100 Mile Shopping with Masterworks Southwest

(Guelph, ON) Masterworks Southwest, a touring exhibition of contemporary craft, is now showing at Guelph’s Greenwood Quiltery & Gallery. This juried show features a compelling selection of work in clay, glass, fibre, metal and wood, all created by makers living in southwestern Ontario.

This exhibit offers something for everyone, making it the perfect starting point for holiday shopping. Whimsical, conceptual, wearable and functional works are unified by their outstanding quality. All thirty-eight pieces are available for purchase, ranging in price from $50 to $7 000.

Local potter Jessica Steinhäuser feels it’s a privilege to be a ‘Kunsthandwerker’ or fine craftsman. “However, this privilege comes with a duty to create objects that are not only functional but also aesthetically pleasing to the eye, which is equally important.”

This combination of function and design can also be seen in the work of Shannon Kennedy and Juan Bohorquez of Cynosure Jewelry. Both are active participants in the arts community in Kitchener through local galleries and studio workshops. Known for their unique designs, the couple encourages commission pieces for those seeking the perfect gift.

Mary Calarco, exhibition organizer and Guelph resident, is thrilled with the strong local representation. “I’m so lucky to live in a city that boasts such talent! Over one third of the pieces are from Waterloo/Wellington, with three artists living right here in Guelph.” London artist Susan Bidinosti believes handcrafted gifts add a “breath of fresh air in a world where big box stores abound. Choosing to buy handmade is like selecting a special meal over fast food.” Masterworks Southwest is 100 mile shopping at its best!

A reception will take place at 275 Woolwich Street, Guelph on Saturday, October 16 from 1-4pm. All are welcome to attend. Masterworks Southwest, showing in Guelph until October 30, is receiving rave reviews as it travels across the region. Select pieces will also be on display in Kitchener at Artworks Show and Sale, October 30 -31, 2010 at Bingemans Conference Centre.

About the Ontario Crafts Council

The Ontario Crafts Council (OCC) is a non-profit arts organization that has been advocating on behalf of craftspeople since 1976. Masterworks Southwest is part of the OCC’s Growing Ontario’s Craft Community initiative. For additional information please visit http://www.craft.on.ca/OCC_News/Southwest_Update#Masterworks_Southwest

Media Contact:
Mary Calarco
Southwestern Regional Coordinator, Ontario Crafts Council
mcalarco@craft.on.ca
519-841-6481

Firedance Beads Art Glass Studio

Paul Rouleau's Firedance Beads Art Glass Studio is located in beautiful Victoria, BC on Canada's west coast.  For the past 5 years Paul has been making and exploring lampwork beads and off mandrel glass pendants.  This year he's focused more on lampwork glass buttons and cabochons for necklaces and rings.  This fall begins a new avenue of study in hand-forging silver.  He is really excited about setting up a workbench and learning more about this wonderful shiny metal.

Paul fell in love with glasswork while watching some glass artists in Mexico over 30 years ago.  He always wanted to try it, but thought it required huge annealing kilns and glory holes, big tools and big space in which to work. Facing the space contraints of a small urban apartment, Paul instead focused on photography and the healing arts.  He had yet to discover lampwork.

''Every day I sit in awe at how an injury can change one's life in ways that are mysterious and wonderful, if sometimes confusing.''

In 2000, Paul suffered a bad neck injury that forced him to give up his livelihood as an acupressure therapist.  He found himself living in chronic pain with damaged nerves sending his hands bad messages.  Paul thought that fine hand coordination and artistic endeavours were a thing of the past for him.  Fortunately, the brain is a wonderful thing that keeps learning and adapting, and with perseverance his hands keep getting better, with fewer spasms and more control. 

He began lampworking glass in 2005 with his life partner, Helen of Earotica Jewelry. Together, they took their first basic bead making workshop on a typical Victoria winter evening. It was cold, wet and very dark outside. The little workroom at Glass-Smith & Co. seemed welcoming and cozy in comparison and they were warmly greeted by Nicole Valentine, the instructor for the weekend. Feeling apprehensive and a little childlike with enthusiasm Paul learned torch basics and safety tips, and then watched as Nicole showed them how easy it is to make a simple bead. After picking out glass rods and a work station Paul proceeded to light the torch and set out to make a "simple bead".

''Everyday I go to the studio the glass teaches me new lessons.''

Paul says of that first experience, ''Let me tell you, 'simple' seems to have a different meaning when others do things. For me it was 'let's make a glass puddle' as I eagerly applied abundant torch heat to the glass rod. I hadn't tried to wrap any of the melting glass onto a mandrel and already I had a slag heap going.Well, that was then. Although I still make the occasional puddle on the workbench I can now wrap molten glass on a mandrel ... on a good day.''

'' I love finding new ways to work it into shapes and forms with colours that are appealing and desirable. I love the process of discovery, learning and playing ...''

 

See more of Paul's art at the following websites.

http://firedancebeads.com
http://firedancebeads.etsy.com
http://firedancephotography.etsy.com
http://paulsbuttons.etsy.com
http://firedancebeads.artfire.com
http://earotica.etsy.com  This site features Helen's jewelry incorporating glass creations.
 
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This post was contributed by Brandi of Enthral Designs Silver Jewelry in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Lampwork Beads by Jeannie Galt of Ontario

Jeannie Galt of Amherstburg, Ontario likes to play with fire.  She's been playing with fire and making lampwork beads for about 4 years and considers it her “retirement” job. She got her start in lampwork after exploring beadweaving for a time.  Wanting to try something new, she took a beginning lampwork class with a friend.  Since then, she has also taken classes with Corrina Tettlinger and Christina Logan.  A lot of practice, practice, practice, as well as reading books and studying what’s available on the internet helps her add to her lampworking knowledge. 

One can only make so many beads for oneself before one decides that maybe there must be a way to sell beads and support the habit.  She heard about Etsy from a friend and then she started hearing a lot about Artfire.  She liked what ArtFire had to say about advertising and promoting members and joined when they were offering the $7.00/month special.

Selling jewelry came about when the Gibson Gallery in Amherstburg opened up their Arts and Craft Shop.  Jeannie also has a limited listing of finished jewelry on Artfire.   She is actively searching for  other outlets to sell her jewelry and is becoming pro-active by putting together a portfolio and approaching venues.

Jeannie most enjoys the technical aspect of bead making and exploring how to manipulate glass.  On a good day, when everything works, she finds herself peace with what she is doing and time stands still.  She says that, ''Making a good bead can’t be rushed.  Christina Logan compared it to yoga where the breath and the hand movement come together and everything just works.''  

Her home studio is the garage, where she shares space with my her husband’s motorcycles as well as all the other “stuff” one finds in garages.  It’s great in the summer, as she can open up the windows and hear the birds singing and feel close to nature.  It’s a bit cold in the winter.  She has a kerosene heater that does a pretty good job of warming the garage up to a comfortable temperature.

When asked what one piece of advice she would offer other artists, she replies that, ''First, you have to enjoy what you are doing, then, practice, practice, practice.  There’s really no substitute for “putting in your time”.  Classes are great – I think one can always learn something from taking a class, but nothing beats coming home and putting into practise what you’ve learned.''

Jeannie's other interests include running, gardening, reading, and many fiber arts (knitting, crocheting, quilting, spinning, weaving, tatting, basketry). She lives in Amherstburg, Ontario with her husband and their Belgian Terverun, Aila.  She has two children, a daughter in Virginia, and a son in Vancouver. 

Jeannie's beads and jewelry can be found at: 

The Gibson Gallery
140 Richmond Street, Amherstburg, Ontario   

Online at:

www.jeanniesbeads.etsy.com   

www.jeanniegalt.artfire.com    

She is also on facebook  http://www.facebook.com/jeannie.galt

and blogs at: www.jeanniesbeads.blogspot.com

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This post was contributed by Brandi of Enthral Designs Silver Jewelry in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Nun of a Kind

Sometimes, the most unique and interesting handmade business ideas grow out of humble beginnings. In Bright's Grove, Ontario, that is how Linda's "Nun of a Kind" collection began. She created a little ornament, "Sister Mary Christmas", as gifts for teachers who produced a "Sister Act" presentation. Although she had been creating unique ornaments, Santas, and angels for craft shows, this addition to the grouping of handcrafted items lead to the idea of the "sisterhood" in general. There were many nuns who were influential in Linda's education, both at school and in music education, and she found it interesting that they were faced with the same chores, activities, and "habits" that most of us encounter in our daily lives....and so, the "sisterhood" was born!

"Sister Curlotta", the hairstylist

 A love of puns and word-play also is part of the creation of the "sisters", and they are meant to be gifts for all of the "sisters" in your life! They celebrate various careers, hobbies, sports, and other activities in which most of us are involved, and many of figures are the result of special requests.

The "sisters" are sold on Linda's website, http://www.nunofakind.com as well as on her "Etsy" and  "Artfire" websites.  She exhibits at four annual shows, the largest one being the "One of a Kind" show and sale in November. Last year was her first time at the "One of a Kind" show, and she found it wonderful to be among the 800 vendors from across Canada and the North America to celebrate truly "handmade" items! She is there from November 25th-29th this year.

