Who doesn't love going out? A night out... away from work... away from kids and to-do lists.... a night with friends or that "special" someone in your life!
You don't have to live by the ocean to dress the part... you can step out in "Coastal Couture" no matter where you are... the only requirement is... you must LOVE the beach!
Check out some fabulous designs from Boardwalk Artisans to get your complete coastal look!!
No matter what time of year... there is always the need to entertain. To share those special moments around the table with those we love. Good company and good food beckons scrumptious dining decor that can be found at The Boardwalk.
We always know how to dress up a table... and the love for the coast can be brought into your home for all to enjoy. Even if you can't hear the waves lapping outside your door... you can cherish these beach inspired treasures on your table all year long! From turkey to tapas - The Boardwalk has you covered!
For most kids…. School has already begun… for the lucky few… they can savor the last days of summer for just a little bit longer.
You can tell fall is in the air… the sun sets earlier… mornings are just crisp enough for a sweatshirt… back yards are more quiet during the day… parks more empty… and streets more crowded in the afternoon. The smell of suntan lotion slowly starts to fade as the aroma of freshly sharpened pencils take its place. In the hall… backpacks now take the place of flip flops and wet towels.
Alarm clocks don the new day instead of a lazy late morning phone call from a friend down the street. Life guards are leaving for college and beaches show little trace that summer was even here…
The lazy, hazy days of summer soon start to fade from our minds…. As the hustle and bustle of school days… schedules… dirty cleats and paper bag lunches move right on in.
Soon… apple pies will be baking… turkeys will be carved and sleigh bells ringing… And summer won’t seem that far away anymore…
Photo From Frank Scallo on Flickr
PS: There is one place you can be sure to find handmade beach inspired goodies all year 'round - The Boardwalk on 1000 Markets.
JULY SUMMER SALE -- Why Not!
Enjoy a little stimulus from Sea Glass Things... treat yourself... stock up for the Holiday season... the time is now!
$20 off items $50-$100 (PRICES ALREADY REFLECT DISCOUNT)
$30 off items over $100 (PRICES ALREADY REFLECT DISCOUNT)
**Flip Flops and newly added Home Good items not included in sale.
Sale ends July 31st, 2009 and applies to only items purchased from my 1000 Markets store and my Etsy shop.
The Boardwalk - on 1000 Markets - welcomes a new artist Shari Curtiss of Beach Grass Cottage!
"Hi, shore lovers~
I'm Shari Curtiss, owner/artist of Beach Grass Cottage, and I admit it-- I am a self-proclaimed beach girl and shore lover! It probably started growing up on a lake in Michigan, being a short drive to the pristine beaches of Lake Michigan. Lots of trips to the beach with friends!
Then, something happened that cemented my love of the sea. My family began vacationing on Anna Maria Island, on Florida's Gulf Coast, and I was officially hooked! My parents bought a condo there and became snowbirds, and I began yearning for my already frequent visits to the shores of AMI. Crossing those bridges was like coming home; still is today.
My mom and I fell into the crazy habit of getting up in the early am, before the sunrise, in the dark, and getting to the beach to "get the big ones" before the other beachcombers arose. My family just shook their heads. Often, our diligence was rewarded, with us bringing home a bounty of gorgeous shells, sea glass, and prizes washed in to the shore. Every day was fueled by the thrill of the hunt! I was hooked on seashells and the sea forever!
Professionally, I have extensive experience in the gift industry, first owning a corporate gift company, then moving on to Beach Grass Cottage. What better way to follow my passions than to use my God given gifts creating beautiful things from the bounty of the ocean! To be able to do something you truly love, and to have the talent for it to actually survive at it, is such a blessing!! Beach Grass Cottage truly was a dream realized through many prayers.
Beach Grass Cottage is located in Portage, Michigan, near the pristine beaches and resort communities of Lake Michigan, home of obsessively devoted beach dwellers, killer sand dunes, casual lakeshore living and the most gorgeous sunsets on the planet! While our main line of products will always be beach glass and seashell decor and gifts, I also have a second business in custom floral design and also dabble in refinishing "junk" antique furniture. I live in Portage, Michigan with my husband and two sons.
~ Shari"
Check out Beach Grass Cottage on 1000 Markets and Shop Now!
Thanks for strolling by The Boardwalk... Where we hope the sun is always shining!
The artists of The Boardwalk wish everyone a safe and happy Holiday weekend!
The picture featured is by Artrussell - "STARFISH AND STRIPES"
"Here comes the sun... and I say it's alright.."
