Thursday, July 7, 2011

Flora, Fauna & Fiber: July Monthly Challenge Inspiration

"It is good to be alone in a garden at dawn or dark so that all its shy presences may haunt you and possess you in a reverie of suspended thought." ~James Douglas, Down Shoe Lane

This month we visit the garden at Vaucresson as painted by Edward Vuillard. Influences of impressionism are prevalent and the palette is a riot of color. I can practically feel the heat on my neck and hear the buzzing of the bees, can't you?

To kick start your creativity, here are some great components I found on Etsy that fit the July challenge painting. Don't forget to enter your creation in the Flickr group, and if you post on your blog about it be sure to include the exact link to the blog post to be included in our end of the month blog tour.

Let's start off with the obvious inspiration: flora.


I discovered these really lovely lampwork glass blooms from Catalina Glass. I want to pluck them all and put them in a vase, they are so lovely!



This bronze beauty is by the lovely Miss LeAnn of Summers Studio Etc. I love the abstract floral so much, and the bronze would look great with any color you placed with it.


Sweet floral bead caps with a painterly palette from Donna Millard (and do check out her amazing glass beads while you are at it!).


This garden looks like it is positvely buzzing with life. Here is the fauna that I imagine is there.


I can just hear the buzz of this busy worker bee soaking up the pollen on this pendant from ClayDesignsbyGlee. Such great glaze!



A stunning hand cast dragonfly pendant from WildRavenStudio using an ancient glassworking technique called pate de verre (translated from the French as "paste of glass"). One-of-a-kind!



Flitting over the flowers is a hummingbird from Beth Hemilla of Hint. Her charms always make my creations more special.

To finish it off here is some fiber that coordinates beautifully with the palette.


Beautiful hand dyed cords in Tequila Sunrise by JamnGlass.


There is a garden in this feather light fabric ribbon yarn from CoolClimates.


A great assortment of leather in shades of Forest and Lime Green from ThePeddler.


And I know that these are hair pins, but wouldn't a profusion of handmade blooms look gorgeous? Check out these Dark Ivory Shimmer Organza flower hair pins, and all the other magnificent colors, available from Nomsa.

Now that you have seen my virtual shopping tour, what are you waiting for?
Go out and make your garden bloom for the July Monthly Challenge!

Erin Prais-Hintz writes about all things that inspire her at Treasures Found::Inspiration Is Everywhere. Her jewelry designs are one-of-a-kind made one-at-a-time. She collects quotes and dust and invites you to send her your favorite (quote - not dust!) to enjoytheday@tesoritrovati.com.