catchy titles are too much work

recently (and i need you to expand your definition of "recently" to fit in the past six months or so) i was graciously awarded the arte y pico award by laurie, jennifer, and katarina, plus the kreativ blog award by gail.

i am bad about awards. this is largely due to the numerous rules i must follow to receive and pass on blog awards, when we all know i really can't be bothered with such stuff.

the arte y pico award, though, is my all-time favorite because it's in spanish, and for all i know the spanish-speaking world is playing a colossal prank on the anglophones, and the actual award description translates to something like: neurotic blogger with a flattened tush from sitting too long at the computer, who could really use a rudimentary grasp of the spanish language. if this is the case, the award fits me like a wet suit. (okay, i know, enough with the horrid similes already. sorry.)

generally with these awards i am supposed to (a) post a picture of something and (b) link to something and (c) dole out a prescribed number of awards, but it would be much more fun for everyone involved (or me, at least) if i just told you about a couple of insanely artsy people who make me wish i subscribed to the whole reincarnation thing so i could come back as THEM. (except for that with my luck and track record and all, i'd probably come back as pond scum instead. which would be floaty but also insipidly dull, methinks.)

so. the very first INSANELY ARTSY PEEPS awards go out to:

geeta of pintuck. geeta is the virtuoso behind the babette label; she creates leather jewelry, handmade children's clothing, shoes, and accessories.

we own this delectable leather hair pin which is technically elle's, and which she loves to wear except for when she can't find it because her mother has, ahem, pilfered it.




tonya of tonya joy photography, who captures astounding images. the emotion in her photographs is almost palpable.


ash of in full bloom. her jewels have this vintagey-elegance with a bit of edgy style...magnifique.


my brother's wife, nicki, who shares not only my name but also my love for designing. i wish i had a link for y'all so i could show you her collection of beaded, woven, and wire-wrapped textile jewelry. she's got a flair for color and asymetric style.

here's a necklace she made for me:



jen of deconstructing jen, who makes stunning charcoal portraits, paintings, jewels, chalk drawings, pottery, and apparently everything that manages to be even remotely related to the field of visual arts.


jenn of take a bow. i secretly call her the midas girl, because everything she touches glitters...she's a maven at photography, designing, violin-ing, and best of all, mothering.


my rules are: visit the links. say hi to the artists. take a nap. if you want to work some chocolate in there somewhere, you have my full blessing.

mostly unrelated but funny: so i just happened upon a blog called "chocolate, the other white meat." i do not know this person at all, but she is my new bff. i'm off to let her know.