Soulful Sunday: Happy Mother's Day!

Yes, I know, it looks a little odd. When everyone else is showing roses and countryside worthy of Da Vinci paintings for their Mother's Day posts, I show two little dandelions. Well, there's a story, and since you're still sitting here I'll tell you:
As a kid, my mom and I didn't have much money, and before my step dad finally came around (like, where had he been? lol), I didn't have anyone to take me places to 'get mom a present'. So I made her presents, painted her pictures and, of course, brought her dandelions. Lots of them! I made bouquets and they would be all over the apartment, and later, the house. When I got older I tried making chains and headbands out of them, but one eensy weensy bug in my hair quickly put an end to that! So a dandelion bouquet it would be, it is, and it forever shall be.
So here's to my mom, who did a pretty darn fine job (if I do say so myself!). Who taught me to ride a bike, swim, be kind to others, love to help people, and most importantly, love learning. I may not be perfect, but I would be nowhere near the person I am without your love, support, guidance and unconditional cheering-on.
I love you, you are wonderful, and I couldn't have chosen a better mom if I had tried.
I hope you love your dandelions :)

Sweet Saturday: A Stroll With Epic Farms

Today I thought I would take a stroll over to Epic Farms, who happens to be my charity of the month (and a great friend also!). Jen is a wonderful artist, breast cancer survivor, and horse rescuer extraordinaire (sometimes when she doesn't even intend to be, lol).
I have purchased several items from her and I have to say that everything is high quality, beautiful, well packaged, affordably priced, and goes to a great cause - her 501(c3) charitable-approved horse rescue!Located in Alabama, her farm has recently had a few difficulties - the recent heavy rains have increased their already problematic erosion problems to the point that they have had to go out on several occasions and do emergency hole filling, and a few of the holes are going to have to be back filled. To add insult to injury, a recent storm ripped the roof off of two of their horses' stalls, and you have a real need for funds! I wanted to show a few of the pieces available for sale, but I also wanted to direct your attention to the right hand column of my blog - if you scroll down a bit, you will see their widget to direct you to their fund raising page on FirstGiving so that you can also donate directly if you would prefer.
Jen doesn't know I have profiled her on my blog today *wicked grin* but in addition to telling you of her farm's needs, I really wanted to show you some of her work, as it is just gorgeous :)

Please do stop by her Website, Blog, Squidoo Lens and most especially her Etsy Store....and don't forget to always "Live, Love, Laugh" as the items above show you!
Have a fantastic Saturday!

Fabulous Friday - A Custom Order And Sale Announcement!

Not my usual photographic prowess, I'll admit, but I wanted to show you the custom order I received yesterday before I shipped it out. She ordered: a Celtic spiral bracelet, but wanted it in just sterling silver, instead of the silver and gold; a FibroAware Celtic spiral ring, but needed it a little smaller; the Airy Scroll Celtic Spiral necklace (it is packed in the white stuff at the top right of the photo so it doesn't tangle en route); and a Lapis Lazuli and sterling silver simple ring. Too awesome! These were gifts to herself for her birthday, and I have to say I admire that - we all need a little "To: Me, From: Me, Love: Me!" every now and then!

Also, this is the LAST CHANCE to purchase items from my 50% off sale! Get these deals while you can! I have a new collection waiting to be listed and I have to sell these sale items first to make room! Once these sale prices are gone, that is it!

I hope you all have a fabulous Friday of your own :)

Thoughtful Thursday: Meet Annette from DragonHouseofYuen!

This Thursday, I thought I would introduce you to a new friend of mine: Annette from DragonHouseofYuen on Etsy. She is a very talented (and friendly!) artist currently living in Scotland, though she has her eye on a little piece of heaven in Norway.
Her Etsy store is here: www.dragonhouseofyuen.etsy.com
Her blog is here: www.dragonhouseofyuen.blogspot.com/
Scroll down to see a few items from her shop, and to learn a bit more about Annette!

Its That Time Again Happy Birthday Handmade Card in White with lots and lots of Grey Hares

Where did you get your name?
Dragon House of Yuen came from my love of all things Chinese and Far Eastern.
Many years ago I was learning Mandarin and Cantonese (reading, writing and speaking) and of course learning about the Chinese culture too which I find so fascinating. In particular their 12 horoscope animals, their attributes and the fact that every person has characteristics of their own horoscope animal. The dragon is the number one animal and in Chinese culture is a symbol of good fortune, authority and power (that is why it was always, and only, used by kings).
http://www.usbridalguide.com/special/chinesehoroscopes/Dragon.htm

In 2001 my fiance and I opened our take-away shop and being a trained graphic designer I designed all our graphics, menu, signs and business name. And of course I used the dragon symbol for our shop (which is also my Etsy avatar), and my fiance's surname. But the take-away name was an acronym - in keeping with the times and the trends! (never again!!)

One of us is also born in the Year of the Dragon. So the name is very personal! and I also love lizards!

After we closed our shop I continued to use the name for my art business. I had also made a 1.2m high papier mache mixed media dragon for our shop - just like my avatar!
(picture here) http://www.dragonhouseofyuen.co.uk/freestanding.htm

Arabella Rabbit Bag in Vintage Gold Damask Quilted Jumper donating 10per cent to WSPA

What are your inspirations?
I love animals, everywhere, all the time. And nature! Not a day goes by without me feeling a strong desire of affection for all the animals I encounter - the seagulls overhead, the house sparrows, the squirrels - my own two rescue rabbits! and I love nature more than anything.
I have to see trees everyday, and clouds, the colours and textures. Even just a leaf. I need to be in constant visual and physical contact with nature to feel normal and to be able to breathe.

(I am inspired by many other things mind you! but not nearly as much as animals and mother nature).

Baby Rabbit Angel Soft Sculpture

What about your 'real live' rabbits?
I have two rescue rabbits, Arabella and Wesley.
They have a strong aversion to each other, but at the rescue centre when I was taking Arabella down to meet Wesley - to add him to out family, and they were put in the pen together to see if they would like each other, and hopefully bond - they acted normal and disinterested. For rabbits being introduced this was a good sign!

Then when we drove home (it was an 18 hour driving day over 600 miles from Edinburgh to Rugby and back) and put them in Arabella's room they had a disagreement. I had to pick up the fur tufts from the carpet after separating them! They were locked in a ball of flying fur :( Since then they have had one more nasty fight - this time with blood and a patch of missing skin! So, I keep them separated. Arabella has one side of the flat to free-range around in, Wesley the other.

I know that they must have made a pact at the rescue centre to be 2-hour-friends so that Wesley could come home with us :)

Thanks for your continuing efforts to raise awareness about adoptable rabbits, Annette, your work is stunning and I can't wait to receive my purchase of my very own baby hare from your collection!