Wishing You and Your Loved Ones a Peaceful Holiday

Therapy for the Inner Child

I really can't launch into a soliloquy about Play Doh with out the background music of Captain Kangaroo. They go hand in hand.

It is has been said that i have the nose of a German Shepherd. I can smell a foul odor wafting over from the next city. If an odious scent appears in my home there is always a stockade of incense ready to light and mask it. Fortunately my husband is tolerant of my rules and gagging reflexes about stinky substances in our home. .. scrambled eggs and cooked fish are at the top of the offending list. I am eternally grateful he does not consume nor cook beef as well.

There are however, certain fragrances that i can't image living without, such as lilacs, the ocean air and puppy breath. (Let's not forget pumpkin pie, roses, lilies, carnations, fresh bread, lavender, and Yellowstone park) However if i have to pick, there is one that is beyond doubt the most therapeutic for my soul and it is Play Doh.

The one whiff that instantly reverts me back into a four year old child is the clean salty aroma of Play Doh. If you were a child of the early 60's then you will remember the smell. Pink has always been my favorite. Blue always smelled a bit too blue, salty and it dried out the quickest. Yellow was ... well who likes yellow? And white was just too bland though it was the easiest to mold. And yes i can tell the difference between colors even with my eyes shut.

When ever i am going through times of stress taking a whiff of Play Doh seems to calm me. I believe that it has the same relaxing properties as Rescue Remedy for some of us.

I love that you can now find small mini containers of Play Doh. So handy to keep in a purse for that emergency whiff. Much nicer than my asthma inhaler which takes way too much room in a purse, and is way less effective emotionally. Though i am certain the New England medical board would pounce on me for prescribing Play Doh aromatherapy to acupuncture patients. (Oh to clarify to the MA Veterinary Board, that would be human patients not dog patients. Because if you were going to prescribe aromatherapy to a dog patient i would probably recommend a good juicy organic free range bone that would make me gag.)
Yesterday i came across a small container of new pink Play Doh at my favorite thrift shop. Immediately i took a whiff and believed it as sign from the Universe to play more and chill out. A new years resolution that i hope to keep this coming year.
(Work less, Play Hard. .. sounds like a Nike commercial!)


From the Wiki

Type	Modelling clay
Inventor	Joseph McVicker Bill Rhodenbaugh
Company	Rainbow Crafts (former) Hasbro (since 1991)
Country	United States
Availability	1956–present

Play-Doh is a modeling compound used by children for art and craft projects at home and in school. Composed of flour, water, salt, boric acid, and silicone oil, the product was first manufactured in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA as a wallpaper cleaner in the 1930s. When a classroom of children began using the wallpaper cleaner as a modeling compound, the product was reworked and marketed to Cincinnati schools in the mid-1950s. Play-Doh was demonstrated at an educational convention in 1956 and prominent department stores opened retail accounts. Advertisements promoting Play-Doh on influential children's television shows in 1957 furthered the product's sales. Read more of this article at play doh wiki

Magical Mermaid with Wings

From PlanetCalamari

Using a vintage cardboard ornament this red haired mermaid is embellished with blue crystals, glass beads, sparkles and faux pearls. Blue is the color of protection and of the sea.

The piece is then given a few coats of a clear durable varnish to give it protection and a glossy, magical shine. The pin is about 5.5 inches long. A pin is securely glued to the back of the mermaid. A ribbon or cord can be attached to the pin to transform it into a decoration.

Makes a magical holiday stocking stuffer any time of the year. This Mermaid pin is lightweight and can be worn on a sweater, coat or hat.

According to Wikipedia "In some ancient fairy tales of China, mermaid is a special species whose tears can turn into priceless pearls. What's more, mermaids can also knit an extremely valuable material which is not only slight but also beautiful and translucent. Because of this, fishermen longed to catch them, but it's difficult for them to survive for mermaids' splendid singing can simply drag them to coma. Actually, mermaid is a symbol of wonderful creatures in Ancient China."

Free Shipping. Ready to ship. Wrapped in a festive cellophane bag with confetti. Made with love and magic in our seaside studio located in Salem MA.

To see more magical pins and art visit http://www.etsy.com/shop/PlanetCalamari

Who would be
A mermaid fair,
Singing alone,
Combing her hair
Under the sea,
In a golden curl
With a comb of pearl,
On a throne?
I would be a mermaid fair;
I would sing to myself the whole of the day;
With a comb of pearl I would comb my hair;
And still as I comb I would sing and say,
"Who is it loves me? who loves not me?"
- Lord Alfred Tennyson, The Mermaid

Lady of Guadalupe

Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Patroness of Mexico and the Americas
December 12

There is something mystical about the art of this Mexican deity. She has always been one of my favorite versions of the catholic Virgin Mary. Not a pasturized version of the Mary that we see here in the USA. The Lady of Guadalupe seems to be more of an ethnic Goddess. She is not pale. Her hair is dark. There is magic in her robe. Miracles seem possible when lighting a candle to her.

