Valentine Cat

Just in time for Valentines Day, I found this whimsical wooden cat decoration at Goodwill. When you pull on the string, hearts and a kitten pop up from behind. It was handmade; it is signed on the back and dated 1983, but I haven't been able to find any information about the artist.

Brass Creamer & Sugarbowl

I'm trying to think if I know anybody else who ever uses a creamer and sugar bowl...can't think of anyone. But I bet if they had a pretty brass set like this, they would. What is it that makes art nouveau design so appealing? This set practically screamed from the shelf that it was far too elegant and special to be at the thrift store.

Fairy Flower Vase

Someday I am intending to create a tiny hidden fairy garden in the woods, so I always keep my eye out for inspiration. Last weekend I found this little 3 1/2-inch tall fairy vase at Goodwill. The porcelain vase is quite heavy and rather innocent; it seems like somebody's lovingly handmade creation. I especially like that the vase is a robin's egg. This vase would be perfect for a bouquet of lily-of-the-valley.

Cat's Meow Canisters

The daughters are home for the holidays and yesterday, while most of the world was shopping for after Xmas deals at the mall, we went to thrift stores. Both girls found some great items to update their wardrobes (hmmm, can it be called "updating" if the things are old?) Sara also scored with this groovy metal canister set. She plans to store colored pencils, markers and other art supplies in them rather than flour, sugar, coffee and tea.

Riddle of the Sphinx

This little carved granite cat head is a bit smaller than a baseball. It has a sort of sphinx-like Egyptian character, I think, but it's another mysterious Goodwill treasure of unknown origin.

Fishface

Found this whimsical, dreamlike ceramic mask at a consignment store the other night while waiting for Rog to get off work. It is signed "Sara Morris, 1987." I did a Google search and found a ceramic artist who does lovely animal-themed work in clay, named Sara Morris Swetcharnik. I sent her this photo and asked if it was one of her older pieces, but no. Still a mystery.

S & P

These funny salt and pepper shakers remind me of the two pigs Sara raised last summer, Freckles and Destroyer. They are unusually big for salt and pepper shakers- each about the size of a softball. Another great Goodwill find!