Friday, May 14, 2010

Culture and Heritage within Art

Growing up in Washington State, where there is a very large amount of native tribal land and heritage, I've always had a great admiration and respect for the native tribes of North America and throughout my life I've been to many museums erected to introduce true tribal artwork and artisan crafts to the world, not just in Washington but all around the US.

When I came across today's shop, I instantly loved it for the same reason I've loved visiting those museums and choose to seek them out whenever I've traveled around North America. It's a heritage that survives against all odds, thrives regardless of the struggles of adversity and invasion of technology and industrialism.

I love that. I love that there are still cultures filled with heritage, older than Christianity and based on respect for the earth and sky and all living things. I love that they survive even to this day.

Leelinau shares some of this culture with the world of Etsy by offering beautiful pieces of genuine Chippewa Native American Indian handmade art. From beading to feathers to turquoise, bone and dream catchers, this shop is absolutely beautiful and filled with culture and heritage.

Leelinau is ran by Adina, who makes
everything seen within her shop and is sold not just through Etsy but also in the Green Bay Oneida National Museum in Wisconson.

Adina is an enrolled tribal member of the
Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and loves mixing her cultural heritage with urban life to create the beautiful pieces she offers in her shop and she's constantly learning, adapting and challenging her abilities to create new and exciting pieces.

There's also a cornucopia of information on her profile page about both her work as well as the culture and heritage behind her creations, so when you stop by her shop, be sure to check out her profile as well!

YOU CAN CLICK ON THE PICTURES ABOVE TO VISIT ADINA'S BEAUTIFUL LEELINAU SHOP ON ETSY AND TAKE A LOOK AROUND OR, IF YOU PREFER, CLICK RIGHT HERE.

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Earthy and Whimsical Artwork and Sculpture

Today's shop is very diverse with an earthy, whimsical flare for fantasy that really caught my attention.

I first saw today's artist's work when I was browsing through some of the treasuries on Etsy, and I was immediately drawn to the sculptured pieces like the one that I saw featured. I followed the link and found myself transported to an earthy realm of whimsy that I was immediately enchanted by.

Besedina is filled with wonderful sculptures that are rich in detail and personality. Little miniature pieces of art, cup holders for pens, pencils, crayons and more as well as fairy art prints, little magnets featuring more of the artist's sculpture talent and other bits and pieces such as jewelry boxes, jars, pendants and more.

It's a wonderful shop and one you shouldn't miss, so be sure to stop by and take a look around!

YOU CAN CLICK ON THE PICTURE ABOVE TO VISIT BESEDINA'S SHOP ON ETSY AND TAKE A LOOK AROUND OR, IF YOU PREFER, CLICK RIGHT HERE.

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

I Wanna Win Wednesdays - Giveaway Linky 5/12 thru 5/18


Okay! Today we're starting a new tradition here at The Meandering Musings, and one that I think you'll enjoy.

I love giveaways and I really, really love winning free stuff. (Who doesn't?!?) It doesn't happen often but it always comes as a surprise when it does and brightens up my day.

So every Wednesday, I've decided we're going to throw a "I Wanna Win" Wednesday where you can come to find wonderful, terrific giveaways to enter and win!

SO... Do you have a great giveaway going on this week or know someone who does?


In the Linky below, share your current giveaway or any great giveaways that you have discovered and explore (and enter to win) a few of the giveaways left by others.

After all, you can't win if you don't enter!

[ PLEASE ENTER YOUR LINKS IN THIS FORMAT... Name of Giveaway You're Sharing (End Date)
]

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Hand Knits an Handcrafted Jewelery

Today's shop is very eclectic, but I've found I really love what they have to offer and the way it's all displayed, it works together in a way that a lot of shops can't manage to achieve.

ParadisePurls is a shop on Etsy ran by a wonderful woman in Cary, North Carolina who seems to be hard-wired in a much similar way to how I am, myself. She's extremely tactile, self taught and inspired by color!

Her shop is filled with baby beanies, scarves and even knitted jewelry to beaded bookmarks and more.

I'm personally really fond of the hand knit bracelets. I love it when I find something new that I've never seen before in my travels among shops in the handmade marketplace and these bracelets fit into this category.

The bracelets and, in fact, all of her items are filled with beautiful color combination and I loved the browse through a shop that has successfully managed to be eclectic without becoming haphazard.

TO VISIT PARADISEPURLS' SHOP ON ETSY, YOU CAN CLICK THE PICTURE ABOVE OR, IF YOU'D RATHER, CLICK RIGHT HERE!

Monday, May 10, 2010

Retro Chic Style for the Kitchen Goddess

I'm a sucker for Retro Chic. I can't help it, I love the designs and patterns and just... well, I just love it all. My mother sometimes wondered if I wasn't born in the wrong generation, because my tastes have always wandered towards the styles and fashions of old rather than new.

That's probably why I'm so intrigued by today's
shop. I absolutely hate those "barbecue" style aprons they sell in today's market. I just don't like that style and it's just yuck to me.

Today's shop specializes in aprons, but not that newer style you see every grill slinger from here to hell and back wearing. Instead, the shop specializes in Retro Chic styles of bygone era and I LOVE them for it! Do you have any idea how long I've been searching for someone selling these style of aprons? Probably not, but trust me, it's been a very long and arduous search.

Sugar Pie Chic is filled with these beautiful pieces.

And, while design is important, quality also matters to the owner of this wonderful shop. All of her aprons are made from 100% cotton designer fabric and are made to last with double-stitching on stress points and quality materials that make these aprons not only pretty but durable and made for work.


TO VISIT SUGAR PIE CHIC'S SHOP ON ETSY, YOU CAN CLICK THE PICTURE ABOVE OR, IF YOU'D RATHER, CLICK RIGHT HERE!

Our Followers on Facebook


Quotes

"Creative activity could be described as a type of learning process where teacher and pupil are located in the same individual." - Arthur Koestle

Archive

Other Blogs to Check Out



Thrifty and Chic Mom

Adgitize your web site.
 

The Meandering Musings... | Creative Commons Attribution- Noncommercial License | Blog Design by Simply Fabulous