Quatrefoil….in Dundas…the middle of nowhere!

January 27, 2012 | Filed under: Uncategorized

Quatrefoil resto has been named one of the best 10 restaurants in Canada. A Toronto magazine referred to it as “being in the middle of nowhere.” I suppose that only Toronto counts for location, location, location. And Quatrefoil is excellent. My daughter and I have dinner there every 3 to 4 weeks and enjoy it immensely. Frasier, the chef knows what he is doing and does it exceptionally well. A group of us were there for this past New Year’s Eve. This is our second New Year’s and we have not regretted it….not only the food, but the ambiance, the staff, who by the way are very well trained and know their stuff. Judging by how busy Quatrefoil is, the middle of nowhere has become very well known.
My daughter and her husband joined some friends at Scaramouche in Toronto. This is considered the best resto in Canada…and they were looking forward to the evening. Frasier, the chef at Quatrefoil, spent some time at Scaramouche. Their assessment was, and they are all knowledgeable foodies, that Scaramouche was excellent and Quatrefoil was its match. In fact, all thought that the sauces at Quatrefoil were better. There you go….in Dundas…a world class restaurant! I love this town!!!

Breakfast in Dundas, Ontario

January 22, 2012 | Filed under: Uncategorized

As I posted previously, my husband and I decided to have breakfast in all the restaurants in Dundas that served it. We would go about once a week, have breakfast which was then followed by a walk. In many cases a very good idea.
Generally, I might state that breakfast is a meal of plenty. Most of the restaurants we tried offered up lots of food for reasonable prices. Tammy’s on King St. was our first stop. A well known place that always seemed to have a lineup and specialized in breakfast. It closed a few days after we were there, in the middle of the week, and were waiting in line. No one seems to know why. Our choices were an omelet, with home fries, french toast, and coffee. And there was lots! But we found the food very greasy. My brother and a group of friends would always have breakfast there on the morning of the Christmas Tree Hunt. We can’t go back, it is closed, but then we wouldn’t. Friendly staff.
Next we dropped into Espresso, on King St. at the corner of Foundry St. No breakfast menu, but we were in a rush and there was quiche so we stayed. Micro-waved quiche, doesn’t cut it but the coffee was excellent. We noticed quite a group of what appeared to be regulars. We would go back for coffee for sure. And the lunch offerings might be better. Our next venture is a lunch tour.
Then it was breakfast, at the Valley Grill (I think..the sign is very faded on both sides), on King St. at the corner of Mill. It was one of my invisible days. The owner came out and greeted my husband with a “How are you today, sir?” Orders were taken at the counter, cash only and then delivered to our table. Again plentiful food. One order would have been enough for 2 of us. But….we won’t go back. Again, lots of regulars.
Detour is on King St. and fairly new. It started out as a coffee venu and branched out into a cafe. Excellent coffee always. Here the breakfast offerings were more varied and there were half servings available. More expensive but then better quality. Great atmosphere.
Adelina’s on King st. in Grafton Square between Osler and Ogilvie, was next and we have never eaten there before. Very sparse inside, but in terms of the typical breakfast of omelet or eggs or french toast, it was the better than most. And reasonable.
Our last stop was at Domestique, the cafe on Mill St. We had baked oatmeal with maple syrup which was delicious. The coffee is always excellent.
We did not go to Macdonald’s or Tim Horton’s. We all know what their breakfast is like.
Next…Lunch in Dundas.

Looking back on 2011

January 16, 2012 | Filed under: Uncategorized

Here it is the middle of January, 2012 and in some ways that hasn’t sunk in. Tomorrow, I am off to Greg Fess Photography Studios in Waterloo, Ontario, to have pictures done of my pieces. These should be on my website in about 2 weeks. There is nothing to replace professional photography….I don’t care how good you think your pictures are…. Greg Fess is one of the best. I always receive positive comments about any pictures that I have on my website or that appear in print.

My Christmas Open House turned out to be a successful event. And I thank everyone for coming. I have an excellent group of friends who love to help….they really enjoy meeting all the people who come out to see my work. The article in the Spec. also helped. I spoke to one man who said that when he saw the images in the Spec, he knew right away that he wanted to buy one of the pieces as a gift. I love to hear that.
But I have to say that Canada Post let me down. My question is: What is going on with Canada Post?
November was a very bad month for service as far as I am concerned. I sent a bracelet via Parcel Post to Mount Hope. Tracked it and it was delivered a week after the date shown on CP website. 2 weeks for delivery. Another bracelet went letter mail, same time for delivery. I was worried about the second delivery because the piece was not insured. Then I mailed my Christmas Open House cards…first class mail…beginning the week of Nov. 14th. My open house was December 3 and 4. I started to get calls after the open house….the week of December 5th….from several people saying that their cards had just arrived. Yet in December, I could see overnite delivery for Christmas cards. Last week, I got a return for an undeliverable Open House card. For my Spring Open House, I intend to send out my cards earlier.

