Now Available at The Dart Gallery, December 10th, 2015

Here are the pics of the pieces I took to The Dart Gallery in  Dartmouth today:

First, new stoneware ornaments!  These are all $25 each (tax free Sat Dec 12 :), handsculpted, handcarved, and hand painted without the use of molds.  Each of these comes with an ornament hanging wire, and a tag.

First, two new Sullivan's Pond Geese

Golden Retriever, West Highland White Terrier, and a Pointer

Slug, pterodactyl, brontosaurus, triceratops and frog

four chickadees and two blue jays

bluebird, fawn, raccoon

The Canadian and American icons: beaver and eagle

four festive foxes

four wise owls and their mouse friend

penguin, sled dog, seagull

pig, rooster, calico cat, horse

five bouncing bunnies

two reindeer and a Christmas vulture

four woolly sheep

wren, goldfinch, red-breasted nuthatch, thrasher

nuthatch action shot

last but not least for ornaments, an alien

Five new figurines made it into the box, two bears, two rabbits and a turtle.   These are also $25 each.

 There are also two new bowls.  First, this brown rabbit bowl:

 And finally, this relief carved bowl with a fox chasing two rabbits.  The glaze on parts of this didn't turn out as planned, but it was a valuable learning experience for future functional stoneware relief carved pieces!

Time is running out to visit Dart this year.  The gallery has to close early, and unexpectedly, to address a structural issue with the building so Tuesday December 15th is the last day to visit the actual gallery this month, and to see the awesome Dart Wars group show (inspired by Star Wars).

But to help things along, everything in the gallery will be TAX FREE this Saturday December 12th.

After this, there's another chance for the Dart Gallery experience - at the very first annual "Halifax Lights Holiday Market" in the Historic Properties where Dart will have a display for the fourth and final weekend: Thursday December 17th - Sunday December 20th.  

This looks like a very nice festive market. Dart's presence here will be no small table - rather it'll be more of an empty shop turned into a 'pop up' Dart!

Parking will be free at waterfront development lots during the market, details at the bottom of this page.

Market hours will be: Thurs 17th, 4 - 9pm, Fri 18th, 4 - 9pm, Sat 19th - 12 - 9pm and Sunday the 20th, 12 - 4pm.  The theme for this last weekend of the market will be "The Night Before Christmas".  Sounds fun!

This Week's Favourite Things! Monday November 30th - Sunday December 6th, 2015

1.  CKBW - this is the Bridgewater radio station I listen to out in the shed while glazing. Great mix of new and old songs, and the various community/business announcements - it always seems to have just the right mix of music, talking and ads, great background for working.  I'm also a fan of our kerosene heater, essential equipment for glazing this time of year but I think this recent firing was likely the last of 2015.

2.  Nova Terra Cotta Studio in Lunenburg - popped in this past week for the first time in a while, everything is so beautiful, especially the platters.  Another reason to visit Lunenburg

3.  The Knot Pub - next door to Nova Terra Cotta in Lunenburg, great food, great value, cozy

4. This Bing Crosby Frank Sinatra 1957 Christmas Special (youtube video), especially the "a little toddy for the body" quote before they break into singing Jingle Bells

5.  Christmas trees.  We live near lots of Christmas tree farms and close to a couple spots where they all get corralled up for export on trucks.  The trees go all over, mostly to the United States but also other countries.  

Here's a recent National Post article about it:  "From Quebec to Panama: where Canadian Christmas trees are grown and shipped." 

example of a Christmas tree farm near our home

Plus there are tree lots everywhere.  Lots of local businesses have trees for sale this time of year, including our local hardware store and pizza place.  This got me thinking maybe there's a comparison to be made between tree growers and craftspeople.

Before moving here I learned that Lunenburg County has the highest proportion of artisans anywhere in Canada.  At the time I thought that was really cool - it still is - but it presents a few challenges in terms of the fact that Halifax, the nearest city, isn't exactly a huge city, and the province's entire population is under 1 million.

So lately after seeing so many ads for established, and new craft markets, plus all sorts of other shows in people's homes, all over Halifax and beyond, I wondered what it would be like if Christmas tree farmers only sold their trees locally.  

Maybe the crafters of Nova Scotia could take a page out of the Christmas Tree producers book, and work on establishing trade routes to larger Canadian cities and the United States, if this isn't already happening.