"This image, may still be seen in the Cathedral in Mexico City. Many believe that the fact that the image remains intact on a coarse fabric woven of a cactus-like plant that ordinarily deteriorates within a few years is further indication of the miraculous nature of the image. The symbolic significance of the image include Mary's complexion, which is similar to that of the Indians who were native to the region, her pregnancy, the gold stars adorning her blue mantle that representing the heavens, the purple tassels of her sash signifying royalty."

For more information on this Mexican feast day please visit http://www.wf-f.org/Guadalupe.html

If You Believe In Fairies Clap Your Hands!

Using a vintage victorian cardboard ornament this blue fairy is embellished with blue crystals, glass beads, sparkles and faux pearls. Blue is the color of protection and magic.

The piece is then given a few coats of a clear durable varnish to give it protection and a glossy, magical shine. The pin is about 5.25 inches long. A pin is securely glued to the back of the fairy. A ribbon or cord can be attached to the pin to transform it into a holiday decoration.

Makes a magical holiday stocking stuffer any time of the year. This fairy pin is lightweight and can be worn on a sweater, coat or hat. Easy to mail as a gift.
Free Shipping. Ready to ship. Wrapped in a festive cellophane bag with confetti.

Made with love in magic in the Planet Calamari Studio located in Salem MA. To see more Victorian fairies, angels and mermaid pins visit the Planet Calamari Etsy Shop

Visit the Planet Calamari Facebook Page

Victorian Christmas Angel Pin

Calling All Angels Jewelry & Magnet Collection by Planet Calamari

This collection of Angel jewelry is one of my oldest lines. I have been making them since 1990. I have decided to bring them back as we are living in a time that the world needs a little reminder that Angels are still with us.

Using vintage victorian cardboard ornaments this angel is embellished with a Red Austrian crystal with red, green and clear glass beads. Red is the color of love.

The piece is then given a few coats of a clear durable varnish to give it protection and a glossy, angelic shine. The pin is about 1.5 inches wide. A pin is securely glued to the back of the angel. A ribbon or cord can be attached to the pin to transform it into a holiday decoration.

Makes a magical holiday stocking stuffer any time of the year. This Angel pin is lightweight and can be worn on a sweater, coat or hat. Easy to mail as a gift.

Free Shipping. Ready to ship. Wrapped in a festive cellophane bag with confetti.

According to the Wikipedia, Angels are supernatural beings that are messengers of God. They are found in many religious traditions such as Christianity, Judaism, Islamic mysticism, the Bahai Faith, Indian religions, Sikhism, Zoroastrianism and also in New Age beliefs.

Whatever your belief system, Angels are spiritual beings that guide and protect us. There are so many stories even in modern times of angels helping out those in need.

More Angels will be added soon to our Etsy Shop.

Made with love in magic in the Planet Calamari Studio located in Salem MA. For more art to wear please visit the Planet Calamari Etsy Shop or or our facebook page

Calling All Angels

Calling All Angels Jewelry & Magnet Collection by Planet Calamari

This collection of Angel jewelry is one of my oldest lines. I have been making them since 1990. I have decided to bring them back as we are living in a time that the world needs a little reminder that Angels are still with us.

Using vintage victorian cardboard ornaments this angel is embellished with blue crystals, glass beads, sparkles and faux pearls. Blue is the color of protection.

The piece is then given a few coats of a clear durable varnish to give it protection and a glossy, angelic shine. The pin is about 3 inches wide. A pin is securely glued to the back of the angel. A ribbon or cord can be attached to the pin to transform it into a holiday decoration.

Makes a magical holiday stocking stuffer any time of the year. This Angel pin is lightweight and can be worn on a sweater, coat or hat. Easy to mail as a gift.

Free Shipping. Ready to ship. Wrapped in a festive cellophane bag with confetti.

According to the Wikipedia, Angels are supernatural beings that are messengers of God. They are found in many religious traditions such as Christianity, Judaism, Islamic mysticism, the Bahai Faith, Indian religions, Sikhism, Zoroastrianism and also in New Age beliefs.

Whatever your belief system, Angels are spiritual beings that guide and protect us. There are so many stories even in modern times of angels helping out those in need.

Made with love in magic in the Planet Calamari Studio located in Salem MA. For more art to wear please visit the Planet Calamari Etsy Shop or or our facebook page

More angels, fairies and putti pins will be added soon. Meanwhile... Click below to hear the song Calling All Angels on youtube:

Happy Birthday Louie Prima!Zooma Zooma

from wiki
Louis Prima (7 December 1910 – 24 August 1978) was a Sicilian-American singer, actor, songwriter, and trumpeter. Prima rode the musical trends of his time, starting with his seven-piece New Orleans style jazz band in the 1920s, then successively leading a swing combo in the 1930s, a big band in the 1940s, a Vegas lounge act in the 1950s, and a pop-rock band in the 1960s. In each of his musical endeavors, he incorporated his exuberant personality into his act.

