It has certainly has been an unprecedented time and hard to believe that 2 years ago we were just opening the store again after being closed for 10 weeks! I can’t thank everyone enough for the support we receive everyday and during that time. Every purchase made at Side Street Studio not only supports a small, independent, woman run business but a whole community of local BC Artists and Makers. By “Shopping Local” you have really made a difference for all of us.
Currently we represent over 150 Local BC Artists and Makers but since the store opened 38 years ago over 600 artists have showcased their work in the Studio. We strive, both in-store and on our extensive website (sidestreetstudio.com), to offer a really wonderful range of unique designs and prices on handmade, West Coast inspired;
Jewelry, Pottery, Wood Turnings, Glass Art, Small Works, Textiles, Sculptures, Gift Cards, Photography, Metalwork, Natural Soaps, Bath Salts, Candles, Organic Honey, Organic Teas and much more.
We have thousands of 100% locally made items to choose from and rarely a customer leaves empty handed. Whether you are searching for a keepsake during your visit or looking for that special wedding gift we really do have something for everyone.
I travel Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands and to Vancouver on a regular basis visiting our artists and their studios to pick up stock for the store. Building these personal relationships and hearing their stories of where their inspiration comes from is the key in creating connections between their work and our customers.
I’m so grateful to represent the work of so many talented local artists and makers, for the amazing group of women who work beside me in the store and our wonderful customers!
Thank you!
Jill Fitz Hirschbold
]]>100 % Local, Unique, Handmade, West Coast Inspired Gifts at Side Street Studio!
I would like to begin with saying how grateful we are to all of our local and online customers for the incredible support we receive every day and throughout this challenging time. Each and every purchase that is made at Side Street Studio not only supports a small, independent, woman run business but a whole community of 200 local artists. By “Shopping Local” whenever you can you are really making a difference for all of us. I also have to thank all of these amazing local artists for trusting me to represent their heart-centered work. Side Street Studio is celebrating its 37th year with representing over 600 local artists during that time.
We have been working around the clock filling the shelves and adding to the thousands of items we have on our website for the Holidays. We continually strive to offer a really wonderful range of unique designs and prices and believe you will enjoy our selection of 100% local, handmade, Jewelry, Pottery, Wood Turnings, Glass Art, Small Works, Textiles, Sculptures, Gift Cards, Photography, Metalwork, Natural Soaps, Bath Salts, Candles, Organic Honey, Organic Teas, Holiday Cards and much more.
Almost every item in the store is also available online at www.sidestreetstudio.com.
We offer worldwide shipping, curbside pick-up and in store shopping.
Side Street is currently open 7 days a week and will be expanding our hours in December. Being able to open everyday has been made possible by the incredible team of women that work along side me in the store. I couldn’t do this without them.
Wishing everyone the very best for the upcoming season as families and friends reunite after such a long and difficult time apart.
Be kind and take care of each other.
Jill Fitz Hirschbold
]]>
Hello,
Now that everything is settling in I would like to properly introduce myself. My name is Jill Fitz Hirschbold and I am the new owner of Side Street Studio.
I have lived on the Coast for 30 years and my formal education is in the Sciences. I have a Diploma in Environmental Quality Control, a Bachelor of Science; I’m a Certified PADI Dive Master, a Paddleboard Instructor and spent 12 years working as a Laboratory Manager in Environmental Analytical Chemistry before starting a family. When my daughters were born, in my early 40’s, I made the decision to leave my career to stay at home with them.
To be honest I could not have predicted what would come next.
Over the last 7 years I have created a home based business with my West Coast and Abstract Photography. It extends from a line of photo gift cards to large format art sales and photography services. I have participated in Studio Tours, Arts Shows; have been a member of the Gage Gallery and for many years was represented by the Brentwood Bay Resort. I have organized art shows from the conceptual theme, curated participating artists, hung the artwork, scheduled staff, facilitated sales and fully planned the opening nights. My pieces have made their way to England, China and the US and many private residences in Western Canada. I have participated and successfully sold at the Sooke Fine Arts show in 2015/17. I have also volunteered my photography skills to Raincoast Conservation, Greenpeace Canada, FraserFEST, Watershed Watch, Tour de Victoria, Swiftsure, Santa Shuffle, many other community events and donated works to the Banff Mid-Summers Ball 2014/15/16/17/18, CNIB Art Appeal 2015/17, Heart for Hospice 2015, VGH/UBD Night of 1000 Stars Gala 2015 and YWCA Woman of Distinction Awards 2016/17. I have participated in over 20 shows and have self-published three books of my images paired with my writing.
