Maritime Artisan Lynne Bowland

This stunning lampwork bead almost looks like it could be living.

The artisan is Lynne Bowland, owner and artist in residence at Fireball Beeds and Fireball Gallery and Studio in Deer Island, Western New Brunswick. Lynne's work has an ethereal quality about it, often reflecting themes of nature. Her Spring Snow Bead, below, was inspired by the view from her studio and encases enamels and fine silver wire.

Lynne's gallery features her lampwork beads, glass art, finished jewelry, and  fibre arts, along with fine craft from 30 to 40 other Canadian women, including pottery, handmade soaps, woodworking, and textiles.

And on top of all that, she still has time to look glamorous. Isn't this a great shot? She calls it her Wicked Lady Pose. We should all have a Wicked Lady pose. Hats off to Lynne for making a living doing what she loves and for providing that same opportunity to fellow Canadian artisans!

Amelie Bangs and Eco Friendly Clothing

So I cut my own bangs.
Mistake.
Think Amelie but without the beautiful actress and Parisienne chic.
My daughter laughed out loud.
Wretch.
But they will grow, and with perfect timing to distract me from my worse than usual hair, my dresses arrived from  Concious Clothing and they are absolutely perfect.

I got this Organic Cotton Lotus Dress without the sleeves:

And this Everyday Racerback Dress in cobalt:

Rose at Concious Clothing believes in making fashions that have a low environmental impact. I bought a wrap dress from her last year and have become a faithful customer.  Her dresses are soft, beautiful, comfortable, and fit perfectly. Add to that the eco friendliness of it all and who will notice the bangs? Thanks Rose!

Sea Glass Wedding Jewelry

I just finished these pieces for the wedding party of a local couple who will be married in June. The cornflower blue necklaces above are made with smaller pieces of glass for the juniour bridesmaids. The aqua/seafoam pieces below are matching sets for the bridesmaids. The bride picked out her necklace from our table at the Farmer's Market on the Saturday I was at Saltscapes, so I didn't get to see what she chose. I did ask my husband if her remembered, but he just said "I think it was blue maybe." Oh well, at least he was there for me, not every husband would get up at 5:00 am on a Saturday morning to go to the market. I always love to do wedding jewelry. Here's wishing the bride and groom a long and happy marriage!

Ration

Rationing- not something most of us have to think too much about in this part of the world, as far as food goes. In fact, many of us struggle with the opposite, too much food, overindulging, waste. My father in law recently gave me this ration ticket  used in Canada during the second world war. The coupons were issued by the government for necessities like meat and sugar, based on how many people were in your family. The purpose was to ensure that everyone got enough, and no one took too much. Families were expected to grow their own vegetables and to reuse everything that could possibly be reused. Good rules to live by. I wonder how we would cope today, if rationing was deemed necessary?

Whats New...

We did the Saltscapes Expo on the weekend, and it was a blast. Local foods, wines and beers (with samples mmmmmmmmmmm), travel information, local musicians and of course great maritime products. It was the most fun show we've ever done, can't wait til next year. I've been busy since then, finally beginning to restock my sadly neglected etsy shop with lots of colourful baubles like the blue crackle glass sea creature above. Crackle glass is usually formed when sea glass is heated, like in a bonfire, and then cooled quickly by being quenched in the sea.

Spice sea pottery- this is the second piece of pottery we have found with this pattern. This piece is quite large, a couple of inches in length.

Reflections- a drop of cornflower blue dangles against a sterling silver disc, stamped with Ocean Beach Sea. I do have a one track mind.

And finally, a fun pair of earrings, little lime green jellybeans on sterling silver earwires. Have a good week everyone!