Slice of Life

48mm by 35mm - Mosaic gold, filati in sterling silver

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I received a pretty overwhelming response back in March when I posted a pendant that was a tribute to my Uncle Evan when he travelled onwards to whatever is next for him in the next world. In addition to family commissions based on that piece, I have had others who loved the watermelon theme. 

In truth, watermelons—one of his favourite foods—seem to be everywhere this year. My personal watermelon find were these lovelies:

I think of him everytime I put them on. 

Turning Point - SOLD

16mm diameter - Mosaic gold in sterling silver

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It is that time of year, in the Northern hemisphere at least, that leaves begin to change and a nip starts to fill the air. (Or in the case of Edmonton, snow has fallen at least once. Sorry about that, eh?) Wonderfully, nature usually gives us that one last extravaganza of colour before the snow flies and buries the world in white. I loved watching the colours turn three years ago when I house sat in British Columbia, Canada in October. 

Kerry Green

16mm by 16mm - Mosaic gold, smalti in sterling silver

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One thing that was high on my list to see here in Ireland was the Ring of Kerry. Unfortunately, we didn't get to see it in exactly the fashion we would have liked. Owing the fact that our visit is in shoulder season, Marian and I took what we could get, namely a huge coach tour of the sort we would normally try to avoid. However, with I the only driver between us, and not used to the narrow roads nor the left hand roadways, we decided for enjoyment and safety we were better off to not rent a vehicle. But at least we got to see the Ring of Kerry, from its bogs, to its sheep and sheepdogs, to its stunning views. 

Along the Ring of Kerry

Wild Atlantic Way - SOLD

28mm by 18mm - Mosaic gold in sterling silver

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I have been blessed this month to tour three different peninsulas in County Kerry, Southwestern Ireland. All of these peninsulas are part of the Wild Atlantic Way, a stretch of connected coastal roads along the Atlantic seaboard that goes for over 2700km. The scenery is stunning, and if I had more time, I would be exploring even more of this famed coastline.

Facing Dursey Island near the point of the Beara Peninsula

Mediterranean Heatwave

16mm by 16mm - Mosaic gold in sterling silver

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I don't have a lot of sympathy in one sense, but about a week ago, my friends in Greece were all complaining about the unseasonable high temperatures and humidity. To be sure, I've been blessed with some Irish sunshine the last couple days, but on the whole the weather here has been much less hot than this heat worshipper would like. This pendant makes me think of the lovely hot Greek summer days—and nights. 

Irish Welcome

65mm by 20mm - Mosaic gold in sterling silver

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I did not have the easiest time getting to Ireland. In fact, I arrived 4 days later than expected, due to a combination of delayed flights and making a hurried executive decision that if a new flight had to be paid for, it was worth it to wait until the prices dropped in half a few days later. So I ended up back on Santorini.

However, when I finally did make it after a very long journey that started at an ungodly hour and included 6 hours in the Barcelona airport, I was treated to a spectacle so unbelievable I could only think, "Well, seems Ireland really does want me here after all if this is the welcome I get!" 

This pendant is based on that moment.

An Irish sunset welcome

40 Shades of Green

