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!!!

TOURISM – HAMILTON

October 4, 2011 | Filed under: Uncategorized

Getting ready for a studio tour and our fall one is upon us, takes lots of work, besides working at one’s craft. I spend many hours designing and creating jewellery but I also spend many hours sourcing supplies, for example. One of my jobs as a member of the tour is to distribute our brochures. I hand deliver brochures to the Burlington Art Centre, to local galleries including the Hamilton Art Gallery, libraries, where ever they might attract the notice of the public.
One of my locations for delivery is the Tourism – Hamilton Information Centre, which is very good about then distributing to local outlets across the region. Great people to work with. At one time their storefront (so to speak) was on James St. S. between Main and King.
This was moved to Jackson Square and I delivered brochures there for our last 2 tours. This year, off I went to the same spot, which was boarded up. But not to worry, there is a map of Jackson Square and I soon found the new storefront which was just down the hall. But alas, Tourism Hamilton was not there. I checked another map – same incorrect address. Not one to give up, I went off to the Main branch of our public library and phoned for a new address ….Which was…..James St. S., so off I went thinking, well perhaps the original space had been renovated and Tourism Hamilton was back. I arrived and yes – found the administrative offices of Tourism Hamilton and also a sign saying that their information centre was beside the indoor entrance of the Public Library in Jackson Square. (where I started off about 40 minutes previously). I don’t give up easily and so I quickly returned and yes indeed there was the storefront next the the library entrance…..Strong signage…well maybe not or else I am not well sighted. I went in and said that it appeared that Tourism Hamilton did not want to be found….The response from a lovely and pleasant volunteer was that she heard this frequently. And this was not the final location as the information centre was moving to the Lister Block. 50 minutes of walking = good exercise albeit frustrating. So is this good for visitors to the city????

OPEN HOUSE…TOMORROW….SATURDAY, AUGUST 20TH

August 19, 2011 | Filed under: Uncategorized

I am having a one day OPEN HOUSE tomorrow which is Saturday, August 20th. It is also Cactus Festival in Dundas, so there is lots of activity and lots to do and see.
Last year, I was going to exhibit at the festival but my arm was broken, and so I decided to hold an open house. This worked out really well. A sign went out front that my studio was open and I did send out a few emails. This is a similar endeavour. If you didn’t get a notice, I do apologize.

I have concentrated on making earrings. There are a number of new bracelets and necklaces as well. I remember when I started designing and making jewellery. I really didn’t like making earrings, but I find myself quite enamoured of it now. Part of the fun has been finding new findings. (is this a pun??). A great supplier in California has some unusual pieces and you will see some tomorrow. The rest I am saving for the studio tour in October. It seems far away, but time soldiers on, not at a walk but at a run.

There was a huge rain yesterday, part of which fell during the Cactus Festival parade. It is a given that it will rain at some time during this festival. My first show several years ago was at this festival and it did pour. I have to date missed exhibiting twice. Once because we were on a cruise to the Baltic and Russia, and the second time last. But I fear my outdoor exhibiting days are over. I shall carry on at my home and studio. Beautiful gardens and a lovely Victorian home…..can’t get a much better setting than that.
I hope to see you tomorrow!!

BACK FROM CHICAGO!

