Little Bits of Art

back on the Etsy wagon

Adria@videotron.ca (Adria) — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 02:54:00 +0000

big one, day one

Adria@videotron.ca (Adria) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:08:00 +0000

Ouch,
brutal first day. This has always been the show I've counted on, the one I couldn't miss, I don't know if anyone around me did any better, but yeah, it's a tough one :)

Tomorrow has to be better, right? :)

The big one :)

Adria@videotron.ca (Adria) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 05:18:00 +0000

Again this year, I'll be doing the huge and fantastic DDO show. I've been working *hard* and I've got a ton of new items.. Steampunk necklaces, assemblage necklaces, new charms...and a ton of other artists and artisans, it's an amazing show, you should come !

November 21 and 22, 2009
At the Dollard Civic Centre 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Over 80 artisans, special art workshops, special gallery activities, an exhibition and sale by over 30 of the Artists Association of Dollard, a cupcake sale and a Tea Room.Free parking, free entrance.
Information: 514-684-1012, local 213
12001, DeSalaberry,
DDO, H9B 2A7

Harvest of crafts, Baie D'urfe

Adria@videotron.ca (Adria) — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 21:57:00 +0000

Well, this was a difficult weekend. The show, although well advertised, was a complete bust. For a while it didn't even look like we'd make our booth fee, and I know others who did not. I wont rant and rave, but I am disappointed. It's becoming increasingly difficult to find good, local shows, and a few of us got to talking about assembling a list or forum with shows and ratings. I think this *needs* to be done. So where to start?

Do you know of any Montreal area shows?

Craft show woes.

Adria@videotron.ca (Adria) — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 00:32:00 +0000

I'm very sad to say I wasn't invited back to one of my favorite shows. They decided to only have local residents participate this year but may change it next year. I'm pretty bummed about the whole thing. I really don't know of any other summer shows! ahh well, work is happening, it is, I'm still going through a rough patch, creatively speaking, but I'm trying!

Right now, it's masks, so here's a little somethin' I'm working on. He needs a few touch ups still and his felt backing.

MPCG , weeks later

Adria@videotron.ca (Adria) — Fri, 15 May 2009 02:09:00 +0000

Okay so I've been having a ridiculous amount of trouble changing computers and figuring out cameras. I should be back to photoshop tomorrow but until then....

Finally some proof I was at MPCG!! I've looked through everyone's pictures and i'm in none of them, so here, my very first properly bound book, cover I did in Gaby Orbach's class and the coptic stitching in Violette Laporte's, I loved every moment of the weekend, even the inevitable hangover.

little video the kids made last night

Adria@videotron.ca (Adria) — Tue, 05 May 2009 21:48:00 +0000

So I'm back from morrisburg, but others will have to share those photos, I really didn't take a single one...

so instead, here's a video from that bad ass fire from last night, as you can see, we're pretty fortunate it didn't hit us.

OWOH

Adria@videotron.ca (Adria) — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 18:59:00 +0000

Well, it seems OWOH has come to an end. I'm sad to say that I was so lacking in time that although I visited some blogs I didn't enter in any giveaways! :) Next year I'll pay closer attention!

So!!!.... random number generator chose dreameyce! I have contacted her for shipping info. I'm anxious to spend the weekend visiting blogs and hopefully updating mine with some new work. It was great fun participating, see you all next year! :)

Adria

Jumping on the gypsy caravan..

Adria@videotron.ca (Adria) — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 20:16:00 +0000

Since it's pretty much all the Clayamies have been talking about lately I figured I'd need in on this too! click on the badge above to see what I'm talking about.

I wanted the giveaway to be very "me" so I'm offering up one of my favorite little spiders, he'll come with a pretty little decorative hook. And what do you do with him? Wear him in your hair (tie a ribbon around his mid section), hang him from a plant (and on your tree at christmas!) glue a pinback on and wear him on your jacket, or just leave him to hang out and prove to people that even spiders can be beautiful.

Just comment on THIS entry, I ask that only active bloggers comment, leave me your name, country and email address and I'll announce the winner on Thursday, Feb 12th. I

Steampunk love...

Adria@videotron.ca (Adria) — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 20:52:00 +0000

I just got back from a shopping trip in Vermont and raided the Michaels. God, I love me some Michaels. And there were sales, glorious, delicious, sales. Clay has also been ordered and received, I haven't had a big delivery like this in years. I'm excited and I'm looking forward to getting some of this brain clutter out in the form of new pieces. And brain clutter it is, my hands ache, my brain aches, I just need the TIME!!! If I could get off my behind and start really selling I could drop some hours at work.

Bah, anyway, here's a new piece, finished right before Vermont :) Remind me to order more watch gears!

