Last week we featured incredible makers from the Georgian Bay area. Here are four more Georgian Bay makers that we think you will really enjoy meeting. We hope that, just as we did, learning what inspires these artisans and their creative process, will bring more beauty into your lives. Clarke Ceramics Port Sydney, Ontario www.clarkeceramics.com Maker: Rhoni Clarke Ms. Clarke grew up in Orillia, has a BA in Art & Math, a degree in Craft and Design, as well as many years of experience creating her beautiful, nature inspired pottery. She now designs her handmade ceramics, in her studio in Port Sydney (10 minutes north of Bracebridge). Visit her website to see how her pots are formed and to learn more about Ms.Clarke. Her variety of ceramics may be purchased at her studio or at museum shops listed on her website, including Arts at the Albion in Gravenhurst and the MacLaren Art Gallery Shop in Barrie. Q & A: What has been inspirational to your work? I find inspiration for my hand-drawn patterns in the seasons of Muskoka. Since moving out of an urban area to our home in Port Sydney I've been able to slow down and enjoy the people and places that surround me. I find a quiet calm while drawing birch and leaf patterns on my mugs. I have also been lucky enough to work for many potters as I grew my skill, watching those talented, intelligent and dedicated potters work hard at something they loved convinced me that I wanted to follow down the same path. Do you focus on a particular style or technique? I love to throw, trim and finish pots on the wheel. I find the act of throwing a chunk of clay into a useable form to be extremely satisfying. There is nothing I enjoy more during the making process than forming something completely new out of nothing. I currently have a line of work focused on a birch tree decoration but I try to take the opportunity to experiment with new clays, colours and forms during the winter as work slows. Even if nothing comes of it, I find making something completely new and outside of my norm keeps me motivated and excited about my practice. What do you like best about what you do? What I like best about working from home, full time, as a potter, is the control I have over my life and career. How much time and energy I put into pottery is reflected in the work I make. Work for me is something that is energizing and inspiring, sitting at the wheel I find a moment of calm in what is often a hectic life. I am also unendingly grateful that my work allows me to spend time with my family and young kids who often 'help' me while I'm working. ........................................................................................................................................................................................... Opal Wing Meaford, Ontario www.opalwing.com Blog: opalwing.wordpress.com Instagram: Instagram.com/opalwing/Facebook.com/opalwingcreations Etsy: www.opalwing.etsy.com Maker: Naomi Assenheim At Opal WIng, artist and creator Naomi Assenheim, creates organic, soulful and beautiful jewellery pieces in her woodland studio, nestled among the trees and rocks of the Niagara Escarpment, in Meaford Ontario. Her exquisite gold, silver and bronze pieces are inspired by nature with their tree, leaf, pinecone and bird motifs. Many of her pieces are adorned by some of earth’s most wonderful gifts—gemstones. Q&A Did you always want to be a jewelry artist/maker? One of my most precious childhood memories is sitting on my parent’s bed and exploring my mother’s jewellery box with her. Each piece told a story, and each story helped me understand where I came from and what I was a part of. It made me feel like my life had intrinsic meaning and purpose. Later, I experienced a profound connection with my own ancestry after discovering that my great grandparents were jewelers. When you found out who your ancestors were, this propels you forward. How did you learn your craft? With a background in Native Studies and Cultural Anthropology, I made my way to the North in order to work with a youth group, but soon discovered other interests. During my studies, I had focused much of my research on concepts of adornment and spirituality. It was in the Canadian Arctic where I began training as a jewellery maker. I learned by spending time with the carvers and the elders. These makers were so inviting and giving. One profound experience that I recall is when one of the elders brought me to the Tundra. We found soapstone and he asked me how it spoke to me. After some reflection I carved a walrus. This has become part of my creative process-tying what I see with my sensitivities and understandings that I have toward the material that I am working with. I learned to sit, still and quiet, and to allow nature in…I became part of it. Studying with Inuit Carvers and Silversmiths in the far north, to Goldsmiths and Shamans in the south, allowed me to share a colourful and unique perspective to the modern jewellery world. Dedicated to following my hear, I moved with my family to the Georgian Bay region in Ontario in search of a peaceful, simpler life, in sync with nature. Today Opal Wing Jewellery pieces are handcrafted in my Woodland Studio, a rustic studio in the woods where I can wander the forest for buds, branches and never ending inspiration. What do you like about what you do? One of my favourite things about making jewellery is the connection that happens through creating something that speaks to another on such a deep and meaningful level. What I make is more than Jewellery, it’s all our stories and connections…It’s my story, and yours. The gems and materials that I use are all a reflection of the love and magic on this earth. I feel honoured to be a part of this, and want you to know that you have a place in all of this. All the beauty and love that you may see in my pieces are simply a reflection of you. I strive to promote nature connection, inner awareness, empowerment and beauty through meaningful adornment. I learned that if you are working from the heart and you inner passion, you will grow and thrive. Working with stones keeps me grounded and fully present for all that I need to be in this life. ........................................................................................................................................................................................... Second String Design Barrie @second.string.design Maker: Courtney Dubois At Second String Design, Courtney Dubois, a macrame and fibre artist, through the ancient art of macrame and weaving, has created both whimsical and functional pieces of art. Her beautiful and intricate creations include wall art, plant hangers and wearable pieces. Q&A Did you always want to be an artisan/maker? 