6.  This etsy shop, speaking of hand sculpted one of a kind: Anita Reay Art in Brisbane Australia

7.  Message in a bottle by The Police, stuck in my head all week.

Now Available at Jenny Jib, December 7th 2015

Here are pics of the pieces that I dropped off at Jenny Jib in Lunenburg this afternoon! 

First pic is a stoneware Whale Tail Fruit Cake Stand, along with 14 egg nog/hot toddy cups with relief carvings: mostly whales and dolphins, one polar bear and one tree.  

We 'test drove' the stand in our kitchen and it is perfect for presenting a special fruit cake - the delicious one in this photo came from Lunenburg's Thursday morning farmer's market. 

 The stand is $125, foodsafe, with handwashing recommended.  Cups are $20 each, foodsafe, dishwasher safe, microwave safe.  They're an ideal size for a cup of Christmas cheer. 

Top of the Whale Tail Fruit Cake Stand

Before heading to Jenny Jib I stopped to get a few pics on the Lunenburg waterfront.

Lobster trap Christmas Tree that now adorns the Lunenburg waterfront!

There was a convenient stump nearby, a great place to get another photo of the Whale Tail Fruit Cake Stand

and here's a close up of one of the cups, with Christmas trees and the water of the harbour in the background

"Rodney the Walrus" selfie in front of the tree

Rodney's profile, with the harbour in the background

Next up are the ornaments, I took in 26 new ones to add to the ones left from the last firing.  

Like the others from this season, these are $25 each, and as always, are handsculpted/hand carved without the use of any type of mold.  Jenny also has an assortment of my older stoneware animal ornaments at $12, $15 and $18 each.

Three Killer Whales, aka Orcas.... "Orcaments!"

a close up of the orcaments - all of the ornaments hang nicely from trees, and come with a ornament hanging wire as well as a tag, but with the wind it was much easier to get photos with them resting on something

Three dolphins and two whales

Four humpback whales

A lion, a Christmas vulture and a camel.

the lion was my favourite ornament from this season

lion side view

Two pelicans, a crab and a swordfish

A cheery yellow seahorse

two sea turtles and a lobster

 

A fox, a bunny and a raccoon

Jenny Jib is open everyday up to and including December 24th for your holiday shopping pleasure!  

Hours are: 11-5 everyday until Christmas, shutting at 4pm on the 24th.  There are also some extended hours along with other Lunenburg retailers as part of Christmas in Lunenburg.   The shop is open til 8pm on Friday the 11th and 18th, and til 8pm on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday December 21st, 22st, and 23rd.  

As a "welcome, holiday shoppers" bonus, Jenny is offering her stylish regular stock tax-free during the evenings she's open 5 - 8.  This doesn't apply to consignment pieces like mine and other art, as her rate is already super generous!

Parking is free in Lunenburg for December, perfect for a relaxing, scenic seaside shopping trip away from crowds.  

As of Christmas day, Jenny Jib shuts down for the winter, with a spring reopening date to be announced. 

Kiln Unloading! December 6, 2015

This last firing went pretty well I think!  I unloaded it early this morning.

Here are a bunch of photos of ornaments waiting to go to a venue.  Since posting this, I've made another post, with additional work at Jenny Jib as of December 7th.

A wren, goldfinch, nuthatch and thrasher

Two blue jays and four chickadees

Five bouncing bunnies

bluebird, fawn, raccoon

slug, pterodactyl, brontosaurus, triceratops and frog

Golden retriever, West Highland White Terrier, Pointer

Four frolicking foxes

Four owls and a nervous mouse

Polar pals: penguin, sled dog, seagull

Farmyard friends: pig, rooster, calico cat, pony

two reindeer and a Christmas vulture - known to sneak in through the kitchen window on Boxing day to steal turkey carcasses

woolly suffolk sheep

The Canadian and American icons: beaver and bald eagle

close up of the red-breasted nuthatch

This Week's Favourite Things! Monday November 23rd - Sunday November 29th, 2015

This week's post is a bit late owing to a marathon of underglazing!  The bisque kiln is cooling down now so I'll be glazing tomorrow. Pics of the new work in a few days hopefully.

1.  Awesome news from the Dart Gallery! They'll be expanding in the new year by joining forces with Picnic and offering food.  For Star Wars fans, Dart Wars (a Star Wars inspired group show) opens tomorrow night and runs through December 15th.  

The gallery is shutting early this year due to renovations, so the 15th will be the last day to shop. However I think they'll be at the first annual Halifax Lights Holiday Market at the Historic Properties from December 17th - 20th, but check Dart's Facebook page for details.

