fantasy art and tree chatter of aquariann

EDIT: Giveaway is officially over. Congratulations to Amy Tolley for submitting the randomly chosen 18th entry. I have some juicy news you may want to share with your diary instead of your best friend so she doesn't steal the opportunity away from you. Laura of Loralyn Designs is giving away the captivating cuff above to one lucky winner. An intricate floral band is offset by a bold disc with an orange and black marbled center. The silver plated filigree bracelet combines both masculine and feminine elements to create a gothic design that looks amazing whether you're male or female, human or vampire. Laura has quite the experience in designing vampire style jewelry. Last October she designed a Celtic cross pendant that was chosen to appear during the fourth season of The Vampire Diaries on the CW. Her medieval necklace was worn by the ruggedly handsome vampire hunter, Galen Vaughn. If that accomplishment doesn't make you thirsty to check out more of her unique jewelr...

Wearing hot accessories will help you beat the summer heat! Branch out to Beadmask , Life is the Bubbles , Purple Peacock Jewels and Athenianaire for red earrings and jewelry. Beadmask's bead embroidered earrings are as hot as the sun they abstractly resemble! The striking design showcases a pair of vintage glass cabochons in ruby red. The stones are surrounded by glass seed beads in shades of matte metallic bronze and color lined brick. Radiating out from the stone is a series of glass spike beads in silky bronze. The red earrings are backed with brown leather and dangle from "antique copper" (plated brass) earwires. Purple Peacock Jewels' Kuchi earrings will make you sparkle like the Red Desert Moon, whether you're a belly dancer or not. The vintage Kuchi elements were carefully selected and mixed with modern Swarovski crystals and Preciosa findings to create a truly stunning piece of Tribal jewelry. The vintage metal has been gently polished to bring b...

Many of my favorite trees blossomed in early spring and their pretty petals blew away long before the summer solstice. But no matter the season, there is always beauty blooming somewhere, whether it be by nature or human hands. Just behold the bloom bracelet cuff that recently grew in my handmade trove! You may recognize the handstamped style if you've strolled through my garden of blog posts. The beautiful leather cuff is crafted by none other than Dzign by Jamie . The leather is embossed with a decorative floral design and dyed black. A hand textured brass flower and plaque is riveted to the bracelet. The hand stamped message not only describes the fabulous flower, but also motivates me to continue to grow my creative talents. Sometimes I get weeded when trying to write or draw and need a reminder that hope is not lost. If I keep struggling forward, even better art is bound to bloom. Disclaimer: I received this bracelet as a thank you gift for hosting a free jewelry giveaw...

"Wine and cheese are ageless companions, like aspirin and aches, or June and moon, or good people and noble ventures." - M. F. K. Fisher Last weekend I went on a mini-vacay to the WV mountains with a few fellow belly dancers and was able to enjoy wine, cheese and the June Supermoon! And the company of good people on a noble venture to relax, of course. 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!

EDIT: Giveaway is officially over. Congratulations to Mary Helene for submitting the randomly chosen 474th entry. Break out the princess party hats and shiny streamers, because it's time to celebrate Natascha's birthday! She doesn't want to be the only one enjoying presents, so she's giving away a 50 CHF (approximately $54) gift card to her Purple Peacock Jewels shop. That means the worldwide winner could choose the fabulous filigree earrings above for free! Amethyst is my birthstone so these Swarovski crystals caught my eye instantly, but she can make this and many of her other vintage-inspired jewelry designs in any available Swarovski Elements color. All of her amazing accessories, from handflower bracelets to rhinestone bindis to feather hair fascinators, are handcrafted in Switzerland. But it doesn't matter where you live or what month you were born - wearing her designs will make your inner goddess sparkle even more. <a href="http://blog.aqua...

EDIT: The Spring 2013 Bunny Blog Hop Linky may be closed, but don't let that stop you from blogging about rabbits and sharing it by commenting on this post. For my seasonal hop this spring, I challenge my fellow bloggers to actually hop along with the bunnies. You can paint, craft or bake new creations to share, or feature your favorite rabbit-inspired items by other artists. It is entirely up to you how you wish to celebrate the furry theme; just have fun! This linky party will keep multiplying until chased away by another challenge near the summer solstice, so you have plenty of time to participate. Check back every Thursday to see new submissions, plus a weekly featured Etsy listing chosen by yours truly. Featured Bunny Images: White Rabbit Hat by Little Miss Hattitude Steampunk Rabbit Ring in Fast Time by Fern Street Designs Little Bunny Rabbit Bead by Tree Wings Studio Merbunny Sculpture Art Doll by Alexis Colbert Turquoise Ceramic Rabbit Sculpture by Hola Pape...

"If you want to view paradise Simply look around and view it." - "Pure Imagination" from Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory I can imagine Willy Wonka using these pretty purple bell-shaped flowers as teacups. Can't you? 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!

Women don't need glittering jewels to let their inner goddesses shine outward - but it helps. Especially if they're wearing an amazing accessory by Natascha of Purple Peacock Jewels . Her fancy bindi to the right is even named after Sarasvati, the Indian goddess of wisdom and erudition. Bindis are traditionally placed in a spot on the forehead that corresponds to the Sixth Chakra or Third Eye. Some believe that bindis strengthen intelligence and concentration - while others just wear them as a fashion statement. Beautiful bindis are a unique way to add glam to a wedding dress, belly dance costume or date night outfit. After my eyes danced longingly through Natascha's Etsy shop, it was hard to believe that she only recently discovered her love for making jewelry. She didn't even like crafts as a kid or teen! Now she happily handcrafts designs using aged-metal components and sparkly rhinestones galore. Disclaimer: My blog sponsors pay me for advertising space and...

"Those who bring sunshine into the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves." - James M. Barrie I decided to share this sunny oriental hybrid lilies photo for those that also have a lot of rain in this week's weather forecast! 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!

While shopping for garden sculptures this spring, I found out that Ogre is a fan of frogs! So when Erin of Purple Eggplants invited me to join powers and each draw one, I giddily agreed. Granted, in took me a couple weeks to fit it into my "free" time ... but I finally sketched a steampunk frog this weekend. Frog pencil sketch is inked with black Sakura Pigma Micron Pens onto ACEO sized Strathmore Smooth Bristol Paper . Steampunk art is linked at Sunday Sketches and Inspire Me Monday .

"People from a planet without flowers would think we must be mad with joy the whole time to have such things about us." - Iris Murdoch This unique Cape daisy cultivar looks like it belongs on an alien planet instead of Longwood Gardens. The spoon shape of the flower petals is so strangely beautiful. 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!