August 16, 2011 | Filed under: Uncategorized

Chicago is a city that is worth visiting. I think that I might like it better than New York. We spent 4 days there, and it was worth every minute. Our hotel, the Amalfi, offered a continental breakfast that was excellent. Plus there was a happy hour every day with snacks, such as veggies and dip, salsa, cold cuts, pita, cheeses and free drinks. You can’t beat that for dollar value.
Food is one of the great attractions of Chicago. Alinea, considered one of the best 100 restos in the world is located there. We dined at Shaw’s for seafood, Gibson’s for steak, Uno for deep dish pizza, Havan for Spanish. All excellent. But I think that one of my favourite places was around the corner from our hotel, State St. Pizzeria with thin crusted pizza that was absolutely delicious. It was a good stop for a slice of pizza and a drink, just when you are feeling somewhat peckish.
Chicago is divided into neighborhoods. We visited Lincoln Park and came upon a street fair. My understanding is that each neighborhood has a streetfair on a rotating basis. I could live in Lincoln Park. This was our third trip to Chicago and might be our last for a while. So many places to go and see. We are thinking of Washington next.
And now I am getting ready for a somewhat impromptu Open House, this Saturday which is Aug. 20th. The emails have gone out, and sign will go out and we will see what happens. The Cactus Festival is this week end in Dundas. Considered one of the top 10 festivals in Canada. Last year I was going to exhibit there but I broke my arm and decided to exhibit at home.

I AM OVERWHELMED…….

June 12, 2011 | Filed under: Uncategorized

To be overwhelmed can be good and it can be not so good. The Beyond the Valley Studio Tour was 2 weeks ago and it was definitely a good overwhelming. The studio was packed…. people were waiting for it to open on the Saturday morning. This was definitely a good overwhelm as it was a very successful week end for me. Thank you everyone for coming out and choosing my pieces. It is a most wonderful and gratifying feeling to know and see that my work is appreciated. I will never take it for granted! And thank you to all my helpers. Without my friends’ support, I don’t think that I would experience all this success or have as much fun.

A not so good overwhelm is what I am involved in now, which is helping my mother move to a senior’s apartment. This is a good and timely move for her. She is happy to be going, and giving up her house which had become more difficult to manage. But the overwhelming part comes in going through all her stuff….sorting, culling, packing, preparing for sale and moving. This woman is totally neat. Everything has a place and it is a tidy place. Whoever owned the house before her created storage out of every nook and cranny. And, unbeknownst to me, every nook and cranny was full! What she couldn’t use, she simply stored. It is amazing what is coming out of that house. And it is touching when I see items that I remember from childhood, stored and safely put away. When she came to Canada in 1949, a McBrine trunk came with her. It is still there, with the label, the original paper lining, brass fittings and all is in excellent condition. My brother is going to keep that at his house. It needs to stay in the family. There are pieces of 50′s fabric that I remember as curtains hanging in our living room. I am going to make pillows out of that.
And the list goes on and on. Although there is an enormous amount of stuff to handle, it is wonderful in many ways to be able to remember the past.

New Images – Check the Gallery

May 6, 2011 | Filed under: Uncategorized

The Gallery page has been updated and new images are posted now. These were done by Greg Fess, of Waterloo and Michelle Prosek of Dundas. Lots of colour for spring.

I found some new stones this past week. Jet which is a coal derivative and very light in weight, creates a pleasing effect when combined with silver.
And mentioning silver, it, as you know, has increased substantially in price. Fortunately, I still have a goodly supply of silver that I purchased last year.
Zoisite is another new stone with colours of green, pink, black and white. Stunning!
One of my favourite things to do is to combine unusual colours and textures. That you will see! And colour blocking is a fashion term this year. Colour blocking will also appear in my offerings for the Spring Studio Tour – May 28 and May 29.

DUNDAS VALLEY SCHOOL OF ART – 41ST ANNUAL ART AUCTION

April 28, 2011 | Filed under: Uncategorized

Today the previews for the DVSA art auction began. I have contributed about 10 pieces to this wonderful event. I went today to look at the art offerings – and there were hundreds of pieces. I am always on the look out for an interesting painting. This has become my latest passion. Last year, I purchased 2 at the silent auction. The year before 2 oils that were Scottish and painted in the 40′s. I do favour 20th century art and particularly watercolours. I also seem to favour houses and rooftops – a problem only to some members of my family.
Previews today til 9 p.m. and then tomorrow and Sat. with the official live auction at 8 p.m. Always an exciting event.

SPRING IS HERE…I think!!

