Blog
A Visit To Former East Germany
My youngest daughter had the great fortune of doing an exchange year in Germany this year. Last year, a young German boy spent a year with us, and this year she gets to spend a year with his family in…
at the anvil
Last time I went to see my current mentor, John Little, we got a bit more serious: less talking, more hammering. I like doing things well, and thoroughly, so I wanted to learn how to get better at making a…
What a great guy
Raymond’s death still reverberates in the city and among friends. Yesterday, there was a very sweet letter from Ray’s family published on the front page of the local daily paper. It illustrates very well what a great guy he was, and…
Yet another tragic death
Oh dear oh dear. Yet another tragic, unfathomable death in my circle of friends. So senseless. What a huge loss. And best hugger, ever. There is so much to say about Raymond, and the story of his brutal death has…
Sarah Slean live in concert with Symphony Nova Scotia
Ok ok, I know I have to get ready to head out to John Little’s blacksmithing shop, but before I leave I just have to tell you about the amazing concert I saw last night: lovely Canadian artist, poet and…
Four Blacksmithing Women, Bonding
Oh boy, did we have fun: four women, spending the day forging together! First, we went shopping for metal. For a materials-junkie like myself, that was half the thrill! Then we arrived in Lynn’s cozy forge cabin, which she built…
The Art of Calligraphy
Such richness: I was able to branch out and again learn more! Last weekend, Kaz Tanahashi came to teach a special workshop on the art of calligraphy. It was an amazingly disciplined environment, everyone was very focused: At some point…
A hammer, a bow and arrow
I can’t believe it’s already been a week since I went out to John Little’s shop to begin my mentoring in Blacksmithing, thanks to a grant I applied for and was granted, from Nova Scotia Communities, Culture and Heritage, Culture…
Sisters In Steel: A Celebration Of Women Blacksmiths
I was very excited to attend the Sisters In Steel event in beautiful Annapolis Royal. Three women blacksmiths gave talks and demonstrations, and everyone was invited to try their hand at it! It turned out to be a fabulously gorgeous day,…
Setting of the Diamonds
Ha! I figured out how to show you the video of Peter showing me how to set the diamonds into the engagement ring I spoke off in my last post. Mind you, the step shown in this video takes place…
Playing A Role On Valentine’s Day
I love playing a small part in important moments in people’s lives. The past Valentine’s Day gave another such opportunity … but let me begin at the beginning: all the way back in September, I was contacted by a young…
Collaboration between Artist and Nature
I recently came across a most wonderful and mindbending piece of art: Hubert Duprat’s “The Wonderful Caddis Worm: Sculptural Work in Collaboration with Trichoptera”. I am excited to share this with you, as I am not only struck by the…
Check this out
I have finally buckled to the manifold requests from clients to put stones in my work. And I must say: I like it! What do you think (please do let me know): The price of the pieces will depend on…
Orlando, Florida
You haven’t heard from me in a while. This is because I had been preparing like mad for my first US wholesale trade show. There is so much involved … The main issues being the logistics of how to make…
Finding balance: Zen Archery
Ah yes, the new year has taken off with lightening speed, hasn’t it. Fortunately, I was able to participate in an urban retreat over the holidays at our local Shambhala Meditation Centre. The daily schedule of 9am -6pm was perfect…
Like Kye-Yeon Son’s work
A well-timed surprise snowfall on Friday gave Nova Scotians a White Christmas this weekend. On my walk through the snowy morning yesterday, I came across a site that instantly brought to mind the work of Kye-Yeon Son, one of my…
A New Love Affair
Oh dear. I think I am falling in love. With more heat! If you are a reader of this blog, you will remember how inspired I was by what I saw at SOFA in Chicago (you can read up on…
what fun we had at our studio sale!
Oh we had such fun last Sunday at Mindy Moore’s, with our pottery and jewellery sale. It was such an intimate atmosphere, like visiting with friends, yet many people came who had simply seen the announcement in the Chronicle Herald…
Last chance for Crush rings! Holiday Studio Sale
I’ve decided to do a holiday studio sale, together with (and at the home of) my friend and colleague, potter Mindy Moore. Our children have been in school together since pre-primary, and we actually went on a college-hunting road-trip together, respective…
More on the Twin Babies
Life goes on. There is a beautiful song for Michal, and a very sweet slideshow of images now on Syndertwins.com. It seems apparent that Jay and the twins are surrounded by much love and support, for which I am really…
Mother dies in Childbirth
Unbelievable, right? No. It still happens. It is with tremendous sadness that I report of the passing of our dear friend Michal Lura Friedman. I spent three months sharing a tent with Michal during an intensive group retreat at Rocky…
Change of Season
Yesterday, I went to visit Tiiu Poder in Antigonish, NS … she will be opening a store there, and was ready to place her order with me. The store, Aphrodite, sounds very exciting: she showed me some of the women’s…
Post NSDCC Christmas Craft Show
Let me give you a bit of a behind-the-scenes look. First, the show needs to be set up: and then … It takes many, many hands: Well, my feet and my legs still hurt from all that standing on cement…
NSDCC Christmas Craft Show this weekend in Halifax!
It’s that time of year again: Please come see me this weekend at the fabulous annual NSDCC Christmas Craft Show And here are the details so that you can actually read them! November 18-20, 2011 • Cunard Event Centre…
Last Chicago Post
So I thought I’d tell you a bit more about Chicago. I’ll start with the end: on the last day, in fact in the last couple of hours, of being in Chicago, pumped full of painkillers and antibiotics, I took…
Heaven meets Hell: Pleasure and Pain in Chicago
My goodness, what a great weekend! I just soaked up all that beauty for two days, met countless artists, observed galleries and their clients, met collectors afire with passion for art and fine craft, talked to arts organizations, listened to…
In heaven
I am completely blissed out: I am at SOFA Chicago – Sculptural Objects and Functional Art: World’s Foremost Fair of Contemporary Craft and Design. This is probably the best show internationally, with the highest quality work, anywhere. Europe has comparable…
