I came across the delicious little mermaid figurines above when I was looking around for items for Etsomnia™ 95: Under the Sea. Of course, I ordered one immediately. When it arrived a couple of weeks later, it was so lovable, so perfect (and reminded me so much of my mother), I realized this group of makers needed their own post. These are the simple, perfect ceramic miniatures from the Etsy shop Barruntando, made by a group of women from different parts of Spain who found they shared a love of ceramics and a remarkable design aesthetic.

I love the facial expressions on all their pieces. They are so serene, yet they all seem to have such attitude, like they’re perfectly happy with themselves. And why shouldn’t they be?

I get so wound up about some of the, shall we say higher-priced art I post about that I make myself half crazy sometimes. But here are simple, beautiful, thoroughly lovable pieces for under $50 that I can have right now – no bucket of money needed! So go buy yourself a mermaid. Or a fox. Or a cat. Or an empanada . . .

All images property of Barruntando.