And another show

Adria@videotron.ca (Adria) — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 23:44:00 +0000

First day of the show went pretty well... I spent a lot of time just beading spiders and wandering around. Found some awesome artists doing ATCs at the back and spoke with them quite a bit. Interesting guys...

So yeah, If you're bored and stuff (and have a car) you should come...clickie for directions.
Yes, there's a lot of your typical craft show stuff but there's a lot more to it than that. I picked up a stained glass spiderweb today and i'm eyeing a patchwork monster plushie.

now, a little rockband, if I may.

CRAFT FAIR
November 22 and 23, 2008
in the Dollard Civic Centre
A weekend of crafts and fine arts:
10 am to 4 pm both days

Over 75 artisans, an area for smallformat artwork, an Open House to meet our art
teachers, special gallery activities, a Tea Room and an exhibition and sale by
the Artists Association of Dollard.

Free parking, free entrance..

All the things that I've learned...

Adria@videotron.ca (Adria) — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 14:45:00 +0000

Resin is a pain in the behind, it takes forever to dry, it's messy, sticky, stinky and impossible to photograph...but I like it anyway. The following pendants are from my second batch... I've tried sticking all sorts of stuff in there but I feel the polymer clay pieces are the most successful. The moon and butterfly were cured separately and glued together after so the butterfly sits on the moon with it's wings partially up, it is *not* flat. Then I stuck it in the resin and fussed for a day, it's done.

And in an attempt to carry on with monsterfruits:

I accidentally made this little heart..

a slight change and it's an apple, but I ended up making both hearts AND apples so there we go, I'll post the apples when they're all done ! :)

Its been a while, hasn't it?

Adria@videotron.ca (Adria) — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 19:59:00 +0000

Well, first off, a big welcome to anyone from Place Cartier school taking a look! I realize I haven't been updating the site much, life has been extraordinarily busy and it has nothing to do with my clay for once! I've lost touch with the communities and I'm trying desperately to get caught up.

The gallery needs to be updated, this I know, so for now just click right here to be taken to my Flickr account, if you add me as a friend you'll get to see all my updates! And with a show coming up in a few weeks there should be plenty of eyecandy coming your way. Fingers crossed eh?

So, if you have any questions about my work, or want to know if I have a specific item or something similar in stock, just let me know. The easiest way to reach me is Adria@videotron.ca (don't forget the .CA!)

Adria@videotron.ca (Adria) — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 15:24:00 +0000

Margi shared this brilliant little site for artists.... I can't seem to get the 30 second poses to work for me, maybe it was the timing *shrugs*

Other than that, I've lost my temp gage and I'm worried that I'm firing a little too high. My last two trays of pieces scorched and needed to be tossed. So I'm par-baking my pieces now at a lower temp and need to find or buy a new thermometer...

So what have I been making? Rings... What can't I photograph to save my life? Rings.

any advice?
I've tried inside, outside, different lighting, I'm guessing I'll need to build a photobox?

spooky bits!!

Adria@videotron.ca (Adria) — Wed, 28 May 2008 16:36:00 +0000

I realize I'm known for my florals and my butterflies but if you know me you'll know I've got a bit of a darker side, figured I'd share some recent pieces with you! (I tend to make these for myself and friends but I've recently put some up in my little Etsy shop.

Faux bone skull pile.

Crooked spine heart.

My always popular skull beads! Each one is hand detailed and antiqued.

Here fishy fishy fishy ?

Adria@videotron.ca (Adria) — Fri, 09 May 2008 19:42:00 +0000

I maked sushi.

Actually I had a bunch of scraps from the retreat so I played a bit. Yeah, I overcooked it. Don't blame me, blame the ghost who made the oven door push in so far it stuck when I know I left it unlatched.
that jerk

clickie for big

Adria@videotron.ca (Adria) — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 15:55:00 +0000

Posted the note below last night, I'm going to try and update more I promise. All the stresses of getting into school have been overwhelming me but the Morrisburg trip (with no studying!!) has refreshed me and the creative juices are flowing. I have a good stock so I'm tossing those bloody canes aside for awhile and going to play with textures and images. So there!!

Hopefully later today or tomorrow I'll have some pieces done and photographed (and video!) to show you all!

-------------------------------------------------

home alive and stuff.

*thud*
worst drive ever. many appy-polly-logies to mel who had to put up with my 90 minute panic attack on the highway.
Xipe did a ton while I was gone, I love him muchly but right now I'm gonna die so i'll update later.

Morrisburg or bust!