Sing along with Louie http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIJzpdJIdmI But Angelina never listens to my song......

Going to a party? Visit The Planet Calamari Etsy Shop for festive art to wear that is fun and easy to dance in!

Happy Birthday Agnes Moorehead aka Endora!

[about mortals]
Oh, they all look alike to me. Noses to the grindstone, shoulders to the wheel, feet planted firmly on the ground. No wonder they can't fly. - Endora the witch

from wikipedia
Agnes Robertson Moorehead (December 6, 1900 – April 30, 1974) was an American actress.Although she began with the Mercury Theatre, appeared in more than seventy films beginning with Citizen Kane and on dozens of television shows during a career that spanned more than thirty years, Moorehead is most widely known to modern audiences for her role as the witch Endora in the series Bewitched.

For bewitching art to wear visit the Planet Calamari Etsy shop

happy birthday walt disney

My imagination creates my reality
-Walt Disney

Happy Zappadan

“I never set out to be weird. It was always other people who called me weird.”
Frank Zappa

The festival of Zappadan runs from the date of Frank's death, 12/4, through the date of his birth, 12/21. I did not make this up. You read more about this holiday season from an old post at the blog The Aristocrats

OK, so i do have a Zappa thing, just look at the hair. We were both born at Mercy Hospital in Baltimore. His parents were part Italian ....and Catholic. Mine were full blown Italian which requires one to be Catholic too. He too was the oldest child of four and he also had asthma. wheeeeeze gasp pass that inhaler please.

Frank and his family ended up in San Diego in 1955ish depending on which bio you read. (I eventually moved there in 1981) You can read more about Frank's early career at wiki

It was not just the brilliance of Zappa's music that made me fall in love with him. He was a rebel. Outspoken. Blunt. A genius... a real one with a high IQ. He was a smart bad boy with a sense of humor and an inhaler. Oh take my breath away. And he had no problem being odd, different or weird. He did not even try. I can relate to that- though it took me much longer to accept that about myself. Some of us are just born that way. It pisses some people off, confuses others and stuns the rest. Rest assured, most of us freaks are harmless, just scary to watch or understand.

He was oh so very handsome in that ugly-sexy rock star kind of way too. Of course i think if i ever had kids i would have thought of better names for them than Moon Unit, Dweezil, Ahmet and Diva Thin Muffin Pigeen. (Diva is a beautiful name without the pigeen muffin.)

So in 1993 Frank Zappa died on my birthday of prostate cancer. (Bill Bixby, of the Courtship of Eddie's Father had just passed away a week before with the same disease.) What a shitty year for good guys. I remember that day vividly, what i wore, ate, drank and the tears. I took it as an omen that it was going to be a very bad year. (And yes it was THE year that sucked- but it also was the year that sparked many big changes in my life- death of my a dear friend, death of a bad marriage, moving to new apartment alone with terrorist cats, a sick dog and starting acupuncture college. And i am certain it sucked more for the Zappa family.)

It has been 17 years since all that has transpired. My terrorist cat will be 18 soon. I can't even believe how old i am today. I feel young inside. Old in my joints. My inhaler is still in my purse. So..when i learned of the holiday season of Zappadan that started on my birthday a few years ago, i took it once again as an omen, but this time as a good one.

So today i will floss, not eat yellow snow and celebrate my weirdness. It's my birthday and i'll floss if i want to. (yes i did live in Montana for 9 months too!)

Sing along with Frank on this 1973 youtube.

I might be movin' to Montana soon
Just to raise me up a crop of
Dental Floss 

Sherwood Forest Freeform Crocheted Necklace

What would Robin Hood give to Maid Marian this holiday season? A magical leaf to wear from the Sherwood Forest.

The center piece of this necklace is a hand-blown glass leaf which radiates hues of greens, turquoise with brown flecks when light hits it. Four strands of freeform crocheted ropes intertwined form the necklace. These strands are created using recycled yarn of green earth tones embellished by two different types of Italian yarn fringe. Vibrant colors of bronze, yellow, orange, black are intertwined with fuchsia, teal and purple.



This piece is lightweight and slips over the head. Easy to put on and take off. The leaf is almost 3 inches long. The entire necklace is about 15 inches long.

Looks boho chic with a pair of jeans and boots. Dress up a black or brown outfit with this outlaw art to wear. See more pics of this art to wear at Planet Calamari Etsy Shop

Made with love and magic in the Planet Calamari art studio located in Salem MA. Please visit our website www.planetcalamari.com

Happy Birthday to the Divine Miss M

“Group conformity scares the pants off me because it's so often a prelude to cruelty towards anyone who doesn't want to --
or can't -- join the Big Parade.” Bette Midler

Click here to watch this youtube of the Divine Miss M and her girls sing Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy.