Well, it is a stretch but I'm very pleased with the watercolour renderings of the fabrics in this photograph of my wee guy. The face? less so - I need to work on this, but I am pleased that this was all drawn using a waterbrush, with no pre-sketching in pencil.
Friday, December 30, 2011
Thursday, December 29, 2011
studio portrait thursday: on holiday
So far this holiday, and despite a niggling head cold, I have managed to tidy up the studio, install my new computer (!) and reclaim about 90% of unsold inventory for the end-of-year check.
And we've managed a few creative moments as a family too, mainly sketching and some watercolour painting in our new journals. I've added a few new illustrations to my summer journal. Who knows? It might be finished sometime soon!
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Sunday, December 25, 2011
merry christmas and a happy new year
Many thanks to all my readers, customers, supporters and inspirational muses for your company during 2011. May 2012 bring you all you truly desire.
:)
Amanda xoxo
Saturday, December 24, 2011
things that are christmas: cake decorating, polar express, soap
This afternoon the Wee Guy finished decorating the cake by doodling over the icing with decorating pens. We've also made some melt-and-pour soaps, and finished the candied pecans. Listening to The Polar Express rounded the afternoon off quite nicely :)
Let Christmas commence!
Thursday, December 15, 2011
studio portrait thursday: (one more) out and about
Took myself and the knitting out for a break in between errands. Christmas shopping = all but done :)
On the pins = moebius shawl in gorgeous lumpy hand-dyed cotton, drop-stitch wave pattern for some 'easy' lace stitches
The studio = courtesy of coco et olive on Main Street @ E 21st Ave (gorgeously creamy mocha, thanks)
On the second day of Christmas ...
On the second day of Christmas ...:
 |
| penguins carved by Tom Reid |
... my true love gave to me,
a cute penguin couple,
and an origami peace crane in a fir tree.
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Blackberry Gift Shop on The Express
Blackberry Gift Shop on The Express:
... and here we are (around minute 4)!
A big thank you to Shaw TV, and to the artists who took part in our moment of fame :)
Thursday, November 24, 2011
yesterday's wordless wednesday today: earrings
cluster earrings for Portobello West this weekend
freshwater pearls, glass, on sterling hand-forged earwires
Monday, November 21, 2011
Portobello West this weekend
... and the Christmas hard sell marketing season continues!
Go buy my carp at Portobello West market this weekend. I'll be selling these ultra fine and dandy gemchip wire crochet cuffs and I have the birthstones chart with me too, so there's no excuses for not buying batty Aunt Susan (birthday 9th June, birthstone - moonstone) a nice wee gift for Xmas.
Thursday, November 17, 2011
not quite studio thursday
by my son, originally uploaded by ebbandflo_pomomama.
... but I thought I'd share this lovely video my son made for me :)
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
wordless wednesday: button pendant
wire crochet bezel holding ceramic button handmade by Pauline Doyle
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Monday, November 14, 2011
Sunday, November 13, 2011
... and so, it begins.
Christmas has started.
I'll let that sink in a little.
Christmas has started. pomo mama design (me) has just finished the first day of the first seasonal craft fair. Sales were reasonable, not stellar, and I chatted with some wonderful shoppers. It's a great way to meet people - who knew there we're so many expats in the Tri cities?
Tomorrow is a later start than this morning's 6.45am wake up. Maybe we'll have waffles for breakfast?
It snowed up on the mountain today - christmas is closer than you think :)
Friday, November 11, 2011
Remembrance
Remembrance:
 |
| photograph by Sarah Ronald |
 |
| gift bags by Angela Holbrook |
 |
| painting by Elizabeth Wallace |
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
John McCrae (1872 - 1918)
Thursday, November 10, 2011
studio portrait thursday: interim
Somewhere, probably under a pile of other necklaces for labelling, lies this beauty. It's a delicate, airy little concoction of wire crochet with crystal chips, and strands of white quartz and sophisticated white porcelain beads. And it needs labelling for this weekend's craft fair.
Labelling is not my favourite job - I'd much rather be making the stuff than dealing with the administrative grunt work.
If I finish the grunt work on time, I'll post a photo of what utter chaos my studio looks today so you can commiserate with me (preferably in person at Archbishop Carney School this weekend?)
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Monday, November 7, 2011
wire crochet flower pendants - multi tasking
Who new these cute little flower pendants could be so versatile? Why not try them as hair accessories? Simply slide them off the cable necklace and onto a bobby pin, then afix them into your updo :)
PS: works well with Christmas stars too
Sunday, November 6, 2011
wire crochet flower pendants
New for Christmas, these wire crochet flower pendants measure approximately 2 inches diameter but are light and airy. Find them in gold or silver non-tarnish wire with copper or gold contrast stitching. Complete with steel cable necklace.
