Summer Show in Halifax, etc...

I'm getting ready to hit the road again: this time for Halifax.

The Nova Scotia Designer Crafts Council's Summer Market is fast approaching with the opening on Friday at noon. The show returned to its original location at the corners of Spring Garden and Queen last year after being very downtown at the waterfront for a short time and then a year of non-existence. This year the show has grown again and boasts 32 attending artisans.

I have made several new pieces for this show, not that I have photographed them all, have to take the camera and grab snapshots of the pieces on display, just so that there is a visual record of the work before it sells (now there is some optimistic thinking).

My postcard invites went out last week and my email invites went out yesterday. The more inexpensive pre-show promotion that we can do the better. This little bit of work on my part has the potential to add between 40 and 80 visitors to the event that might otherwise not become aware of it. And the moral of this tale boys & girls is that the more artisans that create a client list of thier supporters and interested persons and use it, there are going to be more people aware of the event and in turn, the more there is for all of us. It's a win-win idea. I invite my clients, you invite yours and we share. Not to shabby, eh?

In other news: I am enjoying the social life provided by my partnership in the "Garrison Studio" in the Garrison District on Queen in Fredericton. The sign for the shop was painted and installed yesterday. Big cheer there as that meant that the weather was finally dry enough for the city's summer students to get it done. It also doesn't hurt my feelings that there have been some decent sales from the effort and I've only been brusque with one person so far this summer... "No, I don't make this in Mexico." Sorry dude, I know it's a legit question, but when you add that you are super familiar with the differences in jewellery styles, it strikes me as an odd question and I was obviously in an odd mood. Ooops, now you all know how to get me riled up;)

Went to a meeting for the Fredericton Arts Alliance Art Trek last night. The question is wether or not the open studio tours for 2009 can be pulled together as there was significant decrease in funding for the coordination and operations of this growing event. One brainstorming session later, it is looking a lot more positive, but the committees involved are going to be one very busy bunch for the next short while. As it stands, dates for the event are the 17 & 18 of October with a gala opening on the evening of the 16th.

Anyway, we hit the road on Thursday morning, drive through and find our flop-house in H'fax, check-in and then do the set-up for the show. On our way back after tear-down, we stop in Moncton and deliver some finished work to a colleague at midnight or so. Looking forward to this weekend and then getting back, grabbing a nap and getting ready for company that is arriving mid-week.

Cheers
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And before it's too late...

... a little more self-promotion here:

There is a jewelry fashion at Fusion Coffee on Main, in Woodstock, NB, tomorrow at 2PM. It is in partnership with Viktor's Blue Rose Salon, Spa and Boutique. Not only is it a great opportunity to see my fabulous work, but to learn about all the new services that are being offered at Viktor's and to see some of his and Christian's hair design expertise.


Next weekend, starting on Thursday July 2nd and running through to Sunday afternoon, is the City of Fredericton's Art Market in Officer's Square. This is a first time event and in celebration of the fact that Fredericton has been named a Cultural Capitol of Canada for 2009. There is going to be both visual art and fine craft at the venue, but only one of a kind and original pieces.

Yesterday, to my delight, I found out that the New Brunswick Craft Council has featured a piece of my jewelry on this year's promotional postcard for the Fine Craft Festival in Rothesay which is quickly coming up on July 11 & 12.


Don't forget that the Nova Scotia Designer Crafts Council Summer Market is coming up on July 24-26 on the corner of Spring Garden & Queen in Halifax. We miss the tall ships that weekend, but we do get to see the Pride celebrations which is fun too.

And lastly, my schedule for the Fredericton Arts Alliance casemate at the Garrison District Artisan Shops in Fredericton has been confirmed and in co-operation with the other artist participating that week, I am in residence from August 8-11. I will be spending that 3.5 days working on exhibition entries for the rapidly approaching Metal Arts Guild of Nova Scotia competition and exhibition on "Sea Life". It's a broad subject, so the possibilities are endless so I need to narrow it down just a bit from there.

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Things are happening or shameless self-promotion

This particular post is simply to provide an update of activities that are coming up for me as far as summer shows and other interesting dates and developments:

On June 27th, at 2PM, my jewelry will be featured alongside the spectacular work of Viktor's Blue Rose Salon, Spa & Boutique at Fusions, Main St., Woodstock. Models will be sporting hair and make-up from the salon and wearing my gorgeous jewellery. A great time to enjoy some of Fusions finest coffees, relax and browse.