You would think with all this and raising children it would be say enough but I was missing the daily interaction that comes with working outside the home. Then this amazing opportunity came my way. I have sold my cards at Side Street for many years so was very familiar with the Studio and the business model. It is a perfect fit.
My goal is to continue to build on the vision and many years of hard work, by all of the previous owners, that has made the Studio a success. To maintain the standard that is expected by customers when visiting the store and online, to keep all the artists that customers have come to know and love but also add in new talent so there is always something new to see. I also hope to meet each of the British Columbia artists that are represented in the store and try and understand a bit about how their process works. It is that personal connection that can be translated to the customer when we sell their handmade artwork.
This is truly the key to this success……Art comes from the Heart.
My wonderful staff, Kathy, Jean, Samantha, Heather, Joanne Sheila, and I invite you to come down to the Studio and see what we have been up to.
Best,
Jill
]]>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! :)
]]>
To create a cruet pourer Bruce sources a recycled bottle cleans off all labels and markings, washes and sterilizes and paints it by hand with a special glass paint.
The bottle is then fired and the paint cures and bonds onto the glass. A pourer is then added and, voila, you have a very useful cruet bottle that can be used for olive oil, vinegar, salad dressing, dish detergent, liquid soap - virtually anything you can pour.
All glassware items can be washed with hot water and detergent.
Handcrafted on Salt Spring Island, B.C.
See more: Here
]]>
STERLING SILVER CIRCLE EARRINGS - RUBY
WILD BLACKBERRY SOAP
PEAR DESIGN BUTTER DISH
MAPLE BURL WOOD SALAD BOWL
STERLING SILVER EVERGREEN TREES AND SEA PENDANT
SOFT HAND WOVEN SCARF
]]>
Some of the finest large salad bowls that you can find. All hand turned in B.C. by woodturner John Topham. These bowls have been turned from some of oldest trees in the South Okanagan. All are from salvaged trees and given a new life as beautiful bowls. See More bit.ly/2fNj3w1
MANITOBA MAPLE SALAD BOWL
Was $300 Now $250
This gorgeous bowl is turned from Manitoba Maple originated from Westminster Street in Penticton. This tree was planted more than 80 years ago, salvaged and given a new life as a beautiful bowl.
SILVER MAPLE WOOD SALAD BOWL - LARGE
Was $290 Now $240
This magnificent salad bowl is turned from Silver Maple from Gardiner Court, Penticton. This tree was planted more than 100 years ago and believed to be one of the oldest Maples in the South Okanagan. It has been salvaged and given a new life as a beautiful bowl.
SILVER MAPLE WOOD SALAD BOWL - LARGE
Was $270 Now $225
This magnificent salad bowl is turned from Silver Maple from Gardiner Court, Penticton. This tree was planted more than 100 years ago and believed to be one of the oldest Maples in the South Okanagan. It has been salvaged and given a new life as a beautiful bowl.
SILVER MAPLE WOOD SALAD BOWL LARGE
Was $290 Now $240
This magnificent salad bowl is turned from Silver Maple from Gardiner Court, Penticton. This tree was planted more than 100 years ago and believed to be one of the oldest Maples in the South Okanagan. It has been salvaged and given a new life as a beautiful bowl.
WESTERN RED MAPLE SALAD BOWL
Was $250 Now $200
This beautiful Red Maple salad bowl has an impressive two-tone rim of Silver and Western Red Maple. It has been turned from wood that came from the 'Doherty' property on North Victoria Road, in Summerland. This tree was planted by Jim Doherty in 1963 and the tree has been removed, salvaged and recycled into a useful product.
All these beautiful bowls have been created by John Topham. See more HERE
]]>
Just click on the title to watch!
]]>
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
]]>At the studio, we have beautifully handcrafted scarves perfect for any season! Lois Thomson was born and raised in rural British Columbia,
Lois grew up with a strong creative spirit nurtured in B.C. Wilderness. Lois has always been fascinated with the colours of nature and the textures of fibre.
As a young child, her art included the use of lichens and birch bark in her paintings and when she began sewing and designing doll clothes she experimented with the use of colour found in scraps of fabric, lace and ribbon.
Her pure silk scarves a totally West Coast and would make the perfect gift. Handcrafted on our Sunshine Coast
For a slightly cooler evening or day, then Arl Law hand weaves scarves from Rayon and Chenille.
Arli's beautiful scarfs are woven completely by hand. They are very soft to the touch and are warm & cosy to wear.
