Last week I was so thankful to take a little break and travel to Phoenix for 5 days with my dear friend Sandra.

It was the perfect trip to re-energize in the sunshine and warmth of the desert.  We did lots of hiking and walking (and a little shopping!)

I thought I’d share some photos from a wonderful day we spent at a huge outdoor flea market as well as a studio tour in the Sonoran Hills north of Cave Creek.  Lucky for me, Sandra discovered these events and suggested we check them out.  It was the perfect day!

[Shocking fact:  all of these photographs came straight off my little old Canon point n shoot….no Photoshop at all!]

Isn’t this the best name for a vintage flea market?  “The Big Heep”
Live Music!
License plate signs…so cool!
Garden Lollipop flowers made from vintage glassware
Benches made from truck parts
I hope this Humpty doesn’t fall…he is in great shape!


And now onto the Art studio tour…we drove from studio to studio using a guide map and enjoyed viewing an amazing assortment of art:  watercolour, oil, acrylic, mixed media, metal, jewellery, glass…

Honestly, that day the landscape itself was a work of art!  On the road….




My tour guide and event planner:  Sandra
I was fascinated by the work of this gourd artist, who carves and paints gourds.
Here is her starting point….plain old gourds.
…and the end result.  WOW.
Outdoor metal sculpture
Jewelry designed with glass…and some other incredible technique I’d never heard about involving metal.
Even the studios themselves had elements of beauty.
Love this rusty bucket hanging light!
Isn’t this creative space wonderful?

Even shopping at Macy’s the next day was inspiring…



I hope you enjoyed this glimpse into my trip. I know I am inspired by everything I saw and can’t wait to get back into my own studio!





21 Comments on A Bit of a Break

  1. Alia
    November 23, 2012 at 1:15 pm (11 years ago)

    Awesome sites! Definitely inspirational!

    Reply
  2. Charlotte Brochu
    November 23, 2012 at 2:08 pm (11 years ago)

    The photos are amazing! So many cool things to see. It must have been fantastic in real. I’m jealous of your great get away. I could use one about now! lol!

    Reply
  3. Brandi
    November 23, 2012 at 2:58 pm (11 years ago)

    Thank you for sharing your day. So many neat items. I love the painted gourds best.

    Reply
  4. Vicky Alberto
    November 23, 2012 at 3:47 pm (11 years ago)

    I WANT that bliss lounge, LOL!

    Reply
  5. Sandi Smith
    November 23, 2012 at 3:53 pm (11 years ago)

    Wow…so much eye candy! Looks like an amazing trip!

    Reply
  6. Alison
    November 23, 2012 at 3:57 pm (11 years ago)

    You came across some fabulous stuff! I wish I could take some of it home!!

    Reply
  7. Lynn
    November 23, 2012 at 4:04 pm (11 years ago)

    Wow..what a trip. Looks like you and Sandra had a wonderful time away. I love all the photos. So many fabulous items. I’m so jealous…I would love to see something like that! Now..the big question is…how much did you bring home??? So many wonderful ideas. I’m thinking I need to re-do my studio now, lol. Thanks so much for sharing your trip !

    Reply
  8. Shona
    November 23, 2012 at 4:14 pm (11 years ago)

    glad you had a great trip…love the photos 🙂

    Reply
  9. Kim Street
    November 23, 2012 at 4:54 pm (11 years ago)

    I would love to have the tailgate bench, The Lollipop glassware, and the Bliss Lounge!!! How wonderful.

    Reply
  10. Connie
    November 23, 2012 at 5:44 pm (11 years ago)

    these pictures just make me drool!!!!!!!! LOVE!!!!!!! I want to go to that flea market!!!

    Reply
  11. Michelle
    November 23, 2012 at 6:40 pm (11 years ago)

    And when am I booking my flight???? I’ll have a couple of those birdhouses, that gorgeous wire star and about twenty other gorgeous things from your pics. Soooo jealous Kelly! Looks like a fab trip..bravo to Sandra for scouting all this out!

    Reply
  12. Michelle
    November 23, 2012 at 6:41 pm (11 years ago)

    oh ya…and I can’t BELIEVE your little old point and shoot took all those awesome photos!!!

    Reply
  13. A SASSY SCRAPPER
    November 23, 2012 at 7:57 pm (11 years ago)

    What fun, Kelly! So glad you two had a nice little break before the Christmas Rush.

    Reply
  14. Cindy Gay
    November 23, 2012 at 8:45 pm (11 years ago)

    Love the picture of the cacti and beautiful sky!

    Reply
  15. Miae
    November 23, 2012 at 9:10 pm (11 years ago)

    Kelly, what a fabulous way to recharge/rev-up your creativity! Such wonderful photos…glad you had a great time!

    Reply
  16. Miae
    November 23, 2012 at 9:10 pm (11 years ago)

    Kelly, what a fabulous way to recharge/rev-up your creativity! Such wonderful photos…glad you had a great time!

    Reply
  17. kdgowdy
    November 23, 2012 at 9:20 pm (11 years ago)

    WOW! That looks like the BEST flea market ever! Love your pictures, was great catching up today! 🙂

    Reply
  18. Renee
    November 24, 2012 at 8:21 am (11 years ago)

    Wow, gorgeous pics Kelly!! Love that first one with the beautiful sky! That’s so amazing – and no Photoshop!! Thanks for sharing your trip with us, very cool.

    Reply
  19. Lee-Anne Thornton
    November 24, 2012 at 7:32 pm (11 years ago)

    Great photos Kelly! It looks like it was a blast. Happy for you that you could get away for some R & R.

    Reply
  20. scrapbookertink
    November 25, 2012 at 11:59 am (11 years ago)

    Wow, wow,wow, looks like you had fun, love the pictures, thanks for sharing your holiday memories x

    Reply
  21. Izzy Anderson
    November 27, 2012 at 8:45 am (11 years ago)

    Awesome photos. What a fun trip that must have been! LOVE the garden lollipop flowers made from the glassware and the creative remaking of the license plates. And the sky on the drive, wow!

    Reply

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