a new find

In doing a bit of "research" I stumbled across the site for a must-visit store in Philadelphia called Material Culture. They sell special hand-made things from around the world...most of which I am now coveting:

Love this indigo:

C'est chic, l'Afrique....mud cloth:

To add to my vessel collection: how pretty are these Syrian copper pots? I'd fill them with water and float candles or gardenias by the front door...

I'm making neutral slipcovers right now, but I always like bright colors against muted ones. I also love the fringe-y elements on these:

And finally, for the garden!

Such a celebration of art & craft...I hope I can make a trip out to visit in person sometime.

the baroquest of baroque pearls

These beauties are in the permanent collection of the Met. I wish I had better photos, but I haven't seen them there since this visit in probably 2007. Maybe they've been moved, or they're hiding out in the dark someplace in storage now? I never really cared much for pearls until I saw these, but now baroque pearls have a special place in my heart.

While looking for better images on their site, I did come across this sweet piece at the Cloisters:

The letters across the bottom spell "amor", and according to the museum, "It could have been worn as either a pendant or a brooch, and in portraits of young women, many similar jewels are seen in their hair or at the shoulder or neck."

(Found here.)