Ottawa Guild of Potters Fall Sale

Thursday, November 17 at 6 p.m. marks the beginning of this year's fall sale for the Ottawa Guild of Potters held at the Shenkman Arts Center in Orleans.  This year all of the potters will be displaying work in the bright lower level lobby.  It should be a great show.  I'm still firing my kilns but will have lots of colourful pots ready, including quite a few new designs this year.  I'll try to post a few photos in the coming days.  Details for the show are below.

Thanksgiving Pottery Sale at Marlin Orchards, near Summerstown

Looking for a Thanksgiving outing?  Consider a trip to Summerstown, just east of Cornwall on Hwy 2, along the St. Lawrence River.  For many years now, potter Ann Marlin, of Marlin Orchards has hosted a pottery sale in the now empty greenhouses.  There are 18 of us there this year, many from the Cornwall/Seaway area, and others from Montreal, Ottawa, and areas in between.  Each year there are one or two new potters--always a great variety.

There are lots of pumpkins and colourful mums for sale this time of year.  And of course lots and lots of apples of many varieties.  Today I picked up some tulip bulbs too.

The sale begins Saturday, Oct 8 and runs through til Monday, Oct. 10.  I believe the hours are 10-5 each day.  More info at www.marlinorchards.com

Richard Gill's Annual Fall Show Oct. 1-10

We look forward to seeing you, Cheryl & Richard    Preview examples of Richard's work for the show here. Preview examples of Richard's previous shows: Slideshow 1  Slideshow 2

Richard Gill sculpts amazing historical and contemporary clay relief images.  This year his annual fall show includes a series of images of the Ottawa Valley in recognition of Renfrew County's 150th Anniversary, and he has made a special series of works inspired by a Jamaican trip.  Bittersweet Gallery is in picturesque Burnstown, about an hour west of Ottawa.  More info is available at www.burnstown.ca/bittersweet

Bittersweet Gallery is full of beautifully handcrafted works by over 40 world renowned artists who work in a variety of media.  I'm pleased to say that my pottery is now for sale at Bittersweet Gallery as well!

If you're looking for a charming destination for a fall colours tour, little Burnstown has lots to offer.

Summer in review (aka "Summer's over")

While I didn't spend as much time as I would have liked making pots this summer, I did sell alot of pots at craft fairs.  This year, the weather at these outdoor shows was stellar--helping to make it an enjoyable experience for artists and attendees alike.  Herbfest and the Bancroft sale were repeat performances for me and Strathcona Park was new.  A few images from each follow.

Herbfest in Almonte was a feast for all the senses.  Great food, nice music, fantastic variety of handcrafted goods  in  a relaxing environment (The Herb Garden and surrounding farm land) despite the crowds!

The Bancroft Art & Crafts guild puts on a smaller show the week-end of the Bancroft Gemboree, which brings thousands of folks to this mineral town in cottage country.  A two day event in Millenium Park.  The homemade baking on sale was a sweet bargain!

All these years in Ottawa, and I had to look up Strathcona Park on a map!  I'm usually on the bike path across the river when in this neighbourhood.  For a show in which vendors set up on a first come first serve basis, the flow of stalls alongside the meandering path works really well.  Kudos to the organizers who are raising funds for the Ottawa Mental Health Association.

Thanks to those of you who made it out to these sales.  I enjoyed being reacquainted with customers from years gone by, and making new acquaintances.

Midsummer Herbfest



NEW Camambert/Brie Bakers

 This Sunday, July 24 is the 16th Annual Ottawa Valley Midsummer Herbfest, a huge and popular festival "celebrating a healthy lifestyle".  Held on the grounds of the Herb Garden in Almonte (3840 Old Almonte Road) from 9:00 a.m. til 5:00 p.m. rain or shine. 

There will be chef cook-offs, demos, herb garden tours, henna tattoos, tea sampling, music/dance, meet the author, outdoor market (100 vendors), face painting, presentations, cheese samplings and more!  Herbfest has a great new website with lots of details about this year's three participating chefs, schedule of events throughout the day, a map, etc.  Check it out at http://www.herbfest.ca/ or you can call them at 613-256-0228.

I'll be there once again with lots of pottery you can use in the kitchen or dining room--or in a special place where you can enjoy it all the time.  Sounds like the weather will be lovely for a day in the countryside.  Looking forward to meeting you there!

NEW! My pottery is now available at The Tea Party Cafe

Somehow, after all these years in Ottawa, I had not yet discovered The Tea Party Cafe, 119 York St. (near Dalhousie).  I met the owner at Artsfest last month and he invited me to sell in his cafe.  As the name suggests, there is lots and lots of  tea available--over 100 varieties!  They also carry some fair trade coffee, lots of teapots, tea and coffee paraphanalia, and now a range of my pottery too.  They have a comfie looking cafe with a relaxed atmosphere where they serve lunches and of course tea/coffee and desserts.  You can check out their website at http://www.theteapartycafe.com/

"Handmade Here" Saturday, June 18

Hope you can join the four of us for the debut of "Handmade Here" in Westboro.  Kim, the silver jeweller, will be hosting in her lovely home at 516 Brierwood from 10 - 4PM.  Gail will be showing her unique felted bags, and Lise's richly coloured paintings will grace the walls.  I'll be there with my pottery, including some of the new textured & decorated pots, a variety of small pots that would make great teacher gifts, and perhaps that perfect mug for dad's Father's Day coffee!  Hope to see you in Westboro!