seeds...

...what if the Hokey Pokey really is what is all about?

Wild Child Rings are NEW!

In recent months, my niece, Sophie, has become increasingly interested in jewelry making and design. She's created some pretty wire wrapped beach glass pendant necklaces and loves to make earrings as gifts for our family and friends! She also an aspiring entrepreneur. The other day she was playing with some wire and made a fun and funky ring using some cool and colorful beads from her stash.  I thought it was fabulous and that perhaps others would too!  We made a deal {she gets a cut :)} and here we go -- Wild Child rings are inspired by her original design, made by me and are now available at Wild Woman Jewelry! We hope you like them! 

Wild Child rings are individually made with tarnish resistant silver coated heavy gauge copper wire, carefully selected fun and whimsical glass and lucite beads, and finished with playful spirals. Each ring is uniquely one-of-a-kind!

Inspired! at the Barracks

Our Shop at the Barracks Fine Craft Shops

Fredericton, New Brunswick's capital city, is popular with travellers in the summertime and there is much to see along our beautiful Saint John River.  A highlight of our downtown is the Garrison District which was declared a national historic site in 1964.  Visitors find many attractions and activites here including the Changing of the Guard, tours, concerts, artisans at work, gift shops and live theatre!  Located in Barracks Square is the campus of the New Brunswick College of Craft and Design, a center of creative and artistic excellence.  The old Soldier's Barracks house fine craft shops in the charming stone arched stalls that formerly held ammunition!

Fun and Funky Stacking Bracelets from Wild Woman Jewelry.



Whimsical magic wands are colorful and unique!


A few years ago, an adventurous and fun-loving garden fairy took up residence in my garden at the cottage and began corresponding with my four-year-old niece.  Esmerelda has required various special tools each summer, magic wands being one such item essential for a proper fairy!  A hunt for sticks with magical qualities ensued and in the dark of night, wand creation began...these handsculpted beaded wire flower colorful fibre wands are now available for fairies of all manner! Drop by and enjoy the magic!







Inspired! is filled with the creative products of seven local artisans and crafters -- we are painters in various mediums, paper artists, soap makers, potters, jewelry makers, knitters and fabric artists.



~ a few pieces from Wild Woman Jewelry



summer travels... Boston



~ where everybody knows your name...

Most summers we stick close to home, spending much of our time at the lake.  This year has been a bit more adventurous and we were off to Boston this week for a visit and another concert!  I've travelled through Massachsetts a number of times but haven't visited Boston since I was a teenager.  What a beautiful city! We spent most of the first day wandering along the waterfront, visiting Quincy Market, Columbus Park and Faneuil Hall...charming cobblestones, picturesque views and an amazing historical past -- all mixed with delicious dining and great shopping!  We were treated to a dramatic thunder and lightning storm late in the afternoon - brilliant bolts of lightning over the city skyline and torrents of rain - dinner was INSIDE that evening!

Our second day, we signed up for one of the city trolley tours and spent the afternoon enjoying the sites and sounds of Boston. We visited the site of the USS Constitution (such an amazing vessel ) and a World War II frigate in the harbor. I also loved the brownstones in the Beacon Hill area, many of which are beautifully restored and dotted with tiny colorful gardens. I really had no idea of the number of signifcant historical, literary and scientific events occurred in this beautiful city!

Cheers was one of my favorite TV shows and it was fun to visit the original pub that inspired the show as well as the second location that is a reproduction of the Hollywood set... Norm!!!   Throughout the city, I was awed by the mix of modern and historical architecture- this modern skyscraper built so it didn't block the light filtering into this gorgeous old church really caught my eye-- such a contrast and beautiful blend of old and new!

Thursday night, we rocked on with Aerosmith at TD Garden - it was a blast!

seeds...

There are only two ways to live your life.  One is as though nothing is a miracle.  The other is as though everything is a miracle.

-Albert Einstein

Biker Chick!

For a number of years now, my husband has talked about getting his motorcycle driver's license-  a few weeks ago he completed the course, passed the test...and here we are! This is at the beginning of my first ride-- how do you like the cool pink flames on my helmet?!

Casual Fridays Earrings are one of a kind!

I love casual Fridays! blue jeans, crisp white blouse...I was always looking for the perfect pair of earrings (and here they are!).  On my worktable, I keep little piles of beads and bits that look pretty together.  I add to the piles over time and every so often, I dig into them to see if anything is ready to be made.  On Monday, these seemed to jump right out from the little piles! Happy red glass, upcycled silver metal washers, denim blue enameled metal disks and sparkly faceted glass are casually elegant and fun too. I made pretty sterling silver square wire earwires that are simple and secure and I'm a fan of the little dangles too -- I love them!         happy day xo

Summer Travels ~ Bar Harbor, Maine

Though we travel the world to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not.  ~ ralph waldo emmerson


We've visited Bar Harbor, Maine almost every summer for the last 22 years, beginning with an overnight stay during our honeymoon.  I am charmed every time and the trip truly feels like marking the beginning of summer! This year we stayed over in Bangor on Friday night to attend a concert on the river at the Waterfront Pavillion.  It was a beautifully warm and sunny evening with hundred of fans cheering on the warm up bands and then singing along to the familiar songs of Rascal Flatts -- they were fantastic!

Saturday morning dawned bright and we headed to the shore.  We spent the day wandering through the local shops and galleries, doing a bit of shopping and enjoying all the gorgeous handmade creations.  Lobster rolls for lunch, a stroll along the wharf and waterfront and a delicious dinner at Galyn's completed the day.  Happy Anniversary, love! xo

New Metalwork Earrings!

Circles!

Crafted from heavy gauge sterling wire (and now available in the shop), these pretty rustic circles have been soldered, shaped and hammered then oxidized and tumble polished-- earwires are handformed from sterling square wire and are securely wrapped and filed for comfort.

 Simple Statement Earrings, fabulous for everyday!

Happy 4th of July to my American friends!

Here are some patriotic beauties from some of my Sweet 16 teamies!

1. Windmill for the Land from jpgphotography

2. Vintage Glass Test Tube Frog from BirdinHandVTG

2. Abstract American Flag Metallic Print from SylviaCPhotography

4. July 4th Party Decor from greenbugmarketplace

Time for a Facelift!

So... I've been having the 'should I have my own website?' discussion with myself off and on for a couple of years now.  It's an attractive idea to have a site that ties together all my online locations and offers independence from any one other site.  My Etsy shop has definitely been my main online presence over the last 4 years...and while I love it, it's beginning to feel a bit like I've got too many eggs in one basket.  This blog came next which I've maintained in fits and starts - sometimes keen, sometimes, not so much! And while I also use Facebook and Twitter occasionally-- again it's hit and miss.  The main thing that stopped me from creating my own site is the challenge of driving traffic there. Anyway, my procrastination has resulted in things remaining pretty much the same with no real solution magically apprearing... and I'm getting tired of that!  This last week I've done a fair amount of investigating various website hosts and in my travels, discovered the ability to add page tabs to this blog (probably not a surprise to most of you but a rather signifcant discovery for me!).  It led me to the decision to take the first step toward a central spot where all my sites can be accessed -- right here! Not a huge step, but a step nonetheless! And it also inspired a much needed facelift here as well...a simpler, cleaner look and the removal of lots of old and outdated links.  Amazingly enough, now that everything can be linked from here, I can now see that what I really want next is to simply offer shoppers (and myself) an option independent of Etsy. I love Etsy and my shop there and have no plans to leave but I'll feel freer and better prepared from a whole business point of view to have created a place where I'm not solely dependent on Etsy for my store.  Now, that's progress!

Have a great week!

happy birthday Canada!