Pigs add fun and whimsical charm. Their clumsy gait, pudgy demeanor and snouty appeal as they “peddle” their way on their trotters, have always presented an inspiring form for many creative pursuits such as the flying pig or winged pig form. Many cultures have mixed feelings about the pig though and attribute various cultural and societal beliefs to these clumsy animals. Some view them with disdain and disgust rendering them as forms that are created from the pits of hell while others adopt a more whimsical and appreciative tone seeing these animals as

Pink and pretty, our little pig adds a whimsical charm.

fascinating farm animals that provide food and sustenance to a majority of the human population.

For many decorating styles including that of the country and those that prevail on the farm country theme, pigs are trend setters for spicing up the look. A pig figurine or two can always be seen adorning the home or garden and this has

Sleepy and celestial, our angel pig is a cutie!

since brought forth a plethora of unique pig planters, pig sculptures like our winged pig collection and even decorative pig ornaments like bookends, plant stands and even welcome pig statues. Perhaps, farmers find their own special way of attributing the form of the pig as a form that should be applauded for the home – after all, don’t pigs provide the nutrient and mainstay of many dietary forms like the familiar pork chops and sweetened or spiced barbecued ribs, a specialty dish that is always welcomed with a tub of beer. For the Chinese, the pigs have a special place in their zodiac calendar and those born in the year of the pig are considered generous and notably associated with wealth and intelligence. For me, I am inclined towards looking at our world positively and viewing these funny animals called pigs as adorable beings graced with the looks that

Still sleepy after flying from the heavens!

God bestowed upon them and certainly fascinating us constantly with their antics as depicted through folklore and fairy tales. Our pink pig collection adopts the attitude that pigs also go to heaven and hence, our collection of winged pig sculptures that are angelic and adorable. We hope you love them just as much as we do.

A bronze sculpture that depicts a mother's undivided attention to her children.

Our mothers inspire us in so many ways we sometimes cannot imagine living life without this formidable human being by our side, guiding us through our childhood years, standing by unceasingly at every second of our life, nursing and teaching us the instruments of life’s little quests and tasks. Her unceasing presence to protect and love is divine and cannot be dispensed as easily – she leaves a trail of memory in every step of our life, every facet governed by a thread of memory she leaves behind us influencing our behavioral position in the day to day management of life’s joys and hurdles. A mother reminds us constantly in her own way, how much she loves us leaving us thinking of ways to honor her and it does not have to be just on Mother’s Day. Love transcends through time and should be always on our mind every single day irregardless of the tedious day to day chores. For all the work she endured bearing us, the least we can do is celebrate her love in ways that she appreciates.

Mother Holding Her Child

Sculptures of mother and children statues are probably sacred pieces to us because of the deep emotional meaning that it carries. A sculpture of a mother holding her child close to her bosom or bearing her child within her arms, nestling and loving the helpless little child, is a loving gift idea for her and highlights our way of exemplifying our feelings towards the woman we call “mother”.

There are many sculptures highlighting a mother focusing on the care of her young children with her undivided attention. This bronze sculpture of a mother kissing her young child establishes the closeness of a young mother to her

Sculptures capture our intense emotions and expressly highlights our bond towards a person, in this case, our mother.

child as she further holds her child with her hand in a loving assurance. It not only captures a human relationship with feeling but also depicts our sensitivity and emotional demands for loving relationships. 

Mother and children sculptures will always captivate us and make lovely gift ideas for the home and garden. They do not have to be the ultimate gift idea just on a Mother’s Day or even on Christmas Day. Gifts that expound the emotional senses should be gifts to present any day of the year. After all, a mother who loves constantly will always attach a proud and loving feeling to the significant gift she gets from her loving child.

Written by Romilla D. for MyGardenGifts.com
© 2009 MyGardenGifts Inc. All Rights Reserved
Email csr@mygardengifts.com

Highlighting classical influence, terracotta planters and pots help boost the classics with their earthy and courtly personalities.

Container gardening presents an artful form of sculpting your garden landscape. The myriad of materials available in pot and container construction makes container gardening, fun and open to much adventurous pursuits.

