Confessions of a Professional Beachcomber

I am so excited about our new holiday collection from Chris, I think you will be too! I asked her if she'd like to write a guest blog post explaining her inspiration for her designs, and she was more than gracious to stay up late one night, typing, when I know she'd rather be painting!  This is her story, in her words sent over to me.  As a fellow Pacific Northwest girl, I can totally understand why she's inspired by the scenery, and lifestyle in the Puget Sound.  

These stockings are only a small selection of her fabulous holiday collection!

Guest blogger: Crabby Chris

It’s true, what they say about self-employment:   When you work for yourself, you only have to labor half a day; then you can do whatever you want in the remaining twelve hours.   Aside from the requisite six hours of sleep, I must have my recommended daily allowance of beachwalking – for research, of course, for my handpainted beach-inspired pillows.

The R&D process takes me to water’s edge; here I draw inspiration from the fascinating life forms, colors, sights, scents and sounds of the place where the ocean meets the land.   Living on an island in Puget Sound, I am sensitized to the rhythms of nature, the water’s ebb and flow, the angle of the sun, the calls of the seabirds.  I love to paint images of the creatures with which I share this beautiful locale, and also those that populate the exotic places I have yet to experience.

When our amazing shrinking family moved to our beach house a few years ago, I began doing lots of “beachy” activities – assembling Adirondack chairs, sewing crustacean quilts, and painting pillows for our sundrenched deck.   Soon our neighbors noticed our bright-colored crab pillows and wanted some of their own.  One day I asked a local shop owner if my painted pillows might help market her colorful outdoor furniture.  They did, and suddenly I was painting and sewing pillows six days a week.   You can usually tell what I’ve been working on from the color of paint under my fingernails.

I have a few things to confess... with the sincere hope that the reader will not judge me too harshly

1. I paint in my jammies
2. When on the beach I sometimes lose track of time.
3. I prefer Dungeness crab over lobster
4. I've never seen a piece of driftwood I didn't like.
5. On really busy days, I forget to apply makeup - sorry.
6. I am compelled to photograph as many sunsets as possible
7. The squawk of a great blue heron sounds like music to me
8. I sometimes awaken at 3:30 am with a fabulous design idea
9. I have collected more seashells than I can count

They say confession is good for the soul.  I must admit I feel a little better coming clean, but I sincerely hope that  others not  become unduly burdened by these disturbing revelations.  The next time you see a sunburned blonde with paint under her nails, please be kind.  She doesn’t get much sleep.

(I think she looks pretty great for no sleep, and no makeup!)

I put together these collages of coastal holiday decorating ideas - all featuring Chris' awesome tree skirts. I have never seen any beach house decor done like her designs, all finely finished - they will last a lifetime, and will become treasured family favorites.

Traditional red and green colors, but with a decidedly "beachy" flair!  The tumbled sea glass ornaments are also products from another Pacific Northwest artist.....

 I call this collection Nantucket - with the nautical touches of miniature striped buoys and bright green lobsters, and candy cane striped lighthouse stockings. 

Blues, Aquas, seashells and a more than a few mermaids!  (P.S.  The Mermaid stockings can be customized with different hair color shades)

Highlighted with corals, red and white decorations - this would be an easy look to complete for your shore holidays!

All of these coastal holiday decorating ideas can be found online in our Beach Coastal Holiday Category!