The Westend Pottery Sale March 23 & 24

Next week-end is the third edition of the Westend Pottery Sale.  This year there are twenty-one potters displaying an amazing array of work.  The event is held in the lovely hall of the Churchill Seniors Centre in Westboro neighbourhood.  On Saturday the Westboro Beach Community Association will be offering a light lunch, desserts, coffee and tea in a small cafe on site.  On Sunday the cafe will offer baked goods, coffee and tea.  This is a delightful sale that showcases some of the best new clay creations in the region.  

For more info check out the website www.westendpotterysale.com 

Check out the Snow Goose!

Almost thirty years ago when I moved to Ottawa, one of the first places I sold my work was The Snow Goose.  Back then it was in a heritage building on Elgin St., around the corner from its current location on Sparks Street.  I'm very pleased that they have carried my work over the years when I'm in Ottawa.  You can find a selection of my pottery in their store once again.  If you haven't been, it's well worth a visit.  They have amazing art and craft work from northern Canadian communities, including Inuit sculpture, North West Coast wood carvings and jewellery.  They carry diverse work from other Canadian artists & artisans as well.  And I hear they will be celebrating their 50th anniversary this year!

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.