A Simple Thread

It seems like magic as a single strand is transformed into an elegant work of art, but it takes patience and skill to masterfully turn a simple thread into amazing thread art. Maryann of Crochetbymsa on etsy has been perfecting the art of crochet for nearly 4 decades, and her expertise is evident in the array of pleasing creations found in her shop. The traditional lacy doilies featuring flowers are beautifully represented in her shop offerings. They make wonderful table accents and also bring great design to a room draped on the back of an easy chair or sofa. 

Maryann also offers an attractive line of treasure bags. Be sure to see the 3D daffodil gift bag, which would also be a lovely sachet filled with your favorite scents. The stylish lingerie bag is sure to make a cherished wedding or anniversary gift, and the laced rose tiebacks, reminiscent of a bygone age, are the perfect finish for romantic or Victorian decorating.

Maryann twists these treasures in Pennsylvania and ships internationally. Custom orders are always welcome, and she will gladly work with you to create the perfect design, size, and color scheme.

Fifteen for 2

I haven’t played cribbage in years, and was pleasantly surprised to find barkupatree making splendid cribbage boards on zibbet. All of Sean’s game boards are made of top quality hardwoods. His creations showcase the wood’s natural beauty, and he finishes them with tung oil and wax. I have never heard of the Pegs and Jokers card game, but Sean has wonderful sets available for that game as well.

 This self-taught craftsman specializes in custom, handcrafted wood furniture and accessories. Stop by and see an amazing selection of jewelry boxes and chests, as well as hand mirrors from the loveliest

 selection of exotic woods: zebrawood, bubinga, padouk, and morado to name a few. My husband got a piece of purpleheart months ago and I was surprised by its natural color. Bloodwood is equally impressive.

Sean fashions these treasures in Oregon, ships internationally, can be found on Facebook, and has shops on etsy and ArtFire. You can also visit his website where available wood selections are displayed.

Dust Bunnies

Okay, so the blue bunny won me over straight away, and the guinea pigs remind me of Star Trek tribbles (yes, I have a tribble). I grew up with rabbits and those little squeakers and was delighted to find Zygopsyche, a charming critter shop on etsy, specializing in guinea pig and rabbit plushies – just look at those cute little faces and ears!








What a wonderful desk pet one of these tiny creatures would make, but watch out if you have cats, I think my boys would think one of these little fuzz balls to be their new best friend. There are so many colors to choose from. Your favorite is waiting!

These furry friends come from Oregon. Zygopsyche will ship to international destinations and can be found on Facebook. Special orders are not a problem.

Following Fractals

Fractal art relies completely on the designer’s eye and skill of the artist directing the computational power of a computer through mathematics. Donna of DreamTreeStudio on ArtFire (which has closed) creates stunning modern digital art prints with layers of vibrant color and captivating design. Her visually pleasing prints are available in sizes from 8 x 10 to the pocket art collector ACEO size of 2.5 x 3.5 inches. I am fascinating by the design that reminds me so much of perfectly spread creamy lemon frosting.

Donna’s unique masterpieces can take up to several days to complete. Her incredible art prints are professionally printed in a photo lab and come ready to be framed. The patterns and colors will keep you mesmerized.
She computes her equations in South Carolina, ships internationally, and can also be found on Facebook and etsy. Please contact her with any questions or special requests. These delightful prints would make such lovely note cards.

The Gentleman Carver

We have friends who live on Catalpa Way, and I didn’t know it was named for a tree until exploring this delightful shop, Twinwoodcarving, full of hand carved bowls on etsy. Joe listens to each block of wood then uses the skills of a master craftsman to bring out the bowl hidden inside, exposing its glorious grain patterns and natural wood beauty. Years of hand woodworking classes in school, while growing up in Ireland, gave this artist the true appreciation of wood he enjoys today. Thank goodness for those cost cutting measures.

Each of his bowls is a one-of-a-kind treasure. He finishes each bowl with tung oil and beeswax, giving his artworks a lasting finish. These bowls are safe for food use, but are recommended for dry foods only. He also has a line of modern candle holders.

Joe carves in Missouri, ships internationally, and can be found on Facebook. He has an amusing and informative blog post about an over exuberant carving expedition on a piece of green wood, among other helpful ‘working with wood’ insights. My husband makes guitars and I can appreciate the amount of careful cajoling it takes to release these artistic pieces. I can imagine the satisfaction Joe takes when stepping back and gazing at a job well done!