Watery Wednesday - The Turtle Brigade

These photos were taken at the San Francisco Botanical Gardens.

Click photos to enlarge.

Was I intruding on an intimate moment here?

Off to the races :D

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Macro Monday - The Cala Lily

Visit Macro Monday for some beautiful macro photography.

Decorative Ceramic Robin Figurine Perched Upon An Apple Tree Branch

We have a finely detailed designed robin figurine which is made of some type of resin ceramic. This figurine is highly detailed and finely crafted. It stands approximately 7 1/2" tall about 8" wide at it's widest point and about 6" deep. It also has a wooden base which is marked "bureau" which I believe is a Japanese maker but I do not know for sure. The base measures 6 1/2" in diameter. The figurine itself is in excellent condition and has no cracks, chips or marks that we can see. The wooden base is lightly scuffed on the top due to the figurine displayed on the surface. The robin is perched upon an apple tree branch and displays an apple and leaves in rich natural colors. The robin's coloring is perfectly vivid with fantastic details on the feathers. I urge you to view the photos for more fine details. What I really like most about this piece is that it looks real. If it were sitting in a garden setting without the wooden base, it would blend in with the garden. It's just an all around amazing piece.

For more details on this item visit our store listing at Jo's Collectibles Mercantile.

The Sony Holland Duo - Sundays In My City, Mellow Yellow Monday, Ruby Tuesday

Photos by me (Joanne Olivieri) @ The Rrazz Room in San Francisco - February 2011.


If you are in the San Francisco Bay Area, come on out and see The Sony Holland duo live at these events. For more information visit www.sonyholland.com

Thursday, June 16 (5 -7pm)
Marin Art And Garden Center
Ross, CA

Saturday, June 18, 8:00 pm
Stanford Jazz Festival Gala
Oshman JCC, Palo Alto, CA
For Info Call: 650.223.8664

Sunday, June 19, 7 - 9pm
Cafe Divine in San Francisco's North Beach
1600 Stockton (corner of Union)
CALL: 415 986 3414 for Reservations

The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face

I am participating in the following memes. Click widgets and links to visit.

Also visit Ruby Tuesday

Macro Flowers Saturday #56

These photos taken at the San Francisco Botanical Gardens.

Click to enlarge photos.


Clematis

Meconopsis Grandis - Blue Himalayan Poppy

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Pink Friday - Flowers

All photos taken at the San Francisco Botanical Gardens.

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Thursday Two Questions Meme - What Do You Think This Is? Contest Giveaway!

For this week I have decided to offer a contest giveaway. If you answer these two questions correctly, you will receive a Sony Holland CD. You will have until May 31st to answer these two questions correctly. Good luck!!!

I will give you a hint. For those that know me, you know I like exotics and macros. Another clue - Australia.

1. What is this?

2. Where would you find this?


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Limited Edition Collectibles Versus Non Limited Editions - What Do You Buy?

The collectibles world in general is an ever changing venue for buying, selling and collecting. There was a time when limited edition collectibles were at a peak and trading for 100% and more above their original price point. Today, however, many do not hold that price any longer for various reasons.

Many artists now sign with several different producers and allow their work to be strewn among many different genres. A good example is Thomas Kinkade. Where once his plates were highly collectible and produced by one manufacturer, now his works can be seen everywhere and on everything from books to calendars to note cards and more. Once that happens, the work depreciates. Limited editions are about supply and demand. When the supply is higher than the demand, the items no longer hold a high value.

Limited editions are based on either the amount of days in which an item was produced or a specific number of pieces. There are many items described as collectibles which are not limited editions such as the fan plate above. It is not by any named artist, yet it is unique, it displays high quality color artwork and it's attention to detail is amazing. It is collectible for it's artistry rather than the amount of pieces that were produced in a given time, like the plate seen above it - Sam Squirrel's visit. Both plates are collectible in their own right and both display unique artwork in different settings.

When I buy something for myself, I buy what I like. I don't care where it was made, who created it or even who produced it. If it is visually appealing and I want it, I buy it. When I buy for the store, I have to ignore my own personal preferences and look at the supply and demand factor combined with the uniqueness of the collectible. I have to spend more time reading the backstamp on collectibles which show the maker, the date, the country and the artist. Either way it's fun for me. I enjoy collectibles in general so whether I'm buying for myself or the store it's always a fun adventure. For more details on the two plates shown above visit Jo's Collectibles Mercantile.

My two questions this week are:

1. Do you buy many decorative items for yourself, family or friends?

2. When you do purchase a decorative item, do you care where it was made, when it was made or who created it?

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Watery Wednesday - Ducks

Taken at Pine Lake in Stern Grove, San Francisco, CA

Click photos to enlarge.

Taken in the garden of fragrance at the San Francisco Botanical Gardens.

San Francisco Botanical Gardens

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Ruby Tuesday - Flowers and Petals

Click Photos To Enlarge.

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Macro Monday and Mellow Yellow Monday Flowers

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Visit Macro Monday for more great macro photography.


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Scenic Sunday @ The San Francisco Botanical Gardens

All of these photos were taken at the San Francisco Botanical Gardens.
Please click the photos to enlarge.
Enjoy!

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Macro Flowers Saturday #55

Maia, these photos are for you. I know you love orchids so I wanted to dedicate the first return post to you. These were all taken a few weeks ago at either the Conservatory of Flowers and/or Sloat Gardens. I am so happy Macro Flowers Saturday is back.

Click on the photos to enlarge.

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