Today I saw a post by We Are That Couple with the most intriguing title: 

Pop Culture: Adoring the Famous Because They are Famous?

The post went on to tell about the writer's trip to an Andy Warhol exhibit. Interesting, yes, but I was left thinking about the title and with this thought:

Are the famous loved because they are famous or are they famous because they are loved? Sort of a what came first, the chicken or the egg kind of thing. Still, are we, as a society, excited to see Kim Kardashian for example, because of her notoriety and fame or because she is a talented human being? Do we admire because of the herd mentality (everyone else does so it must be good) or because we truly think highly of them? 

I remember someone telling me that she had seen Robert De Niro. "How cool! I would love to meet him," I said. Her answer, "Why? Because he is famous?" stopped me dead in my tracks. Was I like that? Did I think it would be cool to rub elbows, so to speak, just because he was famous or because I truly admire his work (The Godfather and Raging Bull). Am I a Lucy, crazy to meet any and all famous stars because they were stars?

Lucy face to face with William Holden at the Brown Derby

I am not above the getting caught in the tide. I am thrilled when I have the chance to meet someone famous but honestly, I am much more excited if I admire the person or have been a long-time fan.  

I almost feel a little sorry for the famous. Will they ever know if someone is genuine? Will they ever know if someone cares about them if they weren't famous? Will they succumb to loneliness and despair, in an alcoholic haze, or drug-induced fog when the fame is gone? 

Post by Eileen of GoofingOff Sewing... who is just thinking. 

Surprise, It’s Graham Nash!

OK, the title is a little misleading. It wasn't Graham Nash, it was an exhibit.
I took a trip to visit my daughter recently along the Jersey Shore. It’s a beautiful place and more to see than Snooki. We took a ride to Stone Harbor and window shopped. 
    One of the shops had a Graham Nash exhibit featuring some of his work (you know, of Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young). For those of you not familiar with Graham Nash, he was a member of the band, The Hollies, and then a member of Crosby, Stills, and Nash (that later became Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young). Some songs he wrote were Marrakesh Express", "Just A Song Before I Go" (1977) later "Wasted on the Way" (1982). He also wrote "Our House" and "Teach Your Children." The exhibit included photos and paintings. Here’s a few of the work in the exhibit.


He didn’t do the vase or the other work in this photo but I had to include them anyway. The vase is incredible.

Down the street was another art market with this jelly fish lamp in the window. Very cool.
Post by Miss Eileen aka GoofingOff
 MissEileen vintage
Goofingoff Etsy Judaic fabrics, sewing patterns
GoofingOff Artfire Sewing patterns, plus size patterns
Metal Woods N Water unusual stuff and metal work

Post Holiday Sales Slump

Well, it had to happen. The holidays are over and sales slow down. It doesn’t just happen to Macy’s and JC Penny’s, it happens to most businesses after the holiday frenzy. So now the question is, “What do you do?” Since I am among the forever disorganized people of the planet, I always (really, always) plan to organize some part of my life. I usually get one drawer sorted out and I am spent. Pitiful! Should be ashamed of myself. I end up working on other projects, some new, some unfinished, just trying to stay busy.

One of my projects I am finishing up (finally, hooray) is a driftwood mezuzah case. I love driftwood and the rustic look that goes with it. Seemed like a natural. I have sanded, routed, whittled, and drilled and I am finally to the sealing stage. Only 5 or 6 more stages to go. Ugh! The ideas come much faster than the item.

Another project I am working on is with vintage jewelry. Little rose bobbies. Very cute. Very spring and summer.

Sometimes the slump is good. Not much money coming in but the slow down allows me to get things done and look at everything in a new light. Traveling is no fun if you can’t enjoy the journey.

Happy trails, y’all!

Post by Eileen aka GoofingOff

MissEileen vintage

Goofingoff Etsy Judaic fabrics, sewing patterns

GoofingOff Artfire Sewing patterns, plus size patterns

Metal Woods N Water unusual stuff and  metal work

Goldsmith Glass: Beautiful Stained Glass

Chai Judaism Multi Color Stained Glass

Tell us a bit about yourself (name, location, affiliations, personal stuff)
  My name is Zachary Goldsmith and I currently live with my family in historic New Castle, Alabama near Birmingham. I am a student at the University of Alabama in Birmingham where I am seeking an undergraduate degree in chemistry. My ultimate goal after I earn my bachelor's degree is to attend medical school and then go into family practice medicine. Out of the five children my parents had, I am the second oldest and the only boy which made for an interesting childhood. I learned at an early age to either play Barbies with my sisters or I would be stuck playing by myself. My family is Jewish and since we live in a not so Jewish area, it can be weird at times. Unlike most of the guys my age I have waist length hair and a full beard. I have learned in life to march out of time to my own drum.

