grace grits and gardening

ramblings from an arkansas farm girl

Our tiny clay house!

By

This! Check out the whimsical, tiny clay version of our house. Our mini-me house.

tiny clay house by Beth S Macre Studio

I’m a big believer in supporting local artisans whether the artist is a painter, writer, potter, jeweler, cheese-maker, basket weaver, etc. Handmade artisans work hard, and they do it for the love of their craft. One of a kind, handmade items add a special something-something to a home. Cookie cutter decor? No way. Think outside the mall. It’s so much more fun.

Beth Macre of Beth S. Macre Studio (Springdale, Ar) made our clay ceramic mini-me home based on the picture below.

our house!

She completely exceeded my expectations, so much so that I felt compelled to blog about it. Look at the porch detail. In the  picture below, our tiny clay house is sitting on the front porch rail. A porch on a porch:)

Our miniature house. Support local artisans!

Beth makes all sorts of whimsical clay art and can custom make a version of your house, too. (Ours is featured on her blog, along with a peek of her other fanciful creations.) She’s a true, meticulous artist who even worked to get the paint colors just right.

I’m thinking this would be a great gift idea for a new homeowner. Also, what a perfect hostess gift for folks on home tour (Munger Place, Swiss Ave, Washington-Willow, etc.). In fact, I can probably think of a ton of reasons everyone needs a one-of-a-kind miniature house. Because the sun is shining. Because I didn’t eat ice cream last night when I really wanted it. Lots.Of.Reasons.

Beth’s clay homes are small. Tiny, really. As with most handmade items, sizes vary. Mine is smaller than the width of a clothespin.

tiny whimsical clay houses by Beth S. Macre Studios

Back of our house. Such detail!

 

Check out Beth’s HeartHomes Etsy shop for lots of cute, ready-to-buy little houses, clay bowls, and other items. Or go the custom route like I did. And, p.s., I just discovered she also makes clay trees which I may need around my house.

I’m not kidding when I say this little house makes me happy. Sometimes it’s the tiniest of things that put a smile on my face.

Fyi, this is not a sponsored post. I’m spreading the word because I love Beth’s work. And guess what? Through the end of June, Beth S. Macre Studio is offering a 15% discount off any purchase, including custom listings. Use the code BLOG15 at checkout to get your discount at HeartHomes, Beth’s Etsy shop.

I can’t wait to see your happy mini-me house. Yay!

Grace Grits and Gardening

Farm. Food. Garden. Life.

[tweetthis]Because everyone needs a miniature version of their home! @bmacre #ceramic #ArkansasArtisan #clay #SupportLocalArt[/tweetthis]

Musical Pairing:

Happy, Pharrell Williams

 

Sound of the Screen Door.

By

The sound of a screen door - hello summer!

Summer begins and ends with the sound of the screen door. Although most screen doors open and close year round, that sloooowwww swing open followed by a sharp slap shut sounds oh so different when the days are long and lazy. The screen door gets a summer workout as barefoot kids run in and out a hundred times a day. How many times did Momma yell, shut the screen door, you’re letting the mosquitoes in!?

In fact, she says that to me every time I go home.

I particularly like the sound of the screen door at the lake. I consider that music to be the song of summer. The slapping sound echoes across the cove.Continue Reading

Slowing down in Piggott.

By

Writing like me at Hemingway-Pfeiffer

Happy Saturday! I thought I’d check in to let you know I’m still alive. I’ve been busy doing a whole lot of nothing but writing. After another successful writer retreat in Piggott, Arkansas, at the Hemingway-Pfeiffer Museum and Educational Center, my whole body feels drained. And that’s a good thing. Hemingway-Pfeiffer is an awe-filled place. A place for slowing down. A place for concentrating on the craft of writing.

The grounds are gorgeous and peaceful, not too contrived but natural, the way I imagine things looked when Hemingway wrote inside the barn/studio.

Writing Like Me at Hemingway-Pfeiffer (apple orchards)

Small-town Piggott feels like home to me. Treasures can be found if you slow down and notice.

old church window, Piggott, Ar

The Piggott Library has a signed first edition of Hemingway’s Death in the Afternoon, (along with an entire cabinet of related ephemera.) I’m guessing not many small town libraries can claim such a thing.

First Edition, Signed, Death in the Afternoon by Hemingway

I love the history around the town square, especially the faded advertisements spanning old brick buildings.

Piggott Ar painted brick wall

The train rumbles through town at all hours of the day and night, tapping into a deep memory of another time.

The next time you drive from Dallas to Austin or Atlanta to Savannah (or wherever), hop off the interstate and spend some time in one of the small towns along the way. Have lunch. Visit the library. Walk around the square. Take time to slow down. Slow is good.

Grace Grits and Gardening

Farm. Food. Garden. Life.

Piggott is located approximately 180 miles northeast of Little Rock and 110 miles north of West Memphis. For more information about Hemingway-Pfeiffer and other Arkansas Heritage Sites, click HERE.

[tweetthis]Take time to slow down. Your #writing will benefit. @hpmuseum #HemingwayWroteHere[/tweetthis]

Musical Pairing:

Mayberry, Rascal Flatts

 

 

 

 

Food. Farm. Garden. Life.

THANKS FOR READING!