Incredible sculptures by Ellen Jewett!!

I was on etsy the other day when I stopped dead in my tracks. Now, this does not happen often when I'm quickly glancing at the front page. But good Lord!! BLOWN AWAY!!! Ellen Jewett of Creatures from El produces seriously jaw dropping sculptures! I visited her shop, clicked on every listing, and went back to look at her sold pieces. MASSIVE talent!! They are so unique, I've never seen anything like them. It's impossible for me to pic a favorite from the collection below, but I just love that beast of burden....and of course, the boar!! They're just all SO fabulous!!!

Ellen's etsy shop

My jars runneth over...

So my friend and customer, Rachel, is one wacky woman! Talented and brimming with ideas 24/7! I've been making her lots of jars to fill the shelf in her cafe, and she asked me to make some "exploding cherries"...which of course led to more messy ones. And I've only just started! You know how I go a little nuts once  I start making something :-O!!
Her's what I've made so far...

Grilled, stuffed Calamari

I love me some fried calamari, but I also love it grilled...or hell, raw! Sometimes this dish is paired with a tomato based sauce, but I just added straight up olive oil ;-).

No jars! Grilled Eggplant and Bruschetta

Not that I'm not still banging out jars, hehe. I've been filling an Italian order, and I make extras to list, of course ;-). This is a platter of Grilled Eggplant with Caponata, and Bruschetta. I love Italian food (although not as much as my beloved Asian)!! I might have to make a pizza next, which is something I haven't done in years. I love my deep dish and my NY style, but there's nothing like the taste of pizza in Italy!

A stunning gift from Lisa Riley!!

WOW!! Lisa made me this precious Crabtree and Evelyn gift set and I am so in love with it!! It's gorgeous!! You're a talented chick, Lisa!! Amazing detail and SO pretty- I will cherish it!! Thank you so much!!! I can't wait to see pics of the cafe ;-)!!

Lisa's blog

It's the jar lady again, and my wacky seafood in a book....and Lisa Riley's new blog!

I've been making jars. And jars. And yet more jars. Banging them out, one after another. In between those, I've made some actual things, bwaaaaah!!! Here's a sampling. A nice woman by the name of Pauline Conolly is having a book of hers published and asked if she could include several pics of my weird seafood!? The book has just been accepted by Robert Hale of London (although she is Australian). It's called, A Taste of the Thames; Exploring the  River's Social and Culinary History.  It will appear mid next year.  It contains old recipes, etc., and my freaking eel pie and oysters with eyes, lol!!

Also, Lisa Riley has a brand new blog and it's going to be a beaut!! You can soon follow the progress of her spectacular cafe (she has some of my jars and seafood, etc., too!). Here's the linkage!

Lisa's blog

A link from Catherine, and I'm speechless....

She just sent me a link to this artist's unbelievable work. His name is Takanori Aiba. A MUST see. I died.

Bonsai Tree Houses