A large range of colours are available. Wash with mild soap; add fabric conditioner to final rinse. Hang to dry. Hand Made on Vancouver Island
All of these beautiful scarves are available at the studio in Oak Bay or online See more at Side Street Studio
]]>Vancouver Island born Erika Lauren began making jewellery in 2009 as a creative outlet during University. Soon friends and family began asking her to make pieces for them and Erika Lauren Design was born.
However, it was a small bag of naturally shed porcupine quills that were gifted to her by a family friend that would become the heart and soul of her work. Being curious about all things, Erika quickly took to the design challenge and created what is now her best-selling porcupine quill collection.
Erika Lauren Design is committed to using materials to create jewellery that is as sustainable as it is sophisticated. Erika’s work has been recognised in numerous international fashion magazines and she has been shown at New York Fashion Week and Vancouver Fashion Week.
See more of Erika's beautiful jewellery HERE
]]>
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A former psychologist, he became a self-taught jeweller & sculptor going to the University of Trial & Error and later graduating from the School of Hard Knocks. Tom migrated to the Kootenays where he met his wife, Karen Wynn Dubord who was a talented artist in her own right.
Together, they fused their skills, different strengths & artistic approaches to form an exciting new Gentlemoon Metals. They are both inspired by nature’s grace, beauty & dazzling array of colours.
Natural scenes, including animals and sea life, are common themes in their work Their unique metal sculptures are displayed and sold in fine galleries in the United States and Canada.
]]>Listen now to the interview
]]>
Flame Work's main designers Carolyn and Anthony work exclusively designing the glasswork individually creating each piece of glass from start to finish with perfection and assembles all of their jewelry in their home studio in Victoria, BC.
Flame Work Designs Carolyn and Anthony are inspired by their customers and continue to appreciate all the support and enthusiasm they receive. They strive to provide women with that added touch of flair that gives them confidence and the compliments they deserve.
With each new line, Flame Work Designs reinvents itself, adopting the latest styles and setting new trends. Customers have come to count on Flame Work Designs as a company dedicated to creating jewelry that is enjoyable, affordable, and compliment guaranteed!
They begin the process of Lamp-working by fusing rods of glass around a tool called a mandrel in front of a heat intensive flame of 2000ºF. Each bead is individually created one at a time to ensure quality. Maintaining a hot enough temperature at all times is crucial when creating a bead. If the bead is held away from the flame for more than fifteen seconds the glass can shatter.
Once you start a bead you must give it 100% of your attention until you have completed your creation. Every bead is carefully sculpted freehand to ensure that each bead is unique and individual. All of our work is kiln annealed and carefully cooled down over several hours.
Annealing is the process of slowly lowering the temperature surrounding the piece so that it doesn't stress the glass and cause fracturing. This process, although very time consuming, is a very important step to assuring that you will receive the highest quality piece.
]]>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.
]]>
You can see B C Magazine's article here http://www.bcmag.ca/10-BC-Themed-Gifts
]]>She has taken many workshops in both functional and decorative pieces at North Island College and Metchosin International School of the Arts, as well as specialized workshops and seminars from Gordon Hutchens (Denman Island), Siegele and Haley (Arkansas), Alan Burgess (Courtenay)..
Not limiting herself to one medium, she has learned and crosses over between traditional thrown pottery to slab work, Raku and porcelain, often incorporating the theory of one discipline to another.
A passion for nature and ocean themes, her attention to the intricate details of Orcas, Starfish, and Maple leaves has earned her pottery prominence in some of the most exclusive resort destinations venues.
Raku is an ancient type of Japanese firing dating back to the 16th century. Beautiful iridescent blues, violets, copper and crackle glazes are produced on either wheel thrown or sculptural pottery.
The pottery is fired to 1800° and then "reduced" in a chamber which catches fire immediately. The fire uses up all the oxygen in both glaze and chamber, thus producing one of a kind results.
Darcy's Raku kiln designed by Randy Brodnax who lives in Texas and still teaches pottery. Randy brought the kiln up to Metchosin and gave Raku lessons and left the kiln behind as it had to welded on site after he brought it up. Darcy bought the kiln from Sandra Dolph bought the kiln home to her studio in beautiful Black Creek on Vancouver Island
]]>
She is a direct descendant of James Boyle Uniacke, the first Premier of Nova Scotia, Canada, during the 19th Century - hence the name Uniacke Designs. The name Uniacke dates back to the Strongbow Invasion of Ireland during the 11th Century. Originally the name was "Unicus Est" meaning "the only one". Over time the name changed to Uniacke.
