a few more darlings from this new series. the narrow bands are silver, oxidized with a dark patina and each button is set in a small bowl. these are simply wonderful to wear. not quite up in the shop yet this morning, i've been occupied with another deadline project. i'll be editing this post when the pieces are ready to purchase, so stay tuned.

happy friday, everyone. 

just a little teaser today, my friends. two new vintage button rings to show, with five more waiting at the studio to be photographed. camera problems slowed me down a bit getting these here on found object. by tomorrow, they and the rest of the new collection will be in my shop and ready for purchase. aren't they yummy?

when i saw this work on bloesem last week, i was instantly enchanted, as were many other bloggers. they've been flitting all over the internet the past few days! i can't resist posting myself because paul villinski's butterflies cut from beer cans are just perfect for found object. i love finding artists that can take cast-away objects and see not trash, but raw material. even more impressive, is the vision and pure sense of craft that paul brings to this series. add to that his stunning way of installing them in flocks that suggest both fluid movement and larger shapes that shift before your eyes and the pieces are simply transcendent. enchantment complete.

he talks eloquently on his site, here, about the potential danger of working with butterfly images. how overdone, how sugary and how "home decor" they can read. yet, his use of ironic materials and sincere approach to the butterfly's form saves them. the butterfly series works visually and conceptually. by their recycled nature, they speak to almost literally to saving the planet.

and when a bit of the planet is saved, one can only hope the butterflies are also protected. 

aren't these brooches by joli jewelry a breath of fresh, spring air? i am posting them today in particular for readers in the midwest, still struggling with a very snowy winter. there are loads of jewelry designers putting together pieces with vintage parts these days, but few do it with such finesse. i love the look of these on a sharp coat or sheath dress in any season. check out more joli jewelry at the curiousity shoppe.

what could be better than a simple concept, executed perfectly? as british design firm multistorey shows with these pieces, the answer is nothing. i came across these on a blog recently ~forgive my tired brain, i can't figure out where~ and was immediately struck with them. how visually compelling they are! i get that ooooooo feeling that comes with discovering a secret cache of treasure, like my first windfall of found buttons. pop over to see the whole collection here.

thank-you, my dear readers for your support and patience during my little break from blogging. i really appreciate all the sweet messages and comments. i am nearly done with my treatments and by the end of next week, can begin to just heal and put my life back together. the rest has done me well, my mom has flown back to the midwest and my office is back to being mine. i even had enough energy one day this week to complete some new rings that have been in the works for ages.

stay tuned next week for new posts sure to dazzle you!