Call us at (250) 592-1262

TWO GEODE ABSTRACT GLASS HANGING

Posted on July 16, 2016 by Nigel Hayes | 0 comments

An absolutely beautiful glass hanging for a window. Perfect for a bright feature window where sunlight is in abundance. The design incorporates two lovely Agate Geodes into the glass. A geode is a round rock which contains a hollow cavity lined with crystals Total Size: 19" wide X 28.5" high and the frame is a 3 inch dark wood that may be painted.

 

Hand crafted by Heather James, Vancouver Island, BC. bit.ly/29vrXeZ

Posted in gifts, glass art, hanging glass, local crafts, oak bay, shop local, side street studio, stained glass

Eric Roberts Award Winning Tea Pots

Posted on July 13, 2016 by Nigel Hayes | 0 comments

The founding president of the SVIPG (South Vancouver Island Potters’ Guild) Eric Roberts is known for his selection of award winning teapots.

TEA POTS

After a 10-year retirement from professional ceramics, he and wife June resumed creative pottery in 2012 in Victoria, B.C. and are enjoying a renaissance with exciting new glazes and styles.

 

The former 4-kiln studio is reduced to one electric kiln but the excitement of opening a kiln is still there especially the teapots (both practical and whimsical).

TEA POT

He can be found almost daily at his favourite location — behind his wheel  in the beautiful city of Victoria on Vancouver Island.

TEA POTS

You can find much more of Eric's beautiful and functional pottery at Side Street Studio, Oak Bay, Victoria, BC or on line at  https://www.sidestreetstudio.com/

 TEA POTS

 

Posted in annaiversaries, bird feeders, casseroles, coffee mugs, gifts, local crafts, local pottery, oak bay, shop local, tea pots, victoria bc

New From Robert Held Glass Artist

Posted on July 03, 2016 by Nigel Hayes | 0 comments

GIVERNY FOOTED GLOBE VASE

A brand new range from Robert Held's new studio in Parksville B.C. A truly magnificent vase with a lovely globe shape and round pedestal foot This range is named after Monet's property and garden in France.

 

The soft colours and stylised lily pads reflect the name perfectly. Made on Vancouver Island BC by Robert Held, one of Canada's foremost glass artists. Height~ 7 1/2 inches by width 7 1/2 inches.This would make a marvellous gift for anyone who appreciates fine glasswork art.

Signed by the artist.

GIVERNY FOOTED GLOBE VASE

Posted in BC art, california poppy vase, gifts, glas vase, glass art, local crafts, oak bay, poppy vase, robert held, shop local, wedding gifts

Hand Crafted Wooden Salad Bowls

Posted on July 03, 2016 by Nigel Hayes | 0 comments

Our fabulous WOODEN SALAD BOWLS are all hand crafted in BC. Each piece is made using skills that have taken years to perfect.

 

All of our WOODEN SALAD BOWLS are locally handcrafted and makes a superb original Gift for birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, housewarmings, retirement, corporate gifts, and romantic events or just for you.

 

See our Guide to Caring for Your Wooden Salad Bowl here...

 

western maple salad bowl

Posted in annaiversaries, fruit bowls, gifts, local crafts, oak bay, salad bowls, shop local, side street studio, victoria bc, weddings, woode bowls

Glass Spirit Feathers on Shaw TV

Posted on May 07, 2016 by Nigel Hayes | 0 comments

 

 Loris Dawn writes:

"A Spirit Feather symbolizes a New Beginning, a Spiritual Evolution, Divinity, Inspiration, and Good Fortune.

Whether you choose the Spirit Feather that catches your attention and awakens you, or your loved one chooses one for you, it is a gift that will surely enlighten you. Your Spirit Feather will always remind YOU that YOU are loved.

From the moment I conceived the idea to create Spirit Feathers, I felt an overwhelming source of enthusiasm and positive energy.I knew I had discovered a form of creating attractive combinations of vibrant colours in a form that also brought a sensation of Spiritual energy to me.I LOVE designing the Feathers and embellishing them with natural beads and leather. I LOVE the response and reactions I have been feeling from all of my encounters who have chosen their Spirit Feathers.