5 years ago, I never would have guessed in a million years that fibre art would become such a big part of my life. However, I’ve always been drawn to the arts and exercised my creative expression through music. I grew up taking piano and guitar lessons, and loved to write songs. I played in a band for close to 7 years, but eventually the band dissolved and we all went our separate ways. After pursuing a solo career in music for a couple years, I found myself yearning for a craft that allowed me to express myself creatively, but didn’t involve a stage or performing. I was always drawn to Macramé and thought it was the most beautiful craft, so I decided I would give it a try. I’ve been hooked ever since. How did you learn your craft? I became interested in macrame when I was a little girl. My grandmother and great grandmother were very crafty ladies. My great grandmother has since passed, but my grandmother still makes all kinds of things, she’s the most talented crafter I know. I remember going to their house as a little girl and they always had great big macrame plant hangers with beads and jute, and macrame owls on the walls that they would make themselves. I loved going there as a kid because we were always crafting something. When I told my grandma that I wanted to try macramé she mustered up all the craft books she had and gave them to me. I have to admit, I had no idea how to read any of the patterns, so I learned a couple knots by watching YouTube videos and started creating intuitively without following any patterns. I’m much better with patterns now, but to this day my favourite way to create is to just start and see where the piece takes me. Who or what has been an inspiration to your work? I have been so blessed to have been raised in a big beautiful creative family. My grandmothers and great-grandmothers were all creatives, whether it was sewing, knitting, needlepoint, macrame, quilting, and even music. Even If they weren’t masters of the craft, they still made an effort to learn new skills and try new things. My ancestors have always celebrated the creative side of everyone, and encouraged us as young women to find what we love and run with it. This inspires me more than anything, making my ancestors proud. What do you like about what you do? Macrame has a meditative and therapeutic effect. Once I find the creative flow time almost disappears, my mind clears, and I feel free to create. I can move freely without fear through my artwork knowing that if I make a mistake along the way, I can always unravel it and start again. It feels like time travel in a way. I also love the idea that each and every morsel of fibre passes through my hands, so a part of me is woven into each piece I make, big or small. Therefore, when one of my pieces finds its way into your home, we’re forever connected. I can’t say how important this feeling of connectivity is to me, especially at a time like this. Photos by Scott Cooper Photography and styled by Sandra Roberts. ........................................................................................................................................................................................... Backwood Design Stayner www.backwooddesignco.com Maker: Lindsay Russell The Backwood Design company offers one-of-a-kind, beautifully handcrafted cheese/charcuterie boards made from sustainably-harvested slabs. Lindsay hand paints layers of pigmented epoxy to create a shoreline effect, inspired by the Georgian Bay coast line. These unique boards come in a variety of shapes, sizes and types of wood, including round and live edge. On her website, you can also find handcrafted artisan charcuterie and cheese board accessories like glass spreaders, handblown glass cheese domes, knives and Georgian Bay Pottery dishes. Products may be purchased online or at local businesses listed on her website (Dags & Willow Fine Cheese & Gourmet Shop-Collingwood, Creemore 100 Mile Store, J’adore Fine Cheese & Chocolate-Barrie, The Cheese Gallery-Thornbury and more). How did you learn your craft and what drew you to working with wood? I’m completely self-taught, so I’ve never taken any classes, workshops or courses. My dad and brother are both contractors though, so I’ve been comfortable using power tools since I was a young girl. I first started working with wood and learning to sand and stain when I got into refinishing antique pieces of furniture. It just started out as a fun little hobby. Not long after I refinished my first few pieces, I decided to build a live edge dining room table for my own home. I was obsessed with wood after that! I started spending every spare moment I could in the workshop and dreaming up what I wanted to make next. At the time I was working a full-time job for someone else. Who or what has been inspirational to your work? Nature has always been my inspiration! It’s beautiful, ever-changing and full of colour in all seasons. I’m so grateful to live close to Georgian Bay- it’s been the direct inspiration for making my Georgian Bay Boards®. In the winter the water is deep, dark moody blues and often rough. However, in the summertime, it can often resemble the Caribbean Sea, especially in areas like Tobermory. It can even change its appearance from day-to-day and I love that! I’ve always loved wood! It’s so interesting to me how each has its own colour and characteristics and I am a sucker for the highly figured and gnarly pieces. What do you enjoy most about what you do?
I love being an entrepreneur! As a small business owner, I have to wear so many hats on a daily basis, but that’s what I love the most. It’s been quite the journey and it’s been really cool to see how my business has evolved and transformed over the years. I truly believe that you get back what you put into it. I love that saying, “when you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life.” It’s so true. Because in all honesty, I’ve never worked as hard or as much in my life, but I wouldn’t change it for the world! I love the entire process of taking something that is old, salvaged or even just naturally beautiful and giving it a new life and purpose. I love the connections that I make with my clients and working with them to create a custom, generational piece for their homes and bringing their or my ideas to life. I also enjoy hearing their own stories and fond memories of Georgian Bay. What would be your dream project? Good question!!! Hmmm.. so many dream projects... I think I’d really love a super challenging, nearly impossible project. Maybe the opportunity to work with a restaurant, resort or other large commercial client to create a huge, unique show piece for their establishment. I’ve made wall art, furniture and some really cool pieces for awesome clients from all industries.. but I’m talking about something HUGE, like a 20’ diameter clock or just something ridiculous. Look out Big Ben!! How have your pieces changed with time? I think my finished pieces have become more refined and realistic than when I first started and I definitely have a lot more confidence in my abilities and tackling new and challenging projects. I still always strive to improve and I love a challenge! No matter how long I’ve been doing this, I am always experimenting and refining my techniques. I always feel like there’s room to grow and improve. I originally developed the technique in early 2017 and since then it has constantly evolved. I love testing new pigments and techniques for create cells and effects in the epoxy. I like to test the limits to which I can manipulate the epoxy to flow where I want it to. ...........................................................................................................................................................................................
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