Ooops!

I was so excited about the article that I didn't even post the link!

Here it is:
http://www.timescolonist.com/entertainment/Shum+offers+fine+craft+fair+prices/1694672/story.html

OMG! Thank you, Mr. Amos!

I awoken this morning to a whole lot of chatter on my MSN Messenger from my dear friend, Gera Scott Chandler. She had seen the article that Victoria Times Colonist's art critic, Robert Amos had written about me! So, of course I had to check it out and must say that he did a wonderful job in encapsulating our conversation the previous week. I've never been one to seek out attention for my work actively, but I was very honoured that my teapots at the Victoria Art Gallery stopped him in his tracks. Though being an artist can be very isolating, an article like this is just what I need to spark my creative fire for new and bigger pieces!

One World~One Heart Winner Announced!

Hello all,

Thank you for all of you who entered my OWOH giveaway...but there can only be one winner! The winner is.....Sandra Hyler!

I hope you all come back to visit me! Thanks again to Lisa Swifka for holding this wonderful giveaway....what a way to connect the world! I'm looking forward to next years!

2009 Products

I had some of my products photographed aside from the new teapot. The pens are brand new for this season and you'll see the colour schemes that I'm leaning towards this year....lots of reds, oranges, and blues. I don't know why, but it's what I seem to be working with at the moment. Of course, I'm in still making wine stoppers, perfume applicators and business card holders.

The Reveal!

A while back, I showed you a teaser sketch of a new teapot. Well, here it is!

I was at a photoshoot that was put on by the Island Artisan's Association and I love the results. All the detail is caned...no painting involved! It was great having someone do the photography instead.

My Workshops are starting...

This Weekend! I'm teaching a polymer clay basics and beginner's caning workshop on Sunday at Island Blue Print in Victoria. I have a follow up caning workshop called 'Spirals, Stripes, and more' in March 28th. For more info, go to the Island Blue website.

In between these workshops is the Vancouver Polymer Clay Guild's first 'Horizons' retreat. I'll be teaching a workshop called 'Complex Cane Made Easy', which is a companion to Gera Scott Chandler's 'Leggy Bowl' workshop. I'm excited to be participating in this upcoming retreat...sounds like there's alot of fun to be had. If any of you have some free time in February, you may be interested in coming up for this fun retreat!

One World~One Heart

When I saw this post made by Tina Holden that she is participating in this virtual giveaway, I thought it was a grand idea! What a way to connect with others and have a chance in winning wonderful handcrafted wares!

This wonderful giveaway is the brainchild of Lisa Swifka(A Whimsical Bohemian). What a way to bring artists from around the world closer.

I'm offering a one of a kind business card holder made especially for this giveaway.

How to enter:

-Leave a comment under this post. One post per person only. Leave either your blog or email so that I can contact you if you're the winner.

-The giveaway will be drawn on February 12, 2009 and the winner will be posted here in my blog and will be contacted.

So far there's over 350 artisans participating in this, so please click on the 'One World~One Heart' logo above to check the Gypsy Caravan out. Feel free to enter as many as you want!

Creativity revealed!

I decided to show you how an idea for a teapot is created. I have had the idea of combining two of my loves, orchids and frogs for about a year now. I finally starting working on it this past weekend. Through my process, I decided on putting the design on a teapot. I've chosen my teapot and now I reveal some of the background work I do before I even start applying any detailing on the actual teapot.

Since majority of my teapot detailing are caned, I still have alot of canes to maked before I even start working on it. Just thought you may like a sneak peek into my creative process.

New Year Start!

After every christmas production season, I do a major clean up in my studio. I finally got rid of an apartment fridge to make room for a storage unit. Loving the extra storage!

And can you believe my table not covered in cane slices....yet!