Wednesday, February 27, 2013

True Romance | Side Street Studio Blog

True Romance

February 27th, 2013 | No Comments

True Romance

You’re the bride to be, so you deserve only the best on your special day. Having spend a great deal of time searching for that perfect engagement, wedding, eternity or anniversary ring your day needs to be ‘perfect’!

CAMBODIAN ROSEWOOD RING BOX

One element which is so often overlooked is the presentation box for that beautiful ring. Too often, even with the finest rings, the presentation box is little more than a felt covered cardboard small box, made in some far off country.

AFRICAN BLACKWOOD RING BOX

So to complete that important special occasion why not present that beautiful ring in a hand carved unique ring box, made on Vancouver Island.

MAPLE WOOD RING BOX

Every one of these ring boxes is original and one of a kind. They have been crafted by Christine Davidson, one of B.C.’s foremost wood turners from a mix of local and exotic woods.

MAPLE WOOD RING BOX WITH ROSEWOOD FILIAL

Choose from Cambodian Rosewood, African Blackwood together with an Arbutus wood filial to a Garry Oak with an African Blackwood Filial ring box. There is even an exquisite hand turned ring box made from Maple wood together with a Rosewood filial. This ring box has been made by Christine Davidson in Victoria, B.C. and is unique. This ring box has a ‘free turning ring’ carved as an integral part of the box; the mark of a master craftsman.

GARRY OAK LIDDED RING BOX WITH AN AFRICAN BLACKWOOD FILIAL

These original ring boxes are probably some of the finest which you will find anywhere in the world. They are absolutely ideal for that important and memorable occasion.

CAMBODIAN ROSEWOOD & LOCUST WOOD RING BOX

See more of these unique ring boxes at: http://www.sidestreetstudio.com/catalog/christine-davidson-m-80236.html

Friday, February 22, 2013

Bringing Serenity into Your Life..... | Side Street Studio Blog

Bringing Serenity into Your Life…..

February 22nd, 2013 | No Comments

Annie Pang was born in Toronto, Ontario. She started life as an accomplished child violinist. Annie moved out to Nanaimo as a young adult and then to Victoria, where she was in the Victoria Symphony for 5 years. Due to illness, Annie suffered a premature loss of her 21 year violin career. She has re-invented herself several times, self-teaching as she went. As a miniature clay sculptor her miniature, “The Symphony”, was on display for 1 ½ years at the Royal Theatre.

SERENITY FELTED BOWL WITH 3 WOOL BALLS

Always a gardener, Annie grew, dried and created art as a dried flower artist. After another severe illness left her fighting to walk again, she became a prolific poet and wildlife photographer, combining these two loves to create exceptional “poetographs” for both educational and custom commissions.

FELTED DREAM POT

In the last few years, she has grown to embrace the grounding and earthy feeling of working with wool to create her “Serenity” line of felt pots and bowls. “The tactile feeling of wool helps me stay in touch with my inner being and I enjoy my pots and bowls in every room. They are visually delightful and very useful tools in my spiritual growth and healing. Just holding one brings me back to myself, helping me smile or laugh or release inner tension.

SERENITY FELTED BOWL WITH 3 WOOL BALLS

I write my dreams and affirmations on bits of paper and pop them into a Dream Pot, releasing it to the Universe…”

You can see Annie’s beautiful work at at http://www.sidestreetstudio.com/catalog/annie-pang-m-80542.html

FELTED DREAM POT

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Side Street Studio Gift Certificates | Side Street Studio Blog

Side Street Studio Gift Certificates

February 21st, 2013 | No Comments

Side Street Studio Gift Certificates are redeemable for any purchases, have no fees, and never expire.

Trying to find the perfect gift for someone isn’t always easy. Side Street Studio has an incredible selection of hand crafted products, but sometimes you just can’t find the right gift for that special someone. Whether it’s a birthday present, holiday gift, employee reward, a gift to celebrate a special occasion, or a simple gesture of appreciation, a Side Street Studio Certificate is the perfect present.