Terracotta tends to offer classical tones to the garden; usually available in earthy and peaty finishes, terracotta planters are beautiful addition to the garden highlighting streaks of classical colors and shapes. Many manufacturers have come up with creative ways of adding color and character to terracotta planters sometimes offering old and mossy finishes that simply enhances its use into the classical garden. The Tuscan and Mediterranean decorative themes usually call for the use of terracotta planters and urns perhaps because their use enhances the Aegean theme easily. However, these days the versatility of fiberglass also allows the manufacturer to create any container or pot that fits your decorative style.

bronze adds an expensive allure to the home and garden and are known to last a lifetime.

Some of us may be akin to metal planters and the availability of cast iron and wrought iron metal planters may add an inviting charm to the garden. These days, metal planters are dressed in lovely designs exhibiting scroll, lattice and Parisian details that are simply ravishing. They come in all shapes and sizes from Tuscan metal planters to lattice styled window boxes that add color and pleasantness to the windows. The unanimity posed by formidable bronze planters and urns also adds a character to the garden that heralds the theme of the days past. Although expensive, bronze planters are made of durable copper and tin that ensures their continuous use in the garden.

Dress your windows with window boxes that enhance the look of your windows that you wish to hide.

Shop for pots and containers that are practical and offer an aesthetic addition to the garden. Decide on a design style for placing your containers; are these pots and containers to be placed in visible view or are they designed to be placed as part of some group planting? Whatever the decision, derive a plan that allows their assimilation into the garden with happy results. And while some containers may look big, bold and attractive, decide on whether their use deserves a place in your garden as the placement of large planters can sometimes take the focal point away from the other deserving areas in your garden like the expensive fountain you invested in or a garden pond wrapped in beautiful details. Instead, where possible, use pots to mark the entry into these treasured areas.

Written by Romilla D. for MyGardenGifts.com
© 2009 MyGardenGifts Inc. All Rights Reserved
Email csr@mygardengifts.com

Cat Shelf sitters are happily welcomed to the shelves by cat lovers who love the element of surprise and mischief from their pets.

Many of us may enjoy a touch of fancy by introducing decorative shelf sitters that offer an element of surprise to the shelves and desktops. Shelf sitters are adorable ornaments to have around and they can be personal effects that highlight your affiliation to an object, an animal, a story or even an interest to a mythical form such as a gargoyle or mermaid. Some of us may even extend their use on computers where the interest to adorn and decorate simply highlights our primordial affiliation for objects that interest and catch the eye.  

The mischievous contenance of the monkey is mellowed with these sleeping monkey figurines for the shelves.

For many of us, animal sitters may be commonplace accessories for use as shelf sitters possibly because they evoke interest in our perception of the natural world. The most common shelf sitters for animals would of course be in the form of domesticated animals namely the cats and dogs then followed by farm animals such as pigs and cows and naturally extending to the wildlife such as a lion or wolf where such animals can also be regarded as totems for a tribe or family.  The sight of a cat in a crouching form adding a whimsical and decorating appeal to a ledge or shelf is not only inviting to an ardent cat lover but also recreates the ever so adorable movements of the feline race. The eagerness to spring and surprise is the typical enchanting character of a kitty cat out to play. Most cat lovers can of course relate to the energetic and surprising motions of an inquisitive kitty, hence the use of such cat figurines sitting lazily on a shelf or created in a crouching form may be eye catching and readily welcomed.

Cats spring and add animated fun hence the use of cat shelf sitters are common and herald a pleasing mood for the cat owners.

Some of us may use shelf sitters as guardians and gargoyle shelf sitters may be one of the common options. Gargoyles which are at most times presented in somewhat grotesque forms are thought to protect the dweller within and their history began with the development of medieval churches where the use of a gargoyle was thought to ward off evil away from the church or cathedral. While these medieval creatures are often left outdoors, these days they also offer their services as sitters on computers or even on home library shelves where their use as guardians and keepers to keep off prying eyes, may be summoned by the superstitious dweller. Then some of us may be intrigued by the use of mermaids where literature and stories that abound on mermaids only spark the interest in adding some of these unusual folklore additions to the home.

