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!