 Original Design Stained Glass Star of David

What are your favorite materials?
   As you can probably guess from looking at my shop, I love working with stained glass. My favorite glass to work with is water-glass which is made by Spectrum. As the name suggests water-glass has nice soft waves that looks like water. When it comes to solder I like to use 60/40, it melts well and it is easy to get a good bead with it. I use lead-free solder in some of my work like boxes, pendants or
anything else that will be touched a lot. But other than things like that, I don't like the lead-free solder as it has a higher melting point than 60/40. On top of that, it causes my soldering iron tip to oxidize which means I have to keep dipping my soldering iron tip into some flux.

What is your favorite color combination?
   I like a lot of bright color in my work, but if I had to chose my favorite combo, amber and cobalt rough-roll glass are my favorites.

 Nerd Hanging Dorm Art Stained Glass Derivative OOAK

 

What is the first thing you can remember making by hand? How and why
did you make it?
   Before my parents got married my mom made a lot of things for art and craft shows. She homeschooled us so arts and craft were a big part of my childhood. When I was a kid I used to make my own birthday cards for my family members. On the back of each card I made I would write  “Zachmark”, a spoof on Hallmark.

 Victorian Hanging Window Glass Art Original Design OOAK

What inspires you?
   The biggest inspiration for me is a blank sheet of paper. That's where all of my work begins. I just start looking at the paper and ideas start flowing.

What are your greatest challenges? How do you overcome them?
   The greatest challenge for me is finding the right color of glass locally for my work. To overcome this I have bought sample sets of glass from different glass making companies. This allows me to buy the exact colors I need from the internet.

Where do your ideas come from?
   Most of my ideas come from things in my life like Mickey Mouse, math, video games,Victorian art and Judaism.

 Victorian Based Stained Glass Suncatcher with Red Glass Gems and a Blue Roundel

 Who is, or was, your greatest inspiration?
   I think it is impossible to pick out one person who has been the greatest inspiration to me. Each person I have met and each person's whose ideas I have been exposed to have at least in some small way added something to my life and by extension, to my work.

What is your favorite thing to do with your creativity?
  I like to create sun catchers, boxes, pendants and lanterns out of stained glass. I also like to play any musical instrument I can get my hands on. Everyone in my family except for my dad does wet-plate collodion photography. Most of you know the products of this process as tintype and ambrotype photographs. The difference between a tintype and an ambrotypes is that the tintype is done on japanned steel (not tin) and the ambrotypes are done on glass. Just like back then we take our pictures on japanned steel and dark colored stained glass. Unlike some of the modern practitioners we use the exact same chemicals they used back then. The most notable of these chemicals are potassium cyanide and silver nitrate. We mix the potassium cyanide in water and use it to fix our photographs. It is safe just as long as we don't drink our fixer or mix our developer in it. The developer contains glacial acetic acid which will liberate the cyanide from the fixer as hydrogen cyanide gas. Yeah, that's the chemistry major in me coming out! Most other wet-plate photographers are afraid to use potassium cyanide to fix their images, but you can't beat the clarity that the cyanide gives the photograph. A few of the photographs that we have taken have been published in national Civil War magazines, including one back cover were I was in the photograph dressed as a mid-nineteenth century civilian. My profile picture in my Etsy shop is actually a tintype of me dressed as a Union soldier. I plan in the near future to incorporate tintypes into to my stained glass artwork.

 Handmade Stained Glass CSA Table Lantern

Why should people buy handmade?
   Buying handmade gives you the freedom to discover new and unique items. When you buy handmade your supporting the production of new and innovative ideas

Any tips of wisdom on selling handmade item?
   One of the biggest tips I can give is to enjoy your work, don't let it become a chore. Keep creating new things and feel free to incorporate old ideas into new ones. Charge what your work is worth. Too many artists think the key to sells in the price. The key is finding the right people for your work.

