Etsy NY Travels: Arizona
Spring has taken a long time coming this year in New York, so it felt wonderful to recently take a quick trip to Arizona, warming my winter-chilled bones and recharging my mental and creative batteries. Any vacation, even a day away from normal routine, is a wonderful way to get inspiration to make your work and art better. I have been visiting the Southwest, and Arizona in particular, since I was little. The hills and canyons, distant mountains, and the regal, looming cacti provide a great contrast to Manhattan, and the landscape reminds me to appreciate the vastness and variety of America. Travel, even a quick jaunt for a long weekend away, always helps me recharge my creative batteries. I find the culture of the Southwest particularly inspiring. The architecture, art, and even the food all remind me to add some color and spice to what I’m creating.
I was lucky enough to visit during the weekend of the Heard Museum Indian Fair. The Heard Museum, in Phoenix, has a wonderful collection of Native American art, and during the Fair, Native American artisans display their gorgeous wares. Micro-inlay jewelry, epic seed bead accessories, intricately woven rugs and more beautifully continue and revitalize long-held traditions. As it is also an annual meeting time, traditional dances are performed and stories are told. This is Cricket, and her coat was breathtaking:
I absolutely love cacti. I have a few in my apartment in New York, but they can't compare to these gorgeous purple beauties I spotted in Scottsdale.
The Phoenix Flea, a flea and craft show that's put on in Phoenix a few times a year, was also during my visit! It was awesome to meet vendors from Arizona and the west coast, including a few I have followed on Etsy and Instagram for some time. (PS I bought this vintage dress from Etsy before my trip!)
In New York, I don't get to go horseback riding very often. Getting to ride among the amazing saguaros was a real treat!
The Rare Earth Gallery in Cave Creek is incredible - like a museum for geode and crystal lovers. They have geodes big enough to walk through, and rocks of the likes I've never seen. It's such a fun experience to walk through the shop.
And that was my trip to Arizona! I love returning to these beloved places and experiences, and discovering new ones each year as well.
