NEW! FUNKY FUNGUS CERAMIC MUGS
FUNKY FUNGUS CERAMIC MUGS
Carmen Callison is Funky Fungus and has been making Funky Fungus Pottery in Parksville, B.C. since 2005.
She is very passionate about our island forests and the precious treasures found within.
Each of her whimsical creations is skillfully hand-carved and hand painted by Carmen before their final firing.
Food-safe, Dishwasher & Microwave safe. Size:
STAY WILD! :)
Marcia Stacey's Joyful "Celebrations".
SMALL "CELEBRATION" WALL HANGINGS
Marcia has been painting her loving, joyful figures for over 20 years. Each painting is original and is called "Celebrations"
After a long period of constant refining, my designs have matured into a series of images that appeal to one’s soul. The ‘Celebration’ images were inspired by cave drawings but quickly evolved. Androgynous people became women and men, they began to sing and dance, and before I knew it, families came onto the scene.
The symbols took on specific meanings, and new characters like mermaids, fairies, and angels have emerged. Who knows what will happen next! In order to paint my pictures, I first lay out the pieces and scumble three coats of acrylic paint over them all, then add texture with clear gel.
Next, I paint the image using a squeeze tube, let it dry, then apply a glaze of antique colour. Finally, I highlight the image with metallic paint. After applying the hanger, cutting and preparing the glass and matting, I tape all three together. Then I use copper metal tape to form the frame.
After cutting, curling, and hammering the copper wire, I glue on the corner pieces.The last step is to apply the Celebration legend to the back. The legend explains the images and my philosophy regarding them.
I hope that you enjoy my Celebrations!
Marcia
10 Reasons to Shop Local this Christmas
We are writing this article to ask you to please consider supporting these wonderful B.C. Artists and other local businesses before you spend all of your Christmas shopping budget at big box stores.
We believe that one way you can help is to consider buying locally produced goods and services. Below is a short list of reasons to support local, handmade goods.
1. Locally crafted work is unique! Unlike items made in a far off factory; local crafts people make work that is individual and one-of-a-kind. This does not just apply to a magnificent vase or a glass bowl. Even with a humble coffee mug, every piece has a very slight difference. When just one person or a husband & wife team makes an item the numbers are by the nature of the process – small. It’s great to have or give as a gift something that is genuinely unique and locally made.
2. Local artists produce work of excellent quality. They always take personal pride in their handmade work. I have yet to meet an artist who was not passionate about their work! From potters to glass artists to textile makers – this is their life and they are justly proud of their work. If treated well, much of this work can last a lifetime. How many things can you say that about in our society today? How many of those ‘bargain’ mass produced items last more than a few years?
3. Save money! Contrary to what some people believe, buying directly from the artist at a craft fair, market, or their local studio can often cost less than buying a mass produced item from a department store. Reduced transportation costs, no middle men, and modest advertising budgets help to keep costs down.
4. Local artists do really care about customer service! The artists are available to repair, alter, clean or replace your purchase if you should ever need this service. They are genuinely interested to help if there is ever a problem. You never, ever need to speak with a remote customer service person.
5. Personal service is very important to local artists. Many artists will custom make work to your specification. If you need a gift for a special occasion then very often the artist will be happy to make it to your requirements.
6. You can start your own personal art collection with a small budget. We recently had a nice young couple visit our Studio to purchase some Robert Held glass heart paperweights (which start at $45). They were glass heart collectors – and were excited to see some new styles that they could add to their collection! If you are on a budget you can collect individual pieces over time. Many of our customers collect pottery, jewellery, glass art & more!
7. Shopping locally helps your local economy. By supporting local artists it keeps money in the community and ensures that hard learned skills are alive for future generations.
8. Go green and help your local environment! Local arts & crafts produce a minimal carbon footprint – little transportation is involved. Conservation is important to all of us. Much of what local artists use is recycled – including what little packaging is ever used!
