of her husband, Ian Hall . He is not confined by genres, having equal success in Historical adventure, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Horror and hard hitting gritty crime. He even writes self-help books for writers! After looking inside his "Why You Should Write e-Books, e-Novels, e-Shorts" , I'm tempted to revisit my childhood dream of becoming an author. I have been awfully interested in zombies lately, so his "How To Write Your Own Zombie Novel" advice could feed my brain nicely. Ian is currently working on his Caledonii: Birth of a Nation series. He just released the fourth part, and each is over 10...

While searching for valentine accessories last week, several anatomical heart necklaces pulsed out from the crowd. Nobody seemed fatally grossed out about the brain necklaces I shared last May, so perhaps you will find these jewelry pieces just as fascinating. I admit that my taste has a dark side - when visiting Las Vegas for my birthday next month, the Ogre and I plan to eat at the Heart Attack Grill , thanks to seeing a special on the Travel Channel. Don't worry, I won't be ordering the 8,000 calorie Quadruple Bypass Burger meal. A single cheeseburger and a handful of flatliner fries shouldn't stop my heart ... right? 1. Anatomical Heart Necklace in Sterling Silver by Laurel Hill 2. Preserved Human Heart in a Jar - Curiosity Bottle Necklace by Alternate History Designs 3. Anatomical Heart Necklace in Ruby - Fancy Brass Antique Anatomical Print Necklace with Chain by The Lysine Contingency 4. Anatomical Heart Cameo Necklace by Lithia's Creations

"Alice could not help her lips curling up into a smile as she began: 'Do you know, I always thought Unicorns were fabulous monsters, too! I never saw one alive before!' 'Well, now that we have seen each other,' said the Unicorn, 'if you'll believe in me, I'll believe in you.'" - Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll Flutter to my Wordless Wednesday Directory for a list of blogs that regularly host WW Linky Parties. Grab my button as a reminder to return next week for more photography fun! <a href="http://blog.aquariann.com/search/label/wordless%20wednesday" target="_blank"><img src="http://i532.photobucket.com/albums/ee329/aquariann/blog/wordless/125x125-wordless.jpg" alt="Wordless Wednesday" border="0" /></a>

If you're feeling cold, Lynda Hayes has some igneous ideas on how to think hot instead. My fire dragon magnet is featured, along with The Phoenix, the first recycled sweater coat in an Epic Fantasy collection that I'd make mine if I had money to burn. Treasuries shared by readers between January 24 - January 30 Feeling cold? Think HOT! Freezing Rain ~ Jewelry Treasury Tuesday Shining Bleu Pink and Blue Just for You Pink Roses are for Love Hopeful and Expectant Moss Green Oh, Tangerine from Argentine lagomorpha What is in Your Garden of Delights? Baby it's Cold Outside! Tangerine and Lime Tea Time! Love In All the Right Places HIS Fuzzy Wuzzy Was a Bear TSunshine State- I wish I was here! Fairies Dance in the Woodland hot cocoa on a cold night Find Beauty Wherever You Look

I wasn't too fond of Valentine's Day as a teenager. For one, I was always single. For two, my birthday is only a week before February 14th so several times I received presents that were decorated in hearts - which only made me more angsty. Since falling head over heels for my Ogre, I've certainly changed my tune. I now embrace romantic accessories as handmade gifts, as long as they're uniquely lovely like these heart brooches I stalked down on Etsy. 1. Handmade Embroidered and Beaded Wool Felt Heart Brooch Lapel Pin - Valentine's Day - (Dark Red on Black background) by Creative Thread Boutique 2. Tin Heart Pin/Brooch, Inscribed With Unite, Passion, Joy or Spirit by Ruddle Cottage 3. Copper Heart Brooch. Copper Wire Heart Shawl Pin for Valentine's Day by Gypsy Moon Art Studio 4. Don't Lose Your Heart Brooch - Red & Blonde by smil

EDIT: Giveaway is officially over. Congratulations to Black Asphodel for submitting the randomly chosen 138th entry! I rarely have the patience to do much more than brush my hair, unless I'm going out dancing. Then I gleefully dig through my treasure chest of beaded headbands and glittery barrettes for the perfect accessory to match my outfit. As you may have noticed, I have a weakness for sparkly objects. Sam of the Beautiful Swag Store offers plenty in her Etsy shop. Many of her flower hair accessories, like the feather fascinator above, include acrylic gems and rhinestones. She designs pieces for females of any age, from ribbon ponytail holders for little girls to wedding hair clips for brides. Sam began crafting for family and friends. Her small homemade gifts were so popular that she was encouraged to share them online. The prices are very reasonable. She regularly participates in Saturday Night Specials - check her shop announcement every Saturday to see the deal avail...