 Iconic Mouse Hanging Window Glass Art

What have been the most valuable lessons learned from other artists?
   The woman who gave me my first lesson in stained glass making told me to make sure that all the glass in my work is running the right direction before I solder it together. Another important thing I
learned was that it's about impossible to darken zinc with patina.

Apart from creating things, what do you do?
   Aside for making things out of stained glass, I spend my days playing the piano, studying, going to classes and if I have some free time, I'll play Halo with my sisters. I volunteer sometimes as an usher at the Alabama theater. The Alabama theater is a restored movie palace built in 1927 and has been an inspiration for some of my work. I'm also an nineteenth century living historian. I portray a Jewish Union soldier. Living in Alabama, I'm one of the few who wear will the blue uniform. My family on both sides fought for the South, but someone has to put on that Yankee uniform so the Confederates will have someone to shoot at. I also love math, for me math is analogous to crossword puzzles. I am hoping to become a volunteer at our local children's hospital and I would like to tutor hospitalized children in math so they don't fall behind.

Civil War 58 Caliber Minnie Ball Necklace

What are the Web addresses for your work?
Currently I'm selling my work on Etsy.com. My shop is Goldsmith Glass.

Are you offering my readers any specials?
I am offering 15% off any item your readers purchase from me. (This doesn't include shipping.) All they have to do is add a message when they purchase something stating they are readers of your blog and I will refund 15% of the item amount. If they prefer, they can also convo me in advance of purchasing and I will set it up on the listing. Whatever is easiest!

Thank you, Zach, for taking the time for this interview. Your work is amazing. Good luck with your studies.

To check out more of Zach’s work, click the link to Goldsmith Glass. It is well worth the click.

Remember the big Crafty sale going on Now at GoofingOff.etsy and GoofingOff.Artfire. All decorating, doll, toys, handbags, and kits in the TOYS, BAGS, KITS sections are 40% off with the coupon code CRAFTY. Just use the coupon code during checkout to get the discount.

Post by Eileen of GoofingOff.etsy.com and MissEileen.etsy.com

GeekkiBoutikki: Making Beautiful Jewelry from Computer Parts

 

GeekkiBoutikki was the Miss Eileen’s Etsy Picks for 9/9. The Blue Inductor Earrings won the hearts of many. Here is her interview.

Blue Inductor Earrings

Tell us a bit about yourself (name, location, affiliations, personal stuff)

Hi there, I am Roxanne Gibson from Monterey, California. I am a math student hoping to make the leap into engineering this spring. I like to garden, cook, listen to books on tape, and climb. I am a long time crafter, well for 23. My mom gave me paints, possibly before she should have, and I painted everything in the yard. We used to go dumpster diving when I was little and it was more or less legal; people were not so protective of their trash then. I made things from scrap wood, old door knobs, and window frames. I made things of mud and used overly ripe olives to make purple paints for the sidewalk.

Crystal and Electronic Earrings

What inspires you? Where do your ideas come from?

My mom’s creativity, my dad’s teachings of skills, my grandmother’s love of art, and my family’s constant support allows me to continue creating and going to school. My mathematics and biology background inspires me and gives me ideas for shapes, materials, and colors. Many of my pieces come from recycled items and the new ones are made in organic shapes and or mathematically structured.

Resistor and Inductor Necklace

Then as now, I try to make all of the gifts I give and sometimes even the boxes I give them in. That has got to be my favorite part; the “oh my gosh where in the world did you find this?!” and to be able to say “I made it for you’” feeling is fantastic. Whether the receiver of the gift wanted what you made or not they always cherish it because as soon as they have it they need it just because it was made by you. I also believe that I should have a story about everything I own, or at least that is one of my goals in life. I want everything to have a story or contain one in it.

What are your favorite materials?

Hand-made furniture, silverware, and stoneware are my current projects.
Lately, I have been working with and creating recycled, or up-cycled items. I like the juxtaposition of the new and the old, the useless and the useful. I never liked plastic until recently, it is cheap, feels unnatural, but its plastic attributes are oh so useful. Plastic is not a substance of poets, it is not precious, but should be, it resists nothing and can be everything. So I celebrate plastic as long as it is already around. Most of my products up at the moment are floppy disk. However, I mostly work with small electronic components but most of them go to craft fairs and swap meets. I have not seen many people take apart a computer and go “oh how gorgeous!” but I would like them to do just that; the pieces and parts just need the proper presentation.

 

What is your favorite color combination?