CLASSIC BLACK NECKLACE

Side Street Studio has joined with Pay Pal’s safe and secure payment system to efficiently manage your Gift Certificate on-line process.

MEDIUM CASSEROLE

Side Street Studio Gift Certificates are redeemable toward thousands of items at Side Street Studio and never, ever expire.Side Street Studio Gift Certificates can be purchased to any value, from $5 to $1,000. Your recipient can spend their Side Street Studio Gift Certificate right away on line or deposit it into their Pay Pal account and wait for that perfect piece to appear. Any Side Street Studio Gift Certificate balance left over will stay in their account for future use.

SILVER MAPLE BURL SALAD BOWL

Side Street Studio Gift Certificates can be delivered two ways: by e-mail to your recipient or print-at-home then mail the Gift Certificate to your recipient perhaps together with a greetings card. You can even time the delivery of your email Gift Certificate by up to a month ahead. So you don’t miss that important occasion.

GIVERNY BOWL - AMETHYST

Gift cards or gift certificates used to be considered an impersonal, “I didn’t know what to get you” gift …but no longer.Side Street Studio Gift Certificates are tailored with a design and a personal message to make any recipient smile.Side Street Studio Gift Certificates are perfect for every occasion or holiday: birthday presents, Thank You gifts, wedding or house-warming gifts, baby shower gifts, retirement gifts, graduation presents, gift cards to give Mom or Dad for Mother’s Day or Father’s Day presents.

SOFT HAND WOVEN SCARF

Side Street Studio also sells Gift Certificates ‘in-store’ which you can send to a recipient who lives near (or is coming to) Victoria for use in the studio. There is a Side Street Studio Gift Certificate for any occasion.

LADIES PADRAIG WOOL SLIPPERS

Monday, February 11, 2013

Probably the Best Climbing Gym in Canada | Side Street Studio Blog

Probably the Best Climbing Gym in Canada

February 11th, 2013 | No Comments

As owners of Side Street Studio Sue & Nigel recently decided to take up rock climbing… Really! We’ve been taking lessons at the Boulders Climbing Gym, a not-for-profit facility adjacent to Stelly’s Secondary School in Central Saanich. (climbtheboulders.com) While the facility has existed in some form or another since 1993, it has grown exponentially since first opening to the public in 2005.

Most people think of rock climbing as the sole domain of adrenaline junkies and thrill-seekers, and there definitely is a thrill to it! But indoor climbing turns out to be one of the fastest growing sports in North America, and is appealing to a wide-range of people. At the Boulders, the clientele ranges from the very young (6 years old, but younger with special permission) to those like us whose bodies are no longer as fit as a spring chicken. The Boulders hosts a range of programs, from recreational to competitive to therapeutic. A local lawyer, Chris Considine, did his stroke rehabilitation at the Boulders, and theBoulders hosts a range of other adaptive recreation and therapy program, including autism therapy. There are also programs for competitive athletes, and the Boulders is now home to some of the top sport climbers in the country.

In 2011, the Boulders, in conjunction with School District 63, started a climbing academy, allowing youth to explore their passion for climbing in a supportive environment. Students replace a class each year from grades 9 to 12 with climbing related content. It is one of the reasons families are moving to Central Saanich from across Western Canada. This year, two families have moved from Nelson alone, so their children could train at the Boulders (the Nelson climbing gym shut down recently).

The most recent expansion opened in December 2011, adding 8000 square feet of more climbing space to the facility, complete with a 50 foot by 50 foot door. This huge door, which is opened on sunny days and for competitions, is one of the reasons that the facility is now considered one of the top venues for competition climbing in the world! Competition climbing, you ask?

Climbing is one of the sports short-listed for a spot in the 2020 Summer Olympic Games. It is extremely popular in Europe, Asia and South America, and is just starting to catch on in a big way in North America. The Boulders will be hosting 3 major competitions this year: Provincial Championships at the end of March, National Championships over the May long weekend, as well as the World Youth Championships from August 15-19 2013.