2.  Congrats to Lunenburg's Fiore Botanica for being selected to have products in the next Golden Globe Awards gift lounge.  There was a really nice story on Global News on Nov 25th about it, with the Bluenose II photo by Peter Zwicker that will be included in the gift bags.  I can't seem to share the clip but here's a CBC article from September with the announcement. 

3.  Bob Proctor - As you think so shall you become - how to think positive! youtube video

4.  Paper clay slip!  I snapped the fluke off of the larger of the two 'whale tail fruit cake stands' I planned on firing. 

Here's a pic from before the accident:

After an internet research session on 'how to fix greenware', I made a slip of dried clay bits, torn up bits of toilet paper, and white vinegar (let soak for a few hours).  Then I wet the clay with normal slip, twice, scored and slipped, held it together, and rubbed a bunch of the paper clay slip into the seam on both sides.  It totally worked!  Ironically while doing all this the video I linked in item #3 randomly came up on autoplay on youtube.  The paper clay slip also worked to fill in a crack that had formed in another part of the piece, the repaired/filled parts just needed a bit of sanding with some sand paper afterwards.

But then after this miraculous repair job, a few days later, I busted the other side going out the door to load my kiln!  Oops!  It was ok, as there wasn't enough room in the kiln for it, and it was a bit wonky anyways - the smaller one is much nicer.   

I'll repair the other side, and fire it eventually though to see how my repair job holds up - this way I won't risk having things I like underneath the repaired bits!  The whole accident has me thinking about experimenting with homemade paper clay on future sculptures, it could be good for making furry textures.

5.  The Loonies & Toonies Dollar Store at 203 Lincoln Street in Lunenburg because they have awesome packs of kids paint brushes in the art section, with bright plastic handles, that are actually perfect for underglazing.  The pack includes a bunch in different sizes for $2.  Paintbrushes aside, this is a really great dollar store with lots of interesting random things.  

6.  Lunenburg's love of Christmas Shoppers and small businesses: the entire town of Lunenburg has free parking for the month of December.  For those considering a scenic shopping excursion, many Lunenburg shops are offering some extended hours this month by staying open until 8pm on Fridays.

Here's the list copy/pasted today from this Christmas In Lunenburg Facebook event page:

Shop local this holiday season! Many shops will be open late to help you enjoy stress free, relaxed shopping. Check with your favourite shop to see if they'll be participating!

Shops open late:
Friday December 04 until 8PM
Friday December 11 until 8PM
Friday December 18 until 8PM
Monday December 21 until 8PM
Tuesday December 22 until 8PM
Wednesday December 23 until 8PM

Participating Shops:
Dots & Loops
Luvly in Lunenburg
Jenny Jib
Lexicon Books
Stan's Dad & Lad
Lunenburg Bound
Mom's Buy & Sell
Kinley Drugs
Lunenburg Community Consignment
Mariner's Daughter

I imagine this event page may get updated though, so check it for details before heading out.  I believe some shops are also having tax-free events during these times.

7.  Halifax Transit's ferry naming contest on until December 13th.  

I was making some rabbit ornaments when I stumbled across this, so Huxley came to mind as a great ferry name.  Huxley is the pet rabbit owned by the Dart Gallery's owner, who agreed Huxley would also be a fine ferry name.

Huxley is a bit of a Dartmouth icon: he's often at the gallery, blogs at Hello Dartmouth and has had Badmouth Soap named after him.  

Like the word Halifax, Huxley has an "h", "l" and "x".  It is a catchy name that perhaps speaks to  many Haligonians' love of art, humour, nature and pets. Also, Huxley is adorable and who doesn't want to live in a city that has a ferry named after a pet rabbit.  

Plus it might give a PR boost to all the shops and restaurants of downtown Dartmouth, inspiring more transit "cruises" over from downtown for shopping/dining excursions. Leave your car at home, take transit, walk, shop, have a drink with friends...  This could be good for the economy, stress levels, the environment, and Halifax transit.

   Here's the link to the contest which is open to all residents of Nova Scotia.


Here's a CBC article about the first ferry naming contest, and a Herald article about the most recent winner/finalists - this will be the third contest for the third ferry.

Lots of people voted for these and suggested names in these contests, but there are so many ferry-name-worthy humans, both female and male, that how does a person choose just one?  Picking the rabbit could save everyone the debate.  Plus it's a male rabbit owned by a female human, so there are 2 genders and 2 species covered off in one ballot.  Perfect.