11/30/12

A Beary Merry Winter Market

A Beary Merry Christmas indeed! 

The best craft show is in the city is back! Voted best darn craft show in Halifax by readers of The Coast, the Halifax Crafters are back for their annual winter market. 

With over 80 crafters offering everything from jewellery to paper crafts to plush to pottery -there is a little bit of something for everyone!



This year's Crafters market is sponsored by CKDU, The Coast, Yelp, Lunenburg Makery and Luvly in Lunenburg


I will be there all weekend with a selection of Woodland Wool critters and some of my rug hookings. Come on by and say hello and perhaps adopt a critter of your own!

The show is from 10am to 5pm on Saturday and Sunday at the Olympic Centre, 2304 Hunter Street in Halifax. 



There'll be lots of great gift ideas at every table and food vendors selling lunch and cupcakes and coffee - a great way to spend some time!


 




9/28/12

Going with the flow will bring you HERE!

You never know where life is going to lead, so I tend to just go with the flow and happily take on whatever comes my way. This seems to have worked for me so far in life bringing me many wonderful opportunities. Most recently I was delighted to have been offered the position of organizing all the upcoming art shows for the Bread Gallery in Brooklyn, Hants County.



A few years ago Joan and Mike McKenzie began building a dream. With a background in real estate Joan has always had a knack for seeing the potential in a building and her vision to create a space for fine art and fine baking to come together wasn’t unrealistic in the least.


Knowing that it’s best not to bite off more than you can chew, Joan and Mike began by opening their doors as an artisan bakery. Once they became comfortable in their new life running a bakery, they took the next step and opened an adjoining art gallery.


Now nearing it’s one year anniversary of showcasing local Nova Scotian artists, the Bread Gallery is ready for it’s next step forward and has asked me to become a part of the family and help out in keeping the memento flowing.

As you may know I have already organized two shows for the gallery, one last spring for the Hants County Arts Council and another this past summer for Flying Cloud Boutique.

This month I am thrilled to officially take on the role of organizer and I proudly invite you to join us this Saturday evening from 5 until 7pm as we celebrate the opening of Lara Martina’s HERE.




 
 
 
 

9/21/12

Nothing like a rainy day for a little hooking!

 
With the craft selling season quickly approaching I've been keeping my hands very busy making stock for shops, Halifax Crafters and the Acadia Christmas Craft Expo... while also trying to sneak in some time on a few more elaborate visual art pieces!
 
 





 
I've been working on a few special wall hangings to show at the Hants County Arts Council's next group show taking place October 12th - 14th in Windsor. 
 
Sometimes I get so caught up in the planning of the event and keeping track of everyone else... I need to stop and remind myself to work on a few pieces to show too!
 
This piece is based off of a collage I did ages ago. The more time I spend working on it, the more the layers of a story seem to develop.
 
It's been a while since I took on such a detailed project as this one - here's hoping I can get it finished and framed in time for the opening on the 12th!
 
 
 
 

Sloths are just one of the types of wonderful Woodland Wool
critters you will see "hanging around" at my booth this season!


 

 
 
 
I've also been absolutely hooked on hooking and keep finding inspiration everywhere! This past weekend all I had to do was look up to my shelf of childhood toys and books and I was motivated to capture my favorite icon Barbie (and her beautiful bus!) in wool.  Today as I was prepping my application for the Halifax Crafters show I started to get a little nostalgic for my city. I've been thinking a lot lately about all the quaint little crowded houses and I wanted to pay tribute some how... so I've started a piece called "Sisters" to remind me of my former urban home.
 
 
 
 
 

There's nothing like hooking to the sound of rain!
 
 
 
 
 
 
In case you are in the neighbourhood during the Pumpkin Festival.... be sure to come and pay me and the wonderful folks from the HCAC a visit!
 

4/26/12

Great Little Art Show

This weekend I'll be showing a few of my new hookings at the Great Little Art Show held at the Avon River Heritage Museum, 17 Belmont Road, Newport Landing, near Avondale, Hants County   Friday April 27- Sunday, April 29

Baby Blue by Tacha Reed - 2012



For longer than a decade, this show has been an important means for promoting visual arts in Hants County.