Whatever the interest, decorative shelf sitters probably evolved due to the fertile imagination of sculptors who like to add a mysterious awakening and surprise to the shelves by offering a form of accent to herald an appreciation for all things unexpected. The interest of shelf sitters have flourished as these objects are created with a specific theme at heart which we can relate to personally like a dog, a cat, a fairytale figure and so forth. Shelf sitters are new introductions to expect from contemporary form of decorating and their impressions have certainly made themselves noticed through the vast number of adorable shelf sitters including a taste of the heavens with angel and cherub shelf sitters to guide your way through the day!

Written by Romilla D. for Kaviik’s Accents
© 2009 Kaviik’s Accents Inc. All Rights Reserved

Highlights the closeness of a mother and her child.

The versatility of bronze sculptures remains unmatched – bronze is a malleable form and has a way of communicating the passion of the sculptor; it tells the mindset of the sculptor drawing emotional interest and admiration for the arduous details and beautiful emotions that gets depicted on some of the life size sculptures we see these days as an instance. The marketplace is replete with many bronze sculptures and statuary from small bronze figurines to large to life size bronze sculptures depicting the classics, art deco and modern themes. Bronze is an ancient metal, one of the oldest allow known to man, that has been used to create an infinite number of accessories like table lamps, decorative accessories and urns, vases, tables and monumental sculptures and fountains. You might even find many beautiful sculptures recreated from the ancient Roman and Greek civilizations like Hebe, Venus, Neptune and so forth, each extolling sometimes the infinite character and artisanship of the sculptor as he recreates his/her passion for the ancient bronze beauties of the past.

Bronze is used to create the mythical charm of mermaids.

Bronze is made primarily of copper and tin, and is favored because of its resistance to corrosion.  Over time, it weathers to a beautiful brown or patina

Bronze creates some of the most charming tabletop figurines.

color and is notably a metal that corrodes very gradually. The worthiness and strength of bronze is apparent in the many bronze sculptures man unearthed from past civilizations namely the ancient Greeks, Roman, Eastern, Mesopotamian and Egyptian which have still retained their timeless looks and function.  It is little wonder why artisans choose to use the same bronze material in reproducing some of these timeless artifacts over again. 
Written by Romilla D. for MyGardenGifts.com
© 2009 MyGardenGifts.com  All Rights Reserved

Highlight small or large clam sculptures as objet d'art to create interest.

Some of us may enjoy the calm and collected atmosphere that is accentuated with coastal decorating where the use of sea blue tones, natural tones of white and light pastel finishes matching the right home accessories namely beach themed, can help create a more relaxed match for comfort living. Coastal decorating is not only a decorating style but it is also an art since it employs the use of natural decorations with your own art of decorating styles to find the perfect fit for your home. The final product of coastal decorating should eventually reflect a harmonious creative pursuit that intermeshes your personality, your style and your ideas with the natural elements of nature to create the coastal home that is a personal haven to you.
When deciding what constitutes coastal decorating, many of us turn to the sea for inspiration. We may want to bring the look of the sea indoors and in doing so; we tend to highlight the natural forms of accents like sea shell decorating as a form of boosting the coastal décor theme. After all, coastal décor is about bringing in the life and love of the sea into your home. There are many ways of using sea shell decorations but it is important to remember that there is always a need to maintain balance when using sea shells as too much of it may do injustice towards the overall look of the coastal home. The trick is to create a smooth transition of its use into the many practical forms of home accessories we use without it seeming to clutter the look of the house disparately.

Here are some ideas towards sea shell decorating in the house:

1. Welcome Your Guests with a Shell Themed Front Entrance
The front entrance to a home is perhaps one of the most important entries towards revealing the soul and personality of your home. Hence, it is important to plan the visual presentation of your front entrance with style highlighting the coastal theme vibrantly and with distinct candor. Highlight a shell wreath if possible and create your own if it necessitates a step further by including lovely sea shells and florals into its work. These days customers can purchase matching shell door knockers and door bells that help usher in the theme of the sea beautifully. Greet your guests with lovely soothing floral arrangements and shell themed mirrors that accessorize and welcome your guests with open arms since the theme of the sea truly is intended to make your guests feel relaxed and comfortable.