The City of Fredericton, as an arts capital of Canada, is hosting an Artist's Market from July 2-5 at Officers' Square. This market will be a visual feast, as it is designed specifically for practicing artists and artisans who paint, sculpt, draw and create one of a kind work. This is not a craft show but a real exhibition of one-off art pieces. Not to be missed if you appreciate fine art and handcraft.

The following weekend, I am in Rothesay at the New Brunswick Crafts Council Fine Craft Festival being held July 11 & 12. Crafts Council events are wonderful way to acquire quality handcrafted goods. Council members' work is held to a high standard even for production pieces. Come on out and show your support for artisan work in NB.

A short break and then Halifax.... for the Nova Scotia Designer Crafts Council Summer Market, July 24 - 26. Again, high quality artisan goods, since you can't be in show if you haven't met the standards of the coucil. The market is held at the corner of Spring Garden Road and Queen Street in Halifax. That will be a busy area on Saturday afternoon as the Halifax Pride Parade passes the show grounds. A great opportunity to show your support for both artisans and our human diversity. I know that I have some great pix from last year's event and look forward to this year's.

That about sums up July which will be busy, and I'll be making new things for the shows.

This month, there is still some custom work to finish up, like this piece that I just completed the weave on last night:
It is ammolite, that flashes orange to green with a strong blue segment at one side of the fossil. The top stone is a 2.7ct fire opal with a smoldering yellow tone with interesting plays of red and green, and the bottom is an emerald cabochon weighing in at nearly 4ct. The three stones are all ones that I cut. It is 14K gold-fill, which I don't work in often, opting for sterling mostly. The beads that are incorporated into the weave are emerald, citrine and carnelian facetted rondelles. It isn't often that I make a custom piece that I wish I could keep, this is one of those rare occasions where I am totally smitten with my work. Fortunaltely though, I do know the lady (Mom of a good friend) that requested this piece, so it is going to a good home.

For those that are interested, Fredericton's Pride Week is June 20-27. BOOM nightclub on Queen will be hosting events and has been busy with fund raising activities.

The New Brunswick Crafts Council is opening Productive Hands, a NBCC initiative, gallery store at the Casemates on the corner of Queen and Carleton. Sometime this summer I will be doing some demo work at the casemate, I'll tell you when I know more.

I have an application in to the Fredericton Arts Alliance for their Artist's in Residence program, also held at the Casemates. I won't know if I have been successful in securing a week long residency until next week sometime. Keeping my fingers crossed for good results though.

Even if the residency doesn't come through, you can't go wrong when you get an email like this one from a long-distance but frequent client:

"WOW
Hello Cynthia - The necklace is here and it is perfect! I love the shapes and the size - it will be just right for our friend ..... I always really appreciate the time you take to write about the stone and how you worked with it. You even made it in March which the Irish girl will like since
that is when St. Patrick's Day is.
And then . . . I found a little something extra! Thanks so much - I'll wear them today and tomorrow for the party. I really like them a lot.
You're the best, Cynthia. Thanks for the speedy response, checking your stash, and the wonderful pieces.
Take care,
P.... "

Completely unsolicited and just in this morning. WOW, a little praise never hurts an artist's feelings. When the party is over, don't want to spoil a surprise, I'll edit this and post a pic.

Yesterday, while I was out running around Freddie, I had an accidental lunch with a gentleman who is a rep for Crocs... you know, I may just have to change my opinion of them, especially after seeing some of the heels that they are designing now.

Hope your week is going well and coming together too.

Off to run more errands and go to an appointment.

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A Rainbow for Trevor

This piece is a special one that I likely won't part company with. It is a memorial piece for an acquaintance who was killed this month in Halifax, NS. Trevor was a really friendly person with a great personality. He had a real gift for caring, lifting the spirit and entertaining. We only knew him from his job at a Halifax restaurant which we frequented whenever we were in town for shows. He was one of the reasons we kept going back. We will miss him too.

The tragedy of this story is that Trevor was one of three victims killed by a young man in need of mental health assistance. Two were gay men in Halifax, the third was a man in New York state. The murderer is a victim of schizophrenia and a victim of provincial health care policies.

This neck piece represents the rainbow, a symbol that Trevor sported openly, using a lab-grown ruby, garnet CZ, heliodor, simulated peridot and topaz and an amethyst CZ. Clear Czech crystals form the 'rain' that falls into the rainbow as well as being used in the chain. The setting was made using sterling silver.

There are more pictures of this piece here on our web.