The Raleigh Flea Market

I would love to collect old cameras and display them on a shelf!
There are both indoor and outdoors sections at our flea market.
The produce always looks so fresh and yummy!

These three pictures are a slice of Americana. (The ice cream is delicious!)
It would be neat to fill the walls of a coffee shop or a bar with these old license plates. I'm sure it has been done before!

These suitcases looked so charming stacked together.
You never know what you will find at the flea market. Even if you don't purchase anything, it is still fun to look at old items such as these shaving brushes.

We are very fortunate to have a fantastic flea market in Raleigh and I have enjoyed my visits there since I was a child. It is located at the North Carolina State fairgrounds and you can find more information about it here. I just love perusing through old items and wondering about the stories behind them.

At our flea market, you can find pretty much anything you can think of... sterling silver pieces, hand made linens, beautifully crafted furniture, vintage postcards... the list goes on and on. Even if you leave that day without having purchased a single item (aside from a hot dog, of course), you feel content and satisfied. It is also quite fun to people watch and you are guaranteed to meet a ton of sweet dogs. I even saw a ferret on a leash this past time!

I hope you are able to venture out to a flea market near you soon. You never know what treasures you will find or sights you will see. It's all about the thrill of the hunt!

The 1,000 Paper Crane Project

My heart has literally been aching since the earthquake and tsunami hit Japan. I have a special place in my heart for this country and it has been shocking to learn of the amount of devastation and hardships that many Japanese have endured. They remain in my prayers each day.

These events have put things into perspective for me. No matter how rough you think you have it - imagine losing your home, your loved ones, your livelihood. These things were taken in an instant because of this catastrophe, so we must count our blessings each and every day that we are on this planet. Always put your best foot forward, appreciate your loved ones, do not go to bed angry, and strive to do the right thing. Life is precious.

The 1,000 Paper Crane Project

Being just one person, I have struggled with how to make a difference. My father gave me the brilliant idea to use my blog as a catalyst to help raise money and awareness.

The ancient Japanese tradition called "senbazuru" states that when someone folds 1,000 paper cranes, a wish will be granted. This is often done to ask for recovery from an illness or injury. While I know that these cranes will not heal all the wounds of Japan right now, they are a country of tradition and it is my hope that they will find strength in such a gift.

My idea is to fold a paper crane for each dollar raised for the charities below. My goal is to fold at least 1,000 cranes. For example, if you donate $100, I will make 100 cranes, $10-10 cranes, etc. After you donate, please leave a comment on this post with the amount that you donated so that I can keep track of how much has been given. You can remain anonymous if you wish. This is going by the honor code, so please be honest about your donation amount. I need your support on this and I hope that we can encourage each other to donate to a good cause!

After creating the 1,000 cranes, I will ship them to an orphanage in Japan that was affected by the earthquake and tsunami.

Below are three charities that I have researched and donated to myself. These charities are committed to using ALL designated funds specifically for Japan, so be wary of other programs if you are intent on donating strictly to this cause.


Americares
Click on the link above to read more and donate. "The AmeriCares team began mobilizing within hours of the first reports of the dual disasters, dispatching an emergency response manager to Tokyo to direct the efforts of our relief workers in Sendai, the largest city closest to the impact zone. Our team is in direct contact with local officials, evacuation shelters and hospitals treating the injured and caring for evacuees in Miyagi, Fukushima and Iwate to determine health needs."

American Humane Association: Japan Relief Fund
Click on the link above to read more and donate. This charity is working towards finding and rescuing animals affected by the earthquake and tsunami. You can also donate $10 by texting PROTECT to 85944. Q&A about how they will be helping Japan can be found here. Not just the people of Japan need our help, their furry companions do too!

Food for the Hungry
Click on the link above to read more and donate. Food for the Hungry is a Christian based program that is gathering and distributing items such as blankets, hand warmers, rice packs, and warm underclothes through their base in Sendai, Japan.


Remember that every little bit counts (even $1)! Instead of getting fast food for lunch or your favorite coffee this week, use that money towards something that will help Japan. Thank you and keep praying!

DIY Succulent Terrarium + How-To Video

I absolutely love bringing nature into my home with these mini ecosystems. They are actually quite simple to create as long as you have the right materials. This is my first time making a how-to video, so I hope that it is easy to understand and helpful! I owe my husband a big kiss for all the wonderful finishing touches he added to the video. Thank you, sweetpea!

After almost two years since it started, Eclaire Art now has its own domain name! Just type "eclaireart.com" or "www.eclaireart.com" into your URL bar and it will send you right to the blog! Exciting!

I have two big projects that I can't wait to tell you about this upcoming week, so stay tuned!

Two Ways to Set a Table with Cherry Blossoms

Here are two completely different looks with the
cherry blossoms being the star of the show!

Five years ago today, my best friend asked me to be his girlfriend. During our courtship, we spent countless hours at a nearby park after classes. These gorgeous cherry blossoms trees were blooming during this time, so they will forever remind me of falling in love with my husband.