Belgian Bat Girl strikes ...

The lovely Steph has sent me a parcel of goodies. Not just any old stuff either. No, these gifts were thoughtfully chosen and invested in. I feel rather spoilt right now. I love that two people can connect in this way, sharing ideas and stuff when so many geographical miles separate them. Truly that is the greatness of the internet. Thank you Mr Berners-Lee. I am sure he didn't realise way back in 1990 that his invention would be connecting like- minded artisans and allowing me to be the recipient of a whole bunch of awesomness! Enough of the babbling - check out the pretties ...

The first little packet within a package - what could it contain?

Fabulous battered tin and some orbs - already a little "monster" in the making.

Ohhh - I know right? It is just gorgeous and I feel it will be keeping me company for some time to come because I use that shape bird alot - it is a bit of a talisman to me. Clever Steph.

Buffalo teeth? Are you kidding me? How exciting is that - oh and other stuff that just happens to be some very beautiful and very old beads ... And did I mention the drilled rock with embroidery on it? holy moley!

Ever since I saw a doco about Mark Dion and his project collecting stuff from the Thames I have had envy in my heart over the amazing clay pipe pieces that he and his team uncovered. I really wanted to own some myself. And now, thanks to Steph, I DO!!!

Another piece of Steph gorgeousness - I love all the changing colours in this pendant.

One of the most intriguing things about Stephs work is that she manages to create things with a really ancient aesthetic without them looking cheesy. These pieces look like they could have been dug up from some Norseman's  grave-site. Hmm - maybe the Norse cremated their dead but you know what I mean.

This was the last little packet that I opened and my heart did a little tap dance when my eyes fell upon that red glazed donut bead - just the right amount of shiny versus matte. It too looks like it has been excavated from an ancient archaeological site.

I am going to spend some time just looking at and patting all these lovelies but eventually I will put them into some jewellery. Not just yet - I want to keep them together and ponder the generosity of a woman I have never met and the total awesomness of a virtual space that allows us to connect across the globe.

Thank you so much Steph.