fantasy art and tree chatter of aquariann

What's better than red glitter on my nails? Red glitter on my Christmas tree! I've been eying Katie Crafts' handmade ornaments since I saw her Santa Cam on Instagram last year. Now that I have Ogre's Grove to stock, I was able to order glittery goods for my fellow geeks to gawk over. Deadpool, Flash, Punisher and Darth Vader ornaments arrived in time to take a set to Ocean City Comic Con this Saturday, Dec. 9 - that is, unless Katie's creations sell out at 129 Union St. in Milton, Delaware first! And we're still days away from Friday, but I am wearing Jamberry's Tinsel Poinsettia design as an accent nail, so I hope you'll linky up some flowers anyway!

I am thankful my readers have still been checking into my hop, despite how inconsistent my blogging has been now that I have a brick and mortar business to grow! It's exciting to have a Fairy Corner in Ogre's Grove to display my handmade trove. The beautiful bracelet I'm wearing with my Thanksgiving manicure is designed by Sarah Artisan Jewelry , who has a mermaid shell necklace and earring set available to buy at 129 Union St. in Milton, Delaware. I'm also getting to share my love of nail art at the Grove! Last month, my friend Janet Stoy came to the shop to demonstrate how to apply Color Street nail polish strips for Halloween. And of course I had to gather up delightful designs for myself. I saved Autumn Harvest to wear until today. I hope your Thanksgiving is stuffed with what you love about life, too!

I am rich in jewelry from Rica Jewels! Mother of Pearl is said to attract prosperity, and not only do I possess the shell earrings I wore last New Year's Eve, but now this pretty pearl pendant . The sterling silver spiral makes the shell shine even more. I feel like a mermaid when wearing the beautiful necklace. Think you're too poor to own a piece of handmade jewelry from Rica Jewels? No way! Swim over to enter Daniela's Turquoise Bracelet Giveaway before December 30, 2015. Disclaimer: I received this free pendant as a thank you gift for hosting a handmade giveaway. If you think your creations would harmonize with my whimsical ramblings, learn how to sponsor a giveaway here .

A beautiful butterfly bracelet migrated all the way from HandeMadeIt's studio in Istanbul to my jewelry collection in Delaware. The unique evil eye design is gold plated and tethered to a shiny chain that measures approximately 6.5 inches. Five neon colors are available, but I chose a bright pink butterfly because October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, is waiting in the wings. Don't let the chance to win 2 evil eye bracelets of choice flutter away from you! Enter Hande's Jewelry Giveaway before September 25, 2015. Disclaimer: I received this free bracelet as a thank you gift for hosting a jewelry giveaway. If you think your creations would harmonize with my whimsical ramblings, learn how to sponsor a giveaway here .

I possess several magic bottles filled with glitter and happy thoughts, thanks to the Life is the Bubbles shop! My favorite, of course, is a pixie dust necklace with a tinkling bell charm inspired by Tinkerbell. For as J.M. Barrie wrote in his Peter Pan novel, "All the world is made of faith, and trust, and pixie dust." Clap your hands if you believe you could win a magical necklace, too! Don't let your chance die. Fly straight on to enter Life is the Bubbles' Jewelry Giveaway before June 10, 2015. Disclaimer: I received this free necklace as a thank you gift for hosting a jewelry giveaway. If you think your creations would harmonize with my whimsical ramblings, learn how to sponsor a giveaway here .

After the orange marigolds in my window box wilted during a surprisingly sweltering spring day, I replaced them with purple calibrachoa flowers and have been doing my best not to let them go thirsty. Considering how much water I drink, you think I'd remember to share with the flowers more often! At least the newest flower in my jewelry collection doesn't need to be watered to survive. Jennifer of WXdruid Chainmail grew the chainmaille flower pendant above by interlocking silver and fuchsia jump rings. Wearing the handmade necklace in sunlight helps the anodized aluminum shine even brighter. Disclaimer: I received this free pendant as a thank you gift for hosting a jewelry giveaway. If you think your handmade creations would harmonize with my whimsical ramblings, learn how to sponsor a giveaway here .

Blue skies smiled at me during my vacation to Williamsburg in early May. But that wasn't the only blue I saw - a beautiful bracelet arrived from Daniela of Rica Jewels just before I left. The discontinued design is similar to the Benachi bracelet above, but I couldn't capture mine on camera nearly as well as her current product photo. If you see a tribal bracelet you want to wear from her jewelry shop, better buy it when you can - styles sell out quickly! The metal bracelets are handmade by Rica Jewels' artisans partners in Nepal. Several, such as mine, are crafted from German silver. The vivid colors come from genuine gemstones. The lapis lazuli and turquoise combination has me floating on cloud nine. Disclaimer: I received this free bracelet as a thank you gift for hosting a handmade giveaway. If you think your creations would harmonize with my whimsical ramblings, learn how to sponsor a giveaway here .