Subtle use of shell accents sometimes creates maximum impact as these lovely shell tassels demonstrate.

2. Highlight The Use of Sea Shells in the Home Accessories Used
Sea shells could be used to accessorize your functional home accessories such as a table lamp, candle holders, a photo frame or a wall sculpture. These shells should not overpower the look of the object but be used to subtly create the effect intended. For instance, a table lamp could highlight sea shell adornments on the shade or base while a candle holder may highlight some of the sea shells in the basin or bowl which holds these candles. You may also place a select number of sea shells with sand into a clear glass container to highlight the theme of the sea together with pebbles and other even dashed with colored sand to spark off interest. Use these adornments in suitable areas to anchor the appeal of the sea into the living room spaces. You can also accent the look of the sea shells on mirrors and can even get creative by using sea shell brackets that highlight a natural appeal of the sea.

3. Use Clam Shells Creatively
There has been a rising interest in the use of clam shells. They come in small or large sizes. When treated, clam shells offer exciting decorating possibilities for the coastal home, serving well as soap dishes, planters and for holding your knick knacks for display. On its own, the treated clam shell also does beautifully as an objet d’art. Some artists even create clams in the form of candle holders highlighting their use on the dinner table or for setting a soothing mood in the living rooms. These days, clam shell producers are also getting creative using these exotic shells for the creation of lamps and even solar accents for the garden.

4. Use Sea Shells into the Texture of Fabrics Used
Some of us may get creative with the use of sea shells and could eventually add its effects on curtains, while some may employ its good looks on tassels for holding the curtains down or may even use them for cushions and pillows that are intended to decorate.  Highlighting wicker baskets with shell adornments just takes it further when placed in bathroom spaces together with the display of sea shells in baskets.

The use of sea shells lends itself to a creative pursuit and of defining new ways of making the coastal experience seem so fresh and enchanting. The ideas listed above are just some ways of using sea shells into your decorating efforts but should not be limited towards these attempts alone. Highlight the uncluttered flow of sea shell decorating into the kitchen areas, dining room tables and other areas like a conservatory where the greeting of a mermaid themed fountain holding a conch and ushering in a gentle stream of water interspersed against a background of greens in pretty shell and sometimes Tuscan planters, can set a lovely decorative effect for all to relax and enjoy.

Written by Romilla D. for CoastalDecorPlace.com

© 2009 CoastalDecorPlace.com All Rights Reserved

Based on an original, Mediterreanean jars add a visual interest.

For those who love the appeal of Mediterranean decorating for the garden, it would be hard to ignore the use of the striking olive jars sometimes known as Mediterranean jars. These jars which may sometimes appear ungainly at first glance, would reference the large two handled jars that the ancient Romans created known as “amphorae” which were used to age the wine for several months before they were consumed. The styles of these Mediterranean jars and pottery from the Spanish, Greek and Roman eras were highly definitive and startling in terms of looks, size and character and have wound their way all across the Middle Eastern world through trade routes and exchange. While the Romans used the large “Amphoraes” to store and age their wines, the Greeks used these sort of jars to hold wine, water, cereal, nuts and olive oil, just about anything that facilitated trade, and there were many types that were created from simple earthy urns made of clay to unique forms of pottery displayed at weddings to those that were used to hold human remains. Smaller versions of these urns were used as pitchers to mix wine and water for serving. Stories also abound on the jars as they strove to provide stories of conquest, sometimes detailing slavery and of the everyday life of the Mediterranean people.

Today, these rather huge and elaborately figured urns are lovely additions for highlighting the look and mood of the Mediterranean era. It is not easy to dispense the familiar look of the tall olive jars that might herald courtyards, terraces or the front entrances of the Tuscan style home. Tall and majestic, these beautiful urns definitely add character and salutations to the overall outlook of the garden, setting architectural focal points within the garden for areas to be admired such as the front entrances, patios, courtyards and swimming pool areas as they usher in the theme of the Old World with elegance. Mediterranean décor is perhaps one of the more adventurous forms of decorative styles, a lively work of art that is defined by inviting tones and shades, and certainly characterized by the owner’s deep thirst for zest and life. Hence, there is a certain life conveyed through the use of these urns that lends character and form to the garden. You can for instance, juxtapose these containers as standalone sculptures with other small container bearing plants to add character and draw interest, or use them to create a balance between the use of low lying plants and those that do well in taller container planters.

