Get in to the Swing

So Spring is almost upon us, and it’s time to get into the swing of the new season!

Thanks to a few small rodents, we are all looking forward to spring-blooming flowers actually blooming in Spring this year, and, in celebration, I am creating flowers of every description! Chainmaille (Japanese 12-in-1, aslo called Hana Gusari), beaded, wire-wrapped…there may even be some polymer clay flowers in the offing.

This month Maiden Star will once again be vending at the Dancers’ Bazzar (see event listing, to the right). I am working on a few new chainmaile pieces for this, as well as developing a new design for the Snowflake Ball, which will be held in April.

A few new items will be posted on Etsy this weekend, including the addition of a “Request custom item” link – now you can request that perfect item, custom made for you, through Etsy. I will also be offering Gift Certificates on the Etsy store.

Spring is the season of change and action, so keep an eye out for new things to come!

One more show in the snow!

December 3 and 4 will have the Ottawa Artisans Guild – and yours truly – at St. Francis Xavier Catholic High School for the second year in a row. This school is in a newer area in the south of Ottawa near Spratt and Limebank (see map below).

We are all looking forward to this event – a spacious, well-lit area full of great artworks, the anticipation of holiday gifts… what’s not to love?

This is my last show of 2011. Come on out, see what I have to offer, and let me know what you’d like to see next time! I love doing custom work, and trying new things.

I’ll be building my schedule for 2012 soon, so stay tuned!


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Gearing up for the holidays

On November 12 and 13, 2011, the Ottawa Artisans Guild will be having it’s annual Fall Craft Sale at Lester B. Pearson Catholic High School (2027 Jasmine Cres., Ottawa, map below). For the third year running, I will be participating in this juried show of local Ottawa artisans. I am working frantically on new pieces for sale!

This event features approximately 70 artisans, working in diverse media – our Guild members include jewellers; knitters; fabric artists; doll makers; painters; photographers; a blacksmith; sculptors; wood turners, burners, workers and carvers – the list goes on. Artists participating in the Guild shows can come from any of these disciplines, and the variety is always stunning.

Naturally, so is the workmanship – to be in one of the Guild’s 4 juried shows held throughout the year, artists must be members of the Guild. To join the Guild requires that artworks pass a careful jurying process. Works are reviewed at shows, as well, to ensure that items for sale at our events meet our high standards for quality.

At Lester B. Pearson school, we take over both gyms for this Fall sale – two large spaces full of wonderful, creative artworks means there is something for every shopper and every person on your list. Our artists are on hand in their booths throughout the sale and are very happy to answer any questions you may have about their art. Most will produce custom works for you upon request, which means (depending, of course, on the time involved in production) you can have that custom artwork delivered in time for the holidays!

If you miss this one, there are two more coming! Both in their second year, the Ottawa Artisans Guild will be holding a sale at the River Rock Inn (Rockland) on November 26 and 27, and at St. Francis Xavier Catholic High School (Spratt at Limebank, in the south of Ottawa) on December 3 and 4. There will be a different selection of artists attending each sale, so if you are looking for a greater variety why not attend all three?


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New for Fall 2011

I have just had my first sale of the Fall season for 2011 – the Ottawa Dancers’ Bazaar hosted by ECO-TAV and Bellywood For Fun. It was a great day, despite the weather being a bit chilly and damp. There were lots of great returning vendors and a few new ones, and it’s always a fun time at the Bazaar.

I am also getting ready (despite this annoying cough) for the Women in Business Trade Show, which is taking place this Saturday, October 22 at the Nepean Sportsplex, Halls A&B (map below). It should be a great day! I’ll be sharing a table with Drakestail Jewellery. Other vedors include Norwex, My Stow-N-Tow, Scentsy and many more. Information on the event can be found on their website at www.wibotradeshow.webs.com. While these are all businesses run by women, they are not exclusively for women. There are some great ideas here for Christmas gifts (I know, you don’t want to think about Christmas yet, but if you’ve ever wanted that special custom item for a loved one, now’s the time to order it!)

If you are interested in seeing what this event is all about, come and check it out!


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