Lead the Way by Tacha Reed  - 2012



Casually the organizers say it's "a great little show with a lot of great, local art!"




Love, True Love by Tacha Reed - 2012
More officially, it is a venue for both professional and novice local artists to display and sell their work in a semi-formal environment. Each spring we look forward to seeing the work of participants and the blossoming of new talent.


"The Great Little Art Show is our most important fund raising event. Sales of the exhibits provide the Avon River Heritage Society with the needed capital it requires to keep our community museum operating from year to year."




The show will get under way with a wine and cheese reception on Friday, April 27 from 7pm to 9pm with a special guest speaker sculptor Alison MacNeil.

The show continues over the weekend with viewings at the following times:
• Saturday, April 28 10am – 5 pm
• Sunday, April 29 11am – 3pm


Admission: $7.00 for Friday night opening; $2.00 Saturday and Sunday; Children under 12, free.




4/18/12

Johnny Ruth and Living Planet

I'm thrilled to announce that my Woodland Wool critters are now available at Johnny Ruth & Living Planet in St John's Newfoundland! I've just sent a fresh batch of owls and seals their way so that the wonderful folks in Newfoundland can enjoy my whimsical recycled critters too :)








Drop by the Boutique: 181 Water Street, Downtown, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador

Regular Hours:
Monday - Wednesday 10:00am - 6:00pm
Thursday 10:00am - 9:00pm
Friday 10:00 am - 9:00pm
Saturday 10:00am - 6:00pm
Sunday 12:00pm - 5:00pm


Phone: 709-722-7477

Email:
info@johnnyruth.com

Web: www.JohnnyRuth.com

 

4/16/12

Put Me On!

In case you missed it Put Me On! has moved into their new digs on Queen Street in Halifax. Located in the former Back Pages space, Put Me On! has literally quadrupled in size!

Known for it carefully curated collection of vintage duds for men and women, the shop also features a healthy collection of local handmade creations.

You may recognize some of the local artists right off the bat - like Mary Garoutte of Swallow and Twig, Blythe Church of Sewn by Blythe, and my own Pretty Things feather earrings, fascinators and necklaces!


Put Me On Consignment
  • 1526 Queen Street
  • phone 492-2572














I'm currently hard at work creating some new brooches that also double as pendants and I will be dropping them off at Put Me On! in the next few weeks.

Until then, feel free to pop in and check out all the amazing items Put Me On! has to offer.

3/7/12

The Smell of Art is in the Air!

Many of us artists and artisans are relieved by winters arrival because it means a break from the constant back and forth between production and sales. This time allows us a chance to relax and experiment again, taking us down new paths, creating brand new work. After several months of a slightly more relaxed schedule I know that I suddenly have the spring itch to get out there and show the world what I've been making during my hibernation.

This spring there are a lot of great shows scheduled and many have application deadlines coming up quickly.
 
With only 2 days left to apply, interested young folks should get themselves in motion for a chance to take part in a Gifted Young Artist Retreat hosted by Ross Creek Centre for the Arts. The centre is inviting talented high school students to apply for a unique opportunity for young Nova Scotian artists to collaborate across the arts. Nova Scotia educators (including the Department of Education and the NS Teachers Union) will be holding a Summit on Gifted Education and Talent Development at Mount St. Vincent University on May 23–25. Ross Creek Centre for the Arts is inviting NS high school aged arts students to apply for a week-long experience to collaborate with their peers under professional guidance, culminating in a presentation at the Summit. This is an amazing opportunity for young creative individuals! If this sounds like a perfect fit for you, then quick, ask a teacher and and an artist for their endorsement so you can take advantage of this amazing experience! DEADLINE MARCH 9th
 