"I am a retired hippie..... livin' the dream of being a creating artist and loving every minute of it. (Actually I am a retired art teacher.) Inspired by the ocean and sky, every day is an adventure on the Texas coast. My philosophy is: Life's a Beach and we may as well jump in and make a splash! I love to design in sterling silver wire. Most of my pieces are inspired by the natural beauty of the ocean and beach. All of the work is designed and hand-made by me.. I make my beads by the lampworking method. This is an ancient process where glass rods are heated until molten, then wrapped around a stainless steel mandrel, which forms the bead. Then the beads are kiln annealed for durability. Other materials such as Thai Silver, Gemstones, Shell, Bone, Leather, & Beach Glass sometimes add to the variety of design. My 2-dimensional work is also inspired by the sea and air. I love to draw and paint fish, mermaids, turtles, dolphins, all kinds of sea and beach creatures. My favorite media are colored pencil, pastels, and watercolors. Life is too short to wear boring jewelry. Jewelry should be FUN!"
Many thanks to Norma for such a great bio! Next week another Boardwalk artist will be featured - so don't forget to stop by!
See more of Norma's work here:
Many thanks to Wendy for such a great bio! Next week another Boardwalk artist will be featured - so don't forget to stop by!
"I'm a native New Englander, having been born and raised in southern Connecticut. My family lived within walking distance of Long Island Sound and I spent the summers of my youth at the beach swimming, playing in the sand, boating and chasing after ice cream vendors. Bliss. Ocean themes have naturally become important additions to my portfolio of paintings.
Art has always been an essential part of my life. After graduating from college with a degree in Interior Design, I was determined to give city life a try. I moved to Boston and after working in the city for a while, I realized that although I'd always love to visit cities, living there was not for me. I tried the Massachusetts suburbs and worked on a visual merchandising team for a major department store chain. The work was varied and creative, but also very physical. I carried more sofas and ladders than I care to remember. In the meantime, I had taught myself to spin and weave and eventually, left my job to pursue my art and craftwork.
The country life began to beckon and I moved to Vermont in the early 1980's. Three children, lots of gardens, and piles of artwork later I still awaken each morning wondering what subject might catch my eye and become the focus for my next painting. My husband and I consider ourselves very fortunate to have found a home on a gem of a lake in this beautiful state.
My motto: There's an artist in each of us. Trust in yourself to let go and create what you need to create."
"I started out my career in 'the arts' in a very different artform. I went to culinary school and became a chef. That kind of life is not for a young family so when I gave birth to my daughter 4 1/2 years ago I 'retired' from the food business.
I needed to do something creative so I signed up to take a class in making jewelry. I found PMC (precious metal clay) and traditional metal shortly after. I love what I do everyday!
I've been featured in a couple books and magazines in the last year and I'm getting very busy. This is much more then I ever dreamed it would be and I'm looking forward to seeing what this year has to bring."
How cool are these finds for the day - wow... to think what you can make out of paper.... the mind wanders. I am in awe when I come across such art... love these vibrant colors!
The light seems to just illuminate like stained glass windows of a church.... little hues of mosaics to make your mouth water... could be on your end table for $175.
"My name is Jess and I have been making soap for almost a year now. I began in our home in Maine, as something to do as a stay at home mom and soap making seemed to fit easily into my schedule with my daughter (I make soap late night after the family is asleep). Now we live in New Jersey and my soaps were an easy thing to transport. It also, although not in the very beginning, makes us some extra money here and there, plus I love it!
My soap ideas came to me immediately. I knew I wanted vegetable based, vegan and environmentally friendly, but to be different and a bit edgy. I knew what I wanted the name to be, how I wanted the packaging to look, the scents, etc. I also wanted to do a men's line, thus, The Salty Dog™ line was created.
I began with 4 different scents in the basics and 6 in the Salty's. Now I have over 40 scents to choose from, available at different times of the year...
My biggest inspiration has been growing up in Maine, my love of the ocean and sea adventures. I feature a sea monster from an old 16th century map as my main logo and paintings by the American artist Howard Pyle on my Salty Dog soaps. I do everything myself, from
measuring, to mixing, pouring, cutting and designing the labels. My standards for quality and perfection border on obsessive-compulsive.
Many thanks to Mary Ellen for such a great bio! Next week another Boardwalk artist will be featured - so don't forget to stop by!
Watercolor is considered a difficult medium by many people. My goal is to create a space in which it happens with grace and ease. My very first art teacher was Margaret Cooper in Rose Hill, North Carolina. I studied oil painting with her from the age of 10 until I went off to college at 17. She gave me an absolute love for the process and an innate color knowledge that has made my path what it is today. I hope that I can pass that on to all my students. 
