I inherited my love of seashells from my father. When I was a little girl, he would sit me down and carefully present the latest acquisition from his collection to me like it was a precious jewel. He taught me that each tiny shell contained a wondrous world of pattern and color. Hearing the Latin phylum names roll easily off his tongue was utterly spellbinding. He was so vivid and artful in his description of the undersea world.
Even though he has been collecting seashells for the better part of 30 years and has amassed a world-class collection, he still can’t resist the lure of a great shell shop. Which brings me to one of my happiest of Happy Places – The Shell Shop, in Morro Bay.
Every time my father visits me in California, we make a pilgrimage to this pantheon of marine mollusks. I’ll admit I’m a sucker for the big colorful shells displayed in the open bins in the middle of the shop but my father will hone in on the rare and sublime, tucked away on a top shelf, behind glass.
Just like when I was little, he’ll hold out his hand and sitting there will be a perfect murex with the most marvelous coloring. He’ll take such joy in pointing out what makes it special and I take such joy knowing that because of him my eyes have been opened to the wonders of the natural world.
www.theshellshop.net
590 Embarcadero
Morro Bay, CA 93442
805-772-8014
Hours vary. Call the shop for details.
We have had a photographic gift registry in place in our studio for over a decade and over the years we have been asked many times about various etiquette issues pertaining to the registry. I thought it might be helpful to do a post about this subject. I did a little research online and would like to share what I found on Giftypedia.
The old saying, “you can’t please everyone,” fits the scenario of gift registry etiquette. If you are still wavering on whether or not to use a gift registry, below are some hints to help you stay within the guidelines of gift registry etiquette and avoid becoming the offending party:
~ Limit yourself to two stores when registering so your guests won’t have to go store to store when deciding on a gift. Consider an online registry where gifts from different stores can be shown on one registry and purchased online for your giver’s shopping convenience.
~ Don’t register at stores that do not sell products that relate to your occasion. A bridal registry should be limited to stores that sell household items, whereas a birthday registry can include any store that reflects the person’s interests.
~ Don’t register for everything you may possibly ever want – stick to the basics that make sense for the present.
~ Keep in mind that the registry is a list of suggestions. Don’t expect your guests to use the registry, as some may prefer to give something that they think you will like.
~ Don’t include gift registry information in your invitation. Even though gifts may be expected, including them in your invitation appears demanding.
~ If you are already established and creating a wedding registry, avoid registering for overly extravagant items because you already have the basics.
~ If choosing a gift from a gift registry, consider adding a little something extra to go along with the gift that reflects your relationship to the recipient.
Deciding whether or not to use a gift registry may depend on the situation. For a close friend, you may opt for a more personal gift, whereas for an acquaintance, a gift registry may be a godsend. Remember, no one is required to use a gift registry or even give a gift for that matter. If you are one who takes pride in finding the perfect gift, a gift registry can be used for ideas and inspiration without having to purchase from the list. And, if you have an idea for a gift that you think the recipient would truly love, go for it! Never feel obligated to purchase from a registry – it has been created for your convenience if you desire to use it.
If you would like to register with us for your next big event click on the link below.
www.isabellawrence.com/gift.html
To find out more about Giftypedia…
www.giftypedia.com
WPGA announced the winners of The Julia Margaret Cameron Award for Women Photographers and I’m so pleased to have two of my tintypes win an Honorable Mention and one qualify as a Finalist.
Awarded images were juried by photographers: Mary Ellen Mark, Vanessa Winship and Kim Weston; Magnum Photos’ members Alessandra Sanguinetti and Olivia Arthur; Zoom’s Editor in Chief Rosanna Checchi, and the Curator of the San Diego Museum of Photography Carol McCusker.
There were over 4,000 images submitted from photographers representing 45 countries. The overall winners will be featured in ZOOM Magazine. All awardees, including finalists will be published in the Book “The Julia Cameron Award 2010”.
Be sure to visit the WPGA website to read more about this award and to drool and/or be inspired by all of the incredible imagery.
www.thegalaawards.net/announcements/the-julia-margaret-cameron-awardees
Even though I adore flowers, my arranging skills are sadly lacking, therefore I’m always looking for simple ways to display them. This perfect miniature rose was practically screaming to be plucked and brought inside.
I had come close to getting rid of this Mason jar about a hundred times but am so glad it never made it into the Goodwill pile. In fact, I may have to pick up a few more, place one perfect bloom in each, and line them down the table at my next dinner party.
“Oh, the comfort, the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person, having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words, but pouring them all right out, just as they are, chaff and grain together; certain that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping, and then with the breath of kindness throw the rest away.”
~ Dinah Maria Mulock Craik
Even though the Closet Project was spurned on by Larry’s challenge that I make use of the items in my art closet or relinquish the space to much needed storage, he has frequently fed my addiction for all things papery.
He constantly brings me cool sheets of stamps from his trips to the post office. He’ll place them down casually on the kitchen table and nonchalantly suggest that I might like to incorporate them into a journal or collage. Hasn’t eleven years of marriage taught this man anything? Doesn’t he know that I won’t have the heart to separate the stamps from their snug little perforated homes? Can’t he guess where these beauties will end up?
And so, on the closet’s second shelf, tucked into the left hand corner, sits my stash of stamps. Maybe someday I’ll work up the nerve to place them permanently into an art project but for now I rest smug in the knowledge that as long as Larry has a reason to visit the post office, more will be coming.
“The bride…floating all white…in the morning shadow of trees, her veil flowing with laughter.”
~ D.H. Lawrence