My favorite things to work with are little neon blue almost glass looking polystyrene capacitors. Its just about my favorite color and size to work with at the moment though I very much like purples just because of how difficult it is to find the resistors in any such shade.

Green and Black Jelly Resistor Earrings

What inspires you? Where do your ideas come from?

I live in a thriving artist community; Monterey is full of them and each one has a different take on art. Whether I talk to a down-home crafter or the pretentious yellow-streak-of-paint-on- white-canvas artist I always come away with something.

Floppy Disk Bag Red Orange and Blue

What are your greatest challenges? How do you overcome them?

My greatest challenge is my shop. Before this year I never thought I would sell any art. I am shy in person and have a tough time trying to sell my things; I do much better just making them. I have asked friends and family to help with these sorts of things.

I would like to give 20% off for your readers. Use the coupon code GKBTK1 for the discount.

Thank you GeekkiBoutikki for your interview. My readers and I will continue to watch your art grow.

Made in Japan: Maruyama Company

Growing up I heard of many things made in Japan. Although some people didn’t think much of Japanese goods back then, I had an appreciation of them due to a father who spent time in Viet Nam and sent stuff home with the Panasonic or Sony name. I knew about electronics but didn’t think much of ceramics, that is until I went to an auction or two and learned how special the Occupied Japan mark was on an item.

While doing my rounds of my favorite thrifts and junk shops I came upon this exquisite figurine.

Vintage Maruyama Colonial Lady Porcelain Figurine Occupied Japan

This colonial beauty is marked “Maruyama Made in Occupied Japan.” Of course I grabbed it up. Not only is it a beautiful figurine, it is in amazing condition without chips, cracks, or crazing. The occupation was in the late 40’s making this beauty over 60 years old. I should look so good when I’m 60.

Being the nosy person I am I tried to research the Maruyama Company. I didn’t find much but I did learn that the Maruyama Company was a leading manufacturer of Japanese ceramics until they ceased production in 1989. Japan has a long history of porcelain art dating back to the 1600s.

Beautiful work.

Fabulous Finds: Schiaparelli Scarf

 

Sometimes I find some of the most interesting items and this time is no different. While shopping in Sarasota I found some beautiful scarves, silk scarves. Among the scarves was this beautiful red one with an ivory floral border signed by Schiaparelli.

Schiaparelli Scarf 

Once I saw this scarf I had to learn about Schiaparelli. I remember hearing of her but what? I had research to do.

Elsa Schiaparelli was one of the leading designers of the 20th century, more specifically the Art Deco. A contemporary of Chanel,  her designs were often considered shocking, eccentric, innovative, and flamboyant.

She considered herself an artist first and used fashion as her canvas. Elsa Schiaparelli did not sew but relied on seamstresses to bring her designs to life. She collaborated with Dali on her famous “Lobster Dress” and was recognized by other artists, such as Picasso, Duchamp, and Stravinsky, as an artist. 

The Lobster Dress from the cover of Vogue 1937

Although she will long be remembered for her outrageous designs, her influence exists today.

“Shortie” Coat by Schiaparelli, 1953

 

 

 

Joan Crawford in Schiaparelli, 1932

An amazing artist.

Post by Eileen of MissEileen (vintage fashions), GoofingOff (authentic vintage and modern patterns and sewing supplies), and MetalWoodsnWater.etsy.com (unique finds and scrap metal art).

Miss Eileen’s Etsy Picks 5.27.11 Getting Ready for Father’s Day

Father’s Day is a few weeks away. What a good day to show the men in our lives how much we appreciate them. In my case, the hubby is a creative soul re-doing an old motorcycle, showing me the paint job with awesome orange undertones and metal flecks (I can’t paint with a spray can…. I so appreciate a person who paints well) yet still has time to cook supper when I work and do his own laundry.  I thought it would be a good idea to look at things for the men in our lives on Etsy and allow for shipping time.  As always, poll is on the top left corner. You pick who wins the interview next so don’t forget to vote.

NYC Subway Token Vintage 1953 NY Transit Cufflinks (SB) by Subway Cufflinks 

OK, I am a little biased due to the fact of my birth but these are still very cool. They also satisfy the vintage part of me.

Me and My Daddy... Your Child's Artwork on a Fine Silver Keychain...Made to Order by Metalmorphis 

A great way to keep that special artwork forever.

