This month welcome to two new artists into the gift shop.
Firstly, we have the amazing cottonwood bark carvings of George Blackstock. Most of his work is for hanging on the wall but freestanding pieces are available too.
Next we have former Port Moody Arts Centre artist-in-residence, Pauline Doyle whose unique ceramic work is a beautiful quirky addition to our shelves.
This month work by jewelry artist, Amanda Maxwell, is featured in the City Hall display case. Her work comprises wire crochet plus or minus bits of felted fluff so she can call herself a mixed media artist. As well as pieces of wearable art, which is a polite way to refer to unique and odd jewelry, some of her mixed media framed pieces are on show too.
As usual, all pieces are for sale; phone the gift shop (604 931 2008) to arrange purchase.
This was my first photo upload when I started my account in April 2006 - a bracelet for my sister made before I started my Etsy shop. I joined Etsy in March then flickr a month later. At the time, all the Etsy sellers were keen on using flickr for promotion eve though it's primary function was not ecommerce. My first uploads were pure portfolio pieces, documenting my early attempts at making jewelry.
Although family makes an appearance on p2 of my account most of my personal pics stay private and visitors just see jewelry jewelry jewelry. Mixed media makes an appearance on the fourth page as I dive headlong into wire and fibre.
My very first self-portrait thursday arrives January 2007, egged on by a bunch of Etsy sellers. In those early years Etsy was a very sociable and helpful site to be part of. There was a great sense of community and I learned a lot about 'being online' from some wonderful people.
My account stays very creativity-focused for a long time, even documenting my progress with other techniques including carving a soapstone grizzly bear.
Finally, after about 40 pages, my flickr account starts getting more personal and less hard-sell with a photo diary of a camping holiday on Sunshine Coast. It's been less deliberately arty and more about cataloguing my life ever since then.
Although the creativity has changed and I don't document it quite as much, it's still a big part of my life. Being able to share the crafty moments via flickr has opened up so many online doors to me, and is probably the reason why I have a good footprint in social media these days. I love being able to look back at my visual diary and see just how far I've come, from the jewelry-making as a step towards sanity as an isolated SAHM, to an almost habitual unconcious incorporation of creative moments into everyday life.
It's been a real journey, flickr. Thanks for the ride :)
Something a little different for the featured artist posts this year; a series of questions.
How long have you been a ceramic artist? about 15 years Where did you train? with Gillian MacMillan and Clive Tucker at Port Moody Arts Centre
Do you work in a studio or at home? a small studio space at home Do you work as an artist full-time, part-time, or do you squeeze in the creating as a hobby? squeeze in creating as a hobby
What's your favourite piece to make? sculpted, white translucent raw porcelain Who inspires you, and why? Angela Mellor (Australia) and Sasha Wardell (GB)
Attention - if you have a special lady in your life who you would like to shower with gifts and affection, then this year, your job is easier. Valentine's Day usually means jewelry and Blackberry artist, Sandra Ho, has a beautiful selection of delicate necklaces and pendant charms for you to choose from.
From beautiful and simple glass hearts to stamped sterling love charms, there is sure to be something here to delight your significant other (and distract her so you can get your hands on the chocolate).
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