Wolfville Farmers' Market

Last Saturday, I visited the Wolfville Farmer's' Market. This market is held each Saturday year round and Wednesdays from May to December.  Most of the vendors are inside the DeWolfe Building on Elm Street but there is space outside for any overflow. The market hosts over 60 vendors. You can purchase fresh produce, local wines, fresh bread and sweets as well as jewellery, pottery, and chocolate (to name a few). In fact, one can sit and eat a meal from locally made dishes. On Saturday, there was also live music in the outside area.

I did stop and chat with Pamela Kinsman of Signature Glass. Some of her lovely work is below.

Did I mention purchasing some local blueberries and fresh bread? Mmmmmm!

Signature Glass

Signature Glass

Signature Glass

Jewellery Supplies

It's a beautiful day here in St. John's but I haven't had time to really appreciate the outdoors. However, the sun just pours in my studio window. That's good most of the time until I just have to pull the shades across. I can't work well when it's hot.

I just received a new shipment of the fibre art pendant trays and chains. I'm looking forward to designing new art pieces to fit the circle and oval. The rectangle is slightly shorter than the ones previously used. I like both sizes. I still have an assortment of bronze, copper and black on hand.

Have a look at some finished pendants HERE, HERE and HERE.

Susan Lee Studios

Time to highlight another Newfoundland artist, Susan Lee Stephen, jewellery designer. Susan works with silver, semi-precious stones, copper, bronze, brass and sometimes textiles to create very unique sculptural jewellery pieces. To read more about Susan's work, click on the link above.

I visited Devon House this afternoon to see the latest gallery show, Elemental Nexus. Susan is one of the featured artists. Her work is incredible! Such attention to detail . . .  You can also view some of the show pieces on her web site.

To see some other art pieces, check out Susan's profile in the Metal Arts Guild of Canada and her Etsy Shop.

A Touch of Glass

Here's another great find at the Christmas Craft Fair, A Touch of Glass, owned by Kylene Barrett. She uses Dichroic glass in her jewellery and Christmas ornaments. I have always been attracted to glittery 'stuff' and this type of glass certainly fits into that category! I've had several compliments on my purchase made at her booth.

Friday at the Christmas Craft Fair

When I got home from the Christmas Craft Fair Wednesday afternoon, I realized I had missed the whole bottom floor of booths! So Friday I went back again. Of course, my wallet came away a little lighter too! I also took a few more photos to share here with you. Since I used to have a booth at this venue, I know most of the booth holders. I also introduced myself to the new crafts people, so going there for a quick visit never happens.

I was also lucky to get a quick lesson on rug hooking using hand dyed nylon pantihose from Molly at Molly Made. I like the finer texture using this material instead of the heavier weight yarns and cotton strips used for larger pieces. Both look great, but that is my preference. The mittens on the line are made with the pantihose.

 

I met Jason Holly a number of years ago when he was just starting to make chainmaille jewellery. Since then, he has expanded this technique to include the medium of clay. Jason just got back from SOFA, Chicago, where he had an exhibit of his work. Check out his blog.

The next three photos are from North Eastern Folk Art. They always have a great selection of pieces as well as new products each year.

Silver and Silk, by Rosland Ford, is another jewellery line to check out. She has also added copper pieces to her collection.

Yarn Forward

I visited Yarn Forward on Hazeldean Rd. Kanata, the other afternoon. They have a variety of yarns, knitting needles, pattern books and accessories. I did purchase a couple of balls of yarn that caught my eye! It's called Drake and is made in Italy. I will use it in probably use it in some felting project. I met a very talented artist, Francine Hebert, at the shop. She showed me some of her shawl pins that were on display. Please check out her blog.

Christmas Tea & Sale

I spent a pleasant afternoon at the Anna Templeton Center Christmas Tea & Sale. The cookie selection was marvelous but I wasn't tempted to have any. I wandered around the booths chatting to exhibitors and admiring the items for sale. As a member of  the Craft Council of NL, I know most of the exhibitors. I had a grand chat with Vicky Taylor-Hood of Sea Strands Studio. Visit Vicky's web site to see her wonderful textile creations. Vicky was sharing a space with her mother, Mary Hood. Mary designs and creates toys for children. She is well known for her Burnt Island Bears. 

If you are looking for quality hand knits of Newfoundland such as caps/hats, socks & mitts, contact Christine at christinelegrow@nl.rogers.com. Her company is called Spindrift. I was also talking to Erin of Northeastern Folk Art. She specializes in handmade Raku pottery & giftware. I have a couple of Erin's pieces and have sent some as gifts. The bronze colour is beautiful.

Steph Squires of Fire Dove Jewellery has beautiful wire & gemstone necklace and earrings. Two of my stitching buddies also make jewellery and were displaying on the second floor. They sell pendants, earrings, rings & small knitted beaded evening bags under the name Jocale. Jason Holly and Roslind Ford, also jewellery makers, shared a space on the main floor. Jason designs chain mail jewellery as well as clay pieces and Roslind creates miniature hand dyed woven thread pieces mounted on silver. Very unique pieces.

There were some very lovely stain glass ornaments from Stain Glass Reflections. Many of the pieces are one-of-a-kind. I think there will be a blog designed in the near future, featuring the glass pieces.

The last booth I visited was Riddle Fence, a journal of arts & crafts. Take a look at their site.