9. Fun and Learning. It really can be a fun shopping experience – you get to meet or learn about the artist, find out about their skills, and how they make their work. It’s impressive how much time and effort goes into a single piece. So take some time to visit your local artist’s studio or gallery, or local craft show. It can be great fun! You can check Meetup.com for local art appreciation groups in your area. If you are in Victoria there is an arts & crafts meetup group: http://www.meetup.com/Meetup-art-group-of-Victoria-BC/ The Community Arts Council of Greater Victoria is a great resource as well: http://www.cacgv.ca/
10. Supporting your local community. A locally handmade gift reflects the community and region in which it was made. It has greater relevance for the person who purchased it, and to the person to whom the gift is given. Thank you for taking the time to read our top ten reasons to shop local this Christmas. We would love to hear from you! What will you do to support local this holiday season? Finally, if you would like some suggestions or gift ideas please see our blog here; Gift Suggestions.
If you are short on time, then you can 'Buy on Line' and 'Pick up in Store'.
Please share with us in the comments below. From our family to yours, we wish you a very Merry Christmas!
Sue & Nigel Hayes
Side Street Studio Oak Bay Village, Victoria, B.C.
A Guide To Birthstones
Birthstones have been used for many hundreds of years as a means of associating a specific stone with the date of one's birth. The exact relationships between a stone and a calendar date are lost in the mists of time. There are many enjoyable guides available to you to research and for you to choose which stone is most appealing or appropriate for you. A World Made by Hand...
January
Garnet: The name Garnet is from the Latin granatum, meaning pomegranate and refers to its deep red coloured seeds. Garnet has been used in jewelry since ancient times and is believed to have great curative powers, protecting the wearer from harm. Garnet strengthens the emotions, building confidence and strength of character.
Rose Quartz: Rose Quartz is believed to be a fertility crystal. It is known as the "love stone" and is thought to attract and strengthen love as well as heal emotional wounds. Most rose quartz is mined in Brazil.
February
Amethyst: Amethyst is the stone of contentment and is believed to bring stability, serenity and peace. It belongs to the quartz family and its variation in colour is largely due to the traces of iron it contains. Amethyst has been highly prized in antiquity for its calming effect and the name derived from the Greek amethustos or 'non-inebriated'. Amethyst is often used as a meditation stone to help bring peace to the mind and as an aid to finding inner peace.
Onyx: Onyx is prized for its colour and has been used in jewelery since pre-historic times. It is a form of chalcedony and is coloured black through the presence of iron and carbon. Wearing Onyx is thought to bring self-mastery, confidence and assertiveness.
March
Aquamarine: Aquamarine is a form of beryl and has been valued as a gemstone for thousands of years. It and even appears in the Bible. The double reference to water in the name, which is a compound of the Latin words aqua, for water, and marina, "of the sea" suggests that the ancients connected the stone closely with water.
In addition to appearing in settings with other, more precious gems, aquamarine was also highly valued by sailors, who considered it to be a lucky stone. Aquamarine is the birthstone for March and the stone for the zodiac sign Scorpio. In the Middle Ages, it was thought that aquamarine would reduce the effect of poisons
April
Diamond: Diamonds are formed many miles beneath the Earth's crust and, as pure carbon, is the hardest mineral known to man. The name diamond is derived from the Greek adamas meaning "invincible". For many hundreds of years, diamonds have represented strength and invulnerability. Highly prized due to its rarity and purity, the characteristic fire and brilliance of the diamond have made it one of the most desirable of gemstones in jewellery.
May
Chrysoprase: Chrysoprase is the most valuable stone in the chalcedony group. The name Chrysoprase has been derived from a Greek word "chrysos prason," which means gold leek. It is said to be a "Victory Stone." California has a good deposit of Chrysoprase.
June
Pearls: In ancient mythology pearls were thought to be heavenly dewdrops caught by shells rising from the sea bed. Pearls were believed to be sacred to the Roman moon goddess Diana. Pearls are thought to symbolize peace, beauty and friendship.
Moonstone: Moonstone is associated with the moon and was the stone of the goddess Diana. The most powerful time to use the moonstone is a full moon. It is said to bring good fortune to the wearer as well as success in love and business issues.
