Monday, October 31, 2011

From this ...





Our Christmas Marketplace opens this Thursday at 6pm. Can you see what you want to buy?

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Just Around the Corner!

around the corner
carved bear by Tom Reid, snail on lilypad by Tracy Riddell, woodturning by Joe Martin, intarsia by Del Holbrook

Yes, it's nearly here! Our Christmas Marketplace, the one and only destination in the Tri Cities to buy unique artisan handcrafted gifts, is nearly open. For two months, our gift shop will not only be open seven days per week, but will also be much bigger as we expand into gallery space in the Arts Centre. This means that our artists can bring in many more pieces than they can normally display here. Often this means that the bigger pieces they have been working on finally come on show.
So get on down! We've got everything you need for your gift buying under the one roof, from cards and gift bags to glass art and wall art.
Opening night is Thursday, November 3rd (6-8pm, refreshments provided, free entry).

PS: Don't forget to check the tree for hostess gifts and stocking stuffers ;)

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Salmon Come Home

salmon come home
stained glass by Margret Billings

This is the time of year when our brave salmon swim home, making their way up the rushing waters of the local streams. Energetically leaping up waterfalls and dodging hungry bears, these noble fish thrash their way to distantly remembered gravel beds

where they spawn and then die.

cough
Glad I'm not a salmon.

PS: Hyde Creek Hatchery Hoy Creek Hatchery is celebrating these demented creatures on Sunday, 23rd October. Get down to the streams and cheer them on.

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

October at City Hall (updated)

PA170042 OK – this month at City Hall (as you are by now aware, dear reader) are two amazing Blackberry artists with a collaborative exhibition in the display case. PA170044 Margret Billings is our stained glass artist (and coincidentally coordinates the group displays at City Hall for the society) and Myrta Hayes specialises in the translucent delicacy of porcelain ceramics. She also volunteers extra time for the society; she is our webmaster over at our main website.PA170047
Busy ladies indeed, and both have found time to collaborate on some of the pieces on display. Myrta has made the ceramic bases for Margret’s stained glass lamp shades, and the results are truly stunning.
Go see for yourself (and buy before they sell out).
PA170048

Wordless Wednesday: Macro Moment

macro detail swirls
detail from work by James Mah

Monday, October 17, 2011

ooops! an erratum: City Hall Featured Artists Margret Billings and Myrta Hayes


*blush*
This month's artists featured in the City Hall display case (on the mezzanine level up to the council offices) are Margret Billings and Myrta Hayes. They have a beautiful display of ceramics and stained glass for you to shop early for Christmas from.

A huge thank you to Sarah Ronald for pointing out my mistake and sending me a photograph of the display.

Saturday, October 15, 2011

October at City Hall: Joe Martin

PA030066PA030064 This month, the work of woodturner, Joe Martin, is being exhibited in the display  cases at Port Moody City Hall. The shelves are now graced with a stunning selection of his larger sculptural vases and bowls, many delicately inlaid with striking marquetry designs. PA030068

Joe became a member of the Blackberry Artist’s Society this year and we’ve been very pleased to see his work on our shelves. He works in a variety of woods, each turned and finished with exceptional skill.

As you can see from the photograph below, the display is stunning. Each piece would make a impressive statement in your home. Don’t take my word for it, next time you’re in City Hall take a walk up the staircase in front of the reception desk and check it out for yourself. All pieces are for sale – either contact the artist for details or phone the gift shop to arrange purchase.

PA030061

Monday, October 10, 2011

Happy Thanksgiving from the Blackberry Artists

Hope you've made it safely home.
Happy Thanksgiving.

Saturday, October 8, 2011

Post Early for Christmas

moebius
chainmaille flower earrings by Luci Gimenes
resting place
dragonfly brooch by Amanda Maxwell,
woven scarf by Beryl Hickinbottom,
ceramics by Dan Severance
It's almost that time of year (what a recurrent phrase this is becoming) when thoughts turn to buying, wrapping and packaging.
Well, at the Blackberry Gift Shop we can help you with all three, and no - it's never too early to start. A quick check of the Canada Post website will indeed tell you that the last date for international surface mail parcels for Christmas is coming in the next two weeks. We can even help you with that too! There are a large number of small, easily shipped items for sale which would make great gifts for far and wide friends and relations.
Don't forget to pick up a card, or maybe select one of our unframed prints for mailing.
delicacy
earrings by Sandra Ho
cards, prints and gift bags galore!

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

October's Featured Artist: Yolanda Cheung

October's Featured Artist: Yolanda Cheung
October's Featured Artist: Yolanda CheungThis month the intricate and delicate work of paper artist, Yolanda Cheung, is featured in the gift shop. There is a lovely display of her paper-cut artwork framed for hanging on your walls, though you will remember her stunning cards from the exhibition earlier this year at City Hall
October's Featured Artist: Yolanda CheungYolanda has been in Canada since leaving the UK after completing her studies in Leicester. She has worked as an interior designer and this is readily apparent in some of her other work pairing fabric choices with card designs. You will also know her paper folding work if you have ever purchased one of her folded "secret stars" flowers which each contain a hidden pocket for a tiny gift.
October's Featured Artist: Yolanda Cheung