Once Upon An Afternoon Stroll, I Met A Group Of Unique, Inspiring, Wonderous Artists Who Led Me Down The Most Beautiful Path ....

Dear Magnificent Friends,

Over the course of the last two weeks, I have recieved emails from a number of amazing artists who are battling through some challenging times. From the stress of prepping for multiple shows and dealing with illness to losing jobs and finding new homes, many are overwhelmed and trying to hold it together. Recently, even my own life has been a little more "insane" as I've been working to get the site up (making mistakes while learning lots of technical craziness), managing projects, working, maintaining home life and hoping for even five minutes of "me" time. So, I truly understand!

I feel it is incredibly important at this time to remind everyone who is working hard to forge ahead that you are amazing. You are amazing for just getting up everyday, facing the day and whatever comes with it. You are amazing for creating, cheering, sharing and being exactly who you are. Remember that no matter what there are folks here like me who are behind you!

The tough times are only a reminder of our strength. They let us flex our muscles, grow and appreciate all the good times we've had and those yet to come. Keep your heads up...there's fun on the horizon...no wait, there is fun right here!!!!

This week skilled professional artists stepped through the doors of the Thursday Sweet Treat and built the most phenomenal place for all of us to stroll through. It's filled with magic, hope, sensational beauty, love, and fun...you won't want to leave.

Won't you join me for a stroll through this enchanting garden of dreams?





Salvaged Expression created this fabulous, one-of-a-kind rock garden.

"This weeks item is a crocheted rock garden designed to bring peace and playfulness to wherever it lives," said Salvaged. "The three crocheted "stones" are beanbags filled with dried lima beans that make the bag mouldable and pleasant to the ear. The bags and base are in calm and rejuvinating colors in muted tones so they're easy on the eyes. Honestly I had a lot of fun just playing with it and setting it up in new configurations."

http://salvagedexpression.etsy.com/

Agathe, creator of Meherio68, created this phenomenl work of art.

"This week's treat of mine is partly ironical," said Agathe. "You see, right when I read the post announcing this week's theme, I knew that there was something for me to do with a cloud and a daffodil, because of those gorgeous old stamps I had just found... Since then, I have fallen ill, not very badly, but enough that I have been voiceless for two days— a very interesting experience, communication-wise. So, ironical, is my tiny treat (with a stylized flower that could be a daffodil, could it not?)... which will be turned into a cellphone charm, something saying "I wander, lonely as a cloud, so CALL ME!!!"— when right now, I won't answer the phone anyway, in order to spare and get back my voice. The larger piece— you know how, sometimes, when looking at clouds, you're going to see things in them— well, can you see that daffodil in the middle? Can you? This will become a focal piece for a silvery necklace. Oh, yes! Before I forget: both clouds come with a silver lining, of course!"


http://meherio68.etsy.com/
http://lebarduvent.blogspot.com/

Jodi, creator of Jodi Horgan, created this truly stunning ring.

"One my favorite things is the huge patch of zinnias that we plant each year," said Jodi. "I love to stroll through the paths around the zinnias. We always plant the seeds so that all the colors are mixed up. Last year we got a new color in the mix. It was this beautiful pinky peach color. That is what inspired the ring I created. The center is a Swarovski rose rivoli. It is bezeled with a dark metallic pink seed bead. I surrounded the rivoli with more Swarovski crystals that mimic the petals of the zinnia."

http://www.jodihorgan.etsy.com/

Marja, creator of Glass Elements, created this simply exquisite piece titled, "Walk with Me". http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=24698496

"This pendant was created from a larger pattern bar - a multilayered piece of glass created from stacking and melting together bits of glass to form a thick sheet and then further slicing it up to display the pattern of the glass striations," said Marja. "The colors in this piece reminded me of green rolling hills and inspired me to ask you to...

Walk with me, take a stroll and enjoy the rolling green hills, the puffy white cloud and beautiful orange flowers that line the way. :)"

http://www.glasselements.etsy.com/

Felicia Kramer, creator of Another Bright Idea, created these four gorgeous works titled, “First Robin”, “ Tulip Center ”, “Lilac Buds” and "Fern Curls”.

"Your timing was perfect! I had just returned home from a walk through my (very small) condo complex with my camera and checked in to TST," said Felicia. "When I saw the new theme I couldn’t have been more excited because my walk had yielded a ton of great photos. I have been tossing around the “floral frames” idea for awhile so this was the perfect opportunity to explore it. I expect to be loading quite a few to my etsy shop over the next few days. The robin was just for fun! I laughed when I saw him sitting there – how perfect for my spring walk!"

http://anotherbrightidea.etsy.com/

First Robin

Tulip Center

Lilac Buds

Fern Curls

Ruth, creator of Allover Art, created this sensational Lone Tree Hand-Painted Art Pendant Necklace. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=24486789

"Nature has always been a great inspiration to me," said Ruth. "I can't even start my work day in the studio without being outside in the morning. Every morning I take our oldest dog for a run. I really enjoy listening to all the birds chirping and feeling the morning breeze. Even when it's raining we will still go for our run. My love for the outdoors comes through in a lot of my work, so this week's theme easily inspired this piece. This piece features a tiny 3/4 inch diameter miniature realistic landscape painting of a single leafy tree. I love it! I love how much detail I was able to get in this tiny painting, and I love the bright colors. Doesn't looking at this piece make you feel a little bit more peaceful?"

