A showcase of handmade items by local Miami artists....

A pearl and crystal pendant necklace by Renaissance Designs.

Cheep Cheep's set of 4 one-inch magnets covered in retro-inspired fabric.

A mother of pearl bracelet by Ana's Jewelry Design - very colorful, very Miami!

More electric color in the above Zebra giclee prints from Bee Chic.

And so many cute matchbook notepads by Caprichos de Papel that I couldn't choose just one!

“... the result is a series of rhyming lines and doodled beasts.”

When I saw this description of an art exhibit at the library, I knew we had to go.

The “Exquisite Bestiary” exhibit by Columbian artist Flora Cohen is a hands-on (“Please Touch!”) display of drawings developed from games she played with her young nephews.

Benjamin and Jonah loved moving around the pieces (attached at the wall with velcro).  They each found an appropriate caption of their own, which I captured on my personal blog.

We also went upstairs to see the “Stories from the Florida Vault” display which included vintage South Florida tourism and hotel brochures and steamship schedules (when Miami was marketed as a package destination with Havana and Nassau).  There were also comic books and sheet music featuring South Florida cities and landmarks.

I first stumbled upon D’Andrea’s blog “Monsters In My Kitchen” because she also has two year-old twins. I keep returning because she posts an entertaining mix of delicious looking/tasting recipes, toddler activities, as well as photos of the monsters lurking about her kitchen:

D’Andrea also has an Etsy shop named Pupa where you can browse her cuddly natural doll creations – perfect for babies and toddlers - such as June and George below. (She can custom design a doll to match a child as well!)

And look at these little walnut people:

Miraculously (did I mention she has a three year-old in addition to the twins), she also manages to create cool wallpaper out of maps. I think I’ll fly her in from Toronto to do our bathroom as well. And I’ll offer her soooo much money that her husband won’t balk at watching the kids for a weekend.

On second thought, I’m not sure if I have sufficient funds. Because if it were my husband it would be a least $50K.

Here are some affordable examples of what happens when creativity and skill collide:

“Birds of the Pacific Northwest” by Laura Levine

8.5 x 11"  $20

I found this print at 20x200, a site that “introduces two new pieces a week: one photo and one work on paper. Each image is available in three sizes. The smallest size is reprinted in the largest batch – an edition of 200 – and sold at the lowest price – $20.”  (And not only is the artist’s first name also Laura, she is obviously fond of both birds and stamps!)

“Untitled (Mott Street)” by Alison Grippo

8.5 x 11"  $20

This photo is from 20x200 as well. The light, the contrasts, the energy… it captures a moment in time beautifully.

“Send Joan of Ark Over” by Rachell Sumpter

5.75" x 4.5" $20

I found the colorful little print above at Tiny Showcase – simple and joyful!  Each week Tiny Showcase "picks a new piece of tiny artwork and turns the work into a limited-run production."  It's a great site to peruse for affordable art.

"Chat" by Susan Schwake

$18

Susan Schwake offers a number of original pieces for under $30 through her Etsy shop. Her creative collage work is simple and clever – she often uses original 19^th century book pages as backgrounds.

Thumbtack Press is also a good source for affordable prints - most are less than $20.  Below are two prints currently listed on their site.

"Umbrellas" by Daniel Stolle

11 x  7.5"  $24.99

"El Valiente"  by Miriam Martinez

12 x 15.75"  $34.99

Recognize the Loteria cards in "El Valiente" above from my post in January?

Because the print dimensions of most the above pieces are standard, they work well in ready-made frames. So the total cost easily comes out to well under $100.

Hmm... one of each, please!