Monday's Best is pure Joy

 Joy Handpainted Silks is an Etsy shop jam packed full of color, and texture, and amazing fashion.  Joy is also an active and supportive member of the BESTeam, a group of Etsy artists dedicated to supporting and promoting each other through our blogs and other social media.

I love visiting Joy's shop, she has the most AWESOME silks.  Wanna see?

I had to share 2 pictures of this Teal Swirl Peacock Feather Shawl. I love the flow of the pattern, and the mix of blue and gold of the peacock "eye".  Each scarf (and shawl, and ruana in her shop) is individually hand painted, signed, and numbered, so no 2 will ever be the same.  Now that's a unique fashion statement. 

Joy started painting silk in 1989, and created several different lines throughout the years to celebrate her love of life, and passion for beauty.

Joy has recently added jewelry design to her list of talents.  These Misty Orchid Mother of Pearl earrings are printed with a photographic transfer of an original silk painting.  And this Peacock Feather Shell Pendant has the feather hand painted directly on the shell.  This would also look great with the peacock shawl, don't you think?  Joy was born raised in Pennsylvania, and has also lived in California.  But for the past 23 years she has called Oregon home, with her family.  Joy shares that "painting silk creates a wonderful natural rhythm in our life. The weekly stretching, painting, steaming, prepping, shipping and photography are creative activities that I center my home life around."

I'm going to leave you with a peek at one of my favorite pieces in Joy's shop.  The Sedona Sunset Handpainted Belly Dance Hip Scarf.  While I don't belly dance, this scarf would still look great on me....or you.  You'll find special promos on her facebook page, and you can take a virtual tour of Joy's studio and watch her work on her website.  It's really cool, I've been there. :)  So click on any link to find Joy, and share the Joy with your family and friends.  Right now she is offering a 15% discount if you use the coupon code ETSYXO at checkout.

Etsy / Blog / Facebook / Twitter / Website

Be blessed,

Debbi

A Besteam romance

As I sit here staring at my "blank" screen wishing for inspiration, I glance out the window.  The fog is heavy.  So heavy I can barely see the trees in the yard.  I see something moving, so I squint my eyes.   I move to the couch, closer to the window.  Yes, something definitely moved.  From the stand of trees I see him.  Tall.  Regal.  Dressed in royal robes, this ancient man walks towards me, and I see a flash as the just rising sun catch the silver and jewels on his fingers and wrist.  I am struck dumb.

There on his finger, an ancient coin set in silver, bespeaks of great wealth and high ranking in his society.  Hand hammered silver surrounds this coin, used during the First Jewish Revolt sometime in 66 to 70 A.D.  Is this man a Jew? A high priest perhaps?  Or a centurion?  He walks as one who holds great power.  A Roman! It must be.  Around his arm is this sterling cuff bracelet.  Definitely a powerful Roman.
Wait! What's that behind him?  A woman.  She is tall also, not like the man, but still...

adorning her neck I see this sapphire necklace.  She must be an Egyptian princess.  Is she with this man? Willingly? Or is he her guard?  To protect her, and to keep her from running.  But running from whom?  To where?
Her robes flow behind her as she walks, no, not walks,  she floats, closer and closer.  I can now see the subtle shades of earth and copper in her shibori long silk gown.  Every step, every breeze, and she shimmers.  The man turns towards her and reaches for her.  He cups her delicate chin with his strong hand and tilts her face up.  As he bends closer to her I can see...
a sparkle of silver.  He touches the mother of pearl dangling from her ears...and removes them.  What?  I'm ready to run out and confront this brute when he reaches under his cloak and brings out...
these red hibiscus teardrops.  They not only match the colors of her robe, they also match the shape of the tears flowing down her face.  He gently wipes the tears away and kisses her check.  He is not a brute, but a man in love.  I blink, and they're gone.  I wonder where did they came from, and where did they go?  Do they find happiness together? Or are the destined to travel together through the fog forever?  I may never know.  And I'm not so sure I want to know, let their love story just continue on and remain a mystery.

If you would like to be a part of your own romantic love story, visit these great Etsy Besteam shops and get ready.  The silver jewelry worn by our Roman is hand hammered and created by Irith at Riorita.  You can also find her here:  Blog / Facebook / Twitter / Website. 

The hand painted gorgeous gown and the jewelry worn by our Egyptian princess is created by Joy at Joyflower.  You can also find her here: Blog / Facebook / Twitter / Website. 

If you are an Etsy artisan with a blog, come join the wonderful people here at the BESTeam. 

See y'all tomorrow (hopefully) so until then...be blessed.

Debbi

the best flowers ever!

I don't know about you...but I am so ready for spring, because I know summertime is just around the corner.  The best thing about spring are all the newly budding flowers, so here are some flowers from my BESTeam buddies, and these flowers will never wilt!

Chicky D's is sprouting all over with flowers and colors.  Danielle's newest additions to her craft expertise are pillows, and this Pastel Flowers with Bubbles Pillow is just bursting with spring feeling.  Grab your latest gardening magazine and snuggle this pillow, and you'll soon forget about the snow outside your window.

Etsy / Danizabeth / Blog / Facebook / Twitter

How about some flowers to wear?  Faith from StitchPrincess whips up a wonderful Pink Roses Apron, in addition to many other wonderful clothing items, and shares them with us in her shop.  So when your done with your gardening magazine, grab this apron and your cookbook and whip up some homemade soup and bread.  (Another Besteam member Annie loves to bake bread!)  You'll find Faith here... Etsy / Blog / Facebook 

Look what I found in the Joy's shop, JoyFlower!  Flowers! You will find the most amazing and gorgeous hand painted silk scarfs in this shop.  Joy created this Pink Dogwood Square Scarf to positively explode with spring...I bet if you tried, you could smell spring on this scarf.  Be sure to check out the rest of her items, you won't be disappointed.

Etsy / Blog / Facebook / Flickr

Now if your an Etsy artisan looking for a great team to support and promote you, check out the Besteam.  You'll love us. :)

Debbi