Splendor By Connie Schroeder

Connie Schroeder grew up on a farm just east of Inglis, MB.  Several years ago she started Splendor where she creates handmade, high end costume jewelry.  The materials she uses are copper and brass, semi-precious stone, fresh water pearls, crystal and glass.

Connie is not local now.  She married an American gent and is now living in Greendale, WI.  Even though she lives in Wisconsin she is a Canadian prairie girl at heart and still visits Inglis in the summers so I thought it would be just fine to talk about her here.  ;)  Her prairie love of big open sky and the rolling hills of the parkland region has helped to form her aesthetic. 

"The beauty or splendor of my pieces are just a small reflection of the true splendor of creation."

Some Splendor pieces can also be found locally at the Yogi Bare Bath'n' Relax in Roblin, MB.  135 2nd Ave NW Roblin, MB.

In Plain View Self Guided Tours Coming Up Nov 5th & 6th

In Plain View's Self Guided Tours are coming up quick again.  It is time to start getting excited about viewing original art in the setting in which it is made.  :) You have the opportunity to visit artists in their studios and galleries throughout the city.  Each artist offers you a peek into their world where you will experience art in many medias including paintings, ceramics, sculpture, water colour, print making, glass art, jewelry making, wearable art and more.  There will be an abundance of creative original art work that will be on exhibit for show and sale.

The tour is open from noon to 5:00 p.m. Saturday, November 5th and Sunday, November 6th, 2011.  For more information and a map of the studio locations please see inplainviewwinnipeg.com.

Aliza Amihude

Lillian Austin

Kathleen Noelle Black

Nancy Blokland

Pat Bragg

Katharine Bruce

Annette Chabidon

Colleen Chamberlin

Ray Christopherson

Clear Energy Glass

Pat Courtnage

cre8ery

Monica de Jong

Gloria De Neve

Jane Gateson

Allan Geske

Karen Johannsson

Steve Jorgenson

Kristina Karlsson

Jo'Anne Kelly

Mary Krieger

Helen Lyons

Medea Gallery

Prairie Stained Glass

Christopher & Lori Redd

Tom Roberts

Lily Rosenberg

Mary Anne Rudy

Stoneware Gallery

Ann Tyre

Jordan Van Sewell

Andrea von Wichert

Wayne Arthur Gallery

The Stitchery Boutique Is Open With Local Made Goods

Just got this emailed:

The Stitchery Boutique is now open!

40 sq ft of handmade goodness in the heart of Wolseley.

Featuring Winnipeg artisans such as Dawn Chaput: pottery....Jodi Hildibrand: art print postcards...Kami Goertz: adorable stuffies...Melanie Wesley: clothing, jewelry & accessories.

For the sewer (or knitter) we also have a selection of buttons from Aben's Wood: handmade wood buttons from local deadfall...SewDandee: really cute fabric covered buttons

We have a few more special items we will be adding as we get closer to the winter holiday season, so check back often.

Upcoming Stitchery Classes:

"Kids Beginner Class" - (Tuesday October 4,11,18 & 25, from 7-9p.m) - In this 4 week intro to sewing for kids your child will learn the basics of using a sewing machine, cutting and marking skills as well as following a pattern to make a simple project. We will also spend some time talking about safety in the sewing room. The instructor is Alesha Frederickson and the investment is $120.

"Skirt Drafting Mega Course" -(Wednesday October 5- December 7 from 7-9 p.m ) - In the first half of this 10 week course you will learn how to measure for and draft a custom slopper which you will then use to create a custom fitted muslin. In the second half of the course you will learn about using your slopper to design and draft an endless variety of skirt options.We will also cover waistbands, zippers, pockets and hems...this is a serious amount of information here.Don't worry if you don't know the lingo...you will know all by the end of this course.The instructors are Melanie Wesley & Alesha Frederickson and the investment is $250.

"Paper bag Princess" - mini workshop-( October 8 from 7-9 p.m) - In this one day workshop you will learn to measure and cut your fabric to create a simple, elastic waist skirt. The instructor is Alesha Frederickson and the investment is $30.

