*Bewitching* Brew....

...Magical Potion...Enchanting Elixir...Intoxicating Infusion...Liquid Wisdom; that restorative wonder and general cure-all, liquid bliss and inspiration; a cup of TeA.

Loving tea as I do (and collecting teapots!), it's become a frequent subject in the studio, painting as I sip whatever brew strikes my fancy that day, perfectly content with every moment of the process. I can't put my finger on it, but there's something very Zen about the combination of tea and art, a sort of calm that washes over you, kind of like what happens when you sit down with a cup of tea and a good book. ;)

C.S. Lewis famously said "You can never have a cup of tea large enough, or a book long enough to suit me."

I ♥ that.

But I'm getting off track here...Aside from extolling the virtues and wonders of tea, I want to share what I've been up to all week. Well, half of it anyway.

This is a hand made, birch wood tea chest in it's original state, straight from the woodworker. So many possibilities, but of course, the one that leaps to mind is something illustrating the *magic* it contains. A black cat, a witchy little mouse, a *magical* Halloween tea set, and cupcakes that make you want to steal a bite or two...

And inside, room for boxes and boxes of your favorite brew. I'm running a tad low on teabags myself, or I would have added more for the photograph. Guess it's time to restock.

I'll be listing this one on Etsy tonight, where it can be directly purchased (I'm really loving that people don't have to jump through eBay hoops to get my pieces any more) and I was also thinking it would be fun to offer personalization on the inside of the lid - a name, a date, a quote - whatever makes it special. ♥

I think it would be perfect for a Witch's Tea Party - or even a tea party for one...

This was my very own solo party last October.

Which reminds me - veering off topic a bit here, but I have to tell you, there's a Practical Magic blog party coming soon! If you scroll down on the right sidebar, you'll see the banner, which will lead you to the hostess' blog, details, etc. As soon as I heard about it, I was IN! Can never have enough Practical Magic. ;)

Are you still with me? I know I ramble sometimes. At least, that's what John says ("Does this story have a POINT?")

Sometimes, hehe. ;)

Anyway, I'll be back soon with more new work. Things can get a little crazy this time of year as I divide my time between work for sale, work for the Ghoultide Gathering, and commissions. (Sleep is soooooo overrated, ha!)

Wishing you days of magic and bliss as summer draws to a close, and the first traces of autumn appear. I'll leave you with this video of one of my favorite folky autumn songs...



Until next time,
♥ Carolee

Flying In Quickly....

Things are a bit crazed here at the moment - ankle injury, part of the roof blown off (yep, again!) and a major snowstorm approaching, so a moment is all I have....But I couldn't resist popping in to share the latest piece, listed now on eBay....


"Merlin's Moonlight Tea", a whimsical chest for tea or coffee discs.

One of these days I'm painting one of these for myself, and KEEPING it here....But for now, there's a roof to be fixed, so I'll send it off happily, and throw in a couple of my favorite lemon ginger teabags. (Stash - sooooo good!)


I'm off now to batten down the hatches, but I'll be back very soon to share more whimsy from the studio...

Until then! :)
♥ Carolee

Of Quiet Snow and Possibility...

Have you ever experienced a snowfall that seems like pure magic?

There was just such a snowfall last night...

We'd heard the predictions, but errands (shipping to be precise) wouldn't wait, so off we went in the little Beetle. We made it to the post office, thankful it was still clear, and decided to stop by the market for provisions our way home. Mission accomplished, we wheeled the shopping cart out of the store just as the snow began. Not a heavy and wet snow, but fine and sparkling, making it seem as though the faeries had dusted the evening in glitter.

I'm VERY bad about remembering to take my camera when I go out, so can't show you photos, but trust me, it was truly beautiful. We made it home down country roads with no problem and safely home, settled in to watch this movie. (If you haven't seen it, you really must!)

This morning, we awakened very early to find everything blanketed in white. Although it's only a couple of inches, you can barely see the pond...

And this old birdhouse looks covered in fluffy cotton...

