Archives for category: Art

We enjoyed a pleasant spring day walk yesterday along the Galloping Goose Trail and through Banfield Park to Craigflower Road. There is a small bank of shops at the corner of Raynor which includes an old-fashioned barber shop, bakery, children’s clothing shop, hair dresser, hemp clothing store and cafe. Our main destination was The Spiral Cafe to see paintings by Philip Willey. The Spiral hosts a lot of live music and makes great coffee. We also picked up some yummy bread and other treats at Fry’s Red Wheat Bread. The frangipani in their almond croissant was amazing.

Must have hot chocolate everywhere I go! This one was great and GJ says his coffee was excellent.

Must have hot chocolate everywhere I go! This one was great and GJ says his coffee was excellent.

An accidental shot in the Spiral; sort of cool.

An accidental shot in the Spiral; sort of cool.

The Spiral Cafe: a great venue for local music and art.

The Spiral Cafe: a great venue for local music and art.

A great group of local businesses.

A great group of local businesses.

One of the newer artisan bakeries in Victoria.

One of the newer artisan bakeries in Victoria.

We walked home along the Westsong Walkway, enjoying the beautiful view of the Inner Harbour.

We walked home along the Westsong Walkway, enjoying the beautiful view of the Inner Harbour.

Another busy week: I completed five new Firehorse Designs pieces to go over to Arrogant Pirate, a new shop carrying my, GJ and other artist’s work. I’m still having fun with pearls, braided thread and reclaimed or cast elements.

Pink, peach and champagne coloured pearls with a few moonstones and a hint of rose quartz. Completed with brushed silver drops.

Pink, peach and champagne coloured pearls with a few moonstones and a hint of rose quartz. Completed with brushed silver drops.

Reclaimed elements, brushed silver drops and moonstones on silver chain, are the focal point of this one.

Reclaimed elements – brushed silver drops and moonstones on silver chain – are the focal point of this one.

Rich dark brown pearls with semi precious stones, silver chain and a heart pendant by GJ Pearson.

Rich dark brown pearls with semi precious stones, silver chain and a heart pendant by GJ Pearson.

I love the hearts GJ cast a few years ago in lead-free pewter. I wear one just on a simple cord.

I love the hearts GJ cast a few years ago in lead-free pewter. I wear one just on a simple cord.

Dark blue-purple pearls of various sizes, moonstones, amethyst and iolite beads and a reclaimed silver cross pendant.

Dark blue-purple pearls of various sizes, moonstones, amethyst and iolite beads and a reclaimed silver cross pendant.

This is another reclaimed pendant, possibly from India. It is silver, inlaid with moonstones and either iolite or amethyst.

This is another reclaimed pendant, possibly from India. It is silver, inlaid with moonstones and either iolite or amethyst.

Pink, peach, white and purple/grey freshwater pearls with a mother-of-pearl dragon pendant and an accent of cherry quartz.

Pink, peach, white and purple/grey freshwater pearls with a mother-of-pearl dragon pendant and an accent of cherry quartz.

As the Arrogant Pirate is in Dragon Alley, I thought the dragon-carved mother of pearl pendant was perfect.

As the Arrogant Pirate is in Dragon Alley, I thought the dragon-carved mother of pearl pendant was perfect.

Another long piece with knotted freshwater pearls in silver, grey and gold colours. The pendant is reclaimed from another older piece which I disassembled.

Another long piece with knotted freshwater pearls in silver, grey and gold colours. The pendant is reclaimed from another older piece which I disassembled.

A close up of the engraved pendant. It may be silver or pewter.

A close up of the engraved pendant. It may be silver or pewter.

Close up of the back of the pendant.

Close up of the back of the pendant.

This will be the last one for a bit…

A second wire-caged coin (Canadian Centennial Dollar, 1967) by GJ with small champagne-coloured freshwater pearls and miscellaneous semi-precious stones.

A second wire-caged coin (Canadian Centennial Dollar, 1967) by GJ with small champagne-coloured freshwater pearls and miscellaneous semi-precious stones.

Was only supposed to be one piece, but there were enough goodies for two.

It only looked like enough for one. I did have add some smaller grey pearls to complete the second piece.

It only looked like enough for one. I did have add some smaller grey pearls to complete the second piece.

GJ made a wire cage for this beautiful 1921 American dollar coin and I hung it on a strand of gorgeous pale grey freshwater pearls.

GJ made a wire cage for this beautiful 1921 American dollar coin and I hung it on a strand of gorgeous pale grey freshwater pearls.

The second shorter piece with sterling silver clasp.

The second shorter piece with sterling silver clasp.

Rich tones of copper and brown in pearls and semi-precious stones with a lead-free pewter cast pendant by GJ Pearson.

Rich tones of copper and brown in pearls and semi-precious stones with a lead-free pewter cast pendant by GJ Pearson.

Close up of GJ's cast body.

Close up of GJ’s cast body.

Plus, it’s too stormy out for adventuring. You can see more of Steven’s and GJ’s work on their websites. GJ also has a Tumblr blog.

A tropical underwater inspiration for this long necklace which incorporates three silver cast pendants by Steven Mehle.

A tropical underwater inspiration for this long necklace which incorporates three silver cast pendants by Steven Mehle.

A close up of the silver cast starfish and sand dollar pendants by Steven Mehle.

A close up of the silver cast starfish and sand dollar pendants by Steven Mehle.

Today's piece will incorporate a GJ Pearson cast pendant.

Today’s piece will incorporate a GJ Pearson cast pendant.

Three strands of freshwater pearls in pale pink, peach, mauve and magenta with accents of dyed magenta jade and silver cast hearts by Steve Mehle.

Three strands of freshwater pearls in pale pink, peach, mauve and magenta with accents of dyed magenta jade and silver cast hearts by Steve Mehle.

These cast silver hearts are by artisan Steven Mehle who hand fabricates gorgeous jewelry in Peggy's Cove Nova Scotia.

These cast silver hearts are by artisan Steven Mehle who hand fabricates gorgeous jewelry in Peggy’s Cove Nova Scotia.

I've had this beautiful silver three-strand clasp for a while. The original necklace I built for it didn't work, so I'm trying it on this one. I just hope it's strong enough to hold all these pearls!

I’ve had this beautiful silver three-strand clasp for a while. The original necklace I built for it didn’t work, so I’m trying it on this one. I just hope it’s strong enough to hold all these pearls!

Sea tones with silver castings by Steven Mehle.

Today’s project is sea tones with more silver castings by Steven Mehle.

Adjustable length; freshwater pearls and labradorite.

Adjustable length; freshwater pearls and labradorite.

For tomorrow, three strands, mostly pearls with a bit of dyed jade and a surprise.

For tomorrow, three strands, mostly pearls with a bit of dyed jade and a surprise.

Stay tuned tomorrow to see what became of these materials.

Looks similar to today's project plate, but the final piece will be very different.

Looks similar to today’s project plate, but the final piece will be very different.

Today I was working with fresh-water pearls and a casting of GJ’s.

The finished piece from a few days ago; glass faux pearls, freshwater pearls, miscellaneous glass, crystal and metal pieces.

The finished piece from a few days ago; glass faux pearls, freshwater pearls, miscellaneous glass, crystal and metal pieces.

Eight-millimetre freshwater pearls, black agate, labradorite and a lead-free pewter male torso casting by GJ Pearson.

Eight-millimetre freshwater pearls, black agate, labradorite and a lead-free pewter male torso casting by GJ Pearson.

Today's finished piece.

Today’s finished piece.