Jane featured in Our Homes magazine!

Earlier this fall I was contacted by Our Homes magazine asking if they could do a two page feature on me and my pottery for their winter issue.  What would you say?  I didn't know what to expect, but the interview with writer Julie proved to be a pleasant experience and the photo session with photographer Jessica and editor Lise was actually quite a bit of fun.  It's interesting to see one's work through another's eyes.  In retrospect I would have given more thought to how I answered questions and I would have given more serious consideration to the pottery chosen to be photographed (although in the end the final decisions are made by the editors).  That being said, I think the two page spread turned out nicely.  The timing was great too, as the magazine was hot off the press  when I was just starting the Originals show.  You can get your own copy of the magazine free of charge at your local grocery store, Canadian Tire, etc.  Here it is for you to enjoy; you can click on the article to enlarge it for easier reading!

Originals Christmas Craft Show at the CE Centre

This year you can find me at the Originals show starting tomorrow!  I'll be there for the second half of the show, Dec. 11-16.  Hours are posted on the flyer above.  This year it is being held at the new(ish) CE Centre on Uplands Drive, near the airport.  There's been alot of stuff going on at the CE Centre and I've heard good things about it as a venue.  If you come on Sunday the 16th, you can also stop in on the final day of the season for the Ottawa Farmer's Market.  The Market is in a different hall, also at the CE Centre.

Originals has a well established reputation in Ottawa for high quality handmade goods.  With 200 artisans, there should be something to interest everyone.  I hear that they also have a licensed lounge area for those who tire of walking the aisles looking at all that handcrafted excellence!

I'm thrilled to be a part of it and I'll be even more thrilled after I've set up my booth this afternoon!  If you do make it out there, stop in to say hi, I'll be in booth 227 near the back of the hall.

Sanaa Open House on Saturday

This Saturday is my annual open house sale.  I'll be spending the next few days sorting through the pots on my shelves in preparation for upcoming sales.  The pots that don't quite make the cut will be marked down, mostly half price or less.  The imperfections are relatively minor--a glaze that didn't quite turn out the way I'd hoped, experimental pieces, extras from specially ordered pieces--but all still functional.

In addition to my pottery, Peter will be selling his photographs, some as greeting cards, Deidre will have some of her folksy prints on the walls, Marj will have her beautiful crocheted angels and ornaments, and Migdonia will have colourful fleece mitts for children and adults.

And of course the coffee will be on, hot cider will be served, and Christmas treats will be on offer.  Should be a fun day for everyone!

Another Saturday, Another Craft Show!

This Saturday, December 1st, from 9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., you can find me and my pottery at the Fisher Park Community Centre Christmas Craft Show & Sale.  I've been at this sale for the past two years, and for a relatively small venue, there are alot of vendors (over 100), and great variety.  The community centre is in a former high school, now housing several middle schools, and the sale is held in the TWO gymnasiums.  I think it's great that some of the kids from the schools get involved, selling baked goods, and crafts they have made, often in support of charities of their choosing.  You can find the kids in the hallway leading to the gymnasiums.

There is usually a nice mix of crafts and food, traditional and funky at the show.  Well worth a visit.

Handmade Here on Saturday

Handmade Here is growing!  Kim is hosting a total of nine of us this year in her lovely home in Westboro.  In addition to taking over her main floor, we're moving into a newly renovated basement room as well.

I'm looking forward to meeting the new artists and seeing their creations.  There will be two jewellers, a painter, a glassblower, a glass artist, two felters and two potters (the other being a raku artist).  Lots to see in a relaxed setting.  Visitors are welcome to coffee (donated by Bridgehead) and treats (provided by the artists) while mingling and pondering.  Should be a great day.

Ottawa Guild of Potters Holiday Sale

The Ottawa Guild of Potters' Holiday Sale is being held this week-end (Nov. 15-18) at the Shenkman Arts Centre in Orleans.  Over 50 potters from the Ottawa area have been preparing a huge assortment of creations out of clay.  We'll be setting up our displays on Thursday in preparation for the Thursday evening opening (6-10 p.m.).  The sale continues all day Friday and Saturday (from 10-10 both days) and Sunday from 10-5.  There is lots of free parking and no admission.

I'll have my usual selection of mugs, goblets, French butter dishes, casseroles, serving platters, egg separators, candleholders, milk bag pitchers, oval bakers, soap dishes, teapots, Christmas ornaments, etc. I've recently begun making yarn bowls for the avid knitters out there (pictured below).

NEW yarn bowls

Ginger and Jane on CTV's Regional Contact

One of the places I sell my pots is a new shop called Hintonburg Pottery, one block west of Parkdale Market.  Ginger opened the doors in June and has discovered a community of pottery lovers in Hintonburg.  One of those customers suggested that CTV's Regional Contact show should visit and do a segment.  So they did.  The result was aired last night.  And despite the fact that it was shot on a cold, rainy day, the 2 or 3 minutes they pulled together manages to convey the warmth of the shop very nicely.  You can see it by clicking on this link:

http://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/video?playlistId=1.1005745