Soap crush...

 Have you ever been in love?

(I mean with something, not someone)

Oh, sure, there's that great old '48 Ford pickup truck and dream houses and far away destinations

but I'm talking about life's simple, essential pleasures...like food and wine

and for us gals (and probably some dudes) yummy smelling body products!

 This is my latest crush...

 ...rose geranium hibiscus soap...

 ...smooth, bubbly, luscious, heavenly scented and all natural!

Guess what?

 It's made about 15 minutes from here in lovely Jordan River, Vancouver Island, B.C.

...in small batches to assure quality and freshness...

...beautiful, apothecary's style packaging...simple and classic.

Soap makers extraordinaire, Jordan River Soapworks, has perfected the art of making the most

lovely products....this sample of their black licorice soap almost

made me want to take a bite out of it!...

And it's not only myself who loves the stuff but anyone I've talked to,

including those with skin sensitivities who's used their product

has testified to how much they love it.

In fact Jordan River Soapworks products was inspired by the owners own skin sensitivities.

Not only are the soaps lush-a-licious but their line of other products

including body butter, lip balm, shaving soap, bath soaks and the most 

scrumptious gift sets are available. 

(think Mothers Day AND Fathers Day coming up!!!!)

You can shop online here or if 

you live in or near Sooke you can find their products

at Inspire...6711 Eustace Rd...right beside Stick in the Mud...best coffee in town!

Buying local? Buying organic? Buying cruelty free?

It's a good thing!!

As promised...

Yesterday I posted this picture.

It was a box I recycled and repurposed for a piece I just finished.

It's a nod to those who appreciate the unique and handmade

and are a part of the movement to support artisans.

To remind those who may not be totally familiar with the term artisan...

"An artisan^[1] (from French: artisan, Italian: artigiano) or craftsman (craftsperson)^[2] is a skilled manual worker who makes items that may be functional or strictly decorative, including furniture, sculpture, clothing, jewellery, household items and tools or even machines such as the handmade devices of a watchmaker. Artisans practice a craft and may through experience and aptitude reach the expressive levels of an artist."

I like this definition. It gives a wide berth to many a creator and doesn't limit the work to one thing.

I admire the work of a cheese maker and a cabinet maker just

as much as a sculptor or photographer.

My most recent commission was from a man (whom, him and his wife have bought several pieces

of mine), was to make a likeness of this card...

 Do you know of this illustrator?

His name is Jan Van Sandwyk and he does the most

whimsical and lovely work.

He spends his life between Vancouver and Fiji...hmm...nice life ey?

So my task was to make a likeness of this hare as a gift from my customer to his wife.

 ...horse-tail hair for whiskers from my neighbour up the road.

She has a 32 year old horse!

 Nothing says spring like a March hare!

So here's to those who keep artisans going...Cheers!

Wordless Wednesday...to be continued

In the studio...

November 27th...clear and cold....today the sun came out to warm us up on the west coast after a wet and miserable day yesterday...so I hunkered down in the studio with the fire on high...still working on the birds and loving it. I was listening to CBC talk about Christmas time and the whole gift giving thing and was glad to hear so many others out there with similar ideas as alternatives to the whole thing. On that note we need to encourage those around us to buy HANDMADE if they feel the need to buy at all! Get out to those craft fairs people! On another CBC program (yes I am a cbc head...) they talked about how the average income for an artist in Canada is around $22,000. That's in Calgary where apparently the artists are the highest paid in the country...does it make me want to move there? Certainly not but it boggles my mind to know that people will go out of their way to get a really good deal on a t.v but not put out for original handmade items...oh well..its just one of those things to whine about....