Old English Signet Ring by Christienano

A single initial done strong and masculine.

Recycled Bicycle Chain Cufflinks by Bicycle Recycled

Wear your passion!

Bass Bath Soap Set of Two by MosoSoap

Wonderful idea for the fisherman (who eats, drinks, and breathes fishing).

Nautical Gentleman’s Cowl with Hand Painted Buttons by Gypseatree

Classy look, don’t you think, with a hand made touch.

Recycled 3pk Bottle Cap Fishing Lure by Luregasmic

Awesome way to recycle, and catch dinner. Be ready to hear about the one that got away.

Leather Cord Eyeglass Necklace Chain Holder by Eye Wear Glamour

Keep those sunglasses from falling in the water (or off the back of his neck).  Hubby approved.

OK, there’s the eight. What do you think? Did I do good? There are so many awesome things on Etsy it’s hard to pick only eight but here’s mine. Don’t forget to vote.

When you get the chance, take a look our shops, GoofingOff Etsy and Goofing Off Artfire for authentic vintage sewing patterns and sewing supplies, Miss Eileen for vintage house wares and vintage fashions, and MetalWoodsnWater etsy or MetalWoodsnWater Artfire for cool men’s gifts and bones (yes, bones).

Creating the Heirlooms of Tomorrow: Renee's Needle

Judaica is so dear to my heart so to find someone who creates beautiful Judaic art is a joy. Renee from ReneesNeedle does just that, create beautiful Judaica from the heart. Here is her interview.

Wine Mezzuzah Case

 Tell us a bit about yourself
My name is Renee, and I live in Astoria, New York. I can look out our kitchen window and see magnificent views of New York City. We're apartment dwellers, so space is limited, but sometimes my 'stash' takes over the place.


Battenburg Lace Matzoh Case


What are your favorite materials? I love working in fabric -- both silks and cottons. I used to do lots of embroideries, but that was far more labor intensive than quilting, so I made the switch about 15 years ago. I still do some embroideries, but not much. Beading is also great, because it's so tactile.

STRONG AS A LION Tallit with Silk Embroidered Neckband - Atarah

What is your favorite color combination? my favorite color is RED. But my favorite combination changes from time to time. Lately it's been corals and plums. Look for something on my ETSY shop soon in those colors.


Mug Rug in Plum

What is the first thing you can remember making by hand? How and why did you make it? When I was about 6 years old, I remember doing embroidery -- cross stitch -- hand towels -- in our Brownie Troop. My mom was the Troop Leader and her mother, my grandmother, taught six of us how to embroider. She had infinite patience, but demanded perfection.

What inspires you? Two differant sets of inspiration. For the Judaica -- it's the texts that inspire me when I create the Atarah(neckband) for the Tallit (prayer shawl). For the beaded mezzuzahs and yad, I was seeing so much beaded jewlery that it seemed like a natural extension to create beaded Judaica. I'm not a religious Jew, I'm a cultural secular Jew, but I enjoy studying and learning about Judaism. For the quilts and fabric art, it's the color first and patterns second.


Beaded Yad


Where do your ideas come from? I'm constantly looking through fashion, decorating and travel magazines. There are great ideas for color combinations in advertisements and editorial spreads. There are great color combinations in paintings, and all around you in life.



Mug Rug

Who is, or was, your greatest inspiration? My grandmothers were independent women for their time. One emigrated from Europe at 14 with her older sister, started as a sewer in a garment factory and became a coat and suit designer. She travelled to Europe after World War I to cover the Couture Fashion Shows in Paris. My other grandmother, the daughter of immigrants, took many classes to expand her world view. Although she only had a high school education, she was a legal secretary, and a bit of a rebel -- she wore a bathing suit without stockings at the beach and was arrested, believed in abortion in the 1930's, and introduced me to the poetry of Kahlil Gibran. Both of them were classy ladies who inspired me to do my best at whatever I attempted.

Asian Inspired Geometric Quilt

What is your favorite thing to do with your creativity? I love to make things and give them to family and friends. (unless they want to purchase them, of course..)

Why should people buy handmade? Because creative people create the heirlooms of tomorrow. Invest in something of quality and use it with pride. If you don't deserve the best, who does?

Any tips of wisdom on selling handmade items? It takes time to build a brand. Don't be sensitive when potential customers don't purchase from you. Learn from them. Learn how to make your product more saleable.

