Nothing like Summer…..
So, I’ve been away in the Muskoka’s taking advantage of a friend’s invitation to enjoy cottage country. I love the city, but sometimes it’s amazing to get away and hear other noises (not to mention hanging out with good friends, eating nice food, and being in the lake). We were fortunate to have amazing weather, and I saw cute wildlife. Now, of course, I’m back. I’m still dreaming of the lake, so here’s a couple of pictures for you to enjoy too!
What is this?
Are you asking yourself what is this?
This is the start of a new project. It’s made from canvas stretching bars (who knew this was a thing?), and if you look closely you can see small dots. Eventually I’ll manage to put some nails there. This is what it has looked like for about 3 weeks. Sadly, it will probably still look this way 3 weeks from now. I’ll come back and celebrate when I’ve made some progress with it, and tell you what it’s for, if you haven’t guessed yet :).
Enjoy the fine weather we’re having (since it seems like summer actually HAS arrived!
Sometimes you have to make time for you
So, this past weekend was a public holiday. As an artist/maker who works for themself and work additional jobs to make everything happen, actually taking time off is often difficult. In an effort to have a bit more work/life balance, my new resolution is to take off public holidays. I generally still work at least part of the time, but I give myself permission to be a bit more relaxed. Or that’s the theory anyway. In reality I spent part of the weekend making a start on transforming our concrete balcony into a haven. It’s still very much a work in progress, but it’s nicer already!
See? New flooring, a bit of furniture, it’s like a whole new area! Next up, plants. This should be interesting, as neither mom or I are particularly inclined to keep them alive, so we’ll see….
What do you do to decompress, and what’s your idea of a place to retreat to?
Regular post probably back next week :). Enjoy some nice weather!
Gone Fishin’…….
I’ve been taking a bit of a break the last couple of weeks, and been enjoying a few activities….Grand Slam of Curling (I love to curl!), a “new-old” shop opening for the Workroom- a staple for more than a decade and a half for all things stitchy in Toronto (now in Sprucedale too!)- and a flying visit to The Artist Project, to see my good friend Carolina Reis and her exhibit (I love a good hummingbird!- check her work out, I’m sure you would too!).
Catching the ladies doing their stuff on the ice! Watching four simultaneous games is challenging, but there were some really amazing shots. I’m always so inspired watching good curling!
Me and my bestie on the bus to Sprucedale- with Carolanne Graham, quilter extraordinaire photo bombing in the background! (I’m such a Toronto-ite, I had to look up where we were going as we were leaving Toronto! Turns out it’s a lovely place:).
Carolina doing her thing at the Artist Project. I saw so many other inspiring artists when I was there, but I was too busy experiencing them to document anything!
What do you do to recharge and re-invigorate your creativity? As a small business, I wear all the hats, and I find it really difficult sometimes to make time in my life to get out and about, but every once and a while I have to make an extra effort to do so, because I know how important these things are to keep me going. How about you?
Not this week........
Sadly, I’m feeling the pressures of my workload this week, and don’t have anything very interestiang to say. So here are some pretty colours for you.
Sterling silver M pendants with needled felt. I’m still obsessed with these forms, so expect to see more of them in the future!!
Have a good weekend, whatever you are doing!
It's the Season! Come be festive with me!
While I’m busy making away in the studio (both in Roncy, and my home textile station), it is the season of good cheer, and I’m feeling it this year, in a way I haven’t in years!
Proof of Christmas in my heart this December :)
If you’re at loose ends tomorrow, come join us at the Jewel Envy studio in Roncy for some festive cheer! That’s right! Friday December 8th, 2023 from 5pm-10pm, a gaggle of goldsmiths (including Moi) will be ready to greet you at Jewel Envy to partake in some cheer, treats, and gemstone surprises as we celebrate another year in business making gorgeous jewellery for all of you. I’m really looking forward to some of the activities, myself! There will be drinks, nibbles, and lots of fun. Please RSVP via the button so we can cater properly! (After all, we wouldn’t want to run out of * gasp * refreshments!) See you there!
Wondering what I'm getting up to?
It’s been awhile since I talked about anything textile on here, so here’s a small snippet! I’m working on a new kilt in the MacKay Modern tartan. If you don’t know, tartan is defined as: (Scottish Gaelic: breacan [ˈpɾʲɛxkən]) is a patterned cloth consisting of criss-crossed, horizontal and vertical bands in multiple colours, forming simple or complex rectangular patterns. Some are a relatively simple pattern, and some are very complex, sometimes because they are derived from blending two older patterns. And the colour combinations can get pretty interesting! I think one of the cool things about tartan is that it is, in some senses, still a living thing. There is a registry for tartan, and any one who wants to design a new one, can, and then register it. Of course, it’s not quite that simple, but what a great concept!
MacKay Modern tartan
Make it stand out
MacKay Clan crest
I’m looking forward to a bit of sewing! Check back in a few weeks to see the final product(s)!
Want your very own heritage kilt?
Want to learn how to make your very own heritage, hand-stitched kilt? Sign up to take a workshop with me in March.
Treat yourself with this special opportunity
I’d like to tell you a short-ish story about a colleague and his family, as well as the opportunity to buy jewellery and help a family in need at the same time!
My colleague at Jewel Envy, Shafiq Sarwari, is a talented, kind, and hardworking goldsmith and lapidarist (he cuts and polishes stones) who came to Canada in 2016, escaping the Taliban regime in Afghanistan.
Now Shafiq’s family is in peril. After their actions as collaborators with the US armed forces during their residence in Afghanistan, they had to flee to Pakistan, leaving everything behind in order to survive. Currently, they are refugees in Pakistan, but can’t stay there indefinitely.
Including parents, siblings and nieces/nephews, there are seven adults and five children who are being sponsored to come to Canada. The adults are all highly educated, and eager to contribute to life in Canada, but the financial requirements for them to come through the government refugee sponsorship program are pretty hefty. There is a Group of Five who have committed to sponsoring this special family group, with a goal of raising $120 000 to support them through their first year in Canada.
As a group, I and my colleagues (past and present) at Jewel Envy are doing a fundraising event to support our valued colleague. This is an online auction for jewellery that is open now, until early June.
Although the goldsmiths have been given the opportunity to receive part of the payment for any of their individual pieces sold, I have elected to donate my pieces in their entirety. The great thing about the auction is that there is such a range of prices and styles, you’re sure to find something to suit you!
Amethyst and sterling silver necklace
Please help me support my amazing colleague, Shafiq, in making it possible for his family to start a new life free of fear and persecution by (either, or both!):
Bidding generously on the auction items (it is also possible to donate through this platform. To save the processing fees charged by the platform, feel free to contact Jewel Envy- info@jewelevny.ca - to find out how to contribute directly to the sponsorship fund.)
Please share the auction with your friends, family, and network. If everyone contributes just a fraction of what they can, we’ll reach our goal.
Citrine and sterling silver pendant on a snake chain
If you are interested in other events that are going to occur to support this special initiative, I’d love to hear from you! Email, and let me know!
New Profile on The Node.
New Profile
If you don't know about my background in science yet, you will by the time you read this profile on me! The Node is the community site for and by developmental and stem cell biologists. One of the regular features of the website is a SciArt pofile, and I'm so pleased they agreed to have me on in March. You'll find out a bit more about me, and the impetus behind my work, as well as a special science custom design that I did.
Viva Las Vegas
So, happy new year! I don’t mind admitting that I bid 2022 goodbye fairly easily. It wasn’t the easiest of years for me, personally. I did sneak away in November for a brief trip, though, to Las Vegas.
We saw Cirque de Soleil’s Oh, which was amazing (It was also the first time I’ve seen Cirque de Soleil!). There were a couple of times I almost thought they were going to miss the water! They didn’t, of course.
I strayed away from the Strip to investigate the Art District, which is mainly grafitti, and a lot of cool building murals. Again, not quite what I was expecting, but it was an experience.
I admit, it’s not really my cup of tea, but I’d never been before, and it’s good to see things once. It’s a sensory overload, sights, sounds…..it was interesting, though!
The Botanical Garden display at the Bellagio was pretty cool, although not quite what I expected!
And cake…..from a vending machine! Loved it!
Anyway, I saw lots of other things too, but I think this is enough for now! I don’t think I feel a burning desire to go back, but it was good to go once, and I really valued the time away from Toronto and reality for a few days!!
What have you done recently that filled that need to get away from it all? Drop me a line, and tell me about it!