Archives for category: Travel

Here are a few of my newest pieces. Hoping to make at least a dozen more before a special event at Arrogant Pirate, the shop which carries my designs.

An amber-coloured chandelier crystal hanging from pearls of amber, siilver and grey colours with amber- and clear-coloured faceted glass. © Firehorse Designs

An amber-coloured chandelier crystal hanging from pearls of amber, silver and grey colours with amber- and clear-coloured faceted glass. © Firehorse Designs

Amber chandelier crystal, detail. © Firehorse Designs

Amber chandelier crystal, detail. © Firehorse Designs

A single clear crystal chandelier drop hangs from amber-and silver-coloured pearls and clear- and amber-coloured glass. © Firehorse Designs

A single clear crystal chandelier drop hangs from amber-and silver-coloured pearls and clear- and amber-coloured glass. © Firehorse Designs

Clear chandelier crystal, detail. © Firehorse Designs

Clear chandelier crystal, detail. © Firehorse Designs

Small white pearls and green stone on red thread with coin, resin cinnabar and a pale jade Buddha. © Firehorse Designs

Small white pearls and green stone on red thread with coin, resin cinnabar and a pale jade Buddha. © Firehorse Designs

Pale jade buddha detail. © Firehorse Designs

Pale jade Buddha detail. © Firehorse Designs

The chandelier pieces hanging at Arrogant Pirate.

The chandelier pieces hanging at Arrogant Pirate.

The pale jade Buddha hanging at Arrogant Pirate.

The pale jade Buddha hanging at Arrogant Pirate.

This piece was commissioned by a friend who had a special memento coin from her family. GJ wrapped the coin in wire and I hung it from gorgeous blue apatite stones and moonstones with pale teal embroidery floss. © Firehorse Designs

This piece was commissioned by a friend who had a special memento coin from her family. GJ wrapped the coin in wire and I hung it from gorgeous blue apatite stones and moonstones with pale teal embroidery floss. © Firehorse Designs

This antique watch chain with medallion and encased coin wanted to be hung as a necklace. I added a smokey-blue length of suede into which I sewed tiny seed pearls. I also added a grouping of pearls to the chain. This piece was commissioned as a gift and the recipient was very pleased. © Firehorse Designs

This antique watch chain with medallion and encased coin wanted to be hung as a necklace. I added a smokey-blue length of suede into which I sewed tiny seed pearls. I also added a grouping of pearls to the chain. This piece was commissioned as a gift and the recipient was very pleased. © Firehorse Designs

An almost-stormy day last week.

Looking north at stormy sky, with Ocean Point Resort, float plane leaving, harbour ferry, our infamous blue bridge and a gorgeous SALTS ship in view.

Looking north at stormy sky, with Ocean Point Resort, float plane leaving, harbour ferry, our infamous blue bridge and a gorgeous SALTS ship in view.

Looking out towards the entrance to the harbour. We considered turning back, but I'm glad we didn't as this didn't develop and it was such a nice walk.

Looking out towards the entrance to the harbour. We considered turning back, but I’m glad we didn’t as this didn’t develop and it was such a nice walk.

We were surprised to see these large yellow irises growing wild.

We were surprised to see these large yellow irises growing wild.

Lupine blooming along the cliff top.

Lupine blooming along the cliff top.

This Hummingbird flew down and landed on a branch just where we were walking along Dallas Road. It was so close and stayed for so long, we couldn't resist taking a lot of pictures. In this one, as a bee flies by, you can almost make out the rich magenta colour of its throat. The sun was behind it unfortunately.

This Hummingbird flew down and landed on a branch just where we were walking along Dallas Road. It was so close and stayed for so long, we couldn’t resist taking a lot of pictures. In this one, as a bee flies by, you can almost make out the rich magenta colour of its throat. 

Scratching its little neck.

Scratching its little neck.

And again, with the stormy sky closing in.

And again, with the stormy sky closing in.

It’s been drizzling the last few days so thought I’d post some pics from finer days last week.

One of our local SALTS training vessels with the magnificent Olympic peninsula behind.

One of our local SALTS training vessels with the magnificent Olympic peninsula behind.

Beacon Hill Park in Victoria BC: every week brings new colours, ever-changing landscapes to explore. I'm looking forward to some summer picnics this year.

Beacon Hill Park in Victoria BC: every week brings new colours, ever-changing landscapes to explore. I’m looking forward to some summer picnics this year.

Fields of unending camas.

Fields of unending camas.

Another lovely prospect in Beacon Hill Park.

Another lovely prospect in Beacon Hill Park, camas creating a purple hue through the meadow.

Found this glorious Rhododendron while running an errand. I thought their season had ended, but this one was still in its full splendor.

Found this glorious Rhododendron while running an errand. I thought their season had ended, but this one was still in its full splendor.

The first California poppies we've see this year.

The first California poppies we’ve see this year.

