weekend distraction: nature in bronze

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I find the line of jewelry by Michael Michaud so compelling–botanically accurate renderings of humble leaves and flowers. What a lovely gift for anyone with an attachment to some particular plant.

I particularly like the wisteria, boxwood, orange blossom, pussy willow, and rosemary pieces. And the herb napkin rings – I don’t even have napkins and I want those. I will get some napkins.

The prices aren’t outrageous (not inexpensive, but not out of reach, especially discounted), and the pieces look so inviting and easy to wear, particularly the earrings and bracelets. The brooches, too, actually, though I typically wouldn’t even consider a brooch. [I’ve included a number of brooch images as they showcase the quality of the casting well.]

The wisteria necklace I find stunning.

Anyone looking to get me a gift, at least, could not go wrong with these.

[images from eBay]

weekend distraction: ikebana

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Ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arrangement, is a great metaphor for personal style, I think. You take natural ingredients and mold them into the desired configuration with the help of scaffolding, highlighting and obscuring different elements as you go, seeking balance and harmony. The end result is a unique, purposeful silhouette, natural yet unnatural, tailored to the flowers themselves as well as the environment.

Also I find them a compelling use of space, when I like them.