Sepia Visions

I am pleased to announce the cutting of the virtual satin ribbon on a new project I have been working on. Gypsea Tree now has a companion blog: Steam Spectre! Steam Spectre is a place where I will revel in another treasured love which is all things Victorian/ Turn of Century. It will feature at times the lovely historic and at others the strange, unusual, and imagined fantastic. I hope you will enjoy visiting there and spread the word to any readers you feel may be interested.

Gypsea Tree will remain my main blog where I look forward to a New Year of posting. At this point I’m aiming to create richer content posts here at Gypsea Tree. When trying to hold myself to an “every-other-day posting schedule” I felt the quality of Gypsea Tree suffered a little. My new goal is to post once or twice a week, but to have lengthier posts and greater word content. I hope you will enjoy following the Gypsea and visiting Steam Spectre.

Have you all had a nice weekend?

Teatros de Papel

For several years I have been scheming and dreaming of constructing my own little theatre. Several years ago I saw an extraordinary miniature theatre in a shop window. It was an opulent little setting depicting a scene from an opera. Next to the piece was a little card telling the story of how it was made as part of a set for the artist’s niece. What a lucky girl! I have wanted to make my own ever since and when I stumbled across this web site, I nearly swooned. Although I don’t imagine constructing mine out of paper, I absolutely love these. You must take a journey over there!

{all images via Coleccion de Teatros de Papel}

What We Can Do

I don’t know about you, but I know that I have to do something. At this point the best that we can do is donate money. In the colossal scheme of this catastrophe it hardly seems like enough, but its something that every one of us can do to contribute. Check with your employer, many are willing to match your donation. Every single dollar can make a difference. No matter what financial situation you are in, if you are reading these words, you have a shelter over your head and electricity.  We can help.

If you know of any other great fundraisers or places to donate, I would love to hear about them.

Doctors Without Borders

The American Red Cross

Magpie Tendencies

The first house I lived in that I really remember had a crystal (well, most likely glass) chandelier hanging in the dining room. I was fascinated by it and I thought it was one of the most beautiful things in the world. I also thought that it must mean we were rich. This is quite laughable as we were most definitely not, and the home’s impractical eight foot ceilings  which housed the chandelier made it difficult to afford heating the place. However, I was too little to realize this and blissfully loved that chandelier. I have wanted one ever since. Now they seem to be all the rage, but that only means there are more to choose from and at prices I may eventually be able to afford! Until that time I have started collecting chandelier pendants from antique shops. My little brother started my collection and gave me some lovely pieces for Christmas. I have acquired a few on my own as well and I hung them all on my Christmas tree. However, I’m not willing to pack them away until next year so I’m trying to decide how to display them now. Any ideas?

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Who Needs Sunshine?

In the lovely Seattle area we experience quite a lot of rain and dreariness. I don’t mind it so much until the Holiday season ends and the long muddy trudge towards spring/ summer begins. Because we are also a creative lot here in the Pacific Northwest, it is essential to develop some solid coping mechanisms to battle the grey damp. Some escape to Hawaii, some buy special lamps to trick them into experiencing “sunshine”, and some obtain the world most delightful bumbershoots from Bella Umbrella! This brilliant little business rents and sells parasols and umbrellas. Some are vintage and others are stunning replicas. I think in approximately two weeks I will find it absolutely necessary to own one of these beautiful creations…

{all images via Bella Umbrella}

Forgotten Theatre

I had this wonderful dream a very long time ago about a theatre. I was standing in the back balcony looking down and it was old and mysterious. There was a  large tear in the ceiling and the dust particles hung thick in the stray sunlight. It was absolutely magical and I have always secretly thought that maybe someday I would stumble across that place.

I think this picture is so beautiful. It reminds me a little of that place in my dream…

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To Resolve

I am back. The New Year has begun despite how desperately I cling to the old. I can’t quite bear to take my tree down just yet. How lovely it is to have a tree gracing one’s living room! Why do we only do this once a year?

For whatever reason I’ve been reluctant to say goodbye to the holidays. I just love Christmas and this year it seemed especially short. If only it had lasted one week longer?

However, I also love new beginnings…

Do you like to make resolutions? I make them constantly and I am addicted to keeping lists. Writing things down and setting clear purpose helps me feel organized and encouraged. I love looking over my inspiration lists when I feel a little down. It always cheers me up again.

I’m sure I could write a list of resolutions a mile long, but instead I thought I would offer just three things to share with you all:

1. Embrace Creativity

No matter what form it takes, it’s essential to my state of happiness that I make creative projects a central part of my lifestyle.

2. Read more!

I’ve really gotten lazy since graduation and I have stacks of wonderful books I keep buying and not reading. Up next: Shirley Jackson’s We Have Always Lived in this Castle.

3. Open the Gypsea Tree Etsy Shop

I have talked, planned, and schemed about all of this for far too long. 2010 is the year the shop will open it’s doors!

How about you? What kind of plans are you developing?

Happy New Year everyone!