The first wild rose we see along Dallas Road. The scent is magnificent!

The first wild rose we see along Dallas Road. The scent is magnificent!

Happily wearing our Fluevogs today!

GJ is looking mysterious in his Swordfish from the mid-1990s. Vintage Tie and velvet smoking jacket complete his ensemble. At Arrogant Pirate, Dragon Alley, Victoria BC.

GJ is looking mysterious in his Swordfish from the mid-1990s. Vintage tie and velvet smoking jacket complete his ensemble. At Arrogant Pirate, Dragon Alley, Victoria BC.

I went with my red Mini Zazas.

I went with my red Mini Zazas.

Another of my favourite neighbourhood haunts is Trade Roots, a furniture and home decor shop at 545 Herald Street. Their small space is full of gorgeous antiques, furniture custom crafted from reclaimed wood and fixtures, and imports.  This welcoming and inviting shop is also a great place to find unique gifts!

Trade Roots: one of our favourites. Chinatown, Victoria BC.

Trade Roots: one of our favourites. Chinatown, Victoria BC.

Beautiful postcards and packages of assorted buttons and interesting bits and bobs.

Beautiful postcards and packages of assorted buttons and interesting bits and bobs.

I dream of sitting at this desk with all its magical drawers.

I dream of sitting at this desk with all its magical drawers.

A large selection of super-cool lighbulbs.

A large selection of super-cool lighbulbs.

I love their line of metal shelves and cabinets from India.

I love their line of metal shelves and cabinets from India.

Reflections of our wonderful neighbourhood.

Reflections of our wonderful neighbourhood.

A recent install of maple and pipe shelving at another neighbourhood treasure, Arrogant Pirate in Dragon Alley.

A recent install of maple and pipe shelving at another neighbourhood treasure, Arrogant Pirate in Dragon Alley.

There are so many great shops, restaurants, and boutiques in our Old Town/Chinatown neighbourhood of Victoria BC. Dogs in the Bakery is one of my favourite. Located in vibrant Dragon Alley, Dogs provides toys and novelties for your beloved pooch as well as house-made healthy treats, including custom birthday cakes.

The sign still says High End Dog, but royalty or average pup, Dogs in the Bakery has something for you.

The sign still says High End Dog, but royalty or average pup, Dogs in the Bakery has something for you.

Roxie and Max are always ready to great you warmly, whether human or canine.

Roxie and Max are always ready to great you warmly, whether human or canine.

Delicious nibbles for pup; great as gifts too.

Delicious nibbles for pup; great as gifts too.

Special treats.

Special treats.

Lots of sizes and colours!

Lots of sizes and colours!

Waiting for friends on a blustery day.

Waiting for friends on a blustery day.

The Olympic Mountains boldly rise above the straight.

The Olympic Mountains boldly rise above the straight.

We've been seeing several hummingbirds along the waterfront this year.

We’ve been seeing several hummingbirds along the waterfront this year.

Just as the hummingbird left, this fellow arrived singing a jolly song.

Just as the hummingbird left, this fellow arrived singing a jolly song.

The gorse is in bloom all along the waterfront.

The gorse is in bloom all along the waterfront.

From Clover Point looking across Ross Bay at the homes on Hollywood Crescent, with Heron.

From Clover Point looking across Ross Bay at the homes on Hollywood Crescent, with Heron.

Walking along Ross Bay and enjoying the colours and textures of the shore and water.

Walking along Ross Bay and enjoying the colours and textures of the shore and water.

Big Fluffy Blossoms...

Big Fluffy Blossoms…

... and Big Fluffy Bluebells.

… and Big Fluffy Bluebells.

We tried a new coffee bar yesterday called Shatterbox. I had read a great review of them on page 14 of the Spring issue of EAT Magazine. I thoroughly enjoyed their Dark and Spicy Hot Chocolate which was really sublime; the smell of cinnamon and then the rich creamy chocolate followed by the warm sensation of chili, all perfectly paired. And it was really hot (temperature); I’m less fond of lukewarm hot chocolate. GJ says his Americano was delicious, nice and strong, just as he ordered it. Shatterbox Coffee Bar is at 950 Yates Street, Victoria BC – right across from Harris Green Village.

950 Yates Street, between Vancouver and Quadra.

950 Yates Street, between Vancouver and Quadra.

A small, but bright and airy space. Not much seating inside, but a nice patio.

A small, but bright and airy space. Not much seating inside, but a nice patio.

All the shiny tools of the trade.

All the shiny tools of the trade.

My gorgeous Dark and Spicy Hot Chocolate, so satisfying.

My gorgeous Dark and Spicy Hot Chocolate, so satisfying.

An nice strong Americano and a beautiful Mocha.

A nice strong Americano and a beautiful Mocha.

Picking out nesting sites in the big trees by the stone bridge.

Picking out nesting sites in the big trees by the stone bridge.

This one was trying to break off willow branches.

This one was trying to break off willow branches.