New Listings from Team Madcap Shops- 6/15/12

Jennifer Hawkins
Grey Girl Designs
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Hello Madcappers!  Wow, am I ever ready for a weekend!  I had a much needed little mini-vacation last weekend and had Monday off of my day job, and I'm more tired than ever today!  Funny how those vacations and time off can be so exhausting isn't it?   Let's see if I can manage to stay awake long enough to share a look into our  Team Madcap shops with you.  I'd better jump right in and get started.

I just love owls so of course this first item caught my eye right off.  Look at this beautiful hand painted vase with little owl by KilnFiredArt:

Hand painted vase little owl by KilnFiredArt

"Hand painted porcelain vase, with little owl painting, lustre overglaze enamels painted on a porcelain vase.

This beautiful porcelain vase with little owl design is hand painted using overglaze enamels and lustres.
I'm an overglaze painter, I use porcelain as my 'canvas'. This is a Limoges porcelain vase which I buy from France, it has a beautiful glazed surface to paint on.

I apply the design by hand using overglaze enamels and a quill pen, and brushwork. The vase is then fired in my kiln to 800C, the enamel actually binds with the softened glaze making the design permanent. I then apply lustres to the sides of the vase and fire again. Liquid platinum detailing is applied and fired again.
The techniques involved means there will never be two vases exactly the same.

The vase is signed on the base.
The vase measures approximately 9.5 inches tall."  So delicately pretty!

Looking for something unique?  How about a nested whistle from stickstaffcane?

Nested Whistle, two tones by stickstaffcane

"It is a whistle inside a whistle. It is like a Matryoshka doll (aka Russian nest-ing/ed doll) The little whistle fits inside the end of the larger whistle and is held in place with a magnet. There is enough space to allow air to flow past the little whistle to make the larger one whistle. The user pulls the little whistle out of the larger one to use it. The larger one can be used separately. A leather strap is attached.

The larger whistle is about 4 inches long with about a 1 inch wide opening. The opening for the little whistle is about 1 inch long inside. The chamber ends with a wall that has a magnet attached. The little whistle has a magnet embedded in the end opposite its whistle. The little whistle is about 1 inch long and about 1/2 to 3/4 inch wide

The larger whistle has a hand-carved chevron-like tesselation or tiling pattern. It is stained lightly with a red maple stain. The little whistle is carved to fit inside the chamber of the larger whistle and allow air to flow past it so the larger whistle can be used. The little whistle is stained with red maple stain. The little whistle has a small metal handle to help remove it from the front chamber of the larger whistle.

Polyurethane and hard finishing wax protect the surface of both whistles."  I think that's really cool!

Here's a one of a kind Abstract Art Collage to beautify your wall, from TheExpressivePalette:

Abstract Art Collage, Sing, by TheExpressivePalette

"~Sing~
This is second in a series of abstract collages on stretched canvas. I start with a word embroidered on cotton and then let the feelings of that word be expressed abstractly.

+ A serendipitous collection of papers and fabrics from my other art projects
+ Handmade fabric tube beads
+ Archival professional quality acrylic mediums and paints
+ Archival 100% stretched cotton canvas stapled on kiln dried wood
+ Varnish

The canvas measures 5 x 5 inches
The sides are about 3/4 inch deep & have been painted cerulean blue and are staple free making the piece ready hang it on the wall as is, or to stand on a shelf.
Framing it is of course always an option for a more formal look."  I love those shades of blue.

Want to do your part to help the environment?  This could be a good first step- use this cute NoN Tote Bag from MyLittleFrenchShop on your next trip to get groceries:

NoN Tote Bag by MyLittleFrenchShop


"This is a NoN TOTE Bag.

Material:: organic cotton, re-claimed leather charm, metal keychain
Size of Tote:: 15.5" x 14.5"
Strap:: 18.5"
Markings:: Non = No
*** color may differ from actual pictures
*** tote is machine washable

These are eco cotton bags so none are perfect - the slight imperfections give it a certain charm."  A great way to reduce your carbon footprint.

This last Madcap find would be perfect to light up your next romantic dinner table!  Check out the concrete fire bowl from DeerwoodCreekGifts:

Concrete Fire Bowl by DeerwoodCreekGifts

"Concrete Fire Bowl, Bowl, Trinket Holder. Bird Feeder, Candy Dish. Succulent Holder

This concrete fire bowl can be used for a multitude of things. Use it as a fire bowl, a planter for succulents, or a small outdoor planter, a tealight holder, votive candle holder, candy dish, soap holder or trinket holder. It can be used indoors or outdoors. This bowl is decorated with small rocks that are set permanently on the rim.

To use as a fire bowl: Just add a can of Sterno, or other gel fuel. Gel fuel can be purchased at most home improvement/hardware stores. That is not included and I do not send that out.

These are made to order and so they will vary slightly in size and color, as no two are alike. I sand them to remove some of the rough patches, but they are not perfectly smooth, as I tend to like the more nature feeling concrete as opposed to the perfectly smooth, store bought concrete.

I do add a clear water resistant topcoat to help keep the life of the bowls and it does add a slight shine."  Wouldn't that be perfect for your next midnight picnic?

Hope you all enjoyed my finds today from Team Madcap shops. Etsy is such a great place online to shop for unique and beautiful handmade artwork and vintage treasures.  I hope you all have a wonderful Father's day weekend. Until next time...

Keep singing your Madcap songs!


Jennifer