moss and lichen

moss and lichen, originally uploaded by ebbandflo_pomomama.

= inspiration

another last chance to see ....

During December, artists of the Tri Cities artsconnect group have been exhibiting their work in the Port Moody library. With both 2D and 3D mixed media work it's great opportunity to see a cornucopia of different styles. My cuff link portfolio is on display in the entrance case along with two of my wire crochet purses (the third one sold pre-christmas yahoo) and some felted wire jewelry. Most of the works are for sale so this is a great opportunity to start some early christmas shopping (groan) or that post christmas reward for running a successful festive season!

See and download the full gallery on posterous

fibre friday: treevolution in words

homesick tree, originally uploaded by ebbandflo_pomomama.

homesickness tree - nickel silver tree trunk with wire and fibre branches, rooted around a chunk of scottish seaglass

It's the time of year when the homesickness really kicks in. I'm not sure if this is similar for all expats who have family 'left behind' but so many seasonal songs tell of being separated and overseas.

It's a time of year when tears fall easily, and memories seem both close and distant. It's a time of year when loneliness is amplified.



My little tree brooch was born out of the theme for a group exhibition I'm taking part in at Leigh Square in Port Coquitlam (opening late January). 2011 is the year of the forest and our group exhibition is about roots. I have some amazing pics of gnarly, twisted roots from the forests around me which was also one of my earliest impressions gained in my new natural surroundings. Guided forestry walks over our first summer in BC were where I first learned about nurse logs, the requirement of fallen trees to act as a nursery and nitrogen bank for new seedlings.



I rarely act on a creative idea immediately - it has to sit composting in my subconcious for a while, then I plan it out 3D in my head (I'm not that great at sketching out designs). So while the inspiration was taking root in my mind, my thoughts were also turning to the other meanings of the word, roots - to my own roots which are solidly based in Scotland and cannot be ignored.



Although I grew up in Scotland, I'm continuing the process in Canada. My home is now here but sometimes my heart and bedrock is back 'home' across the water. I feel rooted thousands of kilometres away even though I'm reaching up for a British Columbian sky. Thus my little trees (there is a small forest of them now) have their own roots wrapped firmly round a chunk of scottish sea glass taken from the beach in the village where I grew up.



PS: travel plans for my sister who is traveling from Scotland to be with us this christmas might need a little divine intervention due to the inclement UK weather - please direct positive thoughts, best wishes, karmic snow dances, prayers, and the like to the travel window over Christmas Eve for her. thank you

"

dragonflies

dragonflies, originally uploaded by ebbandflo_pomomama.

A new wire and fibre project - dragonfly brooches.
I'll be working on more of these little critters for an upcoming (very soon upcoming - mid January, eep!) gallery group show.

Not quite sure how these will be displayed but the first show (yes, there's a second .... and then? stay tuned for details) has plenty of 3D space whereas the second requires a more 2D on the wall approach.

PS: for fibrey, mixed media fans in and around the Tri Cities, BC Port Moody Arts Centre is showing Kirsten Chursinoff's Nesting pieces during January.

last chance to see ...

Silent auction at Port Moody arts centre, originally uploaded by ebbandflo_pomomama.

silent auction at Port Moody arts centre

The silent auction fundraiser at the Arts Centre in Port Moody wraps up this Sunday at 3pm. I've had the usual buzz and nerves seeing my work exhibited and checking the bids book every few days to see if I'm popular (yes, both my snowflake brooch and the purse with chainmaille bracelet have bids against them, phew!).



Each year, arts centre members, instructors and artists from the gift shop can pick up either cradeled panels or a lump of clay to transform into a work of art which is then donated to the fundraiser. I suspect I'm not the only contributor casually flicking thru the bids book to make sure their pieces has a good home for the holidays. For the popular kids there are small bidding wars going on.

I've almost got a popular kid this year :)

Pictures at an exhibition

Earlier this week I dropped in to say howdy to my rings in the Place des Arts Positively Petite exhibition - pleasantly surprised to find one (tarantula) has sold :)

See and download the full gallery on posterous

Out and about

Out and about: reposted from my personal blog

"Now that craft fair season is over I've had the chance to get out and about to catch up with my work in some of the local galleries. Last Wednesday, the Wee Guy and I drove thru torrential rain and rush hour traffic to spend a few moments (quite literally) with my wire and fibre floral brooches at the Maple Ridge Art Gallery where they are part of the group show, Ensemble.

The show features groupings of works by a number of artists, focusing on the artist's own thematic in assembling his or her mini collection. Although at first glance a varied assortment of works, closer inspection shows how powerful curator Barb Duncan's vision of having assemblages from a larger number of artists can be.
Well worth a visit!

"

fibre friday: swatching

swatch: spring, originally uploaded by ebbandflo_pomomama.

I admit I'm not usually too keen on swatching for anything. It always seems a complete waste of time and creative energy, and meh! I can usually cope with the wrong size or whatever.

I never swatch with wire and fibre, preferring to create on the hook and treat each new project as a brilliant adventure.

Except now. I'm working on a wire and fibre series for the four seasons (not just the two we have in Vancouver, rain and even more rain), and wanted to explore some new techniques with different yarn combinations. Each swatch was prepared on an 8 chain square of tinned copper wire crochet (copper for autumn) with the new fibrey experiment embroidered across the mesh.

The one shown above is for Spring (pre-felting). I used brilliant shades of green to illustrate the fresh shoots emerging and roving French knots as the blossom buds.

So far, the Spring project has not yet emerged but I have included the French knot idea in another piece, skookumchuk, to convey the idea of foam and frothy wave edges on the roving whirlpools in this cuff.

something for the weekend?

my latest batch of wire and fibrey goodness

My very last Christmas fair for this year is coming up on Saturday. I will be at the New Westminster Farmer's Market, open from 10am to 2pm.


If you need further temptation, try the market message from the market manager copied in below. Hmmm - tempted?

 "There is a chill in the air and a sparkle of frost on my lawn as I sip and enjoy a cup of hot tea. I’m looking forward to our next winter market and am thrilled that we’ll have five fresh produce vendors along with vendors selling seafood, dairy, meat, jams, jellies, dips, and bakers galore. I hear rumour of Christmas fruit cake! Yum! In a hat-tip to the gift giving mood of the season, extra artisans and crafters will be in every nook and cranny we can find. Shopping locally is easy at the market.

We’ll be listening to the sounds of The Singing Lovelies, a local acappella sister duet performing traditional and modern holiday favourites. Thanks go to the New Westminster Museum and Archives for dressing the ladies in period costumes.

We’re thrilled that our friends at Knit 1, Take 2, a knitters’ group dedicated to sharing the skills and the laughs, will be hosting a “knit-in” in the lounge. They’re also bringing along finger knitting, spool knitting, and yarn art for the kids. Whether you’re an expert or if you’ve never knitted you are welcome to join the volunteers from Knit 1, Take 2 and learn about their group and enjoy some knitting. If you have needles, bring ‘em along, but feel welcome with or without. Joining them in the lounge is Harmony Works Chair Massage – treat yourself to a little timeout!

We’re also pleased to have as extra guests in the lobby the Parent Support Services Society of BC, an amazing federally registered charity whose goal is to build healthy communities, one family at a time. They’ll be offering their main fundraiser – Cooking Up Comfort – a cookbook chock full of recipes, activities, and parenting tips for just $15.

Last month, courtesy of Translink, we gave away a 3 zone transit pass to one lucky market shopper. She won just because she showed us her bus transfer and was entered in the draw. This month our transit incentive is a gorgeous recycled fleece zip up jacket, perfect for the chilly weather. The entry box is located at the RCFM info desk in the lobby, where you can also pick up a 2011 RCFM membership for just $10. Be a part of our organization!

The winter market is Saturday December 11th from 10AM-2PM at Holy Trinity Cathedral, located at 514 Carnarvon Street in New Westminter. It is located very close to the Columbia Skytrain station and free parking is also available courtesy of the City of New Westminster in the Downtown Waterfront Parkade, only a few minutes walk from the market."

what's happening?

what's happening?: a peek at life in the other blog

"
'tarantula: i always get what i want' wire and fibre ring

Life is busy busy busy right now. I'm two-fifths thru a busy craft fair season (next week at the St. Thomas Moore christmas fair) and replacing inventory like crazy (thanks buyers! - you're helping fund my back-to-college attempt).
I blogged last week about the opening for Positively Petite, the miniatures exhibit at Place des Arts - well, how about a peek of what's going on to tempt you away from your computer desk (courtesy of the folks at the V3H, thanks for the mention).