I think snow takes on a magical quality when it's pin-drop quiet, and for some reason is WAS this morning; where we usually hear the neighbors out shoveling veeeerrrrrry early, chickadees were the only sound. Alas, one of us had to go do the eight to five thing....but the OTHER one of us gets to make a pot of tea, light a few candles, and soak up all this beauty as she paints and contemplates the endless possibilty this artful life presents. Today, it's a tea chest with a magical moonlight tea party (I'll share more photos when it's finished!)

Tomorrow, who knows. I have this amazing stash of wood taking up half the living room at the moment, so you can see what I mean when I say endless possibility, hehe...


And as if all this isn't enough to inspire, a very dear cyber friend just contacted me this morning about a possible collaboration. More on this later, but I'm VERY excited. :)

Oh - and I almost forgot! The winner to the "Collector Love" giveaway (scroll back to the December posts) is Barbara, a truly wonderful collector from an island in the pacific northwest, which just happens to be one island away from where my Mother grew up - how cool is that? Congrats, Barbara - I'll send the black cat Valentine box on it's way very soon!

Finally, Thanks very much to everyone who visited the grand opening of the new EHAG Emporium! Many items have already sold, but my apothecary chest and few others are still up for grabs, so if you haven't already, please do take a peek. :)

That's about it for now...I'm off to savor that morning tea now, and turn some of this possibility into reality. Wishing you a day of the same!

Blessings,
♥ Carolee

Still Immersed in Wonderland....

Well, the Mad Tea Party was (I mean IS!) soooooooo much fun, I just had to paint it....

These hand made wooden tea chests are one of my absolute favorite things to paint, but this is the very last one! The wonderful artisan who designed these is no longer making them. Needless to say, I wanted to make this last one truly special....

It took DAYS and DAYS to paint all the detail, and to be honest, I toyed with the idea of keeping it here (especially since I LOVE the Mad Tea Party theme)- but sell it I must....

It's listed now on eBay, with a buy it now option. :)

I'm still visiting all the Mad Tea Partiers, although at the rate I'm going, it may take the rest of the week, hehe! Many thanks to everyone who's dropped by my little party the last couple of days - I do hope to reciprocate!

That's about it for tonight...It's shaping up to be a busy week, so stay tuned for more wicked and whimsical art....

Until next time,
♥ Carolee

The King of Mice and Queen of Painting Attend a Mad Tea Party!

Sound the trumpets, throw the confetti, raise the banners, release the balloons and begin the drumroll, please.....

Today's the day for the fabulous Miss Vanessa Valencia's "Mad Tea Party"!

For those of you not familiar, this year makes it officially an annual event; a magical cyber tea-party of sorts, where just like Alice, you can "begin at the beginning and go on until you come to the end: then stop." :)

Just click here, and you'll be magically transported to Wonderland (the beginning) and make your way from there to visit all the other Mad Tea Partiers, including yours truly!

The King of Mice and I had our own little Mad Tea Party this morning, attended by the White Rabbit in the form of a teapot. Three white rabbits if you count the sugar and creamer...

Don't the cupcakes look yummy?! They're French vanilla, with real vanilla beans and homemade buttercream icing. I topped them with sprinkles galore and sugared black raspberries....

The tea is called "Happiness", and was very kindly sent to me by a wonderful collector who makes these delicious blends herself - soooooooooooooo good! If you'd like to try some, you can visit her at Magical Momentz (I ♥ the Flower Power blend!)

And while we're on the subject of tea, isn't it absolutely liquid magic??!! I adore tea, and think there are very few day to day troubles that can't be assuaged by a deep breath and a cup of hot tea. Pure magic. ;)

I'll be spending the weekend "visiting" with the other Tea Partiers, as I put the details on an Alice inspired tea chest....

It's the very last one I have, and I've been saving it for something special. The piece itself is beautifully made by a local artisan. I love the brass piano hinge at the back. A little sketch, a little paint, and it's transformed....



Oh!! And silly me - in all the excitement, I nearly forgot. I have a little Alice in Wonderland inspired giveaway to share! Just a little trinket - a purple glass bottle, bejeweled and labeled "Drink Me". Fun, yes?! All you have to do to enter is leave a comment here, and if you're a blog follower (very easy to sign up), you'll be entered twice. Easy-peasy. I'll draw a name next Saturday morning. :)

Off I go visiting now, running as late as the White Rabbit.....

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(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`• ~ Carolee