Fell in love with these surreal animal portraits by Sharon Montrose today. They admittedly remind me a bit of taxidermy, but it’s just so much cooler knowing that these crisp, clean, detailed shots are of real, live animals. I almost didn’t believe it until I saw this interview video with Sharon, from Etsy. Such amazing work, and it’s all available for purchased on her site, Animal Print Shop. I could stare at these captivating creatures all day long!

All of these items are cute, reasonably priced and – best of all – made or collected by independent artists. Sometimes I just can’t remember what it was like to do holiday shopping without Etsy..

1. 22k gold rim dish by lovedaniella, 2. Vintage Swedish wood tray with gold stripes by smallvictoriesshop, 3. Vintage gold bamboo flatware from vintagequeen, 4. White and gold faux deer head by LucyHaus, 5. Dottie handprinted hemp pillow in gold and black by melongings

1. 10k gold-dipped geode by eringotz, 2. Gold-lined snakeskin cuff bracelet by UNEARTHED, 3. Gold-dipped geo rings by amerrymishap, 4. Asymmetrical gray and golden leather pendant by underanewlight, 5. White leather bangles with gold tube accents by LeatherWraps

1. Gold leather mask by NonDecaffeinatedArt, 2. White and gold scalloped buttons from BonitaBellitaEct, 3. Gold and white nautical stripe passport cover by Jenni20, 4, Gold anemone screenprint from printsbyamandajames, 5. Heart of gold sequined confetti from duskandbloompaperie, 6. Vintage Brass Squirrel from PineandMain

Even though the fall is creeping in and the mornings are freezing in my apartment, an (seemingly) invisible bird outside my window insists on waking me up instead of letting my usual alarm clock do its job. Don’t birds migrate south in cold weather? What happened to this guy and why did he get left behind? Maybe I’ll try to catch him and domesticate him. OR I’ll just look at these lovely curiosities on boxes from Lyndie Dourthe! Amazing!

Clockwise from left
Rotulos Roura company owl in Barcelona via Whorange
Paper mobile from Sandra Juto
Owl Plushie from Night Owl Papergoods
Birdhouse dolls from Tamar Morgendorff
Owl painting from Andrew Holder
Owl Book End from Chatchada
Godzilla Grows Feathers matte print from Charmine Olivia’s Etsy
WAWAYA owls from Gnip
Bird Sketches paper print from dolangeiman’s Etsy
Owl candlesticks from Laura Walls Taylor’s Etsy
Cardinal garden bell from The Gardener
Bird Mobile from Grayhood
Lacy Bird bowls from Prince Design UK’s Etsy
Amma maternity stationary from Beastpieces
A Simple Bird from BROOKLYNrehab’s Etsy

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Clockwise from top left:
Invisible Dogs from Improv Everywhere
Whale Pitcher from Jonathan Adler
Vintage Ram Pin from Purple Daisy Jewelry
Halloween bird masks from Whip Up
Vintage chair from Hazel & Hunter
Porcelain plate from Studio Violet
Autumn Bird barley candy from Fancy Flours
Bulldog print from The Little Friends of Printmaking
Emily Anderson’s home and whale pillow on DesignSponge
Autumn Bird barley candy from Fancy Flours
Owls from Matt Pugh Design
Hedgehog cupcake from Martha Stewart
Ark textile pattern from Rilla
Elephant Bank from Cross Design
Modern Wilderness Rhinos from A+R Store
Gold deco Snake bangle from Luxury Vintage
Enchanted forest rings from Soop
Mini Pink Leopard Bronzing Powder from Too Faced