Cars Mug Rug

What have been the most valuable lessons learned from other artists? Have no ego -- share with others.

Apart from creating things, what do you do? Right now I'm looking for a new job -- as an office manager or Executive Assistant in New York CIty. (I'm offering a free lap quilt to the person who gives me the lead to the job I take -- convo with me on Etsy for a copy of my resume.) Aside from that, I enjoy reading, going to museums, spending time with extended family.

What are the Web addresses for your work? My website is under construction -- it should be up within the next week. http://www.reneesneedle.com/

Are you offering my readers any specials? Free shipping -- for the months of May and June. Just put the code "goof" in the message box.

Check out ReneesNeedle.  Beautiful handmade work from the heart.

Fire House Gallery and Studio

Despite the fact today was my day off from work I still had to go in for a skills fair. I don’t mind doing the fair to prove my competency in the skill; I just hate that the fair was on my day off and I live 50 miles away from the hospital. A simple trip in turns into at least a 3 hour ordeal so I try to add a few things to make the trip more palatable. Today turned out to be a perfect day for an “on the way to unwork (?).” While driving through Newberry, a cute little town just west of Gainesville, FL, I saw a sign that read “Art Gallery Now Open.” I talked with friends numerous times about an art gallery in Newberry but this was a first.

 

The Fire House Gallery & Studio is a small building but the artwork is beautiful. The paintings and photos are all from local artists. Here’s a sampling:

These beautiful paintings are on wood, no need for an additional frame.

The wood worker made the table and bench from wood rescued from the river. Check out the driftwood lamp in the corner. Stunning!

This picture is called “Three Musketeers.”

Stunning Florida landscapes.

No jewelry yet but hopefully I will get a spot there with my silver work. MetalWoodsNWater’s Scrap Metal Art could have a spot there, too, maybe The Baseball  or The Triangle .

The gallery is right next door to Newberry Backyard Barbecue. Good thing to do if the restaurant is crowded and there is a line for a table.

Old T-Shirts and Coffee Filters

Wednesdays suck. Long day for me at work, so long I get little done at home. Sound familiar? I want to do so much but by the time I make it home I barely have time to visit with my husband before it is time for bed. As usual, I have myself involved in a project, albeit a good project, but a time absorber just the same. Oh well, could have said no but I get so excited. Lots of reading and research to do which leads me to things to keep my hands busy while I read.

Old t-shirts seem to reproduce in my home. The good ones are snapped up quick by the hubbie and I am left with holy Joes that are beyond fixing but being my thrifty self, I can’t let them loose. I cut the shirts into 1 inch strips and crochet with them (too thrifty to buy yarn, at least at regular price. Maybe at a yard sale, though). So far I crocheted a coosie for my water bottle (hate the way they sweat) and a couple of scrubbies for the kitchen. I also make dog and cat toys for the humane society in town. Now I just have to think of what to do with the sleeves other than using them for rags. Maybe toys for the cats? Any ideas? I’ll make a few things and post the picks. Post yours, it’ll be fun to swap ideas.

Which leads me to this thought. I have a friend who got a good deal on coffee filters so she bought them, lots of them. So, what do you do with coffee filters? OK, other than clean windows and cover your food in the microwave? Any artsy ideas? I’m sure there are a few.

Get Ready for the Weekend Top Ten Metal Shops

After Dan's battle with a grinder (he didn't win the battle, either) he is not doing much metalwork which is leaving me with a yen for good metal...and him with a to do list that keeps growing. Here's a list of the top ten finds for the week. Just looking at the metal work makes me feel good...and makes Dan find something to do so he'll be too busy for my ideas. :) This list can be found on twitter, too @ http://twitter.com/goofingoff Baconsquarefarm.etsy.com Love these magnets. Architiques9890.etsy.com has some beautiful frames http://www.etsy.com/shop/1byliz, these clocks are from bikes! twobeans.etsy.com has unique wire work. JLHCopperDesigns.etsy.com has the most wonderful wind chimes. metalgardenart.etsy.com can help you dress up your world, inside and out. Say what you feel in metal. EdiesLab.etsy.com merritthyde.etsy.com has some beautiful birds. creativenuts.etsy.com Check out the sculpture! I love this cat!! WonderfulWire.etsy.com has awesome wire work. Love it!!! There, I feel better now. I got my metal fix for today. Hope you enjoy!