ten on tuesday (on wednesday) - the crafty vacation edition
ten thoughts on tuesday
(or wednesday...or...you know...whenever I can grab my laptop and hide in the closet for long enough to post something)
one
I've already told you about Red Lead, the wonderful paper art store in St. Louis owned by sisters Chris Schwartz and Sharon Wisely, but I wanted to show you more photos and say again how amazing this store is!
If you have a minute you must go take a peek at the online shop. They have a unique line of stamps that are all so charming.
Here are some more photos of their inspiring space (click on them to see a larger image).
I want to bring a sleeping bag and live here!
A tag skirt with silk ribbon ties! I really need this in my house!
Every display in the store is so clever and unique. I love the umbrellas hanging from the ceiling and do you see the ATC cards dangling in the back? There's a close up of these later.
Sharon and Chris hand pick all the old furniture and display items at antique shows and flea markets.
I am crazy about the collaged chair and the paint-chipped red table! The postcards are displayed in old drawers!
Aren't these frame shelves amazing? What a creative and crafty idea!
Art in glass jars. Breathtaking.
Oh, this round table and all its goodies just makes my heart sing!
Love these microscope slide necklaces. This one is made with their queen bee stamp.
Buttons! The texture and colors of all these make my eyes tingle! Don't you just love that big button frame full of buttons!!?
A display of rows and rows of beautiful ATC's pinned together and hanging from the ceiling... stunning!
In this corner of the store it's always Christmas! How lovely! (A red Christmas tree!)
For those of you lucky enough to live in St. Louis I hope you'll visit Red Lead soon and think of me here in Texas being super jealous of you!
two
In Madison, Wisconsin we stopped for lunch at Ella's Deli. It is such a neat place full of creativity and craftiness (not to mention delicious food) so I just had to show you some pictures!
three
Outside of Ellas's is a restored Parker carousel from 1927. Little O wanted to ride, but only on the bench, not on the horses. Apparently they looked a little wild to him.
four
Inside Ellas' is even more whimsical and fun with all kinds of handmade animated characters, displays and dioramas created by local artists and the owners themselves!
Everyone's favorite elephant.
Teen O found the feet faces a little creepy.
This ketchup bottle jumps over the hot dog and vice versa. Pure genius. heh-heh
This robot has a camera in his face and a monitor on his belly so when you walk up to him you can see yourself on the belly monitor. Little O *loved* it.
five
Even the tables get in on the act at Ella's. Each table has a glass top with a themed-shadow box underneath. We sat at the origami table.
This table was filled with mini instruments.
six
The other fun and crafty thing I did on the trip was to go to a small town "Strawberry Festival" art fair. It was really neat.
I met lots of talented crafters and artists. I wish I could just tour around the country going to these types of shows.
seven
The first was a gentleman who owns American Forging. He crafts beautiful pieces from recycled aluminum cans! You really won't believe they used to be cans when you see them.
eight
Next I met Jody Avery and Tammy Mueller of Squiggles and Squares. They make super cute collaged scrabble tiles and dominoes.
I just loved them and bought a scrabble tile necklace with a little piece of the Bible collaged on the front! Go check out their etsy shop to see their jewelry & key chains.
nine
Finally I met Gisela Magdalena Moyer. A paper artist that creates the most amazing paper sculptures.
Her work is bright and beautiful and full of life. The pictures don't do it justice at all. I just couldn't stop looking at each piece. She also has a fascinating life story (don't all wonderful artists?) that you can read about on her website.
I'm saving up for one of her tree pieces, they just make me smile.
ten
That's it for today, I am out of computer time! Hope you enjoy some of those websites and maybe buy some art!
More photos tomorrow!
God's Grace & Peace,
♥ Melissa~
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"Hallelujah! I give thanks to God with everything I've got...God's works are so great, worth a lifetime of study—endless enjoyment! Splendor and beauty mark His craft; His generosity never gives out. His miracles are His memorial— This God of Grace, this God of Love."
-Psalm 111:1