One event that has been creating a great deal of excitement locally is the Avondale Art Fair. This juried show will be accepting 100 artists for their one day outdoor event being held in pastoral Newport Landing, overlooking the Avon River and its spectacular tidal bore. On Saturday, June 16th this charming little village will burgeon into the best art fair venue around! The organizers are looking to showcase exceptional artwork that will include paintings, jewelry, pottery, glass, sculpture, fiber, leather, photography and more! DEADLINE MARCH 15th
 
 
Another event I'm personally really looking forward to is the 2nd Annual Art vs Craft, taking place in Halifax July 21st & 22nd at the Forum. This show is for the more quirky creative folks, like myself, who might be a little bit out there with our creations. Since this show is held in such a large space it has the ability to feature a wide variety of artists and there will definitely be an emphasis placed on including really unique creations. DEADLINE MARCH 23
 
 
Another wonderful local show, now in it's 14th year, is The Great Little Art Show. This 3 day show running April 27th-April 29th has proven itself an important means for promoting visual arts in West Hants, creating a venue for both professional and novice artists to display and sell their work in a semi-formal environment. Sales of the exhibits provide the Avon River Heritage Society with the needed capital it requires to keep the museum operating from year to year. DEADLINE APRIL 10th
 
So, those of you, like myself who have enjoyed a winter of creating - it is now time to photograph all that work and start applying so that you too can share your creations with everyone else this spring!
 
Good luck!

2/26/12

A constant in life: Frenchy's

During my Valentine's outing with my
mom I found these retro pillowcases
at Parker Street, a thrift shop in
Halifax. They match one that
I've held on to for years, saved 
from my Grammies collection.
Throughout my life I've visited certain places that have made a lasting impression, becoming constant places that I loyally revisit both in waking life and in my dreams.

The majority of these locations are outdoors; the magical carpet of stones that makes up the shoreline of Cape'n'sand along the Fundy Basin, the pristine expanses of white sand that speckle Nova Scotia's south shore and the towering red cliffs that hover along the coastline around Kingsport and Blomidon.

The place however that shows up most often in my dreams would be the Wilmot Frenchy's. As a child my grandmother would stop in several times a week, going through each and every bin, looking to find something beautiful and useful.

My grandmother had quite the towel and linen collection; and why not, she had such a large cupboard to store them all in, why not have variety?


This is something that perhaps has made a bit too much of an impression, because I too have a serious thrift shop addiction.


We also found these that day, they
match Sylvia's decor perfectly!

Did you know that pineapples 
are the international symbol for
hospitality - now isn't that just
the perfect fit for Flying Cloud?


At least once a month I'll visit the Frenchy's in a dream.


When I was younger I would always find vintage Barbies and my Little Ponies. These days my dreams have me finding bolts of vintage material and wool blankets; always supplies that I can upcycle into fabulous new things!

Directions on how to
clean your curtains!
It's the actual visit's to Frenchy's and other thrift shops though that bring me the most joy.

Sometimes I feel absolutely blessed, knowing my Grammy is right there with me picking out treasures that would only be truly special to me.


Thank you Saint Jean, queen of the good find!


Every great vintage excursion should include a knick knack find! My personal faves - Cats and dogs!

2/24/12

HCAC Group Show at the Bread Gallery, March 9th - April 25th



I'm very pleased to announce that I will be participating in the Hants County Arts Council's next group show at the Bread Gallery in Brooklyn, March 9th - April 25th.



Chrispy Galactica

I've recently been spending a great deal of time creating mini hooked rugs depicting different characters from my life and I will be displaying them for the first time at this group show.


Other HCAC members who will joining me for this two month show are metal sculptor GA Jank, folk artist Jim Tracey, and painters Carol Morrison, Sharon Ogilvie, Dora Davis, Terrie Greencorn, June Brown, Pauline Sullivan, Andrea Hardy, Sue Robinson and Carlos Da Rosa.



Silver Sue
The show gets kicked off March 9th with an opening celebration from 6-8pm.

Hope to see you there!

The Bread Gallery
7778 Hwy #14 Brooklyn
Hants County, Nova Scotia

Tue - Fri: 7:00 am - 6:00 pm
Sat: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Sun: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Monday: Closed