Jennifer has always lived in Victoria. She has always had a strong love of animals, particularly horses. Since about the age of ten she has trained and very successfully shown horses, both her own and other peoples'. Jennifer's sharp attention to the many complex details involved with successfully showing horses has enabled her to focus her creative energy on designing jewelry -her other passion.
Her inspirations for the colour in her designs are drawn from current fashion trends and the unique and natural landscape that she is surrounded by in the lovely "city of gardens", Victoria, British Columbia.
To create the unique pieces, Jennifer uses a combination of colours, shapes and textures, utilising precious metals, either sterling silver or gold, semi-precious gems and stones, freshwater pearls and other natural materials. Each piece of jewellery is made by the designer herself using proven techniques to further enhance the jewellery that she makes. Jennifer's goal is to continue designing and creating beautiful and unique jewellery for women who love to express their own individual sense of fashion, personality and character.
In April 2010 Jennifer's work was shown on Good Morning America. Hoda was wearing one of Jennifer's magnificent bracelets and speaking to Kathie Lee about the superb jewellery.
]]>
As a self-taught artist, Rob has found that the journey to becoming a full-time artist has given him a strong sense of duty for his work. He has displayed his work at over 70 shows across the country and met thousands of people that have connected to his work.
As the connections to his work became more and more accessible the passion for pushing himself to a higher level of detail and a higher level of intention grew and expanded. Humbled by the response to this growth,
Rob has dedicated his practice to the art of patience and the pursuit of the subtle on behalf of those that support his work. Through reverence, nature is Rob's guide. The process starts by collecting selected fallen branches while out hiking through Vancouver Island and BC’s Gulf Island forests.
Making these artefacts is very humble work. Rob completely looses himself in the creation of these artefacts and enjoys the connections this work brings to the countless beautiful people along the way.
Rob feels very honoured to be able to create one of a kind art for a living. He selects each piece individually and allows it to ask what image to cut using a freehand design on the scroll saw. The work takes him to a peaceful and meditative place connecting me to the spirit of the arbutus, a healing and nurturing tree.
See more of Robs beautiful work at
]]>
Tracy Lewis Lanterns
Perfect for those dark winter evenings!. Tracy Lewis has been drawing and dreaming about homes and houses since she was 5 years old. Her ceramic house lanterns are one of a kind, created with warmth and whimsy, using paper clay.
Tracy graduated from Emily Carr College in 1988 with a BFA in Film Animation. She worked as an independent animator for many years on several NFB films, and as a mentor for many fledgling animators in remote communities such as Bella Coola and Old Crow, via Reel to Real, Bite Sized Media, and the NFB.
Since moving to Vancouver Island, Tracy has been teaching art and animation to young children from her home. Each summer, she invites groups of 6 children to a one week session of Animation Camp.
It's super fun! Folk Art has always been of interest to her and you may be so lucky to own one of her wooden flip toys, or one of her free standing or flying angels, or a duck, goose, or penguin flapping push toy.
Tracy has a line of greeting cards, and has illustrated 3 children's books. You never know what she'll make next, but you can be sure that it will be animated!
Tracy is a recent empty-nester, living in the Cowichan Valley.
You can see more of Tracy's beautiful lanterns at
]]>
My glass jewellery starts out as large 18 x 18 sheets of opaque, transparent and dichroic glass which I cut, piece and layer to create designs which I fuse (melt) together in an electric kiln at about 1500 degrees F.
After the sheet is fused and slow cooled, I re-cut, grind and drill the pieces. All of the drilling and grindings is done under water with special diamond bit tools. Then I return these pieces to the kiln and re-fuse them.
Finally, when the glass pieces have cooled, I construct my jewellery pieces : high quality- earrings, pendants, chokers etc using these glass creations and select findings of nickel-free sterling silver, stainless steel, niobium, rubber etc.I make many of my own findings, e.g pendant bails, necklace extensions, fancy ear wires etc. I also use commercial high-quality findings such as basic ear wires.
The findings I use are chosen or created to be an element of the overall design of the piece, but are intended mostly to showcase the glass-work. All of the designs are my own. Kiln art Dichroic (Die-crow-ik) glass is glass that has a very fine layer (about 3 microns) of metal fused to its surface.
Different metals in different combinations create the beautiful colours that you see. I also use glass stringers (‘vermicelli’ shaped/sized glass), glass powders, metal foils and surface manipulation of the dichro etc to augment my designs.