"Circle Skirt" - workshop (October 15 & 22 from 1 -3 p.m) - In this 2 day workshop you will learn to draft and sew a basic full circle skirt with waistband and zipper. Some prior sewing experience is required.The instutors are Melanie Wesley & Alesha Frederickson and the investment is $60.

the stitchery
962 Westminster Ave
999 9983

Stella's Bakery Super Yummy Treats & Crafty Minions Likes

I have been looking for local brioche and I found it today at Stella's Bakery along with a loaf of marble rye.  I love living in Wolseley where it seems nearly everything is a bike ride away.  They have a showcase of all their delicious slices, cookies, and muffins and the window is filled with rustic looking loaves.  I bake bread in the winter but why do I when I have Stella's and Tall Grass minutes away?  I guess I am preparing in case we lose our mind and move to the suburbs.  ;)

I hope you are all having a great weekend!  I have had a fantastic weekend.  Firstly, the rain has pretty much stayed away.  Secondly,  I went to three church rummage sales yesterday sans kids.  Thirdly, I was the first person to walk into the Crafty Minions sale.  :)  I did buy my shirt from Lady Tees and ordered 2 more.  I bought Li (my girl) 3 pairs of earrings from Midkid: apples, birds, and hearts.  I also found a great vintage shirt for Li from Marathon 1981 or I should say her new Etsy shop named The Young Team, and a set of melmac plates for my deck from Bitchin' Kitsch'N'Kitchen.   Definitely a successful day.

This afternoon we biked to Stella's for bread and to Olmand's Creek to see if the lake has receded (it hasn't).  Tonight,  once our little mini ones are asleep, we get to sit on our deck and listen to the U2 concert.  :)  We have been hearing them practice and sound checks already.  Not a bad weekend I'd say.  Have a great week folks!!

What I am Shopping For at Crafty Minions

I am getting ahead of the game but I love planning so I tend to go to craft sales with a shopping list. :)  I really need some summer shirts so I am glad that Lady Tees will be there again.  I bought one long sleeve in December but I think I need tanks and short sleeves now.  I am also going to head to Marathon 1981 because she has such cute vintage kids clothes along with her great handmade items.  I got this little red sailor jacket from her last time.  The cutie is my niece.  ;)  Lastly I need to pick up a couple more pairs of earrings for my little girl from Midkid.  I bought her the cutest little roses at the last sale so I am going to snag a couple more pairs.  Maybe these cute little apples.

Is there anyone else excited about this sale?  :)

http://ladyttees.blogspot.com
http://attack1980sattack.blogspot.com
http://themidkid.blogspot.com

The Spring Trend is Definitely Feathers

Over the last year I have seen more and more feathers around.  My friend Christy is getting married this summer and the only dress code is feathers.  :)  Around Christmas I bought a beautiful peacock feather headband at the R.Steen Craft Sale and I love it.  My friend was wearing a feather earring this weekend and it reminded me of Branches and Feathers.  If you are looking for feathers it will not be hard to find.  I know there are a couple other crafters using feathers on W.E.S.T.  lately so peruse there before you hunt the stores.  This is what Branches and Feathers says of her creations:

"Ever since I can remember birds and the prairie sky have fascinated me. My feather earrings are a way to connect to the beauty of all birds and the big sky of the Canadian prairies.

Touch the sky and rest in the branches with my feather creations" 

http://www.etsy.com/shop/branchesandfeathers 

Endeavours Beautiful Fine Wooden Jewelry

Endeavours creates handcrafted jewellery out of all natural materials such as wood, bone, and shell. Each piece they make is one of kind.  They use a variety of domestic and exotic hardwoods and source their bone locally.  Some pieces use colour-dyed veneers as accents but otherwise they are dye and stain free.  Have a peak at their Etsy site to see all the designs they have available in rings, pendants, and earrings.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Endeavours

dconstruct Jewelry

My last post has brought to my thoughts a beautiful jewelry maker.  I did a small post on it a year ago but I have been drooling over some of their resin bracelets lately so I thought perhaps it was time to do a full feature on them.  :)  dconstruct is local and their jewelry feels very organic and urban if that makes a lick of sense.  The recycled resin makes them smooth and sleek.  Very modern and then they use these organic images like this leaf.  I really would like to know more about them and how they do it.  It amazes me.  Please look at all their other beautiful pieces.  It was very hard to find two that I liked best out of their selection to feature here.   They are more art than jewelry. 

http://www.dconstruct.ca