What Is It?

Okay, I guess it's time to admit my latest addiction:  open rooftop restaurants and lounges.  I love a good view and in this summer weather, a little more to enjoy than four walls surrounding me.  This new love started when we visited Charleston for a wedding earlier this year and now the quest continues.  (this is one way to overcome my fear of heights.)

This is a night time view of Savannah GA's river from the rooftop of the Bohemian Hotel.  What a find!  We watched the sunset over the water and later on, a few fireworks sparkled over the water.  With the hot weather, it was enjoyable to feel the breezes as the evening cooled down. We even made new friends while hanging out there.  In the distance, you can barely make out the bridge to Hilton Head, (we checked that out too).

And if you visit Savannah, check out this hotel.  It's pretty funky.  Kind of dark/edgy with cool art and furniture in the lobby. The rooftop lounge view rates the highest stars.

Now tell me, do you have a great place in your town?  Know of one that I should add to my list of "must visits"?

Display at The Mansion

These kind of look either like some weird kinds of jelly fish floating to me.  But of course, they're just some beautifully made, ladies' hats.

Upon my friend, Sylvie Lansdowne's suggestion, I stopped by The Mansion in Savannah to check out their art displays, during our recent visit.  They had quite a few antique cabinets filled with gorgeous hand crafted hats of the same vintage.

Looking at them, I wonder about the almost lost art of making them and  whether the recent Royal wedding revived the interest a bit?  I can't help but admire the artistic artisan aspect to them.  I would love to learn more about how the flowers are made, and what could be done with hand dyed ribbons as much as how to shape a hat.  I guess making cool objects will always be an interest of mine.

There is a local Atlanta shop, Nicholas Kniel, who has hat making classes.  The last time I visited, (he has a wonderful selection of feathers too), there were 3 women making hats at his back table, because they were attending the Kentucky Derby.

So what do you think?  Should there be a movement to revive this craft?  Would you want to learn how to make them?  Would you want to own one?

I'm A Little Tea Pot

I'm not a huge hot tea drinker, but I think I could convert if it means getting this Personal Teapot from Etsy artist Hodaka Hasebe.  I love the shape, the colors and sweet details.  What a great find!

Glass Flower Garden - Sale in My StudioMarcy Etsy Shop

I've been busy making flowers.  I guess with no real gardening skills this is about as close as I'm going to get.  I've always loved flowers and when I first started melting glass, I was sure that I would be specializing in encased florals.  I guessed wrong.

But recently, I've started playing around with whimsical sculptural flowers.  And am now listing them in my Etsy shop StudioMarcy.  AND...I'm having a flower sale for a few more days.

They are constructed so the hole runs below the petals and it's a 3/32 in most cases.  They look great as pendants or on jewelry.  In fact, I make a lot of necklaces with three blossoms on each.

If you see something here that isn't listed, please send me an email.  I've been away and haven't been able to upload all of them, so they are hanging out on my bead rack...some with bees and ladybugs and some bug free, (but no chemicals were used to keep the bugs away).

And now I'm deciding whether to make realistic flowers as well, or whether to stay with my whimsical fantasy ones.  What do you think?

Ooooh, Aaaaaah.....Fireworks!

Happy 4th of July!

Don't you just love listening to the crowd when they are watching fireworks?  I do.  But I love watching them even more.  The sound, smell and all the lovely colors against the night sky.

Each year, right around this time, I start looking at photos of fireworks and wonder, just how could I interpret that in glass?

And each year, I just scratch my head and keep wondering.  So if any of you have ideas, please share them with me.  Because I think firework beads would rock!

Hope you have a great holiday, if you are from the States and if you aren't, wishing you wonderful day just as well.  I'm on my way home from the beach.  Will post some photos of our adventure later this week.

Modern Wood Sunglasses from Waiting For The Sun

These wood frame sunglasses from French company, Waiting for the Sun,  seem a fun combination of nostalgic and modern/hip.  I like them!

What do you think?  Would you wear them?

Hope your 4th of July is great.  I'm hoping for some great fireworks!

Wave At The Bus

If you haven't been introduced to the Wave At The Bus blog, (and if you want a laugh) pop by here.
A Salt Lake City stay at home Dad dresses up in a different costume daily to wave good bye to his teenager when he gets on the school bus.

Apparently, his son, Rain, got over his mortification pretty quickly and has enjoyed his Dad's craziness.

At first, I thought "oh, poor son" and then I changed my mind pretty quickly.  I can't think of a lot of kids who have/had Dad's who were around to say good-bye each morning, and would probably be secretly delighted to have one do something as corny as this.

And to add to my amusement- there's a paypal button on the blog.  It's there if anyone wants to contribute to Rain's college / therapy fund.  ;)