Hawks in Jackson Heights

Look who was outside our window this morning!
I had to wake up early today, and was very excited to see a hawk twelve feet from our window chomping on (what used to be) a pigeon.  He hung out for a while while we took pictures, but then looked warily at us, and as soon as the cats saw him and started chirping (yes, they do that) he took his meal and flew down the road.  Which was a good thing, because I needed to stop staring and get ready for work. Hopefully he'll be here to stay--there's certainly a large enough food supply!

Encased in Ice

I am fascinated by the ice covering every available surface. The trees are so beautiful, but I still have no desire to go back outside!  Mason doesn't like the weather; he slipped and fell while walking down the street.  It was adorably pitiful, but now he's warm, sleeping by the space heater. The cats are also fighting for my lap. 

Snowpocalypse, Part II

I liked this snowstorm because there was no wind, so all of the snow built up on the tree branches, or wherever it fell.   It makes for an ethereal wonderland!

The above photo is our car.  Needless to say, we won't be driving anywhere anytime soon!

Snow Clouds

Some close up pictures of the snow we had last night. It seems the world is back to normal, the predictions far exceed the actual snowfall (apparently there was a 100% chance of snow until 7pm today, even though the sun was out most of the day).  I like them because they look like clouds in the sky.

Blizzard

Last night every single car that drove down our street got stuck in the snow.  It was a constant chorus of spinning tires and gusting wind until an ambulette got stuck down the block and then no one could get through. There are still abandoned cars on every block; some halfway parked, others in the middle of the street, and I haven't seen a snowplow yet.  I don't think they can get through.  It definitely makes for a surreal winter wonderland!

Four

Four cups of tea

Five

Five days, five silver spoons--one of my favorites.

Six days left

Six days left: six pearls.  These were fun to photograph!

Seven

Seven days left: seven silver rings

9 days left

9 glass bottles

10 buttons

Ten Days left: 10 buttons (my favorite is the glass crystal one, and the copper one, and...oh, I like them all)

11 Keys

Eleven Days: 11 keys

Last chance!

Tonight! finish your Christmas shopping here!

Visit the pop-up shop today from 4 pm to 9 pm at 350 Bowery, between Great Jones and East 4th St. Each day this week there will be 11 vendors from 4-9 pm (perfect after work shopping hours).  We'll be there tonight (wednesday) only, so come see us!

And don't forget to enter our giveaway on the Function Key!  Today is your last chance!

12 Twigs

Twelve days until Christmas: 12 twigs

I'm counting down the last 12 days before Christmas with objects that inspire me. Enjoy!

Success!

The Bust Craftacular was a success--Even though it was a miserable, cold and rainy day, many people braved the line to come and see what people had to sell.  We had fun, and the vendors were fabulous--I had a lot of fun shopping and browsing.

Some of my favorites were :

a.s.i.s.

She makes crochet chain necklaces--but with cashmere, netted crochet stones, and silk blouses with doilies on them!  I wanted to buy one of her shirts, but they were sold out.  And she bought crochet bottles form us.  I love the crochet stone necklaces--I was looking at her shop and was falling in love with so many things! I'm visiting her at the Brooklyn Flea to get a shirt, and I am so, so excited.

Georgia Varidakis Jewelry

The gals at this booth were great. I bought a ring from them, and they came by us to visit for a while. She had some fabulous bunny necklaces and earrings, too!  I love my ring.  It's carved to look like a twig (hmm. . . surprising I would like something of that nature...) and then cast in sterling silver. I like it because it works with my other stack, too.

KG + AB porcelain
I bought some cast porcelain nuts and another gift for someone who may or may not be reading this. But I love my nuts!  Perfect little objects.

We also have one more event this season: Bust has partnered with Hendricks Gin to put on a pop up shop this week and we'll be participating in the show tomorrow evening.

It's at 350 Bowery, between Great Jones & East 4th St. and it runs from 4pm until 9pm.  It may be your last chance to get some cool new things before Christmas--so come visit us!

3rd Ward

The 3rd Ward holiday craft fair was great!  Sadly, were tucked away in the corner, but we still made out well--look how crowded it was!  And don't forget that the Bust Craftacular is this Sunday!  (don't worry, we'll remind you again before the week is out)

Snow Trees

I got back from Arizona and it turned into a winter wonderland here. I love the snow trees.  Now it's sunny and all the snow is melting--but there are icicles everywhere! 

This is an ivy-covered tree:

Some of these trees are the same as the ones in this post. Check it out if you are so inclined.

Studio Space

This is where we work:

we've given up having a proper living room with a couch, television and coffee table in lieu of having a studio. I love it. It means that our bed is a loft bed and our couch is a small one that fits underneath. It works well and it's a worthwhile sacrifice in order to have an actual dedicated workspace.

Lock made a long table out of a door, and I found a sewing table on the side of the street. They fit next to each other perfectly in the room. I am in love with the door table. It's bracketed onto the wall on one side and has a custom built leg on the other. It's a great workspace.

The cats like to watch birds outside of the window. And then they make c-c-caah-cah-c-c-c sounds.
And of course there's lots of places to hang half made necklaces and other doo-dads.

The other half of the room goes to Justin, which I guess is OK. Except that he needs to use his half more often. That's his painting on the left. The bookshelf/cabinet is from Ikea and is fantastic. We also have a space heater, which the cats and Mason love.

Trees

I've been photographing the trees in the neighborhood when I walk in the morning. I remember moving in to our house and being amazed at how many trees are growing along the streets--There weren't supposed to be trees in New York, but we live in Jackson Heights: the 'garden city.' All of the gardens are behind locked gates, but we still get to enjoy the trees:

This one has lichen growing up the trunk.

And this one has ivy.

This one's in an off-limits-to-the-public garden.

(but we still get to peek)

I love this photo because the Coned Guy was

talking on his cell phone and looked really bored.

The trees here are magnificent--And all the rain we've gotten this year has made for an explosion of moss and lichen all over their trunks. I tend to walk the same way every day because there are so many beautiful prewar buildings with community gardens and well maintained grounds. I notice something new every time, and I enjoy the architecture and gardens.