Friday Favorite: Art & Photos by Marc Loret

I can’t remember how I came across Marc Loret, but I was immediately attracted to his photography. Let’s take a peek.

Marco lives and works in France where he pursues his two passions: photography and nature. Many of his photos are of the natural world. He sells his work at his Etsy shop. Standard size prints are 6″ x 6″ and sell for $9.00. You can order larger prints as well.

I suggest buying several and grouping them. Buy three – one in a larger size and two in the same. Mat and frame them and you’ve got a lovely wall.

When Marc isn’t taking photos, he’s creating his own illustrations on vintage books.

You can find these at his other Etsy shop. Most prints sell for about $10.50.

Creative Gifts Using Moo Cards

Have you discovered Moo Cards? I use them as business cards – everyone asks where I got them. They’re inexpensive and, best of all, you can upload your own images. Order 100 cards and each one can be different, or all the same. There are so many creative uses for them and here’s one I especially admire.

Artist, Luisa Vidal makes bookmarks and magnets which she sells at her Etsy Shop, Fashion Fuschia. Cute!

She also makes note cards and buttons featuring her very appealing illustrations. I thought you’d enjoy this little peek at her work.

A Look at Paul Scott’s Work

Paul Scott is a freelance artist of the supreme sort. He uses vintage ceramic motifs and book illustrations to create ceramics artwork that I drool over. Did I mention that I love his work?

He recently updated his blog with more images, like this plate, from a recent show at R??rstrand, entitled Cumbrian Blues.

I love those cut-outs. I need that platter! And I’m tapping my toes with impatience. When will someone sign him up to create an entire set of china? Christmas is just around the corner, after all.

I love the way that Paul puts a modern twist with these traditional forms. And I like the way he’s moved beyond the expected china to create his cut-outs. Having said that, I still think he needs his own line of china. Don’t you?

Perhaps Paul is more interested in tempting us with single designs. I’ll have to ask him and let you know. In the meantime, scoot on over to his blog and enjoy the eye candy. Sigh.

This just in! Paul says R??rstrand has expressed interest in a line of limited edition pieces. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that this moves froward. Aren’t you?

Poppytalk Handmade Marketplace opens

Each Tuesday I try my best to focus on handmade goods for the home. So it was perfect timing that today Poppytalk Handmade opened their Marketplace. This is the place to go for everything handmade, with a few vintage things thrown in. Affordable art, accessories, furniture, and photography are just a few of the categories to choose from.

As an interior designer, this shop is a very welcome and much-needed addition to my resource list. My clients who want me to style their home are typically looking for that one-of-a-kind item, that something no one else has. If I can find it at a good price it’s even more valuable.

Collecting: Folkart and Vintage Toys

The Hollands have spent many a year collecting their ecclectic mix of folkart, fine art as well as vintage and not so vintage toys. They were kind enough to send me some photos of just a few rooms of their Baltimore apartment where the collection resides. Let’s take a peek.

An antique medicine cabinet has become the home of a wide variety of Star Wars figurines, and other toys from decades gone by.

Here’s a close-up looks at just some of the residents. I like Pebbles and Felix.

Here’s a view (without the window) of one wall in a little study. Not such a great photo, but you get the idea of how well a mix of folkart can be displayed. It looks higgeldy piggeldy, but somehow it works.

I love this rather artistic shot. The mirror reflects the art on the opposite wall. Not an inch to spare.

Should I say it again? Somehow it works. I would rearrange a bit, but once you get started, you just can’t stop. That Hot Tamale Train is passing through.

Finally, the Hollands (Annie is the big collector of the two) say “thank you” with a little star below yet another shelf of miniature collectibles.

Do you have a collection to show the world? Send your photos my way via the “contact” link. What do you think of this collection? I don’t want to think about dusting it. But it’s a lot of fun to look at.