wordless wednesday: hallowe'en

beads ghoulish beads galore, originally uploaded by ebbandflo_pomomama.

marketing monday

Everybody needs some MOO moo.com :-)

Be Prepared

Be Prepared:

hand-painted silk scarf by Jane Ostenstad

origami gift stars by Yolanda Cheung; ceramic buttons by Dan Severance; photo pendant by Sarah Ronald

Not just the motto of the Boy Scouts - the cry of every well-organised Christmas planner everywhere (yes, they do exist).

If you're looking for neat gifts which tuck easily into cards for mailing overseas then check out our shelves and hanging racks. We have beautiful art cards, funky dog tag pendants, intricate origami gift pockets and even ceramic buttons for the distant crafter in your thoughts. A carefully folded silk scarf won't add much to envelope weight either, but it will bring an extra-large smile to whoever opens it.

See you soon (Christmas is coming - sooner than you think!)

boy, chewing

My dining partner this afternoon :-)

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studio portrait Thursday and fibre Friday all-in-one

The studio's at floor level. I'm sitting amidst piles of felting, busy sewing up phone cases and tablet sleeves prior to a final fulling. This stage is always a bit hit or miss as I can never tell how much the materials will shrink.
I hope there are still some small phones out there.

dogtrio

dogtrio, originally uploaded by ebbandflo_pomomama.

Last night's doodle and colour project.

Seeing Dots?

Seeing Dots?:

Wondering what the new addition in the City Hall display case is this month (not seen it? go now)?

All is revealed - it's  a QR code.

Just flip open your smartphone and open your QR Reader app (available for both android and Apple OS) then scan the little square. 

After a few random blips and electronic pings your browser opens to the Blackberry Gift Shop website.

Just like magic!

For those of you who are more security concious, try an app like Norton Snap which automatically screens the destination website before opening it on your device.

friday forte: erotobot mark I

friday forte: erotobot mark I:

erotobot mark I, originally uploaded by ebbandflo_pomomama.

Friday night doodles on the tablet cos I'm not out clubbing!

ed's note: i think she really needs a necklace

fibre friday: 6x6 artwork

6x6 artwork, originally uploaded by ebbandflo_pomomama.

... and this year's submission for the Port Moody Arts Centre 6x6 fundraiser and exhibition is a continuation of my usual theme - wire and fibre. I'm back on track this year with a very odd looking mixed media brooch mounted into the 6x6 inch cradled panel.

Please visit the arts centre this Fall - the exhibition opens November 15th.

... and please bid on one of the works on display. All pieces are donated by the artists and all funds go to supporting the arts centre.

studio portrait thursday: eyes up

All I need to do is raise my eyes up from the bench.
Unhunch the shoulders.
Straighten the spine.
Focus into the distance.
Breathe.
Relax.
Inspiration.
Eyes down once more, refreshed.

wordless wednesday: results

6x6 artwork, originally uploaded by ebbandflo_pomomama.

cradle-priming results voila!

autumn leaves

autumn leaves, originally uploaded by ebbandflo_pomomama.

Today's inspiration' gathered on the walk back from school this afternoon.

merchandise monday

merchmonday15oct12, originally uploaded by ebbandflo_pomomama.

L-R: brocade and lace cuffs, little nest pendants in silver and copper

This little batch of goodies is heading to Bird on a Wire tomorrow. Check out the sidebar for details and location.

saturday sketch: please stop hurting me

Yes - another day lost to a migraine :'(

October's Featured Artist: Valerie Gilbert

October's Featured Artist: Valerie Gilbert:

This month's featured artist is Valerie Gilbert, one of Blackberry's three paper artists. Valerie's work comprises intricately folded papers framed in a reverse silhouette - she describes the technique as iris folding and she is an expert. Her work is available in some truly unique cards, which incidentally make great hostess gifts when you want to be extra-appreciative, and beautiful framed works.

How long have you been an artist? 3 1/2 years
Where did you train? Self-taught
Do you work in a studio or at home? At home
Do you work as an artist full-time, part-time, or do you squeeze in the creating as a hobby? Full time (when I'm not volunteering or doing shows)
Describe how a piece progresses, from first inspiration to finished object in the gift shop. I draw the design, cut out with a straight edge knife, then select papers that I hope will work together. I cut strips of the paper, fold them and then create the design (hopefully it looks good!)
What's your favourite piece to make? Probably the Kimono
Who inspires you, and why? I think the customer - when I am at shows and hear the positive comments, it feels good and I want to do more!

fibre friday: hooooooops

Argentium silver fused ring with argentium wire crochet and fibre flower pendant

studio portrait Thursday: virtual

Without unscrewing the side panel how else can I show you my digital studio?
Come to think of it, my Nexus 7 doesn't have a side panel. A truly portable studio.

PS: I'm putting a piece of y digital art up for auction in the Port Moody Art Centre 6 x 6 exhibition this Christmas. It goes on display mid-november.

wordless wednesday: welcome to my sanity

In honour of World Mental Health Day - welcome to my sanity :)

the creative Zen of priming cradles

Prep work - not the most creative job in a project. Preparing the grounds, making sure the canvas is ready, smoothing rough edges, starting with a true blank ... there's something quite zen-like in repetitive brush strokes of monochrome. No brain required but deeply meditative nonetheless.
I made three cuffs last night - maybe mindless repetitive preps the way?
PS: yes - October, strappy top - we're having a glorious late summer in Lower Mainland, BC. Into next week there'll be no need to switch on the furnace or the fire. Good times.

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Buntzen lake hike

We went on a hike yesterday - yet more of the "take the studio outdoors" action plan to enjoy this glorious late summer we're having in Lower Mainland. I captured some excellent fungi and a lichen shots; my son wrote about it in his blog.
Enjoy!

Buntzen lake hike: Yesterday I went on a hike at Buntzen Lake.I went all the way to the suspention bridge and back.

Lumonesent Mushrooms

                                             

Across some of the lake

At the ground

It was a really fun hike.

fibre friday: embroidered iphone case

I was scheduled to teach today, but I didn't. It's one of the hazards of being self-employed; even if you put yourself out there and block the time off in your diary, sort out the childcare and even come up with the project samples, there's no guarantee students will sign up.
So students! This is what you missed.

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studio portrait thursday: get outdoors

Sometimes outside is more inspiring than indoors.

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wordless wednesday: empty desk, empty mind