Adds a lovely architectural appeal for interior or exterior design.

Some landscapers love to leave the look of the these pots in varying positions sometimes left sideways, to create a myriad of scenic textures and colors or may even use a tall large jar as a focal point against a backdrop of greenery since the contrast of clay color against green adds a natural attraction. These lovely urns are also perfect for planting citrus plants, herbs, bougainvilleas and other plants that were common in the Old World. And these lovely urns which are sometimes ribbed all across their body or may be characterized by handles will also do nicely in the Mediterranean home integrating well as a standalone piece on a stairway landing area or be used in a generous spaced niche to add a natural element to the interior decor.  

Consider the use of these charming vessels if you are seeking a Mediterranean scheme for the garden because the use of these large urns are very definitive of the ancient cultures that gave rise to this form of décor. You can use them for your container planting projects to grow the plants that are characteristic of a Mediterranean garden or highlight them instead as a sculptural “objet d’art”. Whatever the decision, these pots will surely accentuate the look of your Mediterranean garden with originality gently drawing attention to areas within the garden that might be otherwise, understated.

Written by Romilla D. for MyGardenGifts.com                                                               © 2009 MyGardenGifts.com. All Rights Reserved

The Chanchitos pigs has inspired curiosity and interest from those wondering about its three legged form.

Many of us use symbols as part of the association with our culture and each of us, have our own type of symbol that we associate good fortune and good luck to. Pigs have garnered much popular interest in many cultures east and west. The Chinese for instance speak of the golden “double pigs” for happiness and prosperity while the Germans consider the pigs, “Gluckschweins” or “lucky pigs”. However, these symbolic pigs are usually seen possessing all their four legs.

Thus, many of us may be intrigued and somewhat surprised by the three legged Chanchitos pig statues that we might sometimes see in a friend or family’s yard. After all, none of us could possibly conceive the existence of such a heavy animal without all its four quarters intact. Hence, the idea that maybe a leg got snapped off leaving the unwary pig statue still capable of standing ground to maintain balance may well be the heartwarming position we might take in responding to the sight of a rather awkward looking three legged pig.

The creation of the Chanchitos pig hails from the town of Pomaire, a Chilean town located west of Santiago. The land of Pomaire is extremely fertile in natural clay and has been noted for its lovely pottery creations handed down from generation to generation using the same ancient techniques passed on from their ancestors since the late 1600s. Apart from creating pottery ware and ceramics, the town is also well noted for its inception of the famous and rather cute three legged pig figurines known as Chanchitos pig. These little pigs are endowed with the blessings of ushering good luck and goodwill to its recipient and hence, it is common for people of this town to bring in little Chanchitos pigs made of clay and ceramic as gifts for friends and family. The chance of bumping into these imaginative looking pigs in the shops of Pomaire is therefore common. They appear to have been assimilated in the face of this vibrant little town as a common good luck statue seen in shops and restaurants which have also become closely acculturated into the beliefs of the people of this town. Tourists passing their way through Pomaire looking for some giftware reminiscent of this lovely town may find it very hard to fend off the look of the unusual and adorable piggy figurine with the three legs and eventually these little pigs become part of the merchandise and gifts purchased in this town. As each of these little pigs weaves their way into our society, it is only natural that the idea behind their existence is also upheld. After all, we all like good luck charms to keep our lives secure, happy and filled with luck every single day.  

Whether the story behind the Chanchitos pig remains a creative charm contrived by the fertile imagination of the town craftsmen to boost a tourist appeal or otherwise, no one can dispense the adorable and imaginative appeal these pigs have possessed over the rest of the world. They have become a lively part of the conversations in blogs, part of the garden landscape tucked away in a place for noticeable view and as desk ornaments mostly looked upon for luck or as unusual gift pieces for intriguing a curious passerby.
Written by Romilla D. for MyGardenGifts.com
© 2008 MyGardenGifts Inc. All Rights Reserved
Email csr@mygardengifts.com

Adds to a charming equestrian decor.