Adria@videotron.ca (Adria) — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 18:54:00 +0000

It's that time of year again! The MPCG notices start coming out :)

What is MPCG? The Morrisburg Polymer Clay Gathering. It's a Thursday-Sunday Polymer clay retreat held every year towards the end of April in charming Morrisburg Ontario. The days are filled with brilliant classes and demos, laughter, shopping trips and the occasional (or not so occasional) bottle of wine shared with a couple bags of chips, a bunch of artists sitting around casually giggling about nonsense. I look forward to these few days every year. Being able to work side by side with these incredible artists. Margi who is really the reason I got into polymer clay, after seeing her work on the internet. Violette's words echo in my ears everytime I start feeling sorry for myself about aging "they're not wrinkles, they're details"...Barbara making me laugh "give it some British!" And all the other incredible women I spend 4 days with every year. It's something not to be missed!

So now, I am terribly proud to say I'll be teaching again at this year's MPCG. Over the past couple of years I've been doing more masks. Not really to sell, although I have sold a few, but more to decorate my own home, my studio and to just express myself creatively without the stresses of making a 'for sale' product. The research I put into each piece has taught me so much! I'm pretty much an expert on Slavic mythology now *grin* I'm learning about the carnival masks of the Dominican Republic, one of my favorite places on earth and at the moment, spending lots of hours researching African art! So what's my class? "Inspired Masks" I'm going to ask people to choose a culture or country and collect little bits of things that remind them of it. So let's say I choose China. The class will NOT be about reproducing a Chinese opera mask or any such thing, instead we'll use the mask shape as a canvas. Imagine, if you will, a bright red mask, antiqued and impressed to look like cinnabar. The face shape is vaguely Chinese mask but the details are what make it. Black laquered chopsticks across the top of the mask suggest spiky hair. A large faux jade ring in the nose, chinese coins dangle from the ears. Do you see it yet? Nothing traditional here.

This is my African Zen Warrior mask, he was built over a buddha shaped face and ended up looking pretty chill, I think I'll call him Bobert.

this is how it has been...

Adria@videotron.ca (Adria) — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 11:23:00 +0000

I've been sick. Seriously. A two week flu that knocked me on my behind. Was feeling delicious for about a week (note: I love the word delicious...it's just...delicious) and then it hit my sinuses.

And stubborn like I am, upon hearing the clinic wait was 6 hours I decided to fix it myself. Anything to avoid two trips to a doctor in a month. It started with the purchase of a Neti Pot and it's brilliant. The only thing other than ridiculous amounts of painkillers that would take away the pain in my face. Three days later (along with my other witchy cure of peroxide in the ears) I'm cured. Yay.

Then there was the last minute rush to finish a piece for the V-day auctions. I decided to do one piece instead of a bunch of smaller ones, one I put more effort and thought into. I hate the photo, still trying to figure out this camera! but the piece itself is nice. Very delicate, not much of a "HEY LOOK VULVA" which was kinda my intent. Surprisingly difficult piece to figure out. I realize again, I go with the flow, I don't manage the custom work well. Still, I tried, and I'm pretty pleased with it.

Is there anybody out there?

Adria@videotron.ca (Adria) — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 21:13:00 +0000

I have to ask, is anyone reading this?
It's hard, you know, I have three separate blogs for different reasons. This is supposed to be a creativity blog and you know? I haven't been feeling all that creative lately.

The holidays have come and gone, I was spoiled and yet very little related to clay. I've been feeling off lately, like I can't keep up. I placed a large order of bleached trans to get working on some new canes and the whole order is garbage, it's too dark, too dry, I think it's partially cured. I can still use it to blend with other colours but it's not cane worthy, what's a girl to do? I still haven't received a refund and I've started using it out of desperation. Very disappointing.

/end rant

in good news, I'm going to work on some pieces for v-day and try and get myself healthy, it's been an icky, sickly few days.

I'm SO bad at this.

Adria@videotron.ca (Adria) — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 06:13:00 +0000

Christmas was fantastic.
New Years was goodtimes.

I'll be updating more I promise, there's a new camera, new inspiration and new goals. Lots of new.

wish me luck :)

Call to Artists - Appel aux artistes

Adria@videotron.ca (Adria) — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 22:20:00 +0000

(copied from elsewhere)
We are currently looking for artists to submit works that deal with vaginas (and/or women) to be auctioned at a benefit art show. If you are interested in donating a piece of art, please contact us at vdaymontreal@gmail.com!

Nous sommes recherche présentement des artistes qui aimerait nous donner des oeuvres autour de l'image du vagin (et/ou les femmes) pour vendre aux enchères à un vernissage-bénéfice. Si vous êtes intéressé à faire un don, veuillez nous contacter à vdaymontreal@gmail.com!

