inspiration

Over a year ago I made myself a promise that, as much as possible, I would buy hand made or second-hand, that I would avoid the imports which have inundated our lives. And I have been pretty true to the promise, except for my shoes which come from Spain–but I’ve allowed myself this loop-hole, rationalizing based on my comfort and support of a sagging economy! Otherwise my record is pretty good. It does help to have an amazing store in Picton, City Revival, where the ‘gently used’ clothing is beautiful and abundant.

However, it is the handmade that I want to write about. I am in such awe of the beautiful handmade items available and even more in awe of their creators. These artisans work all year to create and then stand for days and days at shows smiling and explaining as we handle their wares.  It is not an easy life.  Below are some of the beautiful things I bought for gift giving during my recent visit to Montreal.

The bowl on the left is made by Frédérique Bonmatin, the front bowl with the two marching birds and the two delightful houses are from Poterie Manu Reva on St-Laurent, a consignment store for potters.

And finally, a link to some other ceramics and so much more, a beautiful series of photos courtesy of Miss Moss. It’s worth the visit!

 

One of the displays was the Quilt of Belonging, ‘a stunning collaborative textile art project that shows there is a place for all in the fabric of society’. It is 120 feet long and has 263 blocks. We stayed for ages mesmerized by the rich variety and details of the blocks which moved around the colour wheel. The second last photo is the block made by Rosalie Yonaba-Bernier from butterfly wings. In her home in the Central African Republic the butterflies fill the sky and then die, leaving their colourful wings like petals on the ground.

Molly Peacock has a poem, The Happy Diary, which she “started one day, when I was undone”.  In the poem, she lists the simple things that make her happy. I have long practised this as well. It is so easy to get bogged down and miss the beauty. So here is today’s list.

1. I biked to the local market today and was delighted to see it was bustling. Why would you buy imported produce when you can get super fresh vegetables in December from local growers? And forget the Chinese garlic–this was grown in Hastings County!

I also buy my coffee on the market; it comes from an all female co-op in Mexico. Today, however, I bought Kenyan in honour of what I’ll tell next. Btw, this coffee is roasted in Stirling ON.

 2. I am going to Kenya at the end of January to do aid work. The local branch of the CFUW has been selling Christmas cards to raise money for the renovation of the school in Metangwe, the small town I will be working in. I am delighted to say that we are very close to our target amount. This Canadian donation will help build 6 new classrooms so that more children will be able to attend school, and, as importantly have a hot meal each day. Thank you to all who contributed.

3 & 4. Last week at the sale, one of my rug-hooking friends brought this amazing bird for my studio. We all loved it so much it has stayed in the kitchen! Thank you Liz. Beside the new bird is a banana cake, baked to take to friends tonight.

 

 

5. Notice a theme here? My friend, Linda, gave me an early birthday present–one of her amazing photographs on a card, a hand-made broach from a  St. Lawrence Market vendor, depicting two friends, and–BIRD ON A WIRE socks!!

 

These books are by my bed and I am soaking in their inspiration. I remember Vera from the sixties, and wish I had kept the scarves I so loved then for their bright graphics. Orla Kiely is a new discovery. The watercoours of her work are lovely. I plan to do a small watercolour on the tag of each bag for my show this weekend. I am going full steam to get everything done but want to make time for this. Fingers crossed.

At bottom is a shot of colour from the studio.