Bookends which were once used with the primary purpose of holding bookends, have now taken more decorative forms. They are no longer simply heavy steel like forms designed with the sole purpose of holding books but have since grown to include creative designs and forms that are intriguing. With the onset of the consumer driven market, many manufacturers simply make it their business to charm the market with functional and decorative bookends that not only pique the interest of the shopper but also captures their imagination and style. Many of us shop ardently for the right set of bookends to match our decor and with the types of decorating styles available today, the number of bookends available are simply endless and mystifying. Think about it. You can find colorful and prominently defined rooster bookends to match the look of the Victorian and English country home to the architectural bookends that take the form of some of the decorative elements of the Great Wall of China, Greek Columns, Taj Mahal etc to funny whimsical bookends which sound a humorous laugh such as those that spell the fairytale characters with utmost care and color. The range of bookends available are simply mind boggling. I would also

Adds to a welcome and hospitable theme heralding the colonial days past.

not forget bookends designed in the form of children to add to the library of a young child – who can possibly ignore the look of the children etched into the look of a set of bookends? They only extol innocence and childish appeal – a perfect and proper set indeed for the library of a budding student. The latest forms of bookends for a children’s library now include a unique range of reading bookends that highlight animal forms such as a frog or monkey.

Choose bookends which appeal to your décor sense if you are looking to match it with your decorating style for the room. For some, the kind of bookend sought changes with the look of a room – you might consider a set of kitchen styled bookends that highlight fruits, cookware and country styled themes and might move towards bookends which take the form of a gardener’s appeal for a conservatory. For some, the type of material used in making the bookends, matters profoundly. If you are seeking light and decorative bookends, choose resin based bookends which allow for many designs and forms while brass and cast iron bookends combine the power of weight and sometimes, good looks, in holding up your heavy bookends. Brass bookends especially tend to add a class to the library combining it with some form of classic formality. Some of us may

Dog bookends celebrate our love for our pets and adorn our home with much prominent love.

like the look of cast stone bookends which not only add weight to the library shelves but also highlight simple geometric designs utilizing the circle and square forms ingeniously. Whatever the appeal, decorative bookends will always intrigue and capture the interest of the hardnosed bookends collector, setting a pathway for creative forms of color, form and definitely, extending the purpose of bookends as a welcoming gift solution for a thoughtful friend or family member!

Written by Romilla D. for MyGardenGifts.com
© 2008 MyGardenGifts.com. All Rights Reserved

Oftentimes known as the Three Wise Monkeys

Most of us may be curious and perhaps intrigued over the sudden interest in See No Evil, Hear No Evil and Speak No Evil statues which have since moved from the conventional use of the three wise monkeys to include cherubs, frogs, turtles and many other life forms. The idea of covering the eyes, ears and mouth may seem somewhat unnatural but this unusual pictorial form was really based on a 17th century carving found over the door of a famous Tosho-gu shrine in Nikko, Japan. The beautiful carving was created on the door leading to a horse stable for the sacred shrine.

I remember my father’s little gift items from Japan and the popular sculptures of the See No Evil, Hear No Evil and Speak No Evil monkeys have since taken a unique place in our curio cabinet for the foyer. The origin for this form is vaguely unknown but reports indicate some similarities to references made in the Analects of Confucius, a great Chinese philosopher and thinker suggesting that Chinese pilgrims may have taken this aspect of the adage and modified it in Japan. The Japanese adhere to this adage religiously and perhaps, to some extent, it surely applies in our day to day living as we realize that it is not a good deed to speak, hear nor see events which are unsavory and detrimental to our own spiritual and emotional well being. Others suggest that a person will not be evil in his speech if he is not exposed to the words and sight of evil. Whatever the insights offered, the proverbial adage of the See No Evil, Hear No Evil and Speak No Evil will surely fascinate and lead to as much as conjecture as it does in awakening the good side of mankind and reminding him/her constantly that it does not pay to lead a life tainted with evil and in whatever form it takes.
Written by Shari G. for MyGardenGifts.com
© 2008 MyGardenGifts Inc. All Rights Reserved
Email csr@mygardengifts.com