Friday, November 23, 2012

A Bit of a Break

Last week I was so thankful to take a little break and travel to Phoenix for 5 days with my dear friend Sandra.

It was the perfect trip to re-energize in the sunshine and warmth of the desert.  We did lots of hiking and walking (and a little shopping!)
I thought I'd share some photos from a wonderful day we spent at a huge outdoor flea market as well as a studio tour in the Sonoran Hills north of Cave Creek.  Lucky for me, Sandra discovered these events and suggested we check them out.  It was the perfect day!

[Shocking fact:  all of these photographs came straight off my little old Canon point n shoot....no Photoshop at all!]
Isn't this the best name for a vintage flea market?  "The Big Heep"










Live Music!




License plate signs...so cool!


Garden Lollipop flowers made from vintage glassware

Benches made from truck parts

I hope this Humpty doesn't fall...he is in great shape!







And now onto the Art studio tour...we drove from studio to studio using a guide map and enjoyed viewing an amazing assortment of art:  watercolour, oil, acrylic, mixed media, metal, jewellery, glass...
Honestly, that day the landscape itself was a work of art!  On the road....





My tour guide and event planner:  Sandra







I was fascinated by the work of this gourd artist, who carves and paints gourds.

Here is her starting point....plain old gourds.

...and the end result.  WOW.




Outdoor metal sculpture

Jewelry designed with glass...and some other incredible technique I'd never heard about involving metal.




Even the studios themselves had elements of beauty.

Love this rusty bucket hanging light!


Isn't this creative space wonderful?



Even shopping at Macy's the next day was inspiring...


I hope you enjoyed this glimpse into my trip. I know I am inspired by everything I saw and can't wait to get back into my own studio!







21 comments:

  1. Awesome sites! Definitely inspirational!

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  2. The photos are amazing! So many cool things to see. It must have been fantastic in real. I'm jealous of your great get away. I could use one about now! lol!

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  3. Thank you for sharing your day. So many neat items. I love the painted gourds best.

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  4. Wow...so much eye candy! Looks like an amazing trip!

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  5. You came across some fabulous stuff! I wish I could take some of it home!!

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  6. Wow..what a trip. Looks like you and Sandra had a wonderful time away. I love all the photos. So many fabulous items. I'm so jealous...I would love to see something like that! Now..the big question is...how much did you bring home??? So many wonderful ideas. I'm thinking I need to re-do my studio now, lol. Thanks so much for sharing your trip !

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  7. glad you had a great trip...love the photos :)

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  8. I would love to have the tailgate bench, The Lollipop glassware, and the Bliss Lounge!!! How wonderful.

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  9. these pictures just make me drool!!!!!!!! LOVE!!!!!!! I want to go to that flea market!!!

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  10. And when am I booking my flight???? I'll have a couple of those birdhouses, that gorgeous wire star and about twenty other gorgeous things from your pics. Soooo jealous Kelly! Looks like a fab trip..bravo to Sandra for scouting all this out!

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  11. oh ya...and I can't BELIEVE your little old point and shoot took all those awesome photos!!!

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  12. What fun, Kelly! So glad you two had a nice little break before the Christmas Rush.

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  13. Love the picture of the cacti and beautiful sky!

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  14. Kelly, what a fabulous way to recharge/rev-up your creativity! Such wonderful photos...glad you had a great time!

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  15. Kelly, what a fabulous way to recharge/rev-up your creativity! Such wonderful photos...glad you had a great time!

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  16. WOW! That looks like the BEST flea market ever! Love your pictures, was great catching up today! :-)

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  17. Wow, gorgeous pics Kelly!! Love that first one with the beautiful sky! That's so amazing - and no Photoshop!! Thanks for sharing your trip with us, very cool.

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  18. Great photos Kelly! It looks like it was a blast. Happy for you that you could get away for some R & R.

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  19. Wow, wow,wow, looks like you had fun, love the pictures, thanks for sharing your holiday memories x

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  20. Awesome photos. What a fun trip that must have been! LOVE the garden lollipop flowers made from the glassware and the creative remaking of the license plates. And the sky on the drive, wow!

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