8/20/2003 - [Pottery] - Windy Meadows Pottery's cottages and candle-houses are not created using molds as most pottery is crafted, but they are "hand-built", guaranteeing that each item is "one-of-a-kind" and created especially for you.

A very nice feature is that you can specify individual customized wall colors, roof textures, and signage on items in their "Private Collections" gallery. These fine details and textures have become the trademark of Jan Richardson, founder, artist and designer of the entire Windy Meadows Pottery Ltd® line. Each shingle, vine, flower or lattice is applied individually with some candle-houses using as many as 600 individual pieces applied by hand. That's real art in the making.

Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Knoxville, Maryland, Jan's farm studio has produced hundreds of thousands of cottages and candle-houses over the years including more than 400 Private Collection Candle Houses as well as a number of one of a kind Candle houses.

For those wishing to build their own cottages, Jan offers "Cottage Building Workshops". The cottages you put together from scratch are specifically designed by Jan for the Workshops, and when completed, you can cherish the house you built all by yourself. Workshop dates are available at her website.

Overall, these cottages are uniquely beautiful and help stimulate warmth and comfort wherever they be used. There is such a wide variety to choose from, with the bottom line choice to have one made that really expresses you. With Christmas on the horizon, these cottages will make a wonderful addition to your Christmas village and will also go over wonderfully as gifts.

Star Report
Site Content: (9)     User Friendly: (10)     Look & Feel: (9)
Easy To Find: (2)     Tech-Smart: (9)
* Stars are based upon a rating of 1 to 10. Only ratings from 6 to 10 get a star.

Magic Mushroom
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Digital
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Designs
on the Future

Dick Blick Art Materials
 
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Personal Creations

8/20/2003 - [Antiques & Collectibles] - The paintings at Folk-art.com are true representations of American Folk Art. Some unmistakable characteristics include portrayals of the Old South, colonial times, dutch origins, frakturs, early pioneer days and the Amish.

The originator of the site, Barbara Steele Thibodeaux, is a self-taught American Contemporary Folk Artist. She began painting in 1990 and has a naïve style that delights collectors from all corners of the world, including the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia and as far as China. Her paintings concentrate mostly on scenes from the past...American Primitive Portraits, Biblical Verses, and scenes from the Old South.

This versatile site also includes the works from other artists who are truly inspired as well. The works of "David Hasler", for example, are already familiar to us, having been portrayed in the "Artisan Studio" of our Spring 2002 Edition of our Dreams Alive Magazine. True talent needs no discussion. You just need to take a look at the work of the many artists listed here.

One of the many nice features of the site is its Decorating Ideas. You simply need to specify the type of room you are looking to decorate and you are given a selection of paintings geared to make that room look its best. Picking the right painting for any room is a tough chore, so this service really helps you cut through to the chase.

In conclusion, we'd like to compliment Barbara on a site well designed and also thank her for her many contributions to our Artisan Studio as well. Our highest desires are with you always.

Star Report
Site Content: (10)     User Friendly: (10)     Look & Feel: (9)
Easy To Find: (6)     Tech-Smart: (9)
* Stars are based upon a rating of 1 to 10. Only ratings from 6 to 10 get a star.

Learn how to Stretch your Remodeling Dollar
 
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Summer 2002 Top Design Site Award

The Gallery Collection
 
Artina Click
 
Magic Cabin