ULLABENULLA

Fairy Lights and such...

Raelyn Larson (see link at sidebar) is an American who lives in France and creates delightfully whimsical sculptures and lamps. Her figures have voluptuous 'real-women' shapes, and are full of unending charm! I especially like her lamps, earthly fairylike, with skirts of many shades of light. Enjoy!

Another Easter Egg

Here is another Easter Egg Theatre! This one uses a 6 inch paper mache egg, which we carry at the Castle, and has a delightful scene of rabbits on parade. I added more natural elements this time; moss, dried flowers etc. as well as paper lace, vintage ribbons and trims. On the inside I glued a base of florist foam covered with moss. The images have toothpicks glued to their backs so that I could just poke them in where I wanted them. I love these little eggs, there is so much you can do inside them. I am working on a large 18 inch egg now, will post when finished...

Glass Treasure

Diane Casteja (see link in sidebar) creates the most amazing blown glass chandeliers and other luminous treasures. Her highly artistic and organic sensibilities make each piece seem like an underwater fantasy before our eyes. Pieces any mermaid would envy. They also speak to me of Spring and Light, riches to dazzle our eyes...

Easter Theatre

Here is the class sample for my Easter Egg Theatre. I am really excited about this class, there are so many different things one can do with these wonderful German paper mache eggs. This one uses a 5 inch egg. Unfortunatly, what you can't really see in the photos is the depth and detail inside. After cutting a hole into the egg, I glued a lovely image of flowers onto the inside back, and added lots of ribbon trim around the edges. Then I created the scene, with a little girl and her chickens, eggs and chicks, each raised at a different height from the back. Lastly I painted the outside, and polka-dotted it, then added a wired ribbon bow. I love the romantic feeling that the big bow adds, and the whimsy of having a few flowers on the outside as well. Check out the Castle schedule for more details. (link at sidebar)

Spring Wildflowers

This is the time of year that I love to look for wildflowers. Who is first to show his face? Where are the secret spots that little treasures grow? When will the meadows be colored with Spring? As a child, I loved seeing 'shooting stars' and 'butter cups' growing in the hills by our house. I played with 'Johnny Jump Ups' and made 'Dragons manes' spit out their tongues. Fields of 'Lupins' and 'Poppies' made me run and shout with joy. There is something magical in these small delicate fancies. They remind us that Spring will soon show her lovely face. Wildflowers are her embellishment, like sugar roses on a delicious cake.
(Necklace is a sample of my Soldered Jewelry)

I have never been very competitive. My gypsy childhood ment we were never anywhere long enough for me to join in group sports, and I have always favored 'alone' activities anyways. I feel ackward when playing games with more than 4 people, but love the challange of doing my own personal best. A favorite teacher of mine in 5th grade in Switzerland, always had this saying on the tip of her tongue:
Good, Better, Best,
Never let it rest,
Until your Good is your Better,
and your Better is your Best!
I try to take this to heart when I live my life and create art. I don't like or need to compete with others, only myself. My art has become my favorite sport, one that I try daily to excell in. Like any athelete I have good days and bad days, the trick, I find, is to keep at it, and do the best I can. Come play with me...

Violets for February

Napoleon was a devout fan of the violet: when he married Josephine, she wore violets, and on every wedding anniversary he sent her a violet bouquet. In 1814, before leaving for his exile in St. Helena, Napoleon asked to visit Josephine's tomb. There he picked the violets that were found in a locket around his neck when he died.
In the language of flowers, that the Victorians used to great advantage, the violet stood for modesty, affection, humility, faithfulness, and good luck. If the violets are white then they send the message: "lets take a chance on Happiness". If they are blue: "I'll be true----always". It is said, if you dream of violets it fortells success and moving ahead in life. If you wear a garland of violets around your head, it should prevent you from getting dizzy. Violets are the birthday flower for February. Although I am not a February baby, I adore violets, of any color. They smell like spring, taste devine (candied violets are heavenly) and remind me of my grandmothers. These shoes by Basia Zarzycka (see link at sidebar) would certainly have pleased Josephine, I know they would please me...

Year of the Dog

We know dogs to be honest, faithful and they generally never let you down. (Try not to think about your favorite pair of shoes that now look like chew-toys) Foo dogs of China, look a bit like lions and are protectors and defenders. They often have mischievous and almost devilish looks to them, with huge eyes and fangs. Their threatening appearance is believed by the Chinese to guard against evil spirits. Also known as a 'Celestial dog', and the 'Happiness dog' these 'Foo Dog Baby Hats' were made by young Chinese Mothers as tailsmen to protect their newborn children from evil and harm. May all babes born in this howling good year, find happiness and safety in their lives!