fantasy art and tree chatter of aquariann

EDIT: Giveaway is officially over. Congratulations to Sylvia Elmore Zajis for submitting the randomly-chosen 176th entry. Don't scamper away in fear - the black cat above is a good omen! Stacey of Pretty Whimsical is giving away a $25 gift card to spend in her handcrafted jewelry shop. You'll have your work cut out for you like a jack-o'-lantern when trying to choose a favorite from her hundreds of reclaimed, vintage Scrabble® tile pendants. She hand picks quality papers for a crisp image and seals the top with a protective resin that adds a glass-like shine. From Halloween to Christmas designs, Alice in Wonderland to Wizard of Oz images and bee to Eiffel tower art, the subject range will put a spell on you. Or if you prefer to spell it out instead - opt for a piece of her hand stamped sterling silver jewelry. Personalized charms and custom pendants are available for any great gift occasion. <a href="http://blog.aquariann.com/2013/09/black-cat-jewelry-give...

"Within every block of wood and stone, there dwells a spirit, waiting to be released. Direct carving is a way of freeing the spirit - my own and that of the stone or wood." - Hap Hagood I've been on a dragon roll for the last few Wordless Wednesdays, so here's another stunning sculpture I saw at the Maryland Renaissance Festival. This beast guards the roof of a woodworking shop! 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!

"Hark, now hear the sailors cry Smell the sea and feel the sky Let your soul and spirit fly" - Into The Mystic by Van Morrison Lewes, Delaware had its first (and hopefully annual) Dragon Boat Festival on September 15, 2013! Several of my coworkers paddled for the Cape Gazette Flood Tides team. I stopped by Lewes Canalfront Park just in time to see them smoke the competition in Heat 13. After racing two more heats later in the day, they came in 8th place out of 21 dragon boat teams. 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!

The 2013 autumnal equinox is this Sunday, September 22 and I am so ready for summer to get sucked into a black hole until next year! Cassie Vision is daydreaming of darker beauty during fall, too. Her black and red gift ideas include black sun mask by Misfit Leather, tattered skirt by Evermind and my dark fairy magnet . Treasuries shared by readers between September 17 - September 25, 2013 September is Perfect for Gray and Green I LOVE the Turquoise ... Halloween Color Today. Now Rainy Days Etsy Rabbits for Geeks! Ten Thousand Mermaids Fading Away Fall on Fire Sacred and Profane The Eyes Have It Birds & Wings & Purpley Things A forest full of wonders

EDIT: Giveaway is officially over. Congratulations to Wanda Bergman for submitting the randomly chosen 732nd entry. I find it hard to fathom that in just a few days, Ogre and I will be married for an entire year! Even if I had a time machine, I wouldn't change a thing about our pirate wedding . Except to have worn a piece of Talila's vintage-inspired jewelry. She has several bridal lace bracelets and keepsake garters that would have matched my Victorian bustle gown rather splendidly. But it's not too late for the other brides out there! Or any other lady that wants to look elegant on any given day. Talila's giving away the gorgeous gray lace necklace above. The lace pendant features a silver flower element with Swarovski Crystal inset and matching tear drop crystal dangle on a silver plated chain. <a href="http://blog.aquariann.com/2013/09/jewelry-giveaway-bridal-lace-necklace-grey.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i532.p...

"To attract good fortune, spend a new penny on an old friend, share an old pleasure with a new friend, and lift up the heart of a true friend by writing his name on the wings of a dragon." - Chinese Proverb The above dragon fountain sculpture by Bronze Age Studios that currently resides at the Maryland Renaissance Faire may be just a fraction of the size of the dragon statue I shared last week, but is no less magnificent. 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 Nathalie Brault for submitting the randomly chosen 212th entry. Soon the trees will be brightening up their wardrobe, so why not add some color to yours? One of you will even win a $25 gift card to Beadfreaky to accessorize your fall fashions for free. Christine crafts clay beads and buttons in a variety of beautiful designs. The autumn Tree of Life button set above is just one example of her original art. Goddesses, owls and other cool creature images are available in her primitive style. If you're not a jewelry artist or seamstress, don't let those tears fall like leaves yet. Christine also makes her own ceramic post earrings and pendants. Each pretty piece is handmade in her home ceramic studio. She uses her own original and hand carved pressmolds, which means that every creation is unique. <a href="http://blog.aquariann.com/2013/09/primitive-jewelry-giveaway-gift-card.html" target="_blank...

"If you can't take the heat, don't tickle the dragon." There are several stunning statues at Longwood Gardens, but the dragon fountain is my favorite by far. 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!

Leaves may not be turning yet, but the sun is setting sooner and sooner and washing the world in gold just before the night blots out the light. Branch out to Purple Peacock Jewels , Athenianaire , Life is the Bubbles and Beadmask for golden yellow jewelry for autumn. Oh là là! Purple Peacock Jewel's art nouveau earrings are so stunning they could stop traffic in Paris. A tiny topaz glass opal cabochon is carefully mounted in each antique brass setting. The delicately decorative design is reminiscent of the art nouveau elements that one of my favorite artists, Alfonse Mucha, painted so intricately. The nickel-free earposts are embellished by small dangles with matching faceted beads. Athenianaire's real butterfly wing necklace will migrate any outfit from boring to beautiful. The lovely yellow pendant flutters from an adjustable lanyard in black. The pattern is preserved out of a Delias Hyparete butterfly wing from Thailand. The specimen was purchased from a legal cons...