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 -

Royal Botanical Gardens

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

Biodiversity Exhibits

prehistoric sea turtle fossil

dodo bird

great auk

seriously endangered species

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.

Egypt - more!

Egyptian, painting on textile. 

Egyptian, linen tunic.  c. 1150 BC.

Egyptian, linen tunic.  c.  1150 BC.

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

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

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

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! 

Source: traditionsmexico.phanfare.com via Stevanie on Pinterest

mineral pigments

mineral pigments

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

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.