SUNFLOWERS

SUNFLOWERS

A necklace I made using one of Lucie Weir's fantatic lampwork floral beads. Sorry this one is sold. I have recently managed to get another one of these and am making great plans for it.

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STARRY NIGHT

The next art event here in Orillia is Starry Night, an evening when Peter Street is closed and galleries and studios will be open to the public. Restaurants and other businesses will also be open and will feature art exhibitions. My co-op gallery, Zephyr, is located at 11 Peter Street South and we always look forward to this exciting evening. This year it is on Saturday, August 22nd. I'm working on two very intricate pieces which I will show here when they're finished. One is a seed-beaded embroidered bracelet and the other a mini "Starry Night" pendant honouring Vincent Van Gogh.

"STARRY NIGHT" by Vincent Van Gogh (but you knew that didn't you!)

Sometimes we have a surprise guest.

Another Mariposa Folk Festival

Part of my display featuring Karen Hill Tribe pendants strung on semi-precious stone necklaces.





Another Mariposa Folk Festival has come and gone. It was a lovely weekend, albeit cold and windy, with my friend and stained glass artist, Lesley, from Guelph up for the the weekend to help me out. My friend Irene came up from Michigan for her annual weekend of volunteering at the festival and stayed with us.. We all had a great time. . The musical highlights for me were Daniel Lanois, Stephen Page and Buffy St. Marie. She's nearly 70 and she can can still tear the house (or stage) down.

Today On The Water

I have that lovely little boat now. Today I took it out to where the water lilies grow.

NEW PIECES CREATED JUST FOR THE ZEPHYR SHOW

"WATER STORIES"

Swarovski Starfish with aqua glass chips, already sold!


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Another Lucie Weir bead - this one with lovely little fish and jellyfish encased within. I have graced it with a freeform necklace using a variety of beads including glass and pearls.


I am very pleased to have rejoined Zephyr Art Gallery, a not-for-profit co-operative gallery in Orillia's downtown art district. It will be great to be back working with my friends after a 10-month hiatus. Now there are less than 2 weeks to go before the Mariposa Folk Festival so I am down to the wire with preparations.

HARLEQUIN

Last year, I borrowed a kiln from my friend Jeanette Luchese-Jacobs and fused some glass. It is a very addictive process. After the glass is fired at a very high temperature, it is allowed to anneal overnight making it strong. The opening of the kiln the next day has that Christmas morning feeling. There is a kiln in my future. This necklace was made with one of my fused pendants with two strands of Czech glass crystals and copper Japanese seed beads.

ARIZONA FIRESTONE AND LAPIS LAZULI

This centre of this piece is Arizona firestone. I have surrounded it with glass, lapis lazuli chips and matching stone drops. The necklace itself is lapis nuggets and matching seedbeads.

A stunning and dramatic piece.

YOU AND ME AGAINST THE WORLD

This is a beaded piece I did for the 2007 International Women's Day Art Show in Orillia. Although the theme has been seen as religious it was actually meant to be simply, Mother and Child, and a dedication to my three daughters who are represented by the oval mother-of-pearl cabochons. There are two little pearls in there that represent my grandchildren. At the top, the moonstone and leaf lotus symbolizes the spirit that has guided us through the years.

This piece is not for sale.

LEAFY, FRINGY, FLORAL

This is another gorgeous handmade Lucie Weir bead which I have complemented

with a leafy necklace of fringes and glass leaves to match.

YOU BELONG TO ME

This is a special piece created for a show at Zephyr Gallery in Orillia. The image was used on posters and invitations. An elaborate necklace created with dyed pink jade, glass flowers, leaves and seed beads. I have claimed it for my own.

Photo by Peter Stranks