OKTOBERFEST, facts about...

1) It's an annual 16-18 day Fest in Munich, Bavaria, Germany from late Sept. to the 1st weekend in October. 2) Only beer brewed within the city limits with a minimum of 13.5% Master Spice (the crucial measured variable when brewing beer) is allowed to be designated Oktoberfest Beer. 3) The traditional drinking vessel is a 1-Liter glass or clay stein. 4) The fest is in Sept. simply because the weather is better for an outdoors party...nights are warmer. 5) Others believe it was originally held to drink up the old stocks of beer to make room for the new brew that would be made after harvest.  6) The first Oktoberfest was celebrated in 1810 to honor of the marriage of a Crown Prince & his Princess Bride.  This 5-day gala ended with a horse race and 7) Others say it's simply a fun German festival celebrating their culture and society. 

Friendly Reminder Towels!

* AS SEEN IN AUGUST 2011 SHAPE MAGAZINE *

Beautifully embroidered spring green hand towels to hang in the bathroom to remind yourself how great you are! Check this etsy.com shop for more colors and the rest of the Friendly Reminder Towel sets! http://www.etsy.com/listing/78959957/friendly-reminder-towels-you-look-pretty

Stained Glass Round Panel

...a charming 11-1/2" handcrafted stained glass panel with a beveled border and light champagne colored background glass called waterglass.  For striking glass creations (such as hand-crafted stained glass panels, suncatchers, candle shelters, etc.) see etsy's barncatstudio.    http://www.etsy.com/shop/barncatstudio

Bakery Delight @ Whole Foods

Check out this awesome 'Back to School' cake created by the talented bakery artists at our local Whole Foods Market at 7245 Lake St. in  River Forest (Oak Park) IL. 708/366-1045. Whole Foods has stores nationwide in the U.S. plus Canada and the UK. 

Stained Glass/Wire Mobile

            

FiveSparrows (an etsy.com shop) created this cool stained glass mobile of 2 abstract suns or flowers that twirl as they hang in the window. Made from recycled repurposed glass jars.  See http://www.etsy.com/shop/FiveSparrows!

Wood Burning par excellence!

MADONNA - original Pyrography Burning

by Leighton Davies

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

Remember wood burning kits as a kid?  This gentleman has gone well beyond!  He started burning wood (pyrography) just one year ago and has created Celebrity pieces you'd be more than proud to display. 

Small but pretty...

As always, think of using that small but pretty plate as a cache  for change, a sweets dish, fancy soap holder or simply an under-plate  to accent one of your decorative pieces...

http://www.etsy.com/listing/78051765/vintage-green-square-cut-glass-plate

DOCTOR, DOCTOR...

I

If you're looking for something unique for the Doctor in your life, this may be it!
An 80's product of Country Artists (a firm well respected for life-like art) this vintage figurine is in excellent condition ... looks like Doc is waiting for the best time to shoot the shot!  To check it out, click on:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/77289371/vintage-doctor-figurine-humorous-resin

Chicago Realism by ArtdeJoie

This Chicago painter brings 'The City' to us with gritty 'behind-the-scenes' as well as striking renditions of  Downtown and eclectic neighborhoods.







You can see ArtdeJoie's expressive work at:
 http://www.etsy.com/shop/ArtdeJoie
or Facebook.com/ArtdeJoie

'The Great Outdoors' Note Card

The 'Great Outdoors' card will please anyone who's in love with Camping or Hiking.  4-1/4" x 5-1/2"  Individually hand-set ('scrapbooked') with care ... there are many elements of a great day (and night) outdoors!  Check out this etsy shop!  www.expressions123.etsy.com

Agate/Glass Candle Lantern

A unique, one-of-a-kind design that's reminiscent of the red rocks in the Southwest.  See http://www.etsy.com/shop/GreenhouseGlassworks for this and many other striking glass pieces.

Baskets extraordinaire!

This example of the fine weaving talents of (etsy.com) BASKETSBYROSE is perfect for a trip to your local farm market or for picking in your own garden. Brown reed is woven into the sides of this basket. It measures a generous 24" x 10" x 11 1/2" center of handle.  For other styles of practical but pretty handwoven baskets,
click http://www.etsy.com/shop/basketsbyrose

Have you tried SMILEBOX?

It's a WOW way to bring your photos and videos to life!  The application lets you quickly and easily create slideshows, invitations, greetings, collages, scrapbooks & photo albums right on your computer. With more than 1000 customizable templates to choose from, you'll find inspiration around every corner.   Here's an example of what you can do with SMILEBOX...isn't it the coolest thing? Get started at http://www.smilebox.com

Scrapbook design made with Smilebox

Classy Victorian Style Vase

An antique Victorian style vase with 22kt gilt on ceramic overlay. This striking piece can also be an urn because of its shape. Very striking, very beautiful at 8" tall. A tag places it sometime after the McKinley Tariff - 1900 to about 1920.  

See http://www.etsy.com/listing/77581208/antique-victorian-style-vase-22kt-gilt

A gift to my sister...I made it

with shells from Marco Island's (Florida) beaches and

a lot of hot glue.  The foo-foos on top were the

perfect touch, don't you think?