New from the studio:

Introducing the first of my new “vestiges” pieces … practical items made from scraps. These are the first two I have made, each one is double-sided! They are created from cradle panels which have been hanging around the studio for quite some time! I took each panel, cut it in half, joined the side together and voilà, a lovely little pen/pencil caddie for your desk.

Now, the thing about these pieces is, they are NOT meant to be perfect. I am sawing them by hand, they have gotten a little beat up over the years of being shuffled from here to there … but this is the quality that I like. Especially when I contrast it with the “fineness” of the finished mandalas on either side. For me, they become less “precious” … meaning people might not be so afraid of using them every day.

Of course the whole idea for “vestiges” comes out of my desire to use up everything around me, the accumulated stuff of many years. But it also comes out of these pandemic times. In the early part of all of the shutdown, suddenly you couldn’t just dash out and pick up stuff you needed. That’s when I truly started to assess what I had and how I could use it.

To say that this has been an incredibly creative time is a bit of an understatement! And although others might not see how it has manifested, trust me, my brain is having a riot in a good way!).

Also an important realization through this time is, my default response to not having something I thought I needed was, “I’ll just run out and pick up ___”. Even though, if I dug a little into the stuff I already have, I will probably find what I need or something that will work. This time has forced me to stop defaulting to what was easiest.

A very interesting time indeed, and a change in attitude is one that will carry on well into the future I think!

I am still finding treasures to be transformed …

This piece is an antique “sugar mold” which I recently discovered at an antique shop. I also think these would make AMAZING pen/pencil/desk accessories, but people have also used them for candles and vases.  You can see more about this, and another one that I have transfored as well …  in the shop … or click here: compendiumshop.ca

Working with what I have …

Almost 30 years ago, I was given the gift of this box of veneer samples. Constantine and Sons, Inc. 50 Samples of Cabinet Wood Veneers, 4” x 9”  

Over all of those years, I have used NONE of the pieces . That is about to change. These are going to “show up” in new pieces. No, I am not deciding to take on marquetry or anything … I will use these pieces in their “whole” form, as much as possible. Their grains are simply fantastic and they will offer me a whole new “canvas” on which to create.

I look forward to seeing what emerges from working with this “new” material!

How slowing down is letting me get more stuff done!

As I have chatted with friends – especially my creative ones – about this pandemic time and what effect it is having on their lives and work, slowing down seems to be the theme. And slowing down also seems to bring about its own form of conscious intention about how things are done.

Is this because our brain isn’t full of other stuff?

Is it because we can only handle one thing at a time?

Is it because there is nothing to “rush” too?

Is it because the energy level of the world around us is definitely “turned down”?

For me, I think it is all of the above. And the bonus is, I am actually, after months of adjustment, getting into a routine that really works and allows me to get things done. Hooray!!!!!!

People have been asking me about compendium …

Yes, there will be another compendium … number 7. It is in the works in my head, and a little bit on paper, so maybe in September sometime it will appear. Stay tuned.

Asking for help … it’s a good thing
(Thank you Martha Stewart)

Many have come to rely on the internet for answers or “help” with a variety of things, and for sure, it’s a great place to find a lot of stuff. But what about asking a friend?

Well, I have finally done just that. After scouring the internet to learn about the best ways to photograph my pieces, I decided to get really smart, and ask my friend, neighbour and AWESOME photographer Wendy for some help.

Why might this be BETTER? Well, for me it means that I am asking Wendy to be a part of my creative process, to help me share my work in the world in a way that feels honouring.

It also recognizes and honours the incredible talent that Wendy possesses with a camera, lighting and creating compelling images. It allows us to celebrate each other, and I don’t think it gets better than that!

See some of Wendy’s amazing photos at: liveyouradventureimages.com

In case you didn’t notice how the world is changing …

The magnolia in the front garden bloomed a second time this year. That is not something I’ve ever seen happen before, nor has our head-of-all-things-gardener, Peter. And he pays attention to this sort of thing.

I wonder what it means in the BIG PICTURE of things? Hmmmm. Guess we’ll have to wait and see.

May the blooming of our lives continue in magical ways!

~sarah