... and don't forget to check the christmas boutique while you are there. You'll find some amazing work by local artists and no doubt complete your gift buying ahead of time. Once you've said hello to Joy Kirkwood's gorgeous multi media collage seahorses in Positively Petite have a look at my 'life'a beach' collection on sale in the gift shop.

"

Got Craft?

Got Craft? You certainly will soon!
The annual, the famous, the cult, the legendary Got Craft? holiday fair takes place on Sunday, December 5th at the Royal Legion Hall (2205 Commercial Drive in Vancouver, at East 6th Avenue) jam packed with the coolest, most incredible of Vancouver's finest indie designers (and me).

Doors open at 10am, the first 45 lucky entrants get a most amazing, legendary Got Craft? swag bag (packed with goodies from the participating vendors) .... so, in translation - doors may open at 10am but the line up will probably be well underway by 7am.

Be there or be swagless :(

fibre friday: snowflake (with attitude)

snowflake (with attitude), originally uploaded by ebbandflo_pomomama.

This is my contribution for a gallery exhibit silent auction fundraiser (phew, what a mouthful) for the Port Moody Arts Centre in December.

As with a lot of my star shapes, this brooch started off with crochet in the round, building up layers and then points for the star. The centre was filled with blue roving and synthetic yarn before felting. To add some pzazz, I then added more layers of points in a non-tarnish silver wire (the foundation rows are in a duller silver), then finished the whole ensemble off by crocheting tendrils pointing in towards the centre. Every other tendril is tipped with a tiny glass seed bead. The way the tendrils curve in toward the middle seems to hint at a hidden menace IMO. Stamens in the middle suggest that this snowflake is in fact, a flower - a living entity. The image below shows the finished brooch in its frame for the exhibition.

weekend craft fairs: St. Thomas More

long daisy chains ready for the fair

St.Thomas More Collegiate

Christmas Craft Fair

Saturday Nov. 27, 2010 10am-4pm

Sunday Nov. 28, 2010 11am-4pm

Join us as we celebrate the holiday season at our

20^th annual Christmas Craft Fair.

Over 125 local crafters, Basket Raffles, Plant Sales, Used Book Sales, Bistro, Tea Garden, Free Childminding, Bake Sales, and more!!

Admission by donation or a non-perishable

food item.

St.Thomas More Collegiate

7450 12^th Avenue,

Burnaby.

www.stmc.bc.ca

 

Port Moody gallery exhibition and christmas marketplace

bottom row, middle pic - all mine!!!!
 
You are cordially invited to view two pieces of my work in the Port Moody Arts Centre annual Instructor Show. The exhibition open on December 2nd and runs until December 23rd.

The opening night (6-8pm on Thursday, December 2nd) is also a great opportunity to view and bid on the entries for the 6x6 art auction. Proceeds from this fun sale of art by members of the Arts Centre benefits future programming.

My work is also on exhibition at;

• Ensemble at Maple Ridge Art Centre - wire and fibre flower brooches (until December 19th)
• Positively Petite at Place des Arts - wire and fibre rings (until December 17th)
• ArtsConnect artist exhibition at Port Moody library - sterling and fine silver cuff links (from December 1st)

All items are for sale.

I also have some new wire crochet classes at Port Moody Arts Centre booking for after christmas. There are two Saturday workshops for teens (see page 9) plus a week-long Spring break class (p.11). I'll be running classes for adults in February and April (each runs for three evenings - see p.22 for details).

what's happening?

"tarantula: i always get what i want" wire and fibre ring
 
Life is busy busy busy right now. I'm two-fifths thru a busy craft fair season (next week at the St. Thomas Moore christmas fair) and replacing inventory like crazy (thanks buyers! - you're helping fund my back-to-college attempt).
I blogged last week about the opening for Positively Petite, the miniatures exhibit at Place des Arts - well, how about a peek of what's going on to tempt you away from your computer desk (courtesy of the folks at the V3H, thanks for the mention).

... and don't forget to check the christmas boutique while you are there. You'll find some amazing work by local artists and no doubt complete your gift buying ahead of time. Once you've said hello to Joy Kirkwood's gorgeous multi media collage seahorses in Positively Petite have a look at my "life'a beach" collection on sale in the gift shop.

Winter Warmers

Winter Warmers: "

handwoven scarf (Beryl Hickinbottom)

The nights are drawing in, the sun barely warms the land, frost decorates the eaves each morning .... brrr! chilly out.

What you need is a warming visit to the gift shop to banish those winter chills.
We have toasty and stylish scarves, handwoven by a local weaver, to accessorise your cold weather clothing.
We have warming glass votives for maing your living room snug in the dark evenings.
We have handthrown mugs for that steaming hot chocolate at the end of the day.

Do visit :)
PS: our full Christmas Marketplace will be open from the beginning of December with extra late night shopping times :)

glass votive (Margret Billings), blooms photo tile and print (Sarah Ronald), ceramic beaker (Dan Severance)

"
originally from the Blackberry Artist's Society blog which I contribute to (check out the links for details)

fibre friday: ensemble group show in Maple Ridge

 The group show, Ensemble, opens at Maple Ridge Art Gallery on Saturday afternoon with an opening reception, 2 - 4pm.

My other bits and bobs and I will be at Fab Fair for the weekend so I won't be able to attend :(

Please wave "hello" to my wire and fibre flower brooches which are on display, along with some absolutely stunning 2D and 3D works of art.

It will be well worth a visit (after you've been to see me at Fab Fair of course).

argentium silver cuffs - ecoware

argentium silver cuffs, originally uploaded by ebbandflo_pomomama.

These cuffs are hand-crocheted with argentium silver, the new sterling alloy which resists tarnishing.
Sterling silver, as you know, is an alloy of various metals added to pure silver to improve the nature of the metal in terms of malleability, lustre and hardness. Sterling silver is thus only 92.5% silver to overcome the natural softness of the pure metal which renders it not hard-wearing enough for everyday use. One of the metals added to the usual alloy mix is copper. It's the copper which is the main culprit in the normal oxidative tarnishing reaction which blackens your precious metal jewelry.
Argentium sterling has been developed to include a higher percentage of a metal called germanium along with the silver. By replacing copper, tarnishing is much reduced. In addition, fire scale during soldering or other heat work is avoided too.
In summary, all of this tinkering results in a somewhat eco-friendly metal to work with. By making it tarnish and fire scale-resistant the need for harsh chemical processes during production is eliminated.
This also means that your jewelry stays sparkling for longer :)

PS: The cuffs will be at Fab Fair this weekend - why not come and see them in real life!

craft fair season has started

At least, it has for me :)


Hope to see you at the fair!

 CARNEY  PRESENT:

12^TH ANNUAL     CHRISTMAS CRAFT FAIR

Sat. Nov. 13,   9:00am-4:00pm

Sun. Nov. 14, 10:00am-3:00pm

1335 Dominion Ave., Port Coquitlam

(Near Costco, across from Art Knapps)

       Over 120 JURIED tables!

             

     Enjoy the sights and sounds of Christmas and get a head start on this year’s Christmas shopping with our unique selection of quality hand-crafted gifts.  Many NEW QUALITY Artists & Crafters!                                                                                  parking attendants

                                     Wonderful surprises are waiting for you.

Hourly  free North Pole raffle

fibre friday: positively petite exhibition at Place des Arts

yes - that is my ring on the right (squeal!)

The grand opening of the Positively Petitie miniatures exhibition at Place des Arts takes place on Thursday, November 18th. It coincides with the official opening of the christmas boutique where you can browse through some wonderful gift ideas made by local artists.


My wire and fibre rings will be on display (and for sale) in the exhibition which features works in miniature by local artists, some of them also instructors with Place des Arts. Last year it was  feast of tiny canvases, photographic art, felted pieces and tiny ceramics. This year ..... why not come down and see for yourself.

in remembrance

Move him into the sun -
Gently its touch awoke him once,
At home, whispering of fields unsown.
Always it woke him, even in France,
Until this morning and this snow.
If anything might rouse him now
The kind old sun will know.

Think how it wakes the seeds, -
Woke, once, the clays of a cold star.
Are limbs, so dear-achieved, are sides,
Full-nerved, - still warm, - too hard to stir?
Was it for this the clay grew tall?
- O what made fatuous sunbeams toil
To break earth's sleep at all?

(Futility by Wilfred Owen, 1893 - 1918)


The "Lacrymosa" from Britten's War Requiem. 
Soprano, Makvala Kasrashvili. Tenor, Anthony Rolfe Johnson
conducted by Mstislav Rostropovich, Royal Albert Hall 1993

wordless wednesday: tedious tasks

wordless wednesday: hated tasks, originally uploaded by ebbandflo_pomomama.

labeling inventory