I have been painting in watercolor for more than thirty years. The medium still holds the same fascination that it held for me the very first time I carefully wet the paper, applied a small amount of color, and instantly blotted it with the tissue clenched in my left hand. My students to this day say that when the left hand goes in my pocket, the painting is going well.
That first watercolor lesson was in 1975 in Charleston, SC. The teacher was Virginia Fouché and I am very fortunate to have known her. She had asked me to help her teach her high school art class macrame and when we finished said "how can I repay you?" I told her that I was having trouble with an acrylic painting I was working on and she invited me to her adult class that night..We gathered in an old building in the old village in Mt Pleasant and painted in oils and acrylic..She told me if I would come to class, she would have me painting all the time...and she did.
When she attended a master class in watercolor at Rangemark in Maine, she returned and taught us all watercolor! Hallelujah! That was my media..and the brushes haven't dried out since. She immediately brought Jeanne Dobie and Christopher Schink and Ralph Smith to Charleston and we received wonderful instruction very early in our watercolor journey. Many of those in that class are among Charleston's premier artists today and I love to go back and see what they are doing...
After 4 years in Charleston, my husband John transferred to Wilmington and I opened a tiny gallery in the Cotton Exchange in 1977. When my son John grew up, we added him to the lease and grew the gallery to include his photography. He became a graphic designer and animator and has become well known online as John W Golden, digital artist.. He has shown me the delights of online marketing where I met Beachy Rustica and have been guided by her to 1000 markets and The Boardwalk. She has been an amazing mentor for me and I would like to thank her for leading me here.
Rolling Along.Very small me Lotus (not beach but still water. )Storm Watchers
The first of Etsy and 1000 Markets Product Reviews has been submitted by Jodie Pastor of Lake Erie Beach Glass. She has sent a wonderful post about handmade artist - Jayne Pierce of zJayne.
" I met Jayne on-line through eBay of all things. We were fellow artists who happen to join a group of artisans specifically creating ACEO (Art Cards Editions & Original) Art work! I was drawn to her art, purchased a few for my own collection, and began asking her questions. She has always been extremely helpful and has become a source of inspiration for me! Let me show you what I mean!
I love the originality that Jayne has put into these copper ACEO art cards! I had to have her do a custom for myself! Thus, THE SNOW KISS became...
...SNOW KISS!Her creativity doesn't stop there, either! My favorite form of art that Jayne created are her altered art dolls! So, another custom was created!
My grandmother Gottsch...
Jayne created three altered art dolls using this original picture. I gave these art dolls to my mother and her two sisters as a unique and special way to remember their mother, my grandmother.
zJayne's altered art dolls have become a signature representation of her art! She is featured in a book: The Vision Board:The Secret to an Extraordinary Lifeby Author Joyce Schwarz Published by Collins Design (Harper Collins) "
Check out Jodie Pastor's (aka: Lake Erie Beach Glass) shops and blog below:
Lake Erie Beach Glass on 1000 Markets
Lake Erie Beach Glass on Art Fire
Thank you Jodie for being the first to send in a product review! Please be sure to also check out the amazing talent behind Lake Erie Beach Glass - Jodie Pastor.
*Personal Product Review and purchase pictures, picture of zJayne sent by Jodie Pastor
I love this time of year... and I start looking forward to it again every late fall... the onset of summer.... the warm sun and sandy shores beckons my sea inspired wearables! All authentic, hand-picked sea glass has been used in delivering these original and one-of-a-kind designs.
Oh heck - these pieces are not just for summer - they are just delightful to use all year long!
Brooke Pickering of Bancroft Studios - and fellow Boston Handmade
member - has become a good friend of mine over the past months. We live a stones throw away from each other on the beautiful North Shore, MA coast in Salem & Marblehead. I first discovered Brooke's work on Etsy - and was so impressed by her workmanship - she just had to join Boston Handmade... and of course she was accepted!
She uses the love for the coast in all of her work - as each collection is "ocean inspired". All pieces are hand poured in a slip cast method, hand painted and hand finished in her Salem, MA studio. Besides her stunning pottery - she does these amazing wall plaques that can be viewed & purchased here!
The following collections can be viewed and purchased directly from wwww.bancroftsudios.com - The Marblehead Collection, The Chesapeake Bay Collection, The Cape Cod Collection, The Blue Star & Green Shell Tableware, The Coral Collection and the Seaweed Collection. The Cape Cod collection particularly takes her a good deal of time with all the detail that goes into the hydrangeas. They all are so different, detailed & vibrant that you can't go wrong with any.
Bancroft Studios deals heavily in wholesale - so if interested drop her a line! Check out Brooke Pickering's work at her following shop locations: wwww.bancroftsudios.com ~ Bancroft Studios on Etsy ~ Bancroft Studios on 1000 Markets.