This last event is expected to bring between 500 and 600 climbers from over 50 countries, along with over 2000 spectators. The event organizers at the Boulders are looking for local artisans, food producers and others to establish a marketplace at the venue. While prices are being finalized, it is likely the cost of being a vendor will be under or around $200 for a ten foot by ten foot space, right next to the audience for the duration of the event! It is going to be a great way to show off the beautiful South Island to these amazing athletes and their families, friends and coaches. If local artisans wish to join in with this superb event then please email Kimanda at kimanda@ascentgr.com

Want to climb, sponsor an event or find out more? Visitwww.climbtheboulders.com follow the Boulders on twitter @bouldersclimb or email the Boulders Board Chair,kimanda@ascentgr.com

Belay on!

Thursday, February 7, 2013

A Master Glass Blower | Side Street Studio Blog

A Master Glass Blower

February 7th, 2013 | No Comments

Michael Kuhlmey began his glass-blowing career at the Alberta Collage of Art in 1982. Robert Held, one of his instructors, offered him part time employment at Brentwood Glassworks.

GLASS PUFFER FISH

During his third year he moved on to Skookum art glass where he fine tuned his skills.

POPPY GLASS FISH

In 1989 he moved to Vancouver, and is currently on the team ofRobert Held Art Glass as a production worker.

BLUE GLASS FISH

Influenced by traditional styles, Mikes beautiful work can be found in galleries and fine gift stores across Canada and the United States. He is a Master Glass Blower with more than 25 years of experience.

HERON GLASS SUNCATCHER

Saturday, February 2, 2013

NATURES EDGE WOOD DESIGN | Side Street Studio Blog

NATURES EDGE WOOD DESIGN

February 2nd, 2013 | No Comments

NATURES EDGE WOOD DESIGN

Working with reclaimed and salvaged wood is what they do atNature’s Edge Wood Design. They like to work with the wood, keeping the original shape as much as possible, keeping it simple.

Steve Shelley is Nature’s Edge Wood Design. He lives with his family in Campbell River British Columbia. Steve has been a fishing guide and fishing lodge owner for many years, guiding fishermen on rivers, lakes and on the waters of the Pacific Ocean from the Queen Charlotte Islands to southern Vancouver Island.

When it comes to Nature’s Edge Wood Design Steve’s Philosophy is simple. “With strong ties to the outdoors and nature I have always had a keen interest in working with reclaimed and salvaged wood. Taking a piece of wood that someone else has discarded, or that will lay on the beach and rot or be burned, and turning it into something useful is very rewarding for me.”

Steve gets a lot of inspiration for his work, as well as the majority of his material, while walking his dog on the beaches of Discovery Passage near his home in Campbell River. Finding and working with the wood he salvages from the beaches is his favourite pass time. Each piece has completed a journey from its origins, which can be from far up a mainland river or a South or Central American jungle, to its time spent drifting around in the salt-water of the Pacific Ocean, to its final destination here on the shores of Discovery Passage.

Salvaged Wood Bowls, Trays, Platters

Harvesting and processing wood is one of the major industries here on Vancouver Island. At Nature’s Edge they salvage wood from logging site burn piles; smaller pieces or unique shapes that are not usable in the traditional forest industry. But Steve sees the potential and the inherent beauty of this wood and creates wooden bowls, wood serving trays and wooden platters from what would otherwise be left unused.

The wood bowls, wood platters and wood serving trays are usually made from Maple and Alder but they also use Poplar, Arbutus and several species of hard wood that have not yet been identified. Each one is unique in grain and details but the overall design is very versatile and they can be used for serving platters, table centre pieces or Medieval style trenchers or bowls.

Bowls and serving trays have been treated with Claphams’ salad bowl finish, a food safe mixture of bee’s wax and mineral oil, and are fully functional in the kitchen and dining room.

Please see our 9 Point Guide to Caring for Wood. Well cared for these pieces will last a generation.

http://www.sidestreetstudio.com/catalog/wood-caring-wood-c-4_178.html

You cam see more of Steve Shelleys unique work at http://www.sidestreetstudio.com/catalog/natures-edge-wood-design-m-80539.html