July
Carnelian: Carnelian is a stone from the quartz family. Carnelian is found all over the world but it is widely held that the best stones come from India. The name is derived from the Latin word for horn. Carnelian is said to help the wearer "live in the moment" as well as restoring the natural energy flow of the body.
August
Peridot: The name Peridot is thought to have been derived from the Arabic faridat, meaning gem. Peridot was used in ancient Egypt as a stone for jewellery. It is said to alleviate anxiety and fear and to relieve insomnia. Peridot is thought to bring joy and good fortune
September
Lapis Lazuli: Lapis lazuli was popular thousands of years ago among the people of Mesopotamia, Egypt, Persia, Greece and Rome. It is said that the legendary city of Ur on the Euphrates plied a keen lapis lazuli trade as long ago as the fourth millennium B.C., the material coming to the land of the two great rivers from the famous deposits in Afghanistan. In other cultures, Lapis lazuli was regarded as a holy stone. Lapis lazuli is said to dispel melancholy and depression, and to cure recurring fevers. It is also said to impart ancient knowledge, and the wisdom to use it.
October
Opal: Opal is often described as "Nature's fireworks" due to its iridescent rainbow flashes through the white gemstone. It's popularly thought that the name derives from the Sanskrit word for precious stone: Upala. Most opal is more than 60 million years old and generally dates back to when dinosaurs roamed the earth. Opal is considered a stone of happy dreams and good changes. Opal is thought to be the most powerful of healing stones.
November
Topaz: The name Topaz is derived from the Sanskrit word tapas. In ancient cultures, topaz was considered to be the stone of Jupiter, representing rule over one's own life, self-realization and wisdom. When heated, yellow topaz often becomes reddish-pink. Topaz is said to promote peaceful and calm emotions.
December
Turquoise: Turquoise is believed to have been named after Turkey where European crusaders first came into contact with the stone in medieval times. In many cultures, turquoise was valued as a protection against evil spirits and was worn as an amulet for strength and prosperity. It is particularly valued in the Native American community and made into beautiful jewelry, often combined with silver.
OLD WORLD SPICE SHAVING SOAP
OLD WORLD SPICE SHAVING SOAP
I have just tried this new product from Sharon of Kama Soap and it is excellent!
100% plant based with essential oils.The clay and the different oils in the base of the soap; sweet almond and castor oil, make a creamy smooth lather for shaving.
Hand made on Salt Spring Island B.C. Ingredients: saponified olive, coconut, castor oil, sweet almond oil, bentonite clay, essential oils of cassia, cumin, lavendin, pettigrain and thyme. 120 g. This old world shaving soap is perfect for Jack Olives pottery shaving scuttle. https://www.sidestreetstudio.com/products/copy-of-orca-design-shaving-scuttle
Picture Perfect Oak Bay - New Video.
Superb Pottery from Vancouver Island
Darrel Hancock was born in Port Alberni and lived there for four years before moving to the mainland.
Darrel went on to graduate from the Vancouver School of Art, majoring in ceramics, and has been making functional pottery ever since.
He says “ All my pottery is Handmade Functional Stoneware thrown on a potter's wheel and fired in an electric kiln. It is dishwasher, microwave and oven safe. Art and Function come together to make pottery that is designed to be used every day”
“My mugs come in a variety of sizes and shapes and also a variety of colour combinations. I make all of my pottery in a number of glazes and I will continue to do so, this way my customers can add to their collection now and in the future.
Darrel said everyday he wakes up happy knowing he’s going to be throwing clay, and the act itself is very therapeutic. "If I'm feeling anxious or frustrated or whatever, I just sit down and throw 100 mugs and just that meditative repetitiveness of the action is a calming experience.”
He hopes people who purchase his pottery get from it what he puts into it. "I speak to a number of people who say they start off their morning with a cup of coffee in one of my mugs and they look forward to that every morning, and I think that's great, that's why I'm doing it,” he said.
You can see more of Darrel’s beautiful functional pottery at https://www.sidestreetstudio.com/collections/pottery/darrel-hancock