April 10, 2011 | Filed under: Uncategorized

It has been a while since I posted and in looking at the last one, I noticed that I had put May 4 and 5 as my Spring Open House…NOT!! It always amazes me how something can be looked at frequently and glaring errors missed!!
So NO SPRING OPEN HOUSE ON MAY 4 & 5. It was in March and again was a great success. Thank you everyone for coming.
We were in Florida for a few weeks and returned, after wonderful sunshine and warm temperatues, to a driveway full of snow. ARRGHH! How depressing was that! Now I am listening to pouring rain. But yesterday was wonderful and full of sun. It was so energizing.
I am in the midst of my custom orders and alterations and redesigns. While in Florida, I did find some interesting and colourful gemstones and am already planning what to do. It is hard not to stray from the work at hand.
The next event on my schedule is our Studio Tour aptly named Beyond the Valley Studio Tour. It is coming up at the end of May. We have 3 new artists joining us, so do check out the website. It is going to be an exciting event. I would enjoy having the opportunity to visit our other studios while the tour is in full swing. But usually too busy here to step out. And I do love to meet everyone who comes by. Really looking forward to it.

SPRING OPEN HOUSE – March 4 & 5

March 2, 2011 | Filed under: Uncategorized

My Spring Open House is just a few days away. Am I ready? I never know! I tend to work up to the last minute.
Dundas is the place to be this week end. Barnim Pottery is holding its annual Tulip Sale starting Thurs., March 3rd and continuing til Sat., and also next week. I was just there and found many new pieces. A great place to visit.
And if you crave a coffee, there are 2 excellent places now in town. Domestique is on Miller’s Lane. Krys offers coffee and conversation – both excellent. Detour is another coffee shop that just recently opened. Both are a good places to have a break.
One of my clients got in touch with me today. She received her invite yesterday. It was mailed on Feb. 16th. Is our postal service slipping a bit? Makes me nervous, wondering how many other pieces were late in arriving. And where were they during all this time?
Honeysuckle is the colour of the year. It is a coral toned shade. I will have a number of pieces available in these lovely shades. Interesting colour combinations have always been a favourite of mine. And the possibilities are endless, only limited by time, not by imagination!

2011 is Here & GOING STRONG!!!

January 17, 2011 | Filed under: Uncategorized

It is hard to believe that we are into the 3rd week of January already. My Christmas Open House seems an eon in the past. Thank you to everyone who came out. It was a fun event as usual and I am so happy that it went well.

I am now preparing for a photoshoot with professional photographer Greg Fess who is located in Waterloo. I cannot stress enough the value of well done images. My website gets lots of hits and I get lots of positive comments about the quality of my work. Excellent photography makes this happen!! Have a look at his website www.greg fess photography.com.

Altho jewellery is a passion, wall art is becoming one too. I have acquired 2 wonderful paintings by William C. Bird,(1917-2008) a Hamilton, Ontario painter. Initially I bought a small study at the Dundas Valley School of Art fundraising auction. Couldn’t find any info about him but by chance a visitor to the house recognized his work and told me where I could see more. There are quite a number of paintings hanging in 2 halls of St. Joseph’s Villa in Dundas. And if any are of interest, there is a phone number posted.

My Spring Open House is coming up in March. It is Fri. and Sat., March 4 and 5. I have now started planning the designs. I find that I go through several stages when I am preparing for an exhibition or doing a custom piece. Stage 1 is thinking (may take several days). Stage 2 is thinking (more days). Stage 3 involves the design as the piece starts to take form. Stage 4 is thinking. Stage 5 is actually starting the work. And then it can go on and on with many revisions. Yesterday and today, I started work on 2 necklaces and had to give up. Didn’t do enough thinking, I do believe.

The Beyond the Valley Studio Tour is coming up. It is a spring tour and I am pleased that there will be a new studio. Pat and Charlie Lawson will be joining us. Pat is a fibre artist who does amazing work. Her husband is a woodworker-also amazing. They are located in Lynden and are a welcome addition to our group. More info later.