the work of peter bauhuis makes me want to possess them all. the pieces speak directly to nature; to the types of pods and pebbles i've collected my entire life. what a marvelous translation this artist has created, with his timeless forms cast into precicous metals. personally, i am not such a fan of high gloss finishes on jewelry. these works have such a yummy matt surface, like velvet, like the skin of pods themselves. perhaps that is what attracts me, along with the exquisite forms: their skin invites touch.

i must confess, this is true object lust. so, tell me, what have you been longing for lately?

to view his beautiful collection, click here.

do not depair, spring will come again, my friends. the first sign is this sweet limited edition necklace from my studio. carefully composed of vintage elements; a tiny pear-shaped brass locket, a lovely leafy branch and hanging from a narrow green satin ribbon. you can make this one another one in the series yours right here.

note: this one sold very quickly, so if you love these, don't hesitate. I have several listed now in the bread + butter shop. 

i'm feeling very quiet and thoughtful these days. the images above fit my mood perfectly. they are from a walk i took on a warm october afternoon at portland's serene japanese garden. i love how nature has stained that wall with mossy patina. 

doesn't this eye-popping color and texture just drive the winter blues away? fiber artist bird ross works in a diverse array of media. i am particularly captured by these grapefruit skins, which she stitched and beaded while they were still pliable and soft. i love the encrusted quality of their surfaces, it translates them into something quite oceanic and otherworldly. a bit more surrealist than direct-from-nature, i'd say.

as i am currently drying a turnip on my painting studio table, i now look at it and think -what if? 

you can view her interesting portfolio here. 

more treasures from my direct-from-nature files. jeweler shimara carlow treads lightly on the line between modern and romantic with perfectly crafted pieces that appear to be also very wearable. I love the limited color palette she uses and her mix of precious metals with silk paper. shimara also makes sumptuous raised vessels, i am particularly fond of the pod shaped shot cups like those pictured below. 

her entire collection is stunning, you can fall in love with it here.