Early Birthday Presents

 

For some reason the National Tunisian Artisans’ Fair occurred at an earlier date this year, so I went to pick out my presents well ahead of my official birthday. This time I went with a friend who has more stamina for shopping than my husband. If you didn’t catch a view of last year’s presents, here they are today:

With such a wet winter I’m surprised the cactus and succulents haven’t keeled over, but they seem to be flourishing.

I planned to seek out similar pots from the same artisan, but was disappointed to find he had nearly doubled his prices and the quality of the designs had gone downhill. Nothing appealed to me. Drat! I should have bought him out last year! He did display several very large pots with lovely designs priced at $300. In my mind, such an object becomes a responsibility and I wouldn’t dare put it in the garden.

          However, numerous talented artists and artisans showed tantalizing wares, beautifully crafted objects in olive wood, tin, copper, silver, mosaic, wrought iron, and textiles. Once again, I looked for the perfect gift in an effort to avoid adding to the multiplying “stuff” at home. Like last year, my birthday present awaited me in the last booth that I visited. And once again a plant container caught my attention.

                           There were several styles of Tunisian vests. 
      This container stands 11”/28 cm high and the back is decorated as well.

Once I set it on a table in the living room, I forgot about planting it. The sculptural aspect is pronounced and appealing. At a cost of $18, I didn’t even bother to bargain.

               Then there was a series of shoe and feet planters on another shelf.

           My apologies if you should find this a bit ghoulish. I found it delightful!

                           The ankle bracelet is a traditional piece of jewelry.

            And this foot even has the designs that are usually done with henna. 
                          It goes well with the shoe-shaped rocks on the table.

                         Do you think my plant will walk away now?

And this brings me to another birthday present: a plane ticket to the States. This is the last year that I leave my garden in springtime, however, I’m looking forward to seeing family and friends, including blogging friends. Here’s my tentative itinerary:

End of March-April 17^th, Knoxville, Tennessee, where I hope to visit the Smoky Mountain Quilt Guild. Maybe I’ll wear my bathrobe!

April 18^th-22, Lexington, Kentucky.

April 23^rd-to beginning of May, Portland and Salem, OR.

Possibly, I’ll swing by Seattle and/or the San Francisco Area. Still not sure.

So, if any fellow bloggers/artists/quilters/crafters in those areas would like to get together for a cup of coffee, send me an email at multicoloredpieces@gmail.com and we’ll see what can be arranged.

Of course, I’ll keep posting. And next year, I'll take my camera to the Artisans' Fair to write about it properly.