A typical morning in the life of Dexter Morgan

So, who here is a huge Dexter fan like me? I can't wait until Sunday when the new season premieres. As a tribute, I created this treasury on Etsy, largely inspired by the show's opening credits. I can hear that music in my head already ....

2010 Calendars - hot off the presses!

I've designed three desk calendars for 2010 and had a blast doing it. We're almost at the sequel year to 2001 A Space Odyssey (probably won't be as good, if the year is anything like the movie). How did that happen!?! They're available in my Etsy shop, where I'm also having a wee 20% off sale on 8x8 and 8x10 prints until this Sunday October 4 at midnight.

The first calendar is called "Eye Poetry" and is full of dreamy photographs.


The second is called "Two if by sea", and includes 12 of my favourite seascapes.


The third is my "Paris is for Lovers" calendar for those who want to be reminded of a past trip or to be inspired to plan one (or just daydream quite frankly).


Here's a sample of the calendar pages (from the Eye Poetry Calendar).

Wash your mouth out

With soap that smells so yummy, you may well be tempted.

My soap order from Etsy seller CrowleyManor arrived yesterday and I almost ate my Kahlua soap upon smelling it. There are so many great sellers of natural, handmade soaps on Etsy and I thought I'd share some of my favourites with you.

1. Kahlua - coffee sweet almonds and vanilla by CrowleyManor
2. Chai tea shea butter soap by Dennis Anderson
3. Coconut mochi by Savor
4. Black raspberry vanilla soap by Morgan Street

Featured Etsy Seller: Vintaj

Before waxing poetically about jewelry designers Vintaj, I'll first explain a little bit about Etsy. To put it simply, Etsy is an online marketplace where people sell handmade goods. You can find all manner of items on Etsy. The only criterion is that the seller has to have made it with their own wee hands. You’ll find jewelry, soaps, lotions, clothing, art, furniture, paper goods, toys, makeup, and, of course, a $500,000 handmade motorcycle.

You might be thinking ... oh, like Ebay! Take my advice and don't mention Ebay to an Etsian. Items aren't auctioned, but instead have a fixed price. It's more like an online arts and crafts fair than a garage sale. And, it's a far more pleasing aesthetic experience. If you haven't already, check it out for some wonderful, unique handmade items. And don't bother asking what Etsy means. When it comes to this topic, they're as secretive as the Bush administration.

From time to time, I'll be featuring an Etsy seller. It may be someone from whom I've made a purchase, or it may be a seller whose work I simply covet. I'm starting with one of my favourite Etsy sellers: the jewelry designers collectively known as Vintaj. I know a thing or two about this seller, as I own a thing or two or six of theirs.

Vintaj specializes in natural brass (bronzey brass, not brassy brass) jewelry with a vintage flair. I love the intricate swooping filigree patterns combined with beautifully coloured stones, pearls, and art glass. Many of the designs are inspired by nature and include motifs like butterflies and dragonflies. I own a few stunning necklaces and earrings that I can easily mix and match. Here’s an excerpt from their profile:

“We hand embellished each and every piece of natural brass to achieve it's rich unique bronze color and luster without the use of chemicals or plating. We have an exacting, 7 stage, environmentally friendly, hand process. This bronzey vintajey color that we achieve is what we have painstakingly built our findings company on.”