Happy Holidays!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Christmas season

I hope everyone is getting their shopping, baking and decorating done!  :)  Here's a couple more images of the clutches!  Eleven different colour combinations are now listed, and there's still about 4 in progress, plus a list a page long of other combinations I'll be working on.  I'd love to know what you think of them? 

Free shipping sale! Until monday.

... at Eyespot Designs, and Alison Syer on Etsy.

Clutches, Etsy Shop Sale

I'm up to the first 5 clutches posted! 

I'm also offering free shipping in both my Etsy shops this coming weekend, Nov. 25-28.  You'll need to use coupon code SHIPPING at checkout. My textiles and painting are here, and my beaded jewellery here.

Clutches!

I'm excited to tell you that the first silk clutches are up on my Etsy shop!!  There are three sizes, a mini, a classic (a long narrow shape, size similar to many clutches), and an ultra (which is extra large).  I will be adding more colour selections soon, as they are completed and photographed.  I can also do custom colour combinations. 

Shown below is the mini.  :) 

Evening Clutches Coming Soon!!

I know it's been a while, but the first few silk evening clutch purses are nearly ready!!  There will be 3 sizes/shapes to start out, and I'm just going to see how they go and adjust accordingly.  Here's a little teaser photo!  Look for them in my Etsy Shop soon, I'll post again when they're up. 

Also, go check out this blog post where of my bookmarks is featured! 

Artisan Studio Tour photos

I managed to get a small number of photos taken at the Artisan Studio Tour, before my camera battery ran out of juice.  The butterflies and jewellery are my work, the book bags and other pieces are the work of Noelle Hamlyn.  We were also teamed up with potter Adam Beales, but I didn't get pictures of his display (sorry Adam!). 

Almost there!

Just a couple of days left before the Artisan Studio Tour!!  For the details go back to this post, or their website.
Also, you might like to read their interview with me! 

Emily Carr House

One of the things I went to while in BC was Emily Carr House, birth home of Canadian artist Emily Carr. 

Website Update, Painting!

A painting I did earlier this year, added today to the photo gallery on my website.  Enjoy! 

Studio Tour!

I'll be bringing some existing and hopefully some new textile/fibre pieces to this show, and possibly some of my bead jewellery also!  I'll be at stop #5 on the tour.  Great opportunity to get out and about, maybe even start your holiday shopping!

While I'm at it, check out the Studio Tour's Facebook page, and the 'event' invitation also! 

British Columbia

So, I've just come back from 2 weeks in BC, which was lovely.  I'll share a few photos in my next couple of posts.  I've now got to get to work on a few things for a show coming up Oct. 22-23. 

Almost September

Yikes, I haven't posted in almost 2 weeks.  Sorry all. 
I've been busy though.  For one thing, I've had the beads all over the place and made some new pieces, which are now, or will soon be, posted to my Etsy!  Here's a peek -

Royal Botanical Gardens

Insects

As you can tell, there's no shortage of cool things at the ROM!  Love the colours and patterns! 

Coming later in the week, pictures from the Royal Botanical Gardens.  :)

weevils

dragonflies

butterflies

birdwing butterflies

various, including wasps, weevils, latern bugs, millipede

Biodiversity Exhibits

prehistoric sea turtle fossil

dodo bird

great auk

seriously endangered species

Blog Feature

Morning all!  First, I want to let you know that this very blog has been featured!  Check it out ~ Be @ Home Best of the Web and scroll down to about the middle.  

Have a look at this awesome old glass!

Flagon, Palestine, AD 350-425.

Blue Glass, Syria or Palestine, AD 25-125. 

Mould cast 'millefiore' bowls, Syria, AD 1-50.

Egypt - more!

Egyptian, painting on textile. 

Egyptian, linen tunic.  c. 1150 BC.

Egyptian, linen tunic.  c.  1150 BC.

Egyptian Wrappings

Ancient Egypt has always been fascinating to me.  These beautiful mummified animals and the intricate linen wrappings are awesome.

intricate wrapping

animal mummies & sarcophagi

beautifully wrapped cat mummies

hawk mummies

crocodile mummy, c. AD 100

Birds

Sparrows

These are so lovely.   A little disturbing perhaps, but lovely too.  Have a look at the specimen labels, they're aged, the handwriting is beautiful... I noticed one date in particular - 1928! 

Sparrows, label closeup

Tanagers

Look at the colours!  I think there might be a future piece of work inspired by these... 

Tanagers, label closeup