Winslow Farm Animal Sanctuary

This past weekend I was lucky enough to spend time at Winslow Farm Animal Sanctuary.

From what I had heard, I was already going to love this place. Rescued animals, beautiful grounds, and for the weekend: a Renaissance Festival with musicians, performers and other vendors all creating a little village within this peaceful setting.

I had no idea what I was in store for.

The grounds alone are worth visiting for~ twisting paths and barns with Gothic windows, elaborate hutches surrounded by beautiful old trees of many kinds, sunlit areas that felt like a lifetime away from work, worries, cars and the stark reality that brought these creatures here.

Donna White is now my personal hero. She built this sanctuary after saving up the money to create her dream, a place where abused and abandoned animals could live out their life and hopefully learn to trust people once again.

As I walked the grounds and read the many horror stories, tears welling up all while these abused animals ~ now so safe and happy ~ greeted me as I walked through their enclosure.

I knew immediately that wanted to help in some way.

Being a self employed artist, I don't have loads of money or time to offer. But I can try to raise some much needed funds by donating 10% of each sale from my Etsy shop from now on and for as long as I can afford to ~ and by telling everyone I know to please visit and support this magical place. (They have Sanctuary tours daily except for Tuesdays, birthday parties, film nights and many fairs and festivals throughout the year! Something for everyone and every family.)

As I was working within my booth most of the time, I didn't even begin to meet all of the beautiful creatures that reside there. Already plotting and planning my next visit as soon as I can manage! I cannot wait to go back and sit quietly on one of the many benches and wait for one of the many wandering goats, ducks, peacocks, cats, donkeys, geese, chickens, roosters, lambs, llamas, pigs, pheasants, rabbits and dogs to come over and win my heart like Stardust, Luna, Inky, Edmund, Jezebel and Waterford already have. (Not to mention the snowshoe siamese cats that reminded me of my beloved Athena...)

Can't wait to go back.

~   many more photos at my Flickr page  ~

spring cleaning

Deep in the last weeks of one of the largest production orders of my life. Yesterday took some time to re-organize my studio's work area with better shelving and easier to reach bead/stone organizers. Half the time I have Galatea on my lap and couldn't reach the higher bead drawers, now I won't have to disturb her at all...everything within reach.

Now re-energized and ready to make those last 2 necklaces and 16 pairs of earrings~ ~tag, ship, release, breathe.

Viola inspects her favorite bed, now on a pedestal 

so that she can watch the birds out the window . 

or the dogs that visit during the week here at Walk-About!

gratitude & inspiration

In the continuing rearranging & organizing of the studio, I have set up the area directly across from my work desk to inspire and to remind me how lucky I am to do what I love for a living. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who supports my business in any way whether it is purchasing something or spreading the word. It is sometimes really difficult to be self employed but when someone thanks me for creating something that they love to wear, all the negative disappears and I know it is all worth it. (tax time again?!) 

I have included some recent gifts also, inspired by the creativity of  friends and my gratitude in finding such kindred spirits thanks to my business. 

Projects in progress to remind me to finish them, 

Etsy jewelry waiting for a home. 

And of course my constant studio assistant, Galatea!

sitting pretty.

Birthday Pilgrimage

Today I took the day off to visit Earth Mother, a painting by Edward Burne-Jones. Had only found out about her existence a month ago and she had been calling to me ever since I saw the painting listed on their website. Every bit worth the drive, even worth the odd looks from the security guard who seemed puzzled by my reverence and length of visit. Likely he was afraid I was going to try and run off with it or get it wet with my misty eyes. :) 

Worcester Art Museum, or WAM !

Happily surprised at how many pieces of Medieval Art was to be found there, paintings and sculptures and even a reconstructed Medieval Chapter House with glorious Stained Glass.

Took notes, was inspired, made sketches, took some pictures. The photos were taken with my Droid Phone and without flash, so none really captured the work very well, but wanted to share them here just for memory's sake and for some fun pairings.

Looking forward to visiting again!

super cold

super cold
Originally uploaded by parrish relics

Days like these I am so glad to work from home...

keeping out of the frigid winds

 and thankful for the sun pouring into the studio.

also keeping me warm today...

new bed

new bed
Originally uploaded by parrish relics

Rearranging my studio during the busiest time of the year!
Galatea is enjoying her new cozy bed for the winter...

treasures found

Had a lovely exploration of the Sister Thrift shop in Burlington, found a few treasures and will definitely go back. Brought three bags of donations, and all things purchased go to a no kill cat shelter. Win win!

first found, a small Nouveau frame, perfect for my favorite Galatea photo.

two matching prints that are perfect in our Greco-Roman themed hallway

Galatea has found a new place to sleep in my studio, under the draped display table. She is a stowaway in the bag that I store all my show supplies in. Do not disturb!

Tomorrow I am heading to the post office to mail out long overdue custom orders, and will drop off a necklace for the Stone Zoo's A Wild Affair auction. 

detail of "Two Leopards Playing in the Exeter Change Menagerie"

by Jacques-Laurent Agasse (1767-1849)

natural acai seed beads from the Amazon

Tapestry Cat

Medieval Tapestry ~ "The Noble Lady Spinning Wool" 

Lots of cats on my mind today. Sending healing thoughts to Queen Mab, exited to meet my mother's new foster cat, and finally a visit to Sister Thrift this afternoon to donate and hopefully shop benefitting MetroWest Humane Society.

Galatea & Fin

Two of our beloved animals had birthdays this week, Galatea turned two and Fin turned somewhere between 16 and 18, we really don't know for sure.

This photo was taken in 2008, when Galatea first came to live with us, and Fin could still make it all the way up the stairs to my attic studio :( Poor old dog.

Baba Studio Collaboration

Recently, I was lucky enough to work with the beautiful creations of Baba Studio. For this photo shoot that took place in Prague, I sent them three necklaces with images from their Bohemian Cats line. Lucky me, as I have been a fan for some time and get so much pleasure from pouring over each card in their Tarot Deck.

more: Baba Studio on Facebook

close ups of the jewels: Parrish Relics

one week from today: FaerieCon!!