Birds!

Some of my BBEST team members will probably know that I am very lucky to spend regular amounts of time at a place in Devon, UK, which I call my ‘bolt hole’. It is a wonderful spot where cabins nestle amongst trees along the water’s edge of an old lake that dates back to Henry VIII. Apparently at one time a convent was nearby from which the nuns used to stroll around the lake in meditation. Perhaps this is why I love the peaceful surroundings whilst sitting on the deck overlooking the water. All you can hear are the birds ranging from wrens to geese! I have a few feeders up nearby so that I can sit and observe our feather friends as they dart in and out grabbing little tidbits.

Each country has there own special birds so I won’t bore you with all that I see here. However, it does give me a wonderful opportunity to show off some of the amazing items created by the BBEST Team.

Baltimore Oriole by Sixsisters

Hummingbird on the Fly by Hemlock Hollow

Bird in the Tree Notebook by MisterPenQuin

Two Birds by VanFleetDesign

Little Birdie Fused Glass magnet by Chris1

At Rest Watercolour of a Chickadee by YankeeGirl

Owl Pendant by Chauncey

Bird Verdigris painting by JohnieBelinda

Bird in Nest by pfd Original Artworks

Birds are fascinating creatures as they fly and buzz around. Especially at this time of year when they pair up as Spring approaches and start to organise their nesting sites. Can’t wait to see the baby Moorhens following their mother down to the water and the ducklings all trying to keep up in crocodile lines. Whoever, said they were ugly???

Whilst not all of the above images depict birds from our shores they do show off the amazing talent of the BBEST Team. Thank you for allowing me to show off the creativity here.

To write about???

You know how artists get that horrible dry spell? Well, believe me writers do too!

I always use a calendar to remind me when I am writing a blog post and this day is no exception. Except, this is the exception! I have writer’s, what’s it called? You know when the ideas just don’t come!

So, I have decided to delve into our team to pick out a random selection of pictures to show off the incredible talent that our BBEST team has! Well the choices have been random but leaning more to our autumnal season and, of course, halloween. Enjoy!

Native American Beaded Earrings

by

J Stinson

These pretty fan shaped hand beaded earrings were made by Joni. They are made from green glass bugle beads, green seed beads and white pearlised seed beads.

Mini Rug Hooked Jack ‘O Lantern

by

Beth Anderson

Folk Art and Rug Hooking!
This primitive mini jack-o-lantern is hand-hooked in the traditional primitive fashion of rug hooking on burlap. Hooked with 100% wool strips, both dyed and re-purposed, backed in a bright orange wool, and stuffed like a miniature pillow with polyester fiberfill – even the brown checked wool stem is stuffed!

Pastel Charmeuse Silk Scarf/Shawl

by

AltheaP

Wrap yourself in luxury with this luxurious charmeuse silk shawl. It is 14" wide by 66" long, so can be worn in a number of versatile ways to show off a simple dress or blouse. Abstract shapes in pale periwinkle and orange add interest to under layer of pale orange leaves.

Porcelain 20 oz Funky Mushroom Fairy Queen Bowl Art by Magi

To be found in Fehustoneware’s shop

How fun to eat your cereal from a funky fairy bowl!
Wheel thrown in porcelain clay
clear glaze with an iron oxide decal in the original artwork of Magi C.
There is a tiny moon impressed at the base.

Cactus Yarnius Smallicus

by

Blazing Needles

Professor Philo Philodendron has found a dainty cactus of exceptional beauty in the Mohave desert. This tiny species, yarnius smallicus, fits neatly on a desk or windowsill. Perfect for the plant-killer.

Beadwoven Autumn Orange Flower Brooch

by

Beadbug

Beadwoven Autumn Orange Flower Brooch
No, this is not a French Beaded Flower. French beaded flowers are done with wire and beads. This pin/brooch is beadwoven with needle and thread, and is a little more supple.

Sassa Lynne Serendipity Mixed Thread Selection

by

Sassa Lynne

Not one but seven top quality yarns in this selection. Again from our Serendipity range these threads have all been dyed in the same dyebath. Think Mango! Cerise, Gold and Fuchsia with a little more than a touch of Orange and Coral. They will stitch or couch beautifully on fabric or canvas.

Celedon Rust Flower Focal

by

Zuda Gay

This lovely polymer clay flower focal features sculpted petals on a sturdy base and the center is a lot of clay dots. It measures 2" (5cm) across the flower and the hole is drilled horizontally near the top for stringing. Flower Pendants look beautiful hanging on a ribbon or cord and completely amazing made up into a custom beaded necklace.