You can see more of Peggy's beautiful work at
]]>
By the early 1980's he was selling his drawings and water colors in a style reminiscent of the old prints and paintings which hung in the family home. Van Sandwyk studied graphic design at the Capilano College art programme in North Vancouver.
Upon completion in 1986, the wanderlust of younger years sent him travelling to the South Pacific. He discovered the Fiji Islands, and fell in love with a remote island and its inhabitants.
He began to divide his time equally between Vancouver and Fiji, leasing land from the neighboring family and building for himself a simple home of grass thatch, in the traditional island style.
In recent years Charles has been spending more of his time in beautiful Vancouver where he has been creating more beautiful works including an audio CD where he reads passages from his books to giving a 'Ted Talk'.
Charles Van Sandwyk uses his wonderful, romantic imagination, artistic talents and calligraphy skills to create his beautiful, superior quality, hand-stitch books for you to treasure. His world is a gentle one in which to escape. He believes that art, indeed life, should be a rich visual feast, restrained only by good taste. Hand crafted in BC. Beautiful greetings cards are available for most of the illustrations.
]]>
I've always been attracted to wood. An early memory takes me back to my grandfather's wood-shop with its wonderful smells, stacks of lumber and mysterious tools.
Later, my father taught me the basics of carpentry: different kinds of wood, ripping versus cross-cutting, joinery; many other things.
He was a methodical man with a quiet competence. I remember such advice as "measure twice, cut once". I learned from him respect for good tools and the satisfaction of a job well done.
My career turned out to be journalism and later computer science, but I have always maintained a connection with wood. The down-to-earth act of wood-working has often given me a needed balance for my over-cerebral work.
Now that I am retired, I have more time to pursue this wonderful craft. Though I have done house construction and log-building, I have settled on making boxes as my primary passion. All the wood-working skills are involved (including a few I'm still learning)! Hand tools are ideal; I much prefer them to the roar of power tools.
I enjoy working with a variety of woods: each possesses unique qualities, beauty and challenges. Broad Leaf Maple, abundant on Vancouver Island, has become a staple ingredient in my work. I love to set it off with exotic woods that I come across.
Best of all, my shop smells just like my grandfather's did!
Doug lives in Victoria B.C.
]]>
Just occasionally an artist’s work is both genuinely beautiful and practical. And this is the case where Wray Parson’s work is concerned.
For over 40 years, Wray has been making magnificent tools for all needle craft artists. He originally began turning wood when making toys for his children and after an early career in corporate banking focused all of his time in developing his micro-woodturning techniques.
For 7 years Wray worked at Coombes Emporium, Parksville and then as his reputation began to grow he started working from a new studio built in his home.
The tools that Wray crafts are acknowledged to be among the world’s finest.
They are heritage items designed to be family heirlooms, passed from generation to generation.
]]>
Special offers on the best wool slippers in the world. Men's and Women's sizes only.
See the sale special offer here;
Offer ends 30th September.
Pure New Zealand wool slippers with soft leather soles. Hand made in Vancouver B.C.
See the sale special offer here:
]]>
He continued his studies in the Faculty of Education receiving his teaching certificate in 1978. In 1992 he earned a M.Ed. degree in educational administration also from the University of Victoria.
Ed now lives in Powell River where he taught grade 7 students until very recently. After 28 years of teaching visual arts and pottery at the high school level, Ed now channels his artistic energy into creating uniquely west-coast artwork – Raku pots and sculptures.
His work is heavily influenced by the Pacific West Coast, its natural beauty, rugged coastline, aboriginal history, and is tuned to this ecologically sensitive environment.
Raku pottery is created with a firing process that uses both fire and smoke. With Raku pottery, the piece is first bisque fired. Then, it is glazed and undergoes a Raku firing process. The Raku firing process requires a special kiln where the pots remain in the kiln for approximately 30 minutes.
While the Raku is still hot and glowing, it is placed inside a metal can full of combustible materials. The heat emitted causes these materials to catch on fire. A lid is placed over the can and the Raku pottery is sealed inside.
As the fire consumes the oxygen within the can, it also draws the oxygen out of the Raku pottery and its glaze. This process is called post fire reduction. It is this stage that creates the unique look of Raku pottery. The resulting patterns and colors are unpredictable, as they are created through the natural process of oxygen removal. After about 15 minutes, the pots are removed and placed in a can of water. This freezes the patterns that were created during the post fire reduction stage.
You can find more of Ed’s beautiful work at https://www.sidestreetstudio.com/
]]>