Phone: 919-744-0578

website: http://www.alloverart.net/

blog: http://www.alloverart-nc.blogspot.com/

shop: http://www.alloverart.etsy.com/

Lada, creator of Works and Finds, created these stellar pieces.

"Today I played with some charms and here is the result," said Lada. "Traveling is on my mind as you can see. I'm leaving pretty soon and the globe pendant speaks to me. And also the Zodiac."

http://www.worksandfinds.etsy.com/

Amanda, creator of Persistent Green, created this magnificent 10x10 mixed media piece titled,"Summer Daydreams".

"This colorful piece is still in progress, but time ran short this week and I wanted to share what I had so far," said Amanda. "I loved the concept of an afternoon stroll--so relaxing and rejuvenating. The weather is finally warming up here, and I look forward to wandering along our local creek. When I'm walking alone, my favorite thing to do is let my daydreams blow around with the clouds. This piece is a visual daydream for me, offering a meditative meandering similar to an afternoon stroll."

http://persistentgreen.etsy.com/

http://persistentgreen.blogspot.com/

Jenjen Furer, creator of Gotta Love Mom, created this unforgettable work.

"It’s Wednesday night, 11:30 pm, I only have 30 minutes to put this together; Being a mother of four – I’m busy with my crumbcatchers’ hectic schedule – physically, mentally, emotionally, academically – and all the other “~ally’s “in their lives," said Jen.

“Me” time usually involves walking and taking a stroll while the kids are in school. I even call it “zen-walk”. Zen-walk is when I go for a walk (with my ipod swaying my hips to Beyonce’s Single Ladies) and just try not to worry about anything.

Although this week’s been impossible! The rain and pollen-covered atmosphere left me locked-up in my suburban abode.

Next school year, I’ll have two kids in college, one in high school and one in 3rd grade. My youngest is my buddy now that everyone’s busy almost every time. He has tons of energy and just loves to walk – I mean run!"

http://www.gottalovemom.com/



Once upon an afternoon stroll – in a child’s perspective

I love this picture of him just standing and staring down at the grass. It’s a reminder of how innocent my little darlings are.

As little angels, they see the world in a different perspective – simple, fun and interesting.
They are at awe at how the yellow dandelions stand-out in that vast green grass.

So you can imagine when we walked along Hershey Garden! The colors and the sculpture just make you feel like you’re in Alice in Wonderland.

"Your children are not your children.

They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.

They come through you but not from you.

And though they are with you, yet they belong not to you.

You may give them your love but not your thoughts.

For they have their own thoughts.

You may house their bodies but not their souls,

For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,

Which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.

You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you,

For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.

You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.

The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite,

and He bends you with His might that His arrows might go swift and far.

Let your bending in the archer's hand be for gladness;

For even as He loves the arrow that flies,

so He loves also the bow that is stable” – Kahlil Gibran

Once upon a time in an afternoon ZEN-WALK

Zen-walk gives me inspiration to write how blessed we are to be in this world;

Zen-walk leaves my worries behind and helps me focus on how good life is.


"Life without love is like a tree without blossoms or fruit." – Kahlil Gibran

Just remember when you feel like staying inside while it’s gorgeous outside:

In an instant, the weather can change;
In a heartbeat, you might miss the day;
In the blink of an eye, the beauty can fade;
So choose to enjoy the moment!

Every day seems like a new test in my new found “zen”
It does not mean I’m giving up.
I’m just gathering all the strength so I can fight this ordeal one more time!

When I see the sun shining through the blue skies
And spreading its brightness down to the river,
Even just around the corner of my home,
I feel at peace that someday, things will be complete.

I cry thinking about the things that have happened and things that are not in-place.
I can marvel at the beauty of the day, to be grateful that I am here!
I’m sad that some of my loved ones cannot enjoy this blessing.
But one thing I learned, I don’t have to cry endlessly to NOT forget about them.
I will always remember them every day and will find ways for us to be together again.

I don’t know what path the new challenges will take me.
I don’t know if it will be easy or another long-ended road.
But a few things I learned:
I can not take back the past;
I have to take action one step at a time
And be grateful for what I have right now
And the road I take today will lead me
To the future that will always be there waiting for me.

Inspiration is waiting for you to unlock
For yourself and for others!

So let go and be free
Follow your heart and
Follow your dreams
At this very moment.

Kris, creator of lisianblue, created a wonderful tale. The entire story is on her blog, so why not take a stroll over and check it out. Below is one fabulously enticing image from her exploration. Enjoy!

http://lisianblue.blogspot.com/

Tired or do you want more? Ah, I thought you'd like to stroll again...

Please share your thoughts, ask the artists questions, leave a comment and some love here. Then, go visit them at their shops and blogs, share some more and tell a friend! Thanks so much for visiting!!