Sarah Sladen's Fabulous Sass Bracelets

Sarah Sladen’s Fabulous Sass Bracelets

Sarah writes, “I left the corporate world behind when my family moved from Victoria to Whistler for a one year sabbatical. That one year has turned into six and now Whistler is home for my husband, our two children and I. The natural beauty of the mountains and their ease of access is a daily inspiration”.

DOUBLE BLACK ONYX BRACELET
“I have collected, played and worked with natural things since I was able to crawl. In my teens and twenties I had a small textile company designing and creating sewn and knitted garments. After 20 years in the nursing and clinical research field, it is with absolute excitement that I am revisiting my creative side in designing and sewing leather and bead wrap bracelets“.

TRIPLE CHRYSOCOLLA, QUARTZ & JADE BRACELET
“These leather wrap bracelets are hand crafted using buttons and beads from around the world. I purchase the Karen Hill Tribe silver beads directly from a fair trade company in Thailand. My wide range of wrap bracelets are comfortable enough to wear on a hike but dressy enough to wear out in the evening. An earthy gem stone double wrap can be “blinged-up” by adding a wrap or two of silver, cubic zirconia or onyx. Play around with the colours, textures and sparkle to create your own unique look!”

SINGLE TURQUOISE BRACELET
“Beyond the dream of making jewelry for a living, I’d love to travel the world and personally collect my materials and gems from the international craftsman that cut, shape and mold them!”

SINGLE TIGER'S EYE & GOLD VERMEIL BRACELET
“Please take care of your unique piece by not getting it wet, the leather doesn’t like it and neither do some of the gems. Enjoy! ”
See more of Sarah’s fabulous bracelets at http://www.sidestreetstudio.com/catalog/sarah-sladen-fabulous-bracelets-m-80482.html

DOUBLE BRONZITE BRACELET

Side Street Studio Blog

Side Street Studio Blog

8 Tips For Stress Free Christmas Shopping

1. PLAN IN ADVANCE! So very few people plan their shopping in advance. Yet a few moments spent making a list of who you will be buying for this holiday season and where they live will make your shopping so very stress free. You can identify those friends & relatives to whom you need to post / ship gifts. Planning in advance allows you time to ship at the most economical rates. (Note: small items such as jewellery can be shipped on overnight delivery to anywhere in the US for $16).

GIVERNY BOWL - AMETHYST
2. KNOW WHO YOU ARE BUYING FOR! Spending just a few moments thinking about those who you are buying for allows you to plan for specific, tailor-made gifts. Such as a pottery baker for a keen cook or a glass vase for someone who loves flowers. Given a few days notice, local jewellery artists can custom make a piece for you.

COPPER RED OVAL CASSEROLE
3. SET A BUDGET! In these difficult economic times it is so very important to set yourself a budget and stick to it. Locally made gifts offer exceptional value for money.

Carnival Pearls
4. LOOK FOR LOCALLY MADE GIFTS. Locally made gifts are always appreciated and more thoughtful. The uniqueness and quality of local crafts is outstanding and they cost a lot less than you might think. One stop shopping at your local craft store saves you a great deal of time and stress.

REDWOOD (SEQUOIA) LARGE SALAD BOWL

5. SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL ECONOMY. By shopping locally you are supporting your local economy and helping to keep jobs in North America. The major department stores and shopping malls are full of produce imported from far off countries. Supporting your local artists & crafts people helps keep your $ at home.

STERLING SILVER, AGATE & AVENTURINE NECKLACE
6. TAKE CARE OF YOUR ENVIRONMENT. This is the only planet that we have and we need to take care of it. Your local arts & crafts people leave a small carbon footprint. They use local materials, advertise less and use less packaging – all to the benefit of our planet.

LADIES WOOL SLIPPERS
7. PERSONAL SERVICE. Look for stores that offer a personal service such as gift wrapping and shipping.

Christmas Gift Wrapping
8. LOCAL CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS. Locally made decorations stand out as being unique and original. They also last a lot longer than the mass of cheap imports which you see thrown away after each holiday season. Buy cheap, buy twice is not clever in today’s tough economy.

