bracelet – Kirsten Bailey: Art

Posted on March 21, 2010March 21, 2010 by Kirsten — 1 Comment

Sunday Selections – Pretty in Pink

I know, I’m a day late with this one – I was having a very lazy day yesterday. I’m hoping to make up for it with lots of painting today.

This week’s Saturday Selections (well, Sunday Selections) is inspired by the colour pink. Pink and I have had a chequered history. I loved pink when I was little, and then as I grew older I decided I hated it – I think I was rebelling against the whole ‘pink is for girls’ thing. Now that I’m older still I’m loving it again – so here are a few of my favourite pink items from around Etsy:

First up is this devine lace tunic by Lirola. I have been eyeing this one off for a while now – I just love the pretty fabric and the applique embellishment! I think this top would be great worn with a pair of jeans, a pretty necklace and heels. I will be snapping this one up myself just as soon as I can afford it!

I’ve been really into wearing bracelets lately, something I never used to bother with, but there are so many pretty ones around that I just can’t resist. This is one of them – it’s called Monet, Iris’ Sterling silver lampwork bracelet, by Kajulee. I love the mottled colours in the lampwork beads, and the Swarovski crystals they’re paired with make a beautiful match.

Isn’t this ‘Poppy’ scarf by Tutus2 so pretty and feminine? It is made using vintage silk kimonos and japanese silk, and is one of a kind. I love the idea of using vintage materials to make new handmade objects, and this scarf is a great example of that.

Last, but not least, is this gorgeous necklace by Rue de Bijoux. It’s called “When she visited the Patisserie diet was the last thing on her mind” – isn’t that a fabulous title? All of the jewellery at Rue de Bijoux has great titles like that – the shop is worth looking at just for that, but it is also filled with beautiful vintage inspired jewellery. This pretty necklace is one of my favourites:

Be sure to check out all the other lovely items these sellers have in their shops!

Posted on March 13, 2010March 13, 2010 by Kirsten

Saturday Selections – It’s a Jungle out there!

This week’s addition of Saturday Selections is inspired by the rainforest… which my garden is looking increasingly like. It’s been raining a LOT here recently, and it seems that every weekend we’ve wanted to get outside and tidy up the garden, it’s rained. This weekend the sun is finally out, and when I wandered out into the garden these are some of the images that greeted me:

The grass is knee high. There is a huge vine choking *everything*. The insects are out and about and LOVING it. It’s not going to last though, because I’m determined to get out there today and tomorrow and tidy it up!

Until then, let’s celebrate the beauty of the rainforest with these wonderful Etsy finds:

My first rainforest favourite is this ‘Rain Forest Rivers’ bracelet by Karmelidesigns. I love the combination of earthy greens, coppers and blues. It features a Pietersite nugget, rhyolite, yellow citrine, deep blue dumortierite, and small black onyx beads, a few antiqued copper spacers, and a stylish toggle clasp.

Matching perfectly with this bracelet is this beautiful Tropical Rainforest Necklace by Aquasphere. It also features the earthy beauty of rhyolite. This volcanic stone’s mossy greens, browns and grays are a perfect match to the rainforest.

Of course, once you’re decked out in rainforesty-goodness for your neck and wrist, you need to have something pretty for your ears as well! I just love these Rainforest Blossom Bouquet Earrings by Eighthnote. The flowers are pretty and feminine, and I love the way they hang together. The shades of green and blue are perfect for the rainforest and look beautiful together.

Long before I had ever heard of Etsy, I was posting my artwork on deviantART. I love the support other artists give with their comments, and am inspired by the work of the wonderful artists who also submit their art to the website. One of my favourite artists from deviantART is Angela Vandendogard. I’ve admired her work for years and was delighted when I came across her store on Etsy, Jellybeans. This print titled Rainforest is a great example of her beautiful, whimsical style:

I hope you all enjoyed this little trek through the rainforest – hopefully by the next time I post, my garden will be looking less like a jungle and more like a garden again!

UPDATE:

I think the rest of the garden will have to wait until after bin day.

Posted on December 19, 2009December 19, 2009 by Kirsten

A Belated Friday Favourites – Merry Christmas!

You would think that now I’m on school holidays I would have gotten my act together and had my Friday Favourites published on time… but you would be wrong. So this is more like Saturday Favourites (but that doesn’t have the same ring to it!).

I’ve been busy working on a commissioned piece so that’s my excuse 🙂

Next Friday as you know is Christmas day, and I will be busy cooking up a storm (or setting things on fire) in the kitchen – so I won’t be posting a Friday Favourites. So this week I’ve decided to do a Christmas themed set of red and green items.

First up this week are these beautiful Christmas Cards by Moonmum (who is a fellow Aussie!). I love the fact that these are something a little different to what you normally see on Christmas cards. The birds are cute and the stitching really adds another dimension.

I know it’s probably a bit late to be thinking about Christmas cards now, but Moonmum has lots of other cards in her shop for all occasions which are just beautiful, so make sure you check it out!

Next up are these cool Amoeba Kelly Green earrings by Under Glass. These unique earrings would be lovely for any time of year, not just Christmas!

Time for another red item – This wonderful bracelet titled “Blooming Garden” by Blue Dove Studio. I think this bracelet would go perfectly with my red Christmas dress – but like the earrings it’s not Christmas themed so would be pretty at any time of year. I just love the antiqued brass branch charm in this bracelet.

Next up in my little red and green pattern (did you notice?) are these lovely Green Holiday Earrings by AZ Bead Girl. I just love the little diamantes!

Finally, I have to break my red-green-red pattern because I just couldn’t resist including this beautiful soap by Aniselle Bath & Body.

Isn’t it just gorgeous!? Would be wonderful to have in the bathroom as a handsoap around Christmas time when guests come around. The soap is Sage and Pomegranate with Olive oil and Goats milk, so it sounds like it would smell and feel as lovely as it looks.

Well that’s it! My last Friday Favourites for 2009! I should be back with another blog post before Xmas though – I’m hoping to do a painting for Monday Artday if I get to it in time.

Have a lovely weekend!

Posted on November 27, 2009November 27, 2009 by Kirsten — 3 Comments

Four Friday Favourites

Welcome to my second edition of “Friday Favourites” – this week I’m lising four of the items on my Etsy favourites list.

My first choice this week is this stunning Lace Noir Vintage Olga nightgown, from TiaLey Vintage. I’ve been eyeing off this one for a while 🙂 Almost looks like an evening dress, not a nightgown!

The next item on the list today is also a nightgown (I have a lot of these in my favourites list – wish I could afford to buy them all!). This nightgown from Haute Country Vintage is in the most gorgeous shade of blue – I just love it!

I hope my husband is paying attention to the Christmas present hints here! 😀

Next up is this beautiful turquoise and sterling silver bracelet from Julie’s Jewels. I love the colour of the turqouise, and I think it would go with so many outfits – you could wear it with casual or more dressed-up clothes.

Last, but most definitely not least, are these stunning Versailles earrings by feminesque. I love the colour and the swirly shape. The matching necklace is just as beautiful. These are definitely one of my favourite Etsy jewellery items!

Well, that’s my Friday favourites for another week! Please check out the stores mentioned, as they have other lovely things available too!