Highlights included Osha Mae Soaps set up just across the isle from me. There was a moment when we were setting up that I stood in front of my table smelling the air in a tranquilized state. I thought wow this building smells fantastic. I’m so glad we are here. Then I realized it was Laura Mae unwrapping her soaps and I would be one of the lucky people who would smell this meditative aroma for the rest of the weekend.

To my right was Rilla Marshall, weaver extraordinaire. Her scarves are so cozy and soft. Even though I have a wool sensitivity, I can wear them because she uses high quality mohair. I have had one for more then two years, wear it all winter and it still looks fantastic. To my left was Roisin Fagan of Bespoke uprising and Repeat. She had lovely bags and wallets (I have one of the original wallets with secret naked ladies inside, I like to show it off at the mechanics) tea towels, and pillow. Directly behind me was Kyla Francis with her fun glass wear. At the December show I traded a tumbler for a whiskey glass with a cassette tape on it. I still have a cassette player and refuse to convert my mix tapes to another format.

Kirsten Taggart was there selling vegan yummies to die for. Kirsten has become a good friend serving me lunch often, which is always wonderful. Last week she made a dandelion salad and served it in one of my serving platter check it out.

This tea pot is one I made a couple of years ago, but I like it so there it is.

I look forward to participating in the show every time and plan for it for months.

The shows are organized by the Halifax Crafters collective, a group that started out organizing little intimate shows in the Khyber Ballroom Gallery. We quickly out grew that space and moved to the North Street Church. A couple of years later we had out grown the church which could fit close to 50 artists and their work.

In December 2009, we moved the show to the Olympic Center at 2304 Hunter street and can now fit up to 80 artists, have functioning washroom facilities, free parking, metro transit access, wheel chair access, and on site ATM. Life is good for the collective.

The Spring Fling will feature over 60 vendors taking up two floors. All of the above listed amenities will be available. Three artisanal food vendors have joined the collective. There will be a seating area and of course, really fantastic handmade lovelies.

Come check it out April 17-18th 11am-6pm both days. At the corner of Cunard and Hunter Streets in Halifax.

Mark your calender, and I’ll see you there!

Today Peter King and Xinia Marin blew my mind. Check out the bathroom designs. I’ve been thinking about making a sink for a few years but now my ambitious idea has been humbled.

Or maybe I’ve been challenged to design an entire bathroom. I accept your challenge…next year.

4 cup tea pot for when you need a little extra tea

I dropped into Love, Me Boutique today to deliver my pottery and browse the shop.  What a great space!!

A must see when in Halifax. The shop is located in a historic building downtown. The lighting is excellent and the work outstanding. Chara keeps a great selection of Canadian made craft available all year round. Most of the artists make small run object and one of a kind pieces so there is always new work to see.

I’ll post photos of the pieces in progress soon. What I did was throw two rings, alter them still on the bat, let them set up a little then alter them more then roll out slabs for the bottom and to incluse the lids. My run on sentence is indicative of my excitement. Back to the studio!!

So I’ve been working on a few new pieces nothing I’m totally pleased with yet but its only February 4th so I have nearly two months to go before I really need to start getting ready for a Halifax Crafters Show. I’ve redesigned my teapot, and am trying to make a butterdish. Why I have picked the two most challenging items to work on in February is not really a mystery. I made the decision that the Teapot and butterdish would be the outcome of my winter hibernation back in December before the snow started to stick around, and I was still enjoying the crispness in the air. And because Neale wants a butterdish for his Mom.

This is my first post, but there will be many more to come. Hopefully future entries will be more interesting.