Friday, November 4, 2011
... to this! Christmas Marketplace opens this evening :)
This should read "now open" :)
Opening night went really well, and I am sold out of Christmas stars. Not to worry - more will be arriving soon. I'll probably be making them during my shift in the shop on Sunday. See you then!
... to this! Christmas Marketplace opens this evening :):
Please consider this as your invitation to the 2011 Blackberry Artist's Society Christmas Marketplace Opening Reception, to be held in the Port Moody Arts Centre this evening starting at 6pm. Free entry, refreshments provided, shop till you drop ...
Have you seen what you want to buy yet? It's here ... but not for long ;)
Opening night went really well, and I am sold out of Christmas stars. Not to worry - more will be arriving soon. I'll probably be making them during my shift in the shop on Sunday. See you then!
... to this! Christmas Marketplace opens this evening :):
Have you seen what you want to buy yet? It's here ... but not for long ;)
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
wordless wednesday:Place des Arts christmas stars
samples for the upcoming Place des Arts workshop (see Classes)
Monday, October 31, 2011
inspiration board
This morning I'm taking the inventory for the Blackberry Gift Shop Christmas Marketplace (opens Thursday night at 6pm, free entry and nibbles!) in the Port Moody ARts Centre on St. Johns Street. Under the expert guidance of Sandra, one of the other artists, I'll be moving the display plinths and setting out the artwork ready for the sale.
But my mind will be back at my bench, thinking of other creations to make for other craft fairs ...
Stay tuned!
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Just Around the Corner!
Just Around the Corner!: 
carved bear by Tom Reid, snail on lilypad by Tracy Riddell, woodturning by Joe Martin, intarsia by Del Holbrook
Yes, it's nearly here! Our Christmas Marketplace, the one and only destination in the Tri Cities to buy unique artisan handcrafted gifts, is nearly open. For two months, our gift shop will not only be open seven days per week, but will also be much bigger as we expand into gallery space in the Arts Centre. This means that our artists can bring in many more pieces than they can normally display here. Often this means that the bigger pieces they have been working on finally come on show.
So get on down! We've got everything you need for your gift buying under the one roof, from cards and gift bags to glass art and wall art.
Opening night is Thursday, November 3rd (6-8pm, refreshments provided, free entry).
PS: Don't forget to check the tree for hostess gifts and stocking stuffers ;)
carved bear by Tom Reid, snail on lilypad by Tracy Riddell, woodturning by Joe Martin, intarsia by Del Holbrook
Yes, it's nearly here! Our Christmas Marketplace, the one and only destination in the Tri Cities to buy unique artisan handcrafted gifts, is nearly open. For two months, our gift shop will not only be open seven days per week, but will also be much bigger as we expand into gallery space in the Arts Centre. This means that our artists can bring in many more pieces than they can normally display here. Often this means that the bigger pieces they have been working on finally come on show.
So get on down! We've got everything you need for your gift buying under the one roof, from cards and gift bags to glass art and wall art.
Opening night is Thursday, November 3rd (6-8pm, refreshments provided, free entry).
PS: Don't forget to check the tree for hostess gifts and stocking stuffers ;)
Friday, October 28, 2011
Christmas stars
Not sure what happened with yesterday's post - instead of the wire stars you got me slobbing on a sofa.
Here are the stars!
Thursday, October 27, 2011
studio portrait thursday: bright and shining star
Star production in full swing, I'm working on some demo samples for my next workshop at Place des Arts (see the Classes tab above for details) as well as tree decorations for sale. The first stars will be decorating the tree for opening night, Thursday 3rd november, when the Blackberry Artists begin their Christmas Marketplace in the Port Moody Arts Centre.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
wordless wednesday: a night at the opera
opera-length necklace in gunmetal chain with jade, pearl, lead-free pewter, picasso jasper and glass
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
October at City Hall double oops
OK – this month at City Hall (as you are by now aware, dear reader) are two amazing Blackberry artists with a collaborative exhibition in the display case. 
Margret Billings is our stained glass artist (and coincidentally coordinates the group displays at City Hall for the society) and Myrta Hayes specialises in the translucent delicacy of porcelain ceramics. She also volunteers extra time for the society; she is our webmaster over at our main website.
Busy ladies indeed, and both have found time to collaborate on some of the pieces on display. Myrta has made the ceramic bases for Margret’s stained glass lamp shades, and the results are truly stunning.
Go see for yourself (and buy before they sell out).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