My Spirit Feathers are created in limited editions." Writes Loris. See more at Side Street Studio

Watch the full interview here:

Posted in bc art, gifts, glass art, glass feathers, hand made jewellery, local crafts, oak bay, shop local, side street studio, spiritual art, stained glass

How to Care for Your Wood

Posted on April 15, 2016 by Nigel Hayes | 0 comments

A 9 Point Guide to Essential Wood Care

1. Oil your wooden bowl or utensil on a regular basis. We recommend doing it on a monthly basis.

2. Ideally, we recommend mineral oil. Food grade mineral oil is tasteless and odourless. It does not get sticky and does not become rancid with time. This is available from most local supermarkets & hardware stores. However, many of our artists recommend using Walnut oil or Olive oil as an alternative – both of these are excellent.

3. Rub on generous amounts of the oil (warmed just to room temperature) and allow to soak in. Repeat the process about 6-8 hours later, and repeatedly if necessary, until the oil is no longer being absorbed. Then wipe off any excess that remains on the surface.

4. Wash your wooden utensils without worry after oiling. But...

5. Do not let wood utensils soak, and never wash them in a dishwasher!

6. Dry wooden boards and utensils thoroughly after washing. Wood dries faster than plastic and is less likely to harbour bacteria on its surface.

7. Bowls that you regularly use for salads can just be wiped clean with a paper towel or J cloth. It will soak up any excess oils and be ready for your next salad.

8. Cutting boards should never be used interchangeably with meat (including poultry and fish) and other foods (like bread, salads, etc.), to avoid possible cross contamination from bacteria in uncooked meat products.

9. The USDA recommends that you wash wooden utensils (especially cutting boards and utensils used with uncooked meat products (including fish and poultry) with hot, soapy water, then rinse and dry. If you follow their instructions, first make sure the wood is well oiled before using it, and that the utensils have been at room temperature, not out in the cold. Follow with a generous oiling, since soap will remove much of the surface oil.

You can see many superb wooden bowls, platters & vases – all hand crafted in British Columbia at Side Street Studio’s web site https://www.sidestreetstudio.com/collections/wood

Maple salad bowl by Phil Cottell

 

Posted in arbutus bowls, bowls, Canadian Gifts, garry oak bowls, local crafts, maple bowls, oak bay, salad bowls, shop local, side street studio, wedding gifts, wooden bowls

A Family of Artists - West Coast Jewelry

Posted on April 09, 2016 by Nigel Hayes | 0 comments

Eron Hamill

My creative instincts have their roots in my family home in Port Townsend, Washington. My father is a writer, and our house was always filled with artists. I grew up surrounded by painters, musicians, writers, and ceramists. That early exposure to a wide variety of creative disciplines had a strong impact on my aesthetic sensibilities.

 https://www.sidestreetstudio.com/collections/eron-hamill

I first studied Art History at Western Washington University, and then moved to Victoria, BC to continue my education at the University of Victoria. Later, I made the decision to move to Toronto so that I could attend the Ontario College of Art and Design University.  I completed four years of studies in art.

https://www.sidestreetstudio.com/collections/eron-hamill

 I didn’t find my passion for metal and fire until years later when I took my first silversmith course. The inherent dichotomy of metal work remains deeply satisfying. The sterling silver is rigid, but with the right tools and techniques it becomes very malleable. Creating handcrafted jewelry requires strength, sometimes brute force, and delicacy of hand. The masculine of fire and hammers becomes the feminine of the jewelry itself.

https://www.sidestreetstudio.com/collections/eron-hamill

 Although I am an emerging silversmith, I have participated in a number of art festivals and markets in British Columbia including the following:

 

  • Out of Hand (Victoria),
  • Steveston Farmers’ and Artisan Market,
  • Lonsdale Quay Farmers’ Market,
  • Burnaby Farmers’ Market,
  • White Rock Farmers’ Market.
  • Numerous small seasonal markets.

 https://www.sidestreetstudio.com/collections/eron-hamill

My work may be found at Side Street Studio in Oak Bay B.C.!

 https://www.sidestreetstudio.com/collections/eron-hamill

I live and work in Richmond, BC.

https://www.sidestreetstudio.com/collections/eron-hamill/products/copy-of-sterling-silver-circle-earrings-chalcedony

Posted in bracelets, earrings, gifts, hand made jewellery, jewellery, local crafts, necklaces, oak bay, pendants, shop local, side street studio