Look at the pretty peacock mandala tapestry that strutted into my yard just in time for summer season! Real peacocks only drift short distances into the air, but this beautiful beach blanket flew all the way from the Tapestries Home studio in India. Despite the double bedspread measuring a whopping 84 x 94 inches, the 100% cotton fabric folds up nicely to fit in a beach bag. My town is starting its annual free summer concert nights at the end of May and this lightweight blanket will be perfect to carry on the walk to the park. Are you also looking forward to spending more time outdoors? You could win this same Indian print in a single bedspread size ... or choose from dozens of other 54" x 85" designs! But you better move your tail feathers fast and enter to win Tapestries Home's Handmade Giveaway before May 20, 2015. Disclaimer: I received this free blanket as a thank you gift for hosting a handmade giveaway. If you think your creations would harmonize with my w...

I constantly doodled eyes in my notebooks when bored in school. The windows to the soul are still the first things I draw when starting a fairy, even though I'm fully aware that if I heeded my Drawing 101 teacher's instructions and sketched body shapes first, my figures would look more anatomically correct. But I can't help it! I'm just drawn to eyes. The shape of my engagement ring even resembles an eye. Imagine my excitement when Milan of SNiS Leather Good offered to send me his beautiful Agnes bracelet in navy blue! I can't stop staring at it. The handmade bracelet is crafted from 100% natural leather. Every piece is cut and carved by hand, so even though any of you can also order the same design, each one will be slightly different. Same goes with all his unique leather creations. He's even giving away a leather tulip wallet for free. (You may need to rub your eyes to make sure you read that right.) Just follow the Rafflecopter instructions on his H...

If you liked my sunset photograph from last Wordless Wednesday, you're going to love the newest addition to my jewelry collection! Renae (aka Mademoiselle Mermaid) and I may have moved to opposite sides of the country after becoming fast friends at college, but we enjoy photographing similar subjects. When she offered to send me one of the new nature photo pendants she's selling on Etsy, I chose her Santa Monica Sunset necklace as a memento of the beautiful beaches I saw when visiting her in California. She has several flower photo necklaces that were tempting to pick, too! And one lucky reader can pluck one from her whimsical garden for free. Just travel to the Jewelry Giveaway I'm hosting for her and follow the Rafflecopter instructions to enter to win before April 5, 2015.

Today's surprising snow turned the trees whiter than they've been all year! As beautiful as the winter wonderland looks outside my window, I am ready for sunshine to melt a passage to spring. Sure, my burning bush won't look as cool without its frozen leaves I shared yesterday. But I have a gorgeous set of white and silver leaf ornaments by Andrea of Beadmask that won't ever lose its luster of winter magic, even on the hottest summer day. Each hand-carved leather leaf was painted in white or silver, then sealed with a protective top coat and dusted with silver glitter. They hang from organdy ribbon ties, looped through a wire-wrapped swirl. Andrea even added vintage Swarovski crystals to the silver leaves for a super sparkly touch! Disclaimer: I received a free ornament set as a thank you gift for hosting a jewelry giveaway. If you think your creations would harmonize with my whimsical ramblings, learn how to sponsor a giveaway here .

I rarely make New Year's resolutions, but this year I am determined to harmonize my home. First on my list is organizing my jewelry collection. 2014 marked my fifth year of hosting and entering giveaways, so I've collected quite a bit of bling for free. The last (but not least) addition to arrive before the new year was these magnificent Mother of Pearl earrings by Rica Jewels . I'm taking the arrival as a good sign for 2015, because Mother of Pearl is said to attract prosperity. The shiny shell earrings certainly made me feel like a million bucks when I wore them on New Year's Eve! But I'm not bogarting all the good fortune to myself. One of my readers will win another pair of Mother of Pearl earrings from Rica Jewels. Don't miss your chance to enter Jewelry Giveaway before January 10, 2015. Disclaimer: I received these free earrings as a thank you gift for hosting a jewelry giveaway. If you think your creations would harmonize with my whimsical rambli...

I must have been very good this year, because Christmas came early! A pair of dazzling druzy earrings arrived from the north - no, not Santa's workshop at the North Pole. They were created in the Alison Storry Jewelry studio in Massachusetts. Alison's design combines two of my favorite things - bling and blooms! Photos don't do justice to how sparkly her druzy jewelry is in person - it's difficult to disengage my gaze from the glittering titanium druzies. They're bezel set in gold vermeil and dangle from silver orchid flowers. As Sam the Snowman from Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer sings, "Everyone wishes for silver and gold." My wish came true this holiday season. Disclaimer: I received these free earrings as a thank you gift for hosting a jewelry giveaway. If you think your creations would harmonize with my whimsical ramblings, learn how to sponsor a giveaway here .

Ever wonder how far a fallen leaf travels from its tree? A pretty pair of leaf earrings made a journey all the way from Georgia to land in my mailbox. Now they're hanging from my ears, thanks to Trinkets by Dana . They're the longest dangle earrings I've ever owned, measuring almost 5 inches. However, the boho design is so lightweight that I feel like I'm wearing real leaves instead of bronze charms attached to a matching antique brass tone chain. The clear faceted beads complete the elegant look with a subtle sparkle. My leaf jewelry collection is definitely piling up! If you also want a memento of autumn to gaze at during other seasons, don't forget to enter Dana's Jewelry Giveaway before December 15, 2014. The winner will receive an elk necklace and a fall leaves photo print. Disclaimer: I received these free earrings as a thank you gift for hosting a jewelry giveaway. If you think your creations would harmonize with my whimsical ramblings, learn how...

