It's been a long time since I posted anything on this blog. I've been working full time and haven't had a lot of free time to spare to this. I hope to come back to it soon. I still love crafting, and I'd love to share what I've created in the past years. Thanks, Carol

yellow three strand choker

It's finally summer and the warm weather is here... it sure took a long time coming. This is my summertime multistrand necklace. It is made of mostly glass beads of varying yellow hues, with a copper clasp. Hope everyone is having a sunny day!

art shows a success!

Well, both Art Shows are now over and both were really fun. It was my first time exhibiting my pottery and I think it went rather well. I sold quite a few pieces and got a lot of encouragement from people. And now I have room to make more! My necklaces were a hit at my home show, and I think I'll be doing a lot more this summer... for a show in the Fall... I'll keep you posted as to time and location. Thanks to all who came and supported us... and congrats to our door prize winners... Karen Kofman, who won Ronna's teapot, and Jocelyne Paré, who won one of my necklaces!

Another Show!

Last week's pottery exhibition was a real success, and I'd like to thank all my friends and family who came out to support my efforts. This weekend I'll be hosting another craft show at my house. Ronna, and I have been crafting away... and would love to see you on Saturday, May 9th. Come on down and enjoy the day... we'll have some cake (and you know Ronna can bake!) and coffee, and if the weather's nice... we can hang in the backyard! Those of you who don't know where I am located in Dorval... just email me... I'll send you directions. Hope to see you all!

Dorval Pottery Expo-Vente 2009

Well, I've been extremely busy doing pottery these last few months, and the fruits of my labour will be exhibited this weekend along with other Dorval Pottery Guild members' work at our annual Expo-Vente. It takes place this weekend May 1st, 2nd and 3rd from 10 to 5. The vernissage is on Thursday evening - April 30th, from 7 to 9, and the first 100 people to show up will receive a free hand made ceramic goblet. The address is 1401 Lakeshore Drive, in Dorval... in the library building. I am still a beginner ( I've been doing pottery for 2.5 years) and I still have a lot to learn, but I am really enjoying the process... and I hope that others enjoy the finished products! Hope to see you there!

green and gold pendant necklace

Another one of my necklace creations... a choker with a dangly pendant. I created it using glass, wood, metal and polymer clay beads. The polymer beads are all handmade by me. I love the colour combo... greens and golds and just a touch of red and blue... and the asymetry it creates!

turquoise wood bead necklace

As you can probably tell by now I love to make necklaces. This one is a combo of turquoise coloured wooden beads, glass beads, and handmade (by me) polymer clay beads. I love to create multi-textural, and multi-coloured jewellery. I will be having another show and sale with my friend Ronna, at my home on May 9th. Invitations will be going out soon!

oranges in sunlight

I just loved the way this looked in the midday sunshine. The bright light shining through our kitchen window, and the blinds creating the wonderful stripes on the curved bodies of  the tiny fruits. The mosaic tiles of our kitchen table add colour and pattern. Although today is a cloudy, rainy day... this picture is a nice foil to the gloominess outside. Happy Spring to all! 

valentine mugs

It's been quite a while since I last posted... but I think I've got my mojo back...and have some new stuff to show. I'll start with these mugs that I made (or rather, just painted) for valentine's day... a set for my hubby and me. (The photos show the front and back views) It's a style that I've developed and used quite a bit in the past... and I love the spontaneity of the design. I use pebeo porcelain paints, which once baked in the oven, become permanent glazes. The colours are vibrant and long lasting... and best of all...can handle being washed in the dishwasher!

fimo and blue metal ring long necklace

This is similar to the last post (sorry I've been lax in posting!) with large hand made polymer clay beads and metal rings. It is quite long and hangs nicely. The accent beads are glass and plastic, and a type of dyed stone. The clasp is a bar and ring toggle, which allows you to undo the necklace and wrap it twice around for a choker.

fimo and pink metal necklace

This necklace incorporates some of my handmade fimo beads and some pink metal rings. It is a little longer than choker length and can be worn over or under a collar. I love the bright contrasting colours and textures... and the way it adds pizzaz to a simple outfit... Perfect for that little black strapless dress! Happy holidays to all...

clay smoke fired beads

This necklace was made using green wooden beads and clay beads that I made the same way as the previous post's terra sig beads. The only difference is that instead of coating the clay beads with the terra sigillata, I burnished (rubbed with a smooth metal tool) each bead by hand, which gives the same effect without the colour. The colour subtleties are created by the smoke in the firing process. Each bead takes a good 15 minutes to create (if you add up all the working time). The smoke firing must be done out of the city (we did it at a friend's country house) far from any residential areas... because of all the smoke that is created. So it's a long and messy process... but I plan on doing it again in the Spring... I love the results!

flat red terra sig bead necklace

This necklace is made using some of my handmade clay beads and some black glass beads on which I painted a copper spiral. The clay beads are made using a process whereby each bead is formed, left to dry, and then painted with a very fine clay substance called terra sigillata (terra sig for short) that has been dyed a red colour. The terra sig is polished to a high shine and the beads are fired in a smoke pit using sawdust as the combustible. The smoke gives the beads the blackened effect (almost making them look dirty). The process is very time consuming but the effects can be fantastic. Stay tuned for another necklace using almost the same clay technique, with a twist!

fimo transfer pendant necklace

Boy what a mouthful... "fimo transfer pendant necklace"!... but that is exactly what it is. I did a polymer clay (Fimo is a brand name) workshop and we learned how to transfer images onto the clay. I particularly liked this pendant and decided to make a necklace out of it (as opposed to a brooch). It's bright and fun and a real conversation piece!

art show and sale - a real success!

Thanks to all the people who made it out to our show, which was held on November 9th. Ronna and I (Ronna's in blue, I'm in red) had a great time and really enjoyed seeing old friends and meeting new ones... We plan to do it again in the Spring... We'll keep you posted as to dates and times! In the meantime visit our blogs and get a glimpse of the good things to come!

fused glass pendant necklace2

Here's another fused glass pendant necklace in cool blues and purples. I've neglected my blog for a while because I've been busy creating stuff for a show that I am having this weekend at my house. I'll be showing and selling my handcrafted beaded jewellery along with my friend Ronna who does painted dishes. It's on Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm... And if you are in the Montreal area and are interested, email me for directions.

turquoise and black necklace

This was an experiment that seemed to work. I used macrame cord and made a double strand necklace with a clasp held in place by macrame knots. The beads are mostly plastic, along with a few small glass beads and a silverplated dangly spiral (hard to see in this photo). I like it because it is light and hangs in just the right spot.

fused glass pendant necklace

Here's one of my latest pieces of jewellery. I made the pendant out of fused glass and strung it on a long chain of matching beads. The necklace is about 2 feet long and can be wrapped twice around the neck or just worn simply as is. I like the variety of beads.... the different colours, shapes, sizes and textures make the piece really stand out.

painted flower vase

I had an old glass vase and decided to paint it using ordinary acrylic paints. (I seem to get that urge with many things!) I bought some really well made fake flowers (no plastic)... and although I prefer real cut flowers... there's something about never having to watch them die that makes them really appealing to me. I love this bunch of fakes, they keep the room vibrant all year round!

painted toybox

I had this old box that I bought for 4$ at an auction, and I decided to paint it and use it as a toybox for my little nephews. In a previous (unpainted) life, it was a prop in a children's TV show. My nephews from an early age learned that it was the goody box... and never failed to run and open it every time they came over, to see what new toy or treat was awaiting them!