"In caverns cool when the tide's a wash, I sound my conch to the watery splash. From out their grottos at evenings beam, the mermaids swim with locks agleam." - The Mermaid by Walter de la Mare Flutter to my Wordless Wednesday Directory for a list of blogs that regularly host WW Linky Parties. Grab my button as a reminder to return next week for more photography fun! <a href="http://blog.aquariann.com/search/label/wordless%20wednesday" target="_blank"><img src="http://i532.photobucket.com/albums/ee329/aquariann/blog/wordless/125x125-wordless.jpg" alt="Wordless Wednesday" border="0" /></a>

Valentine's Day is just a month away! Even if you weren't born in January, you may want to add garnet jewelry to your wishlist. The deep red January birthstone is a symbol of loyalty and affection when given as a gift. The gem can even evoke passion and sensual magic between lovers. However, if you're single and moping around about it - wearing garnet is also known to help overcome depression and protect against negative energy. Garnet has been one of my favorite gemstones since I bought a unique poison ring as a teenager - the tiny red jewel hid a container that I filled with a pinch of glitter. I couldn't find any rings like it on Etsy, but my eyes fell for these gorgeous garnet earrings instead. Each pair of gems is coupled with hammered sterling silver. 1. Garnet Earrings Diamond Briolette Gemstones Oxidized Sterling Silver Triangle Hammered Metalwork by challenevi 2. Silver Earrings, Hammered Teardrop, Rose Cut Garnet Gemstones, Sterling Silver Posts by JamesCad...

"I knew we were having problems when you put those piranhas in my bathtub again." - You Don't Love Me Anymore by Weird Al Flutter to my Wordless Wednesday Directory for a list of blogs that regularly host WW Linky Parties. Grab my button as a reminder to return next week for more photography fun! <a href="http://blog.aquariann.com/search/label/wordless%20wednesday" target="_blank"><img src="http://i532.photobucket.com/albums/ee329/aquariann/blog/wordless/125x125-wordless.jpg" alt="Wordless Wednesday" border="0" /></a>

EDIT: Giveaway is officially closed. Congratulations to the randomly chosen 278th commenter, Irene! Preen your feathers, girls - this peacock ore necklace will give itself freely to only one of you. Jessica of esoteric HEARTS chose this incredibly iridescent blue pendant as a prize. The photograph doesn't show nearly as many shimmering shades as the stone actually possesses - the colors change constantly in sunlight. Jessica describes rainbow peacock ore as one of the most beautiful stones she's ever seen. She's attached the stone to a silver plated bail, strung from a 20 inch silver plated chain with a lobster claw clasp. You may recognize the simply unique quality that the esoteric HEARTS piece exudes from my handmade trove - I was lucky enough to win a druzy geode necklace last month. Now I'm prancing about proudly because I get to host a jewelry giveaway for the designer. Jessica is a 21 year old college student studying lighting and sound technology with the...

Have any of your 2012 resolutions for the Chinese Year of the Dragon flourished or fallen yet? My goal to draw more birthstone dragons is taking off slowly - but I hope to put pencil to paper this weekend. I promise I didn't fix the results, but the poll votes on my Squidoo fantasy art lens are in favor of me drawing Amethyst, my own birthstone, next! Before I become entranced searching for dazzling purple gem reference photographs, I decided to warm my eyes up on handmade jewelry. Perhaps these unique Chinese dragon necklaces will bring their wearers luck in the new year. 1. Chinese New Year Dragon and Jasper Necklace by Three Ladies 2. Fire Breathing Dragon Necklace by L Constructed 3. Yingtan Brass Chinese Zodiac Necklace by Anne Potter 4. New Year - Year of the DRAGON 2012 Carved Dragon Charm Necklace by Red Truck Designs

"They're typically seen in starburst galaxies, where there's a lot of star formation and large stars don't last very long. They typically explode soon after they're made — where 'soon' is a million years." - Frank Marshall Flutter to my Wordless Wednesday Directory for a list of blogs that regularly host WW Linky Parties. Grab my button as a reminder to return next week for more photography fun! <a href="http://blog.aquariann.com/search/label/wordless%20wednesday" target="_blank"><img src="http://i532.photobucket.com/albums/ee329/aquariann/blog/wordless/125x125-wordless.jpg" alt="Wordless Wednesday" border="0" /></a>

The fairy watched hopefully as the human pulled a stoneware cup and saucer out of the cabinet. Her heart fluttered as milk was poured and warmed in the microwave. She was so hypnotized by the cup turning like a merry-go-round that she missed the magical cocoa powder appear on the counter. The fairy jumped when the microwave let out its shrill call, but crept closer as the human carefully removed the cup. Cocoa was whisked into the milk, then topped with a heaping swirl of whipped cream and sprinkled with cinnamon. The smell of sweet chocolate wafting through the air was irresistible. The fairy buzzed wildly through the house, rang the doorbell and was back in the kitchen before the sound had even reached the human's boringly rounded ears. "Now who could that be?" the human murmured, releasing her grip on the handle she'd been about to pick up. The human left the room and the fairy triumphantly dived toward the steaming drink. She hugged the cup happily, warmth filling...