COBALT GLASS DECORATION

Pure Sacred Mountain Organic lavender

Pure – Sacred Mountain Organic Lavender
November 8th, 2010 //

Sacred Mountain Organic Lavender is dedicated to providing the highest quality lavender products, using only pure ingredients that support the body, mind and soul.

Sacred Mountain Lavender
All our lavender is grown organically and is created from cuttings. The plants are then harvested and either dried or distilled into essential oils on the farm. Our Lavender Essential Oil has been complimented by a French perfumer as being one of the most pure he had even experienced.

Sacred Mountain Lavender
Lavender essential oil is one of the most versatile essential oils in existence. It can be used for:
• Relaxation – sprinkle in a bath, add to an essential oil diffuser, or directly from the bottle, for example on an airplane, or in the car to keep the children calm.
• Insect Stings or bites – Place a drop on the sting or bite to reduce swelling or itching
• Motion Sickness or Jet Lag – Massage a drop of oil behind the ankle bone to alleviate motion sickness or jet lag.

ESSENTIAL ORGANIC LAVENDER OIL
• Burns – Essential Oil of Lavender is an analgesic. Keep in the kitchen to deal with minor burns. First run the burn under cold water for 20 minutes then apply the essential oil of lavender. This helps reduce pain, accelerates healing and reduces the potential of scaring.
• Headaches – Massage your temples with essential oil to induce relaxation.
• Wounds – Place a drop of essential oil on a band aid to reduce chance of infection and accelerate healing.
• Moth repellant – Use bags of dried lavender in your drawers and closets. The can be refreshed over time with the addition of essential oil of lavender.

SMALL LAVENDER SACHET
It has been observed that Essential Oil of Lavender has properties that make it anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial anti-fungal and anti-spasmodic and also analgesic. It should always be tested on each person’s skin prior to use to check for allergies. It should not be used internally and those prone to epilepsy should consult their doctor prior to use.

Relax Organic Lavander Spa Salts Bottle
Lavender is a herb that can be used for both spa purposes and culinary. Be daring and try it in soups, stews, in your coffee, creme brule, fruit salad, apple crisp or with a roast of lamb, chicken or beef.

ORGANIC LAVENDER HAND & BODY LOTION
Our Lavender spa products offer you indulgences to assist in you or your friends pampering and relaxation.
Read more about this magnificent paure and natural organic Lavender at http://www.sidestreetstudio.com/catalog/sacred-mountain-organic-lavender-m-80464.html

Side Street Studio Blog

Side Street Studio Blog

6 Good Reasons to Own Locally Made Pottery. | Side Street Studio Blog

6 Good Reasons to Own Locally Made Pottery.



There is a fast growing group of discerning people who are discovering the pleasure of owning hand made pottery created by local artisans.

Apple Design Casserole



These individuals appreciate the importance of supporting local arts & crafts. Beyond the expensive forms of ‘wall art’ an abundance of fine crafts still exist (in some cases “only just”) within many communities.

Temmoku Glaze Teapot

1. Locally made pottery is unique. One or two individuals (often husbands & wives) work hard to create pieces that are unique. Every single piece is turned by hand and therefore one-of-a-kind.
2. Locally made pottery is beautiful and of outstanding quality. Each potter takes great pride in their work. Many local potters have their work in national galleries and major collections but you can still find them at your local craft studio.


COPPER RUBY VASE
3. Locally made pottery is affordable and prices often do not reflect the skills and time spent creating the work. Take a moment to check out prices at your local arts & crafts stores – you will be pleasantly surprised.
4. Locally made pottery is Green! By using little transportation, packaging or advertising and by involving local skills greatly helps reduce the carbon footprint.
5. Locally made pottery helps your local community by supporting the hard learned skills of local crafts people and retaining your $ in the community.

Large Honey Coloured Baker
6. Locally made pottery adds unique style to a home and reflects your confidence, good taste and concern for the environment.



