Simple Table Centerpiece - sea shells, cones and ...

     Last week, while sorting out some clutter, I got this wooden tray which has been with me for a very long time, guess right from my college days. I also had a few sea-shells, palm inflorescence and some casuarina cones, which I had collected during my latest trip ; Well, the  no-cost arrangement was over in a few minutes - After all there was nothing much to do...!!  This table arrangement has been there around throughout this week - it just looked simple and beautiful , So I might have it, until the red berry-like  inflorescence withers away from its branches ...;-) I wanted to spray paint the tray white or in a shade of blue and the starfish white, but I guess they will remain the same as of now... !!

     The  last picture in this post is for you all.. ... You guyz are the best ... Thanks for the support  always ...!!

All image copyrights belong to Liven Things Up. Please donot use without permission

I am linking this post to Marty's Tabletop Tuesday and the blog party at today's creative blog.

Nendo No Tetsukuri ...

     Hi friends, How was the weekend ?.. Before explaining about the unusual title of the post, I would like to ask you something... Can you spot anything different in the flower seen below ? ... If you had really found out what the difference is , do let me know in your comments - Also, I would love to know your guesses.......... ;-) ;-) .. !!    

     The difference is that the flower is not natural and  is made of clay !!!  The flower looks amazingly perfect and natural that it is difficult to believe that it is handmade out of clay ...!!

     This is the incredible work of clay artist Jenifer Rajkumar  who learnt the art of  "Nendo No Tetsukuri" - the Japanese Clay Art form in Japan for four and half years. Jenifer is  a licensed instructor who is affiliated to the Deco Clay Craft Academy in Japan and her passion is to spread this unique art in Chennai and make this art form familiar to more number of people in the city.     

     This weekend, her works were featured in an exhibition in a Japanese Language school in the city. Jenifer's works that comprised of figurines, bouquets, centerpieces, wall hangings and realistic clay flower arrangements were showcased in the exhibition followed by a clay art demonstration where the audience stood captivated as she slowly rolled out the soft clay in her arms to make beautiful rose petals in a few seconds. The soft clay that she uses is specially imported from Deco Clay in Japan.    

From Jenifer's collection of Tropical Flowers ... Aren't they cool ?

       

  

Her work -  " Looking Through the Window "....!!

 

Pieces from the "Bridal Collection"..

Love these bridal bouquets , which will hold special memories

and can be kept for ever...

       

 

  

Deco Clay Figurines... Aren't they cute...?!?!?

My favorite is the last one - the girl in the orange floral dress.. !! 
  

 

 

All image copyrights belong to Liven Things Up. Please donot use without permission.

     Thanks Jenifer for letting me photograph your stunning pieces and All the very best !!! Jenifer also takes craft classes for those who are interested in knowing this beautiful craft and there is also a Deco Certificate course included - You can contact her here ...!!!

I am linking this post to the Weekend Wrap Up -37 party at Patty's Blog.

Cholamandal Artists' Village - Artists in Residence...

     Cholamandal , started in 1965 is an Artists' Village that is situated on an eight acres plot of land on the East Coast Road, Chennai . It is undertaken by a group of 30 artists who have formed themselves into an association to provide adequate opportunities and create the proper atmosphere for developing and utilising their artistic talents. About 30 artists live in this small colony. Many of them have constructed houses or cottages, in which they live and work.Today Cholamandal named after the ancient Chola dynasty is India's largest self supporting art colony and one of the most successful in Asia.Visitors are welcome to visit the village and its permanent gallery of paintings , the K.C.S. Paniker Museum of the Madras Movement, an open-air international sculpture park surrounding the complex as well as the display of craft work which are also for sale.

 Cholamandal Centre for Contemporary Art -

Works of eminent artists are displayed here...

     Camera is not allowed inside the museum - So all I could get was a few shots of the sculptures in the area . It is worth visiting the place so that you can feast your eyes on the incredible talent of the artists in our country ...!!

     The yellow building that is seen at the background is Shiraz Art Cafe , a lovely place with great ambience run by two artists about which I had done a detailed post here.. 

If you are interested in meeting artists, seeing them at work or getting the art works from the direct source then this would be the right place to drop by !!

Taj Fisherman's Cove - In the Lap of Luxury ....

           Have you ever wanted to spend a blissful weekend – absolutely doing nothing…just strolling around in a place surrounded by lush greenery…. great food… with the sun above and the sea waves touching your feet…?!! Then the Taj Fisherman’s Cove would be an apt choice..… !! The resort can be described as a serene and beautiful place sorrounded by lush gardens, a pristine white private beach and a perfect place to take romantic walks on.. .. ;-);-) The fantastic location of the resort along the shoreline of the Bay of Bengal and the tranquil garden settings that is cultivated within adds to the beauty of the resort.

  

      There are private cottages in various categories and perfect views - garden view, sea view etc.,..& if you like to have dinner by the sea shore, they arrange private dinners and also they have open air restaurants inside the resort, that cater food with incredible views of the sea, rocks and greenery !! This is a suitable place to spend time with family and unwind from the hustle bustle of the city – in fact, this is a perfect weekend retreat as they call it...!!  

     We went to the Taj Fisherman’s Cove a couple of weeks back and stayed there during the weekend - This was my first visit to the place & I was literally surprised to see such a beautiful place with a great ambience surrounded by greenery within Chennai…the place was way beyond my expectations… Right from the welcome drink to the shell mala with which they welcome a person in the resort , the shell-shaped cottage in which we stayed , the warm and the friendly staff, the golf cabbie rides within the resort, the excellant breakfast , dinner buffets and the impeccable service… the place was fantastic and the visit was enjoyable !! And ofcourse, quality and excellance always comes with a price … !!!

The cottage with a patio and  private garden ...

Love the simple pattern on the white brick wall....

 Wicker chairs and white interiors - simple and minimalistic ..

Mirror adorned with shells...

The tranquil garden and the beautiful landscape...

Beautiful sea-view villas ... Love those stone-like exteriors...

The shell-shaped cottages facing the sea...

Stone sculptures that are commonly sold on the

roads of ECR, chennai....

The swimming pool situated amidst trees ...  

Lounge chairs by the swimming pool - a place to relax

with a good book... !!

The 'Bay view' restaurant that offers incredible views of the sea..

I took these photographs when they were setting the table...

This is one easy and lovely flower arrangement... !!

My favorite photographs are those of the reading room..
Love the black and white rug and the embroidered pillows
that  co-ordinate well with it..

 The wooden book shelf...
Isn't that artwork and the stone mask beautiful ?!?!

The 'Upper Deck' restaurant - dinner setting by the rocks... !!

Love this simple tablescape and the blue glasses ... !!

All image copyrights belong to Liven Things Up. Please donot use without permission.

     All in all, this is a place to feel pampered and soak in luxury & if you don't expect something for every penny you pay, you might have a pleasant experience and an enjoyable stay here... !!