What is V-Day?
V-Day is an organized response against violence toward women.
V-Day is a vision: We see a world where women live safely and freely.
V-Day is a demand: Rape, incest, battery, genital mutilation and sexual slavery must end now.
V-Day is a spirit: We believe women should spend their lives creating and thriving rather than surviving or recovering from terrible atrocities.
V-Day is a catalyst: By raising money and consciousness, it will unify and strengthen existing anti-violence efforts. Triggering far-reaching awareness, it will lay the groundwork for new educational, protective, and legislative endeavors throughout the world.
V-Day is a process: We will work as long as it takes. We will not stop until the violence stops.
V-Day is a day. We proclaim Valentine's Day as V-Day, to celebrate women and end the violence.
V-Day is a fierce, wild, unstoppable movement and community

V-Day Montreal is currently looking for artists to submit works that deal with vaginas (and/or women) to be auctioned at a benefit art show for V-Day Montreal. If you are interested in donating a piece of art, please contact us at vdaymontreal@gmail.com!

Vist our website at: http://vdaymontreal.blogspot.com/

A passion

Adria@videotron.ca (Adria) — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 15:24:00 +0000

Passionflowers?. Passion" does not refer to love, but to the Passion of Christ on the cross. In the 15th and 16th centuries, Spanish Christian missionaries discovered this flower and adopted its unique physical structures as symbols of Crucifixion. For example: the 72 radial filaments (or corona) represent the Crown of Thorns. The ten petals and sepals represent the ten faithful apostles. The top 3 stigmata represent the 3 nails and the lower 5 anthers represent the 5 wounds.

The first time I saw one in person I cried. I'm not kidding either (I have little to no sense of humor) and I bought it right there. Over the next few years I carefully collected seeds from countries across the globe. Sneaking clippings from greenhouses and raising them carefully. The seeds can be a pain, requiring cold wet sand or intense lighting, but I carried on. Last count I was at 13 species and then a horrid early surprise frost killed off all my hard work, just like that.

I recently lost my last two plants and gave up. I don't have time for the seedlings anymore and buying a plant in the greenhouse can cost 40$+ I just couldn't justify it. Welllll...surprisingly, the other day at the market a woman had some sad looking, overgrown, starting to yellow passifloras. They were HUGE and I poked at them a bit...she came over to greet me.. "10$, all sizes, I need to get rid of them" had I an extra house I'd have picked them all up, but instead I carefully chose two, a red and a violet plant and I carried them home, refusing help, almost hugging the damned things.

Now, if you're familiar, you'll know in almost all cases a passionflower lasts ONE day. They're quite difficult to get to flower as it is and when they do, well yeah, one day per bud. Yesterday was a rather awful birthday, my eyes are still puffy and tender from crying and Iwas feeling pretty sorry for myself today as well. Still, I dusted myself off and listened to some Serj (of course) and worked a little. Just a moment ago I went upstairs to move my larger plant out of my father's way and sure enough, two red passionflowers open and spectacular. They came a day late but I'm still thrilled.

Those silly little flowers gave me a moment of "everything is right with the world" and a little hippyish "all we need is love" moment.

Well Well Well...

Adria@videotron.ca (Adria) — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 15:45:00 +0000

It's only 4 weeks to my show and I have some pieces that are really limited so I'm offering them up here first! Think Christmas shopping and super unique gifts for hard to buy peoplies. I feel these pieces are the most professional I've ever done and each one comes with a little card explaining the nature of the piece and it's one of a kind status to give along with the piece.

Email me with any questions or comments, these are ready to ship, shipping is 2$ I can fit quite a few pieces in a 2$ envelope! All prices are in Canadian dollars.

Please specify the piece you're interested in (the blue one, third from left) works perfectly! and feel free to ask for additional photos of a piece you're curious about!

Click for larger images:

Secret Compartment Keychains: 15$ each
3 inch keychains with secret compartments are perfect for medication,
toothpicks, an emergency 20 or anything else. Each piece is one one a kind.

Screwdriver Keychains: 20$ each
Contains four screwdriver bits in a 3 inch hollow tube. It's always there when
you need a screwdriver. Small and compact. Has Phillips, and regular bits and even an awl! Perfect for nerds :) Very limited amount of these one of a kind pieces.
(ladybug screwdriver sold)

Perfume Pens: 18$ each
Unique gift idea! Just unscrew and let the 4 inch pen absorb your favorite
oil or perfume for around a minute. Refillable and leakproof, a rubber gasket
prevents drying out. Lasts weeks to months, depends how often you use it!
much easier to carry around in your purse than a bottle!

24 k gold plated Letter Opener: 20$ each
Incredibly unique gift idea, each opener is one of a kind as always. 7 inches
long, very elegant, perfect "not sure what to get them" gift. Ladybug opener sold.

Mini scopes: 25$
Front surface mirrors, hand assembled with coordinating beads and crystals
in the chamber. Beautifully finished and always one of a kind. Very limited
amount of these 2 1/2 inch scopes.

Forgive me!

Adria@videotron.ca (Adria) — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 17:49:00 +0000

One more just finished. This is a screwdriver keychain. The bits are hidden inside, sweet eh? I made the surface heavily textured to give more grip.