As I look back over 2011, a lot has happened but that is life, I suppose. 2011 was the first year that I didn’t do any offsite shows or events. I only had 4….a spring open house the first week end in March, then followed by a studio tour in May. A fall studio tour in October, then followed by a Christmas open house the first week end of December. Along with many appointments and requests, this has kept me very busy. It was a big decision for me to downsize the number of events but I am really glad that I did.
My mother who is in her 80′s moved from her house to a seniors’ apartment. This was a grueling experience, I have to say, taking over a month to accomplish the move. Shortly after this move, her car was stolen but fortunately recovered. So now she is settled and all is well.
We welcomed 2 new grandchildren into the family. Our grandson will be a year at the end of the month and our granddaughter, 3 months. We now have 2 of each, so 4 in all. Keeps us very, very busy, as we like to be involved.
No big trips this past year, altho we were in Florida for a few weeks. We are looking forward to going to Northern Italy in 2012 but cruises are not seeming too appealing after this current disaster. We also visited Chicago and then went to Corning, N.Y. to see the glass museum which is fantastic. Newport, Rhode Island was also a stop where we toured early 20th century mansions that were called “cottages”. The last 2 were a great experience and we would like to go back. Chicago was our 3rd visit, so another city is in the horizon.
Now 2012 is well on its way. I am planning my Spring Open House which is always the first week end of March, and planning is going on for the Beyond the Valley Studio Tour which is always the week end after Victoria Day in May.
Pantone’s colour of the year is a pinky, peachy sort of shade. You will see some of that in my Spring Collection. Coming soon!!

PUBLICITY…..can there ever be enough?

November 30, 2011 | Filed under: Uncategorized

I was very fortunate to be featured, this past Monday, in the “Style” column which is in the “GO” section of the Hamilton Spectator, our local newspaper. Michele Steeves is the editor and has often featured the Beyond the Valley Studio Tour of which I am a member. Artists and artisans are a big part of our community and also contribute to its well being. So this support from our community newspaper is very much appreciated and in some ways immeasurable. Although, I have to say that I had a huge number of hits on this website Monday and Tuesday……much more than usual.
Jeff Mahoney, a columnist with the Spectator used to write about the art scene in Hamilton. His articles were entertaining and enlightening.
Currently he writes a column about the different members of our community, their experiences etc. An excellent read. But I do miss his articles about art.
Carmelina Prete has occasionally written articles that are art related. As I mentioned in an earlier post, she wrote about 2 of the artisans on our tour….Paull Rodrigue, who works in glass….and Scott Barnim, a renowned potter. Her writing is also excellent. Hope she continues along this vein.

It is countdown time. Just a few days to go until my Christmas Open House. On Monday, a visit to the One of a Kind Show in Toronto proved to be a good thing. Some interesting and unusual things…such as pigs made out of old propane barbecue tanks. They were absolutely great. Could be planters among other uses. Small tanks were converted to piggy banks and catchalls. (This Little Piggy). Creativity has no limits. Another person took old tin ceiling tiles and framed them.(Tin House Designs). n Just wonderful! One of my favourites was furniture made out of bicycle parts, metal implements. Sounds hokey? Well it wasn’t. Well crafted and very attractive. Phillipe Pallafray who is from Quebec had the most beautiful metal furniture. Hope all went well for everyone. I did hear some artisans say that they were swamped on the week end. Hope that we are swamped here on Saturday.

December 3rd & 4th…Christmas Open House Here

November 28, 2011 | Filed under: Uncategorized

Saturday & Sunday are fast approaching. But life continues to interrupt my life. Off to the One of a Kind Show today. An enormous amount of advertising has been done this year. The most that I have ever seen. And it would appear that the quality of the show has improved. I had noticed this trend a couple of years ago. We hadn’t gone for several years as we saw a decline in quality but have returned as there is definitely an upsurge and once again it is a pleasure to go. This used to be one of the premier events of the year. I can remember going during the week and facing huge crowds. I guess now with so many studio tours, week end art festivals and so on, there is a lot of competition for time and the public’s dollar. And it is not inexpensive to be part of this show. I would think that costs would go from at least $3000 and up depending on where the artisan is from. (never end a sentence with a prepositon…grammar class). Also an artisan cannot be part of another show or event within a certain radius of Toronto in the previous month. I spoke to one woman who said she brought 1500 pairs of earrings. Amazing!
Scott Barnim is having his Christmas event staring Dec. 3rd as well. Dundas could be one stop shopping!! He has 20% off in his showroom. This continues for about a 2 week period.
Now off to the show!!

CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE…..DEC. 3 & 4

November 25, 2011 | Filed under: Uncategorized

My Christmas Open House at my home studio is just 8 days away. I have days where I can produce so much and then days where I just wander around waiting for not only motivation, but inspiration. This can be very frustrating. But it is a fact. Ideas can whirl through my head at, it seems at break neck speed, and if I don’t sketch them out (and believe me my sketches are minimal and very rough), then they are gone. Creativity is a hard taskmaster. Sometimes very obliging and other times, well…….
Sometimes I develop a rhythym (not sure that is the correct spelling) and am happily working away when….life intervenes. And the link is broken. And it is very hard to connect again.

A young boy of about 10 came into my showroom with his mother during the studio tour in October. He looked around and then said to his mother “this place is a woman’s dream”. This young boy is going to do well. I liked him right away!!!

It is my mother’s birthday today. She is an active 86. My brother and I are going to take her lunch as she really doesn’t like going to restaurants and then we are having a family party on Sunday, with her favourite, Chinese food.
Her car was stolen and we have been making sure that she gets where she wants to go. We will get her another car within the next 2 weeks, but she has become less enthusiastic about this. I think it is because she sees us so much now and is quite used to having us around regularly. She passed her driving test which was quite uplifting for her, especially after the car theft. Lots of changes in her life this year. She is doing well.
On Dec. 10th the women of the family are gathering and my mother is going to show us how to make pyrohy (known in the English world as pyrogy). This will be quite an event.

TORONTO….via VIA (also known as the train)

November 6, 2011 | Filed under: Uncategorized

As I was in great need of jewellery supplies such as silver, I decided that this time I would go into Toronto by train. I went with my eldest daughter who works there so it was an early trip in.
I had to buy single tickets as I didn’t know my return time. This amounted to over $46.00. It seemed a lot to me but then when you figure in the cost of driving and parking which alone, often amounts to over $22., then perhaps not so much. (the Go is much less at just over $18.00 return but the times are not as convenient). Since I had the whole day, my plan was to walk to all my suppliers. And this I did.
As well, I met my niece, who attends U.of T. for lunch. There I was, standing on the corner of Dundas and Spadina, waiting for her, when I get a call from my brother (her father). Now how odd is that! He was certainly surprised to know where I was. But he called to pass on unfortunate news. My mother’s car had been stolen from her parking space, that morning. It is a 2000 Honda Civic and as we found out eminently desirable. Probably because it is relatively easy to break into. My mother had just moved into a senior’s apt., a very big change for her. She does love it. Now this happened. She is due to take a driving test soon, so we will wait to see if she passes. She always has before, and in fact, is a confident driver. Then my brother and I will get her another car if hers doesn’t turn up. She initially said no, that perhaps she could stop driving now, but the loss of her independence is telling.
Back to Toronto….my niece and I had lunch at the Urban Herbivore in Kensington Market. This was great as they have bowls that have a rice or quinoa base and then 6 toppings of your choice…vegetarian of course….on top. Delicious. When I was telling my 9 yo grandson about this, he wanted to know why his cousin hadn’t taken him there yet. He is a real foodie but not so fond of meat, so this type of meal, totally appealed to him.
I continued on after lunch to several other suppliers. I had visited 2 in the a.m. and found some great gemstones…grey jade, very light smoky quartz which I will pair with black onyx and peacock blue and green keshi pearls. Look for a multi strand necklace of those. I very much liked the walking and I must say that it was an absolutely gorgeous day. The only problem was that as I accumulated supplies, the load I carried got heavier and heavier. Nevertheless I soldiered on and at the end of the day met my daughter at the Library Bar at the Royal York which is right across from Union Station. Very handy, I must say. And packed.
Oh and I forgot to mention that I also managed to buy myself a jacket which is very smart. It is amazing what can be accomplished on a day of accomplishments.
The 7:00 p.m. train home and I walked into the house at 8. And I was exhausted. I had been up and on the go since 6:15. It took another day to get over this, so somehow I will have to modify my trips…..or get younger (or as my daughter would say…get fitter!)

