Supplies for Little Artists in the Making

I’m on the hunt for a cute little Easter treat for my niece and nephew (since sending a full on basket via USPS to Colorado isn’t exactly a viable option) and thought I would share some of my favorite findings:

Perfect for creating their own fairy tales are
these cool blank-slate books:

Image Via: Elizabeth Kartchner

Availiable at: Draw Your World

Getting their fingers
dirty (and likely a piece of furniture of two while they are at it) is required with these non-toxic, Eco Finger Paints:

Available at: Eco Art Works

My niece and nephew loves themselves some pirate paraphernalia so these would be perfect for scribbling on the sidewalks on a warm spring day:

Available at: Sunshine & Sidewalks

Crow Biz

I love three things about these prints from the etsy shop of Crow Biz :

1) They are printed on salvaged book pages.

2) They are summery & nautical without being too literal/sailor-esque.

3) They are super affordable at $10 a pop.

The Creative Spirit

I am endlessely impressed that some of the most beautiful and creative things come from the poorest areas of the world.  It is such a testament to the power of the human spirit and to the fact that being a creative person is largely a matter of thinking about the world in a certain way rather than environmental.  I have visited a few relatively poor island countries (just on vacation, I definitely am not making a claim that I understand their situations or lives), and was taken aback by how colorful and happy people’s lives seemed in spite of their obvious poverty.  I really think it is beacause they recognize that they have a choice to be happy or unhappy, and they just choose happiness.  I think it is a combination of necessity and innate creativity that breed such beautiful handmade crafts from such places in the world.  Anyhow, long rant…I stumbled across these beautiful handmade vintage blankets (frasadas) from Bolivia, one of the poorest countries in South America, availiable at Shop Twine.  They are so incredibly colorful and happy and, as the website points out, “each one is totally unique…snuggle up in one before they are gone forever.”

I think they would be just perfect on top of an otherwise all white bed!

All Hung Up

I love unusual groupings of art or ephemera on the wall, especially when it looks like it has been collected slowly over time or when the collection is based on a passion that the owner has. Loving these three setups:

Happy Friday!!

See America

One of my goals for 2010 is to do more traveling.  I can only imagine what trips these mesmerizingly simple travel posters from the WPA’s Federal Art Project inspired during the 30′s and 40′s when they were released.

Available:

http://vintagraph.com/

or

http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/wpaposters/wpahome.html

Folk(ish) Art

Love these pieces from Sanna Annukka, a little ‘spensive but AMAZING.  They have so much detail and I love the retro folkish vibe they have.  They remind me of the illustrations in a Christmas Little Golden Book I have that was my mom’s when she was a little girl.

http://www.sanna-annukka.com/home/

Champagne Wishes & Pastoral Dreams

My perfect life includes myself and my husband (and eventually our kiddos) living on a farm basically.  I want nothing more than to grow all my own vegetables, raise chickens for eggs, grow grapes and make wine, milk a cow every morning, and shear sheep in the spring (or whenever it is you shear a sheep…I have alot to learn).  These pictures by Valerie Shaff remind me of what I want to see when I look out my windows…lots of happy animals. 

http://www.carriehaddadphotographs.com/private/

Perfection in a Polaroid

There is just something so special about a polaroid.  Etsy seller shehitpausestudios is selling the most amazing polaroid transfer prints.  My two favorites:

Go check them out here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/shehitpausestudios

Dreamland

There is something so dreamy about these prints from etsy seller Citylight.  They put me in a trance.

Availiable Here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/citylight