Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Almost September

Yikes, I haven't posted in almost 2 weeks.  Sorry all. 
I've been busy though.  For one thing, I've had the beads all over the place and made some new pieces, which are now, or will soon be, posted to my Etsy!  Here's a peek -






Monday, August 15, 2011

Insects

As you can tell, there's no shortage of cool things at the ROM!  Love the colours and patterns! 
Coming later in the week, pictures from the Royal Botanical Gardens.  :)
weevils
dragonflies
butterflies
birdwing butterflies
various, including wasps, weevils, latern bugs, millipede

Friday, August 12, 2011

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Blog Feature

Morning all!  First, I want to let you know that this very blog has been featured!  Check it out ~ Be @ Home Best of the Web and scroll down to about the middle.  

Have a look at this awesome old glass!

Flagon, Palestine, AD 350-425.
Blue Glass, Syria or Palestine, AD 25-125. 
Mould cast 'millefiore' bowls, Syria, AD 1-50.

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Egypt - more!


Egyptian, painting on textile. 
Egyptian, linen tunic.  c. 1150 BC.
Egyptian, linen tunic.  c.  1150 BC.

Sunday, August 7, 2011

Egyptian Wrappings

Ancient Egypt has always been fascinating to me.  These beautiful mummified animals and the intricate linen wrappings are awesome.
intricate wrapping
animal mummies & sarcophagi

beautifully wrapped cat mummies
hawk mummies
crocodile mummy, c. AD 100

Friday, August 5, 2011

Birds

Sparrows
These are so lovely.   A little disturbing perhaps, but lovely too.  Have a look at the specimen labels, they're aged, the handwriting is beautiful... I noticed one date in particular - 1928! 
Sparrows, label closeup
Tanagers
Look at the colours!  I think there might be a future piece of work inspired by these... 
Tanagers, label closeup

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Minerals

Minerals and stones are quite brilliant.  This first one, Smithsonite, is an example that varies in colour based on what impurities/traces are in the piece (like copper, cadmium, cobalt, etc.). 

Smithsonite
swallowtail gypsum
beryl
calcite
nephrite jade

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Royal Ontario Museum - more!

murex snails
I learned a bit about natural dyes in college, so when I discovered these murex snails in a display drawer at the museum, I thought was pretty neat! 


mineral pigments
mineral pigments
 Mineral pigments like these have been used on ceramics, in paints, cosmetics, etc. 

Monday, August 1, 2011

Already August

The Royal Ontario Museum is one of my favourite places.  I spent several hours there Friday afternoon.

Brittle Star starfish fossils from England & France

Ammonites

Ammonite

Squid fossils.  Yes, squid.