TWO WEEKS LATER…..

November 1, 2011 | Filed under: Uncategorized

The Beyond the Valley Studio Tour has been over for 2 weeks, I have had a rest and am now back at work. Thank you for coming out to my home studio during this 2 day event. As usual we had a lot of fun, a lot of jewellery went to good homes, and now it is time to move along. My Christmas Open House is coming up which is the first week end of December. Also I will have pieces in the Carnegie Christmas Small Works Exhibit. The Opening reception is the evening of November 4th. The Carnegie will be open every day in the month of December. Check my events page for address etc.
And do remember that I am open by appointment, so if you need a piece for yourself or a gift, do give me a call. I will be glad to see you and show you my latest pieces.
To change the subject totally……I don’t always think about jewellery……my husband and I have decided to have at least one meal in every restaurant in Dundas. We have already eaten at a number of places but not all. So we started out by having a breakfast once a week, until we run out of restaurants that serve breakfast, then we will move on to lunch and then dinner. So far we have sampled 3 restos for breakfast. Would I recommend any of them….well no….except for coffee in one. There could be a book in this. Once we are done the breakfast routine I will comment on our experiences during our morning meal.
Tomorrow I am off to Toronto to visit suppliers….time to get started on the Christmas collection.(yes, I know, I do think of jewellery all the time!)

Beyond the Valley Studio Tour…..the day after tomorrow…..Saturday, Oct. 15 & Sunday, Oct. 16…..10 a.m. to 5 p.m

October 13, 2011 | Filed under: Uncategorized

It is crunch time as the studio tour is the day after tomorrow. And am I ready…..well, never!!There is always something that I wish I had completed but working up to the last minute seems to be what I do.

We had excellent Thanksgiving weather and were able to have our dinner outdoors. Turkey leftovers for a few days but that is a good thing as there is no cooking on my part. Altho the turkey that was left was a bit skimpy. We had a 22 pound bird, also ham, for 20 people. Let me say that it was a hungry crowd!

And now back to the tour. Our group was very fortunate to have The Spectator publish a lengthy article about us in the Go Section…actually made the front page of that section. It featured Paull Rodrigue our glass, artist; Scott Barnim, a potter and one of the founding members of this tour; and Michelle Prosek another glass artist. And I am happy to say that I was mentioned, a there was a picture of one of my pieces. I knew that the article was coming, but was surprised to get a phone call yesterday about sending in some images of my work. Which I did promptly, need I say. It was a very well written article. Our studio tour is in its 29th year. Celebration next year.

And now….. it is back to work for me.

THANKSGIVING IS ALMOST OVER….and the STUDIO TOUR is in 5 DAYS!!!

October 10, 2011 | Filed under: Uncategorized

For most people, Thanksgiving is over, with a dinner yesterday and today a time to relax and enjoy the outdoors. For us, the dinner is this afternoon as it has been for many years. Two of our children have cottages, so this timing gives them an opportunity to enjoy the country and yet still get together as a family. Right now we are thinking that we could eat outside, it is so balmy. The drawback is the number of wasps that immediately appear upon smelling food. My husband was stung the other day as he sat down outside, so they are numerous and edgy. I was hoping that they would all go to the Rockton Fair. We will eat around 5, so perhaps they will dwindle in numbers.
And then comes the Beyond the Valley Studio Tour….this Saturday and Sunday. Oct. 15 and 16 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sadly it looks like rain. Dundas has another studio tour the week end before Thanksgiving. For the last 2 times, they have almost been rained out. Most of the participants in that tour are outdoors and suffer the consequences. Our tour is entirely indoors.

We have a great line up. A new studio has entered the mix…Heather Vollans does wonderful work. Check out the tour website….www.BeyondTheValley.ca…. and you will get the details of her work. Better still, much better, go and visit Heather at her studio. You will be amazed. The Lawsons joined us this past spring in May. They had a great tour and are excited to be back.
Terry Osborne has a show at the Carnegie Gallery featuring her wood fired kiln pieces. (I am not sure that is correctly phrased). We went to the opening reception this past Friday…a huge turnout….and it was evident why….Terry’s work is outstanding.

I will have some unusual stones this tour….green onyx….opaline….copal (a type of amber) to name a few plus different shapes in black onyx…one of my favourite stones. Just so versatile.
The bracelets that are on the front of our brochure, advertising the tour, are fine pieces that look very attractive with watches. There will be a large selection of these featuring quartz, jade, onyx, pearl,agate,and so on.
As well, I have incorportated vintage findings in some of my earrings. For a different look!!!