Well, by now you will have realised that our wonderful BBEST team members have a wealth of talent to show. Here I have simply chosen at random a few of my favourite items. There are so many more, I could go on all day! Why don’t you delve into Pandora’s Box? This time you won’t let out any demons just pure talent!!

Sunshine!

We are now getting to the time of year when we have had enough of being snug inside looking out on snow drifts, grey skies and generally miserable winter weather.  Every glimpse of sunshine heralds a new gasp of joy!  The weather promises, though it does tease sometimes, to get brighter and warmer.  So what better way to celebrate and encourage the spring sunshine but by showing off items from some of our talented members?  Put on the shades and be prepared to be hot, hot, hot!!!

This will get you in the right mood!  A cheerful quilted fabric postcard called ‘You are my sunshine’ – remember the song?

Thanks to Attack of the Vintage you will find many more wonderful examples of her quilted postcards in her shop.

 

It’s hot out here!

This piece is done in the paper prayer format. The paper prayer was created by the Japanese to evoke health and well-being for the person for whom it was made.

Van Fleet Street Design is the place to find more ‘hot’ items

 

Orange Flower Folding Hat

Sometimes the sun, even at this time of year, will cause you to look for a little shade and what a pretty hat to do that with!  Look, it even comes with its very own zipper purse for storage.

One Dog Talking is the shop to visit if you like style and elegance.

 

Too sexy for the Beach

Now start singing… "I'm Too Sexy for my shirt, too sexy for my..." I won’t go on!  However, a girl still needs to look her best at the beach!

Laughing Otter Jewelry just knows what jewellery you ‘otter’ be wearing!!!!

 

Sunrise, Sunset print that really could be either time of day. Imagine sitting quietly slurping, sorry sipping a cocktail watching this sun slowly dipping into the sea.

Beth Peardon Prods has a great array of prints, cards etc in her shop.

 

Sunbird – you can tell the artist was really enjoying herself in the creation of this wonderful mixed media painting!

Sixsisters has an exciting way of depicting everyday subjects and yet making them so individual.  She shows a great empathy with nature in the portrayal of her art.

 

A large smiling sun window cling suncatcher

The sun is always smiling on the righteous they tell me.  However, who could resist this wonderful cling looking like real stained glass?

Clinging Images has a shop full of window clings of every shape and size. 

 

I could go on for ever on this happy sunny note but why don’t you search yourself and see what you can find amongst this incredibly talented group of artists on Etsy who call themselves the BBEST!

The letters of the B B E S T Team ..... stand for?

I looked at the letters which made up the name of the Boomers and Beyond Street Team and thought it might be fun to find an item from within the group starting with the initials of the title, BBEST. So, whilst searching Etsy using the BBEST Team tag, I came up with the following diverse selection!

B ...... stands for

Blue bird's higher calling

streetnoodles

'Beautiful handmade jewellery & other little passions by ellen ikemoto'

This delightful pendant is even more interesting because of the write up Streetnoodles has added to the listing.

In her description she relates a poignant recount of her father's story which brings so much more meaning to this bird.

B ...... stands for

Beer Drinking Frogs

Chauncey

'Who doesn't like to see some frogs enjoying themselves with a barrel of beer?'

A picture after my own heart!

Nothing quite like a cold beer on a hot summer's day and these guys look like they could tell a tale or two.

E ...... stands for

Earth Angel

MagdaleneJewels

This beautiful Bracelet's is centred by a 16mm Blue Crystal Bead with Gold accents.

Another stunning creation created with a lovely mix of colours!

S ...... stands for

Stained Glass-Wrought Iron Lantern Hammered Gold

Nonnie60

This beautiful lantern was designed and crafted by Nonnie using the copper foil method with Wissmach Hammered Gold Stained Glass with clear diamond bevels, one in the centre of each of the four sides.

This would be a beautiful lantern to display on a porch, in a window, or even inside your home.

T ...... stands for

Tumbled Marble Series Three

thewildhare

Four beautiful tumbled marble coasters to protect your gorgeous furniture from spills and watermarks! What a thoughtful and lovely gift!

You receive four coasters tied with coordinating ribbon ready for giving - or keeping!

And so you see some items I found from the BBEST Team. Do follow the links on each shop name to see even more wonderful selections created by some very talented members!