Labor Day has clocked out and unofficially ended summer. With less tourists to wriggle into my view, it's time to return to the beach and watch for mermaids. The sunshine sparkling off my golden bangle bracelet from The Indian Bazaar just might lure them closer. The velvet and lurex lace pattern is reminiscent of fish scales and would match any mermaid's tail swimmingly. Even if serenaded by a siren song, I wouldn't part with my golden metal bracelet. But don't shed a mermaid tear! Not only are there other colors available in this vintage bracelet style, but you still have a chance to win a wrap bracelet by entering Vishruti's Jewelry Giveaway before September 10, 2014. Disclaimer: I received this free bracelet as a thank you gift for hosting a jewelry giveaway. If you think your creations would harmonize with my whimsical ramblings, learn how to sponsor a giveaway here .

Summer is ending and before you know it, the leaves will burst into fiery colors. Even after they fall and crinkle away, my new leaf necklace will remain gloriously green as a welcome reminder of warmer seasons. A balmy breeze carried the Evenstar pendant all the way from Shealynn's Faerie Shoppe . Shaylynn's design is her twist on Arwen's necklace in The Lord of the Rings movies . She uses wire to carefully form five Czech glass beads around a Swarovski pearl and finishes it with a leaf bead dangle. Custom jewelry is even available, where the customer can choose colors and extra Swarovski crystal dangles. Elo! (According to an Elvish dictionary, that means wow :) Disclaimer: I received this free necklace as a thank you gift for hosting a jewelry giveaway. If you think your creations would harmonize with my whimsical ramblings, learn how to sponsor a giveaway here .

Does it make me a vampire if I like the smell of dragon's blood? Although the masculine scent is pleasant, I'm certainly not tempted to drink Joie Joelle Creations' room spray . And don't worry, no dragons were harmed to hand make the aromatherapy product. The mist might protect my home from angry beasts, though - it can be used like a sage spray to banish negativity. I spritzed it on my curtains to increase the positive energy throughout my lair. Room sprays are a great alternative to incense and wax tarts, if lighting them is too dangerous in your environment. However, if you have a dragon's heart and are a fan of fire, don't miss your chance to enter Joelle's candle giveaway to win sweet midsummer night's dreams before July 10, 2014! Disclaimer: I received this free spray as a thank you gift for hosting a candle giveaway. If you think your creations would harmonize with my whimsical ramblings, learn how to sponsor a giveaway here .

I've been scouting the hydrangea bushes as they slowly sprout leaves this spring. There's still not a flower bud to be seen, but I don't have to wait any longer to enjoy the pretty petals. A beautiful blue hydrangea bangle bracelet bloomed in my handmade jewelry collection, thanks to Sarah of Modern Flower Child . I almost floated away like a dandelion seed when the flower bracelet arrived. Sliding it on my wrist didn't even weigh me down! Although her Etsy listings describe her crystal clear resin jewelry as lightweight, I was still surprised how light it was for such a chunky fashion bangle. Want to grow a real flower bracelet for free in your own summer wardrobe? Make sure you plant your entries in Sarah's jewelry giveaway before June 5, 2014! Disclaimer: I received this free bracelet as a thank you gift for hosting a jewelry giveaway. If you think your creations would harmonize with my whimsical ramblings, learn how to sponsor a giveaway here .

As soon as Natalia told me she mailed me a piece of her handmade jewelry, my imagination got wrapped up in what it would look like. She offers such a ravishing range of unique designs in her Vancouver jewellery shop . When the smoky quartz pendant arrived, my daydreaming didn't stop. Now I'm fantasizing about autumn adventures as the sun sleeps. The black and orange wire combination reminds me of Halloween, my favorite holiday. The faceted focal bead shines in the light like the Hunter's Moon. But I won't be waiting that long to string it upon a black ribbon and wear the wire-wrapped pendant around my throat. This weekend is Maryland Faerie Festival and the necklace will be perfect with my black fairy wings. Disclaimer: I received this free pendant as a thank you gift for hosting a jewelry giveaway. If you think your handmade creations would harmonize with my whimsical ramblings, learn how to sponsor a giveaway here .

I grew up in a tiny town where I could walk to the beach. One of my first summer jobs was at a sea shell shop, where I was stunned tourists would stand in line to buy Beanie Babies instead of the stunning spiral shells. That commercial craze was just a hiccup in time, but the beauty of nautilus shells and their ancestors' fossils endures. From the moment Daniela of Rica Jewels asked me to host her ammonite jewelry giveaway, I became fascinated with ammonite history and mythology. I almost dropped extinct when an awesome ammonite pendant arrived unexpectedly. I can barely fathom what the world was like millions of years ago when the marine invertebrate animal existed and yet, I can wear its memory around my neck on a routine 21st-century day! Ammonites are believed to provide insight into the bigger picture. Hopefully wearing the sterling silver necklace will remind me to step back when I get discouraged by details, especially when drawing. Something small might seem like the ...