What a Garden!

I have to admit, I’m not the greatest gardener.  I handle the flowers and perennial plants while my husband takes care of the vegetables.  A few years ago I spent the summer completely tearing apart the old flower bed in front of the house, changing the shape (much smaller) and putting in new plants.  It looked great for a while…but that’s another story.

Like I said, my husband takes care of the vegetables.  Because of the size of our back yard we had 2 huge leaf compost bins, just made of chicken wire in a circle.  A huge circle!  One was taken out when we got a mulching attachment for the garden tractor.  Last year he threw the Halloween pumpkin seeds in.  This year he grew something unexpected…

We have 4 pumpkins growing in our garden.  Here’s the smallest:

This gorgeous flower opened in the morning and was gone by midday.  At its peak the flower was over 12 inches wide.  It has already started to close here.

The colour reminds me of some of my favourite jewellery pieces:

Lucite Flower Bracelet (Sold)

Orange Fire Drop

Orange Fire Pendant

Fiery Agate Earrings withSterling Silver Drops
This pair sold. Find a new pair here

Sterling Silver Necklacewith Peach and Green Aventurine and Smoky Quartz

All of these pieces will be available over the next few days in my online store

And, in case you were wondering, here's what the garden and leaf bin looks like with these giant pumpkin vines growing all over:

Vines on the other side of the leaf compost bin

Vines snaking across the garden

Kempenfest – What a weekend

Another weekend, another show!  This time it was Kempensfest in Barrie.  A fantastic show, and all consuming.

It started with booth set up on Friday, in the middle of one of the biggest downpours we’ve had this year.  And that’s saying a lot!  And then it cooled down on Sunday.  Many folks did not appreciate the temperature, especially after Saturday’s sweltering highs.  Overall though, it was a great show.

I introduced some new designs at this show also, equally as well received as the etched metal bracelets.  Here’s my take on large hole bead bracelets.  These are reminiscent of the highly popular Pandora line but are not a copy.  I have used a hand woven chain as the base.  Some of the bracelets have handmade toggle clasps and the remainder use up the stash of these clasps that I had left.

Cluster of Large HoleBracelets.  Lots of colours

A pretty blue

Woven chain detail

Goderich Play Time

Last weekend I was in Goderich Ontario, participating in their Festival of Arts and Crafts.

As I mentioned in my last blog this is the town that was devastated by a tornado in August 2011.  And yes, they are on their way to recovering.  In fact the festival was held in a beautiful new park, Lions Harbour Park, created in memory of the resident who perished in the tornado and to commemorate the spirit of the townsfolk.   

I used the show to introduce some new designs, which turned out to be quite popular.  Several sold right away!

One of my new products is etched metal bracelets, with the etching method soon to be expanded to other pieces.  I had so much fun making the bracelets and am very happy with how they came out.  Along with my patina enhanced copper bracelets, in the amazing blue colours, they were best sellers.

1 inch Wide Etched Brass Bracelet

1-1/2 inch Wide PatinaEnhanced Copper Bracelet

New Look – In Development

The first show of the season was a couple of weeks ago.  I’m prepping for the next one now, looking forward to participating in the Goderich Arts and Crafts Show on July 5^th to 7^th.

If you remember, this is the town that was devastated by a tornado in August 2011.  They are on their way to recovering, still lots of work to do.  Why don’t you come out for a visit, support the town and check out their charming craft show. 

Show hours are 12:00 – 8:00 Friday, 9:00 – 5:00 Saturday and 10:00 – 4:00 Sunday. 

 Now, on to the new look!  I mentioned a few posts ago that I had purchased a new tent.  Here is how it looks after  set up for the first show.

At the Fairy Lake Artisans Festival

It is so strong and sturdy!  I’m very thrilled with the tent.  One thing though, it’s definitely white, more so than the old tent.  I think I need to look at a backdrop to bring some more colour in.  I love how this picture makes my tablecloths look so bright and cheery.  They really are not that light in colour, and are actually a deeper royal blue.  I kind of like the shade here though, maybe slightly lighter and less opaque for a wall backdrop?  I’ll give it some time to noodle on.

 I also want to place the wall grids vertically, preferably using supports to stand them from, and just tie them in at the top to secure in place.  And, I need to get a lot more hooks.  Would you believe there are over a hundred in this picture?

More hooks makes for more jewellery to display.  Fun!

Prepping a New Season

I have been busy the last few weeks, getting ready for upcoming shows.  The first craft show that I will be at is the Fairy Lake Artisans Festival, in Newmarket.

I’m very excited as this is my neck of the woods.  The show runs Saturday June 15 and Sunday June 16 from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm each day.

A New Life, Upcycled Glass Pearls, Lampwork Beads

 You will need to park on the north side of Timothy Street or other local parking.  Vehicles will not be allowed into the park during the festival.

The park at Fairy Lake

Here are maps of routes to get to the park. 

Newmarket’s Davis Drive is undergoing a lot of construction for the new rapid transit bus lanes.  I recommend very strongly that you use a different road!

Coming from the West

Coming from the East

I’m looking forward to seeing everyone there!

Spring Pretties

Last year at about this time I wrote about how much Mother Nature had been enjoying the weather, and, how much I was enjoying the flowers she put forward.  Well you know what, it’s more of the same.  The weather’s been unpredictable, just now finally getting nice.  The flowers?  A knock out display again!

 Tiny little Forget Me Nots (I think) blooming in the back of the yard

I didn’t know Primroses could survive the winter!

I think these are called Elephant’s Ears.  The leaves are huge by mid-summer, the spring flowers?  Tiny

The only repeat from last year’s blog, Solomon’s Seal.  One of my favourites because of the almost heart shaped flowers

Two years ago, this gorgeous apple tree was fighting for its life.  Blight, insects, scabby fruit!  I was ready to give up on it but after a little tender loving care look at how my husband brought it back to light.  Huge growth spurt this year.  It actually does reach all the way up to the top of the photo

Mother Nature provides beauty in other forms too.  Here are some that I’ve turned to wearable beauties

Beaded Beads Necklace & Earrings Set

Amethyst Pendant with Turtle Jasper, wrappedwith Sterling Silver

A New Tent = A New Look For My Booth

Last year was my first full year selling at craft shows.  Not knowing how it would work out, I decided to start with a basic, entry level tent.  It worked well enough but I had issues fairly quickly.  By the end of the last show some of the roof struts gave out.

They do say you get what you pay for but it did look pretty to start with.

Booth Set Up at my First Outdoor Show – It’s come a long way since!

My new tent?  A lovely Ez Up brand tent, the Eclipse II model.  In keeping with standard craft show requirements it’s white again.  Show organizers are very specific on what they want their show grounds to look like and white tents are the standard.  The advantage to a white tent is that the inside can be decorated however the artisan would like.  Plus, a white tent does not change the colour of the products inside, a very important advantage!

Ez Up Eclipse II

Here’s a picture of what the new tent will look like.  Not much right?  It’s the bones of the tent that make the difference.  No more bent frame, no more zipper issues, and no unwanted plastic windows.

This is going to be fun!