snowflake bentley: a spectacular gift

This simple picturebook book tells the true story of a man who was so enamored by Nature's intricate details that he couldn't stop sketching, photographing, sharing, and journaling his observations of snowflakes, dew, grasshoppers, and other fine details.

Wilson A. Bentley is the man who photographed the first image of a magnified snowflake.

This book-- seemingly written for children-- tells his story of success. It is a unique story of success, since it doesn't involve the acquisition of a perfect romance or grand fortune. The success is one of heart and mind-- of tenaciously pursuing the most natural thing in life: the thing that rivets and fulfills you most, no matter the cost. For Bentley, it just happened to be snowflakes.

Snowflake Bentley's story would be an ideal gift for anyone.

In fact, it was recently given to me by a dear friend and mentor in honor of finishing my Fall semester of graduate school, and it has left an impression on me which I cannot convey in mere words on a blog...

Plus, the illustrations are by the very talented Mary Azarian.

scattering profiles: pumphouse studios

I found these bird plates in a shop called,

Pumphouse Studios.

I immediately clicked on the profile thinking, this shop name has to have a story!

And it does.

This artist's story is so beautifully written, I have to share it verbatim....

My mother was a potter and art teacher. Under her influence I grew up making art, but concentrated on the written word in school, eventually earning a PhD in literature in 1994. That same year my mom died from breast cancer, leaving me her well-used wheel, kiln, and a series of mysterious glaze recipes. It took nearly ten years and several moves later to see what I had inherited. I found myself in Southern Oregon, teaching literature but connecting with a group of ceramic artists who showed me how to shape the fog of grief into the delight of working with clay. During those years, my studio was a 6X6 foot pumphouse where I worked every spare moment, making pots and competing with the pump and waterlines for space. My kiln was outside. As a result, I like to say that my apprenticeship in ceramics was literally affected by the rolling of the seasons and the events of the natural world around me.

I think these three would look superb hanging together.

scattering inspiration: paper leaves wreath

An easy Paper Leaves Wreath tutorial was posted here.

I love the shape of the leaves--

it reminds me of great Southern Magnolias.

Very soon, I'll be sharing a fantastic soup recipe (just invented last night!)...

scattering profiles: the knack room

Introducing a Greenville, SC (my current home!) based studio...

and awesome, I might add!

It's called Knack Studios, and she specializes in reclaiming and re-beautifying.

 I just love seeing what color combinations she chooses for each piece,

and what little surprises she adds (frankly, I think it's these "surprises" that make her work so appealing).

Not to mention the pro job she does distressing each piece,

And searching far and wide for amazing, one-of-a-kind hardware,

See those polka dots on top of the dresser?

They're actually...

newspaper and comic cut-outs!

You can see more:

In her Knack Etsy store,

On her Knack Blog,

On her Knack Website.