"The Nun-Denominational Sisterhood"!

To keep up with "happenings in the "sisterhood", Linda also keeps a blog at http://www.nunofakind.blogspot.com


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This post was contributed by Brandi of Enthral Designs Silver Jewelry in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

ArtFire Deal on Pro Rate

ArtFire is currently offering their Pro account at a rate of $5.95 per month. Even if you already have a Pro Account at another rate, you can sign up for the new lower rate. The catch is that you have to sign up before October 1, 2010. After that, the low rate will be gone!

All of the pertinent information is here:

ArtFire $5.95 a month deal!

Canadian Artisan Blog Round Up

If you scroll down the page a little, and look in the right hand column, you'll find a list of recently updated blogs that are written by Canadian artists and artisans. Every once in a while, I like to read through the most recently updated sites and do a little blog round up. I think this is a nice way to remind people that the list is there, and to spotlight a few random artisans at the same time.

Renske Helmuth, quilt artist and teacher, talks about her daily life and the sashiko blocks on which she is working. For those of you that are quilt fans, and in her area, she is doing a trunk show next week for the Etobicoke Quilters Guild. You can read more on her blog.









If you hurry over the Quilt Rats blog, you can enter to win a very cool handmade postcard. You'll have to be quick though, because she is making the draw tomorrow morning!

Over at Designed by RJ, the kitty is the topic of the day. It seems he has taken over one of the floor cushions as his throne.

Rhonda, at My Handbound Books has taken up Wood Block Letter Press Printing. I'm anxious to see how this will reflect in the products that she offers for sale. Her leather journals are to die for. I'm sure whatever she comes up with next will be equally as awesome!

There's certainly lots of talk about quilting this week! Prairie Peasant is sharing some photos from her quilting group. They are really fabulous. You should check them out.


On the Handmade in Manitoba blog, Winnipeg upcyclist  Lisa Wiebe is featured. Her upcycled lamps are really unique.

Now, go read, and discover something new!

100 Mile Finds Reveals Local Gems Available Within Easy Drive

Toronto, ON Sept 20, 2010- Finding the perfect gift, or even the perfect
sofa, lip balm, belt or locally grown carrot within an easy drive of one’s
home is now simple with the launch today of 100 Mile Finds.  100 Mile Finds
is a new shopping portal that identifies unique shopping and ‘locally
grown’ goods and services within a short distance of one’s postal code.

“We are passionate about community and we wanted to do something to
support local communities through the promotion of locally made items and
locally available unique services,” says Toronto resident Susan Wild, who
co- founded the site with Shirley Fairley.  “After my seven-year-old son
asked me why everything we owned was made in China, we started
brainstorming how we could tell people about all the fabulous goods,
service and produce available close to their homes.  100 Mile Finds was our
solution.”

Visitors to www.100milefinds.com start by submitting their postal code and
preferred distance radius from their home to reveal a list of vendors
within their specified area.  Searches can be narrowed further by category
or even store name if people are looking for something specific.  All
businesses are tagged to define how ‘local’ they are – from independently
owned stores who support some locally made products, to the artisan who
makes one of a kind items.

Part directory, part craft show and always close by, 100 Mile Finds
(www.100milefinds.com) connects site visitors with vendors close to home
and gives them an opportunity to buy their products. From the hardcore
locavore to the shopper who wants a great product while simultaneously
supporting a local entrepreneur, 100 Mile Finds offers something for
everyone.

 “We love craftsmanship and local gems and we are amazed by the depth of
talent and creativity that surrounds our local community,” says Fairley.
“Whether it is a farmer selling his crop, or a knitter producing a garment,
visitors to 100 Mile Finds get an inside glimpse into the production
process so they can appreciate the unique things their local communities
offer.”

Fairley, a photographer, who specializes in family portraits, has
experienced firsthand the frustration and difficulty micro and small local
businesses have ‘getting the word out’.  “On numerous occasions people have
come up to me and said had they known I was photographer and they would
have used my services.  100 Mile Finds will give people the opportunity to
locate and support local small businesses.”

100 Mile Finds currently features goods, services and shops within 100
mile radius of Toronto.  By the end of 2010, the site will include listings
for more of Ontario.

For more information on 100 Mile Finds please visit www.100milefinds.com

Media Contact:
For more information on 100 Mile Finds, or to speak to one of the
founders, please contact:

Shirley Fairley or Susan Wild
info@100milefindds.com
416-763-7105