Bead Day. Spring 2015 Couture

Julien Fournie & Gaultier Spring 2015 Couture Collection

Jewellery Masterpieces. Georges Fouquet. Metropolitan Museum of Art

Art Nouveau necklace
Maker: Georges Fouquet (French, 1862–1957). Designer: Alphonse Mucha (Czech, Ivančice 1860–1939 Prague).Date: ca. 1900.Medium: Gold, enamel, mother-of-pearl, opal, emerald, colored stones, gold paint.Credit Line: Gift of Eva and Michael Chow, 2003

Sold one-of-a-kind jewellery

Silver pendant with aquamarine

Jewellery Masterpieces. Dragon Bracelet by Harumi

Dragon Bracelet by Harumi for Chopard. 

Baby raccoon in our backyard

I created a new label for anything cute or funny. I was thinking about it for awhile... while not doing anything about it.... Until today, when my husband got up at 5 am, saw a raccoon family (a mommy and four babies), took his camcorder and filmed them. Here I am... creating this new label :) Now I will have to add more funny or cute blog posts :)  

Beautiful nature

Another flower that I found in one of the Australian gardens

Birch bark art by Russian artists Alexander and Alfia Gurin

If you remember I have shared my birch bark jewellery boxes in my blog before (here). I love birch bark art, so last week I've found a birch bark artists and asked them to tell me more about their art. 2 artist, husband and wife Alexander and Alfia Gurin are working together in their family business. This is their story told by Alexander.

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Alexander graduated from an art college in 1991 in Nizhni Tagil, Rissia. He was going to be an illustrator, but he came across a company who needed a birch bark artist. Since they were willing to teach a professional artist this trade and he did not start any work yet, he was willing to learn. He thinks it was a good luck. Even though a company went bankrupt soon, he still had his new skills!

He met his wife at the same college. She was interested in ceramic, leather art and birch bark art too. When they got married they decided to start their own birch bark art business.

Here you can see the process of decorating traditional Russian jars by using a dreamel

They produce lots of different products of the birch bark. Some of them are traditional and some are modern: jars, jewellery boxes, salt holders, lucky charms, home decorations, thimbles, magnets, etc.

These are birch bark buttons

Decorative diplomas are a popular souvenir. The company just could not avoid making them! Some of them are made by hand and some are laser-made. 

This is a laser-made diploma

This diploma is handmade. I use a poker worker to write, says Alexander, so here you can see my hand writing. My hand writing is not bad when I use this tool. Too bad I cannot write like this with a regular pen or a pencil...

Once we decided to try and make a ship model out of birch bark. Dark stained birch bark is a perfect material to imitate and old boat wood.

Now we work in Novouralsk, Russia. We also teach kids in an art center there. This art is not easy for kids, so we do not have many students there. Most kids do not want to continue after they start. The more we enjoy teaching those who keep coming year after year.  Sometimes we go out of the city to the smaller towns to teach adult student. 

If you want to invite us, we will come to you too!

These are our adult students in Krasnoufimsk, Russia.
(you can see our email address on the blackboard)

Alexander and Alfia Gurin.
Web-site: http://beresta66.ru/ 

Giveaway of a Small Canvas Purse by Tiny Tipis

Today we have an awesome giveaway prize by the Tiny Tipis etsy shop!

Tiny Tipis provides environmentally friendly products that improve the quality of life while decreasing our carbon footprint on the planet. Products such as canvas market totes, handbags, purses, organizers, tepees, and (our newest line) biodegradable soaps can help our customers leave a better planet for the next generation.
They also have a web-site.

Here are just a few items of what you can find in the shop:

Market Tote with Bow
Pocket Organizer or Business Card Holder
Mink Oil Soap - With Rosewater and Coconut
Small Canvas Purse

 This is the prize:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sweepstakes at Sweepstakes-Search.com
‘All Things Bloggy’
Contest Heat

Monday Jewellery Quote

Bridal earrings with Swarovski crystals

Sunday Interior Design guide

This week we have a collection of wonderful rustic home decoration ideas curated by Anna! I have a soft spot for the bookshelves, so my favorite item is that round book shelf (predictable!). I like all other items though.

Visit our growing collection of the interior design ideas to see the featured shops as well as more  home decor ideas.