Gravy Boat

So take some time and visit your local arts &crafts community. Look for local crafts shows or visit the artist at their home studio. Take a break from your local department store or shopping mall and discover superb, creative arts & crafts close to home.

Salt Pig

Side Street Studio represents over 320 local artists and has been supporting local arts & crafts for over 26 years. Our web site http://www.sidestreetstudio.com/ has over 2000 pages! of artists’ work and is the largest of its kind in Canada.



BRONZE JAPANESE STYLE NEOLITHIC JAR

The Official Netflix Blog: Netflix Holiday Gift Program#c4054094413147055097

The Official Netflix Blog: Netflix Holiday Gift Program#c4054094413147055097http://blog.sidestreetstudio.com/wood/10-reasons-why-you-should-buy-local-arts-crafts/

10 Reasons Why You Should Buy Local Arts & Crafts - Crafts - Discussion - Martha Stewart - Message Board

10 Reasons Why You Should Buy Local Arts & Crafts - Crafts - Discussion - Martha Stewart - Message Board

Support Your Local Artists or Lose Them! - Crafts - Discussion - Martha Stewart - Message Board

Support Your Local Artists or Lose Them! - Crafts - Discussion - Martha Stewart - Message Board

"Jade, or Nephrite, is the provincial stone of B.C. Although found in many parts of the world the largest deposits are found in British Columbia.Jade has been used in practical and artistic applications for thousands of years within various cultures. Its value is due in large part to its remarkable toughness. Before the advent of steel Nephrite was the toughest material available and was used especially for tools.It is thought that Jade will atract good fortune to your home and is the stone traditionally given in honour of the 12th wedding anniversary. Jade is also believed to keep pets healthy and give them a long life. B.C. Jade is regarded as the stone of gardeners and lovers"

Hand Felted Wool & Silk Scarves from Pender Island: Hand Felted Wool & Silk Scarves - From Pender Isla...

Hand Felted Wool & Silk Scarves from Pender Island: Hand Felted Wool & Silk Scarves - From Pender Isla...: "Hand Felted Wool & Silk Scarves – From Pender Island July 19th, 2010 No Comments Monica writes: “I love colour. It is always what intere..."

Hand Felted Wool & Silk Scarves - From Pender Island

Hand Felted Wool & Silk Scarves – From Pender Island
July 19th, 2010 No Comments

Monica writes: “I love colour. It is always what interests me first, what my eye sees first. Texture and pattern combined with colour inspire me and get the creative ideas flowing. My hand felted, wearable art pieces showcase colour, texture and pattern in a pleasing balance of form and function”.

“My wraps may look delicate but they are very wearable. Made mostly from Merino and Corriedale wools felted on to iridescent silk chiffon, they are soft on the skin, lightweight but warm, easily draped around the shoulders on a cool summer evening or wrapped around the neck, tucked under the chin and into a winter coat.”
“I was born and raised in West Vancouver. I received my Bachelor of Applied Arts in Hospitality and Tourism Management from Ryerson University in Toronto in 1988. In 1991, I took my first quilting class and from that moment on, fiber became my creative outlet”.
“Throughout the 1990s, I studied embroidery, hand and machine stitchery, fabric dyeing and surface design with a variety of international teachers. I started teaching quilting in Vancouver in 1995 and continued to teach even after my husband, Trevor, and I moved to Pender Island in 1999. When I started learning to hand felt in 2001, I knew I wouldn’’t be working in fabric arts anymore”.
“Once I saw how my hands could get into the creation of the art – literally – I was really excited”.
“Almost overnight, I stopped working with fabrics and started working with sheep’s wool, goat locks, silks and exotic fibers such as camel down, bison, qiviut, alpaca and llama. The ability to design and create the very fabric itself is an amazing feeling”.
“Everything I make is done by hand. I lay out the unspun fibers then felt them – gently rubbing them with warm, soapy water, then rolling them in bubble wrap over and over, constantly checking and adjusting as the work progresses. My hands tell me when a piece is felting, where it needs more attention and when it is finished.”

You can see Monica’s beautiful work at http://www.sidestreetstudio.com/catalog/monica-bennett-m-80462.html