With flowers on my mind from Mother's Day yesterday, I thought it would be appropriate to share with you the intricate and incredible botanical works of South African sculpture, Nic Bladen.

With skills in dental technology and bronze casting, Nic creates spectacular art pieces by fossilising and preserving entire plants, seed pods and flowers using 'lost wax casting'.

A thing of beauty they also serve a purpose of documenting rare species of flora from the Cape Floral Kingdom.

Nic's works have been exhibited in New York, Chicago and locally in South Africa.

^{Images: Nic Bladen website}

We have been on a major clear out and will have some samples and seconds on sale at The Garage Sale Trail this coming Saturday.

Come and say hello at my home studio and pick up a Safari Fusion or one of my own global treasures for your home.

Happy Garage Sale Trailing!

We are celebrating 3 years this month and would like to share the occasion with you!

Join our Mailing List during April and receive...

15% off your first purchase

Excludes delivery, shipping insurance, gift vouchers, wholesale & trade orders. Discount valid until 30 June 2012 and may only be used once.

Happy shopping!

I have blogged before about Angela Sheldrick's beautiful elephant watercolours...they are just so delightful I could not help but share her latest ones I received as a sponsor of Kilaguni (our foster baby elephant!).

Inspired by the baby orphan elephants that are lovingly cared for at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in Kenya; each watercolour helps raise funds for the orphans upkeep and rehabilitation.

You can purchase similar ones from her collection in the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Art Store.

^{Images: David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust sponsor updates}

I was gushing when I came across these beautiful hand-knitted flowers; you can't help but smile when you look at them.

Knitted by the ladies of the skills training initiative Projekt, they are a lovely alternative to an indoor pot plant (with the added bonus of never wilting!).

I think grouping a few of them together in various sizes and colours works best. And yes, they are on the Safari Fusion list to purchase!

Contact me for more information.

^{Images: Design Indaba & Elle Decoration}

We have only one sale a year, so we like to make it a good one!

Here are some of the savings...

20% off Bamileke Feather Headdresses (select colours)

25% off Zulu Dolls

45% off Sevilla Rock Cushion covers

50% off Hoopoe Bird Hooks

+ Mailing List subscribers receive complimentary delivery (anywhere in the world up to the value of $50).

Have fun shopping!

Start's Monday, happy shopping!

The eclectic community of the cobblestone streets of Bo Kaap, Cape Town have colour blocking down to a fine art.

Each house facade dating back to the 1700 and 1800s is painted in bright solid colours.

Community rules are that each house must be a different colour to your neighbour.