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Heart Health, simple steps
With all that lovey-dovey romantic stuff, I almost forgot that somebody had the smarts to extend the ‘claim to fame’ of February to the heart not only in its romantic version, but also in its actual, pump-in-your-chest version. So I…
Love
One the my favourite things about being a jewellery designer is being able to create truly magic moments between people. Here is a snapshot for you, taken when this couple picked up their rings. May you, my reader, enjoy the magic…
Atlantic Craft Tradeshow 2014
“Tradeshows” are where gallery owners place orders for their stores. This is what was happening in Philadelphia, where I have just returned from, and this is what will take place again this weekend in Halifax, at the Atlantic Craft Tradeshow…
Foodie Bliss in Philadelphia
I am in here in Philadelphia for the Buyers Market of American Craft, a wonderful tradeshow where artists exhibit to gallery and shop owners, who then place orders for the Spring. Especially with hand-made craft, being able to see the…
The Joy of Bookkeeping
Happy New Year to you all! Now that this year has drawn to an end, it is the duty of every small business owner –if your fiscal year ends with the calendar year- to put your books into order. What…
Reflection and Thanks
I am sitting in my studio, listening to the CBC Music App – yes, the Classical Holiday channel. I am quietly working away, setting a rough diamond into a wedding ring. I always make a point at this time of…
Canada Post to end urban delivery? … really???
The doorbell just rang. It was a smiling postal worker, delivering a mailing too big for my slot in the door. Perhaps it is due to the fact that I am a crafts person and work with my hands: I…
The perils of hanging out with fellow crafters
We had a lovely time at our Holiday event LustreWorks, which I do every year with potter Mindy Moore at the studio of her husband, photographer Marvin Moore. One of the perils of hanging out with fellow artisans is that…
Invitation to LustreWorks Holiday Show and Sale
I have many friends who are artists in a variety of disciplines: painters, dancers, weavers, blacksmiths, photographers and potters, to name but a few. It is a pair of the latter two with whom I will be having a special…
Delighting in Witnessing Love
I was so happy to show my work at the annual NSDCC Designer Craft Show at the Cunard Centre this past weekend. It is always a pleasure to speak with customers directly, and to introduce my jewellery to people who…
NSDCC Designer Craft Show at Cunard Centre
My favourite event of the year is coming up: the Designer Craft Show put on by the Nova Scotia Designer Craft Council. You are warmly invited to come down to the Cunard Centre this weekend and enjoy all the wonderful…
Meet the artist: Antigonish and Halifax
Wow. This is not meant to be a journal of unfortunate circumstances, but before I get ‘back to business’, I cannot help acknowledge the tragic loss of yet another friend: bright light, strong force, and all around amazing human being,…
A hole in my heart
It is with great sadness that I must report of the passing of our teacher, the great Kyudo master Kanjuro Shibata Sensei XX. Sensei passed away unexpectedly and peacefully on Monday, October 21st 2013, at home with family in Boulder,…
Special showcase during Nocturne – Art at Night
I am delighted to announce that, beginning today, there will be a special exhibit at Fireworks Gallery in Halifax, as part of Nocturne – Art at Night. Nocturne is an amazing annual event, bringing art to everyone, for free, every year.…
Retreat on Cape Breton Island
You may have noticed that I have been kind of quiet on the social media front of late? That was because I had the very good fortune to go on a ten-day meditation retreat at Gampo Abbey, a Buddhist monastery…
Appreciation
I came to understand something as I prepared to make my breakfast this morning. I have taken to eating a fresh seasonal fruit, like a handful of blueberries (I even found local strawberries this week – in late September!). I sprinkle…
Requesting Your Patience
Goodness gracious, it’s a new day and age, what with the new iPhones coming out and all. My lovely webdesigner, Katja of Lalanova thought it was high time to make this website mobile-compatible. Please bear with us while we are…
The playful happy couple
In my line of work, I sometimes have the great pleasure to custom-make the piece of jewellery which is exchanged as a sign of the commitment of two people to each other. It is a big responsibility, and one I…
Prince Edward Island
After my epic trip to Cape Breton, I went to visit with my friend Tiiu Poder, co-owner of Aphrodite Art and Fashion, in Antigonish, NS. Tiiu put on a fabulous dinner, and I was delighted to observe my daughter holding…
Sydney, Nova Scotia: Rise Again!
I wasn’t sure what to expect when I headed for Cape Breton Island last weekend, at the turn of the seasons. You just can’t tell what will greet you. I have been in Cape Breton in October and experienced beautiful…
For the Love of Food! … a visit to Cape Breton Island
Those of you who know me will know that I love food. I love looking at it, thinking about it, preparing it, eating it, and most of all: sharing it! I think I like it so much because it is…
Cherish
If you are a regular reader of my blog here, you will know that’s been an interesting year for me in terms of being reminded of the fragility and impermanence of life: I wrote about my mother’s illness and passing,…
Ottawa Trunk Show Saturday Aug10 2-4pm!
I found myself on a mad rush in the studio this past weekend, when it became apparent that I was going to be taking a surprise trip to Ottawa this week. I quickly connected with my representing gallery there, L.A. Pai,…
Being the Top Choice of Industry Professionals
I’ve been meaning to tell you about some very nice compliments I received this past Spring at the Buyers’ Market of American Craft in Philadelphia. I wrote about my experience at that show before, but had promised to share some…
NSDCC Designer Craft Show 2013, Halifax
As an artist, I suffer from the affliction of continously seeing new things, new possibilities, discovering fresh ways of looking at a subject, and being constantly inspired by what I see. Like when I was stepping out of my studio…
Bon Voyage et Bon Chance!
Parenting is such a great opportunity to continously learn. The biggest challenge may be to remain flexible in one’s thinking. Letting go, in all its forms, is perhaps the most helpful tool. Firstly, of one’s sleep and personal space. Then…
Coming to Canada, 24 years ago!
This rainy Canada Day is a fitting time to write about the anniversary of my arrival in Canada, twenty-four years ago! I was just fresh out of high school in my small hometown at the footfills of the Bavarian alps…