Getting Inspired

You may have been wondering where I've been.  Well, I have been getting inspired.  We had our annual family trip to LBI NJ.  I love the beach.  Everything about it inspires me, and I had ample time to find little treasures that will continue to inspire me in the months to come.

I found some great shells, and sea glass, and REALLY cool beach stones.  I love textures, and looking at this beach loot is inspiration galore!
I am all ready to get into the studio to prep for the LBI Sea Glass festival, Chowderfest Weekend.  Its a great time.  For details, check out my website.

I was not the only one who was artistically inspired at the shore.  Here are some drawings and projects my kids did.  I am so very proud of them and their ability to express themselves through art!

These three were done by Aiden 9yrs old

The colorful one is by Julia 7yrs old

And these were done by all three kids, but Collin 4yrs old came up with the idea!

Here are some pics of the kids getting braver and braver each year in the water.  They swam and boogie boarded until we called them out to go home each day.  I think Julia may be a surfer when she grows up!

They all handled crab pinches and wipes outs without much fuss at all.  Even my littlest bub had TWO HUGE wipe outs, and went back for more!  I just love those guys!

us at the beach after dinner....we were there every chance we got

Theres Jules...she even made a pen pal friend this year

Bub couldn't hang all day, but he tried

It was a refreshing time, with friends and family, and I am already looking forward to next year.

Now I can't wait to get into the studio and make some stuff with my new finds. 

What inspired you this week?

My first post~ Love My Art Jewelry

My first post is up  for Love My Art Jewelry.  So, check it out and see why I am excited to be a part of this group.

While you do that, I will be taking a day trip to the beach with my hubby and kids.  I will try to take more pictures then I have been lately...boy I am slacking at pics of the kids and events.  I used to be the picture queen, but now I think I burned out due to over photographing jewelry.

Anyone got fun plans this weekend?

These are a few...

..........of my favorite things. 

It's a rainy day here, so I find myself procrastinating, and cruising around online.  Here are a few of my favorite etsy finds..........
Enjoy!!!!

Check these scarfs out at Rudman on etsy

I could fly away in that

Marsha Neal Studio with these little finger bowls, its killing me, just love it!!

Ceramic Bead that look like little pebbles, in a shiny dark bronz glaze no less....OOooo

Find them at Macarroll

An awesome little dish that looks JUST like a mushroom.....I really want a couple of these eventually. 

Found them on etsy at ALD Designs.

And last but not least, beach stones.  I love them, I collect them, but I hate to drill them.  These are just perfect and I love the patterns.  Thankfully Stone Alone sells them pre-drilled.

Ok- thats enough window shopping today.  I just fall for the earthy and wonderfully creative goodies on etsy all the time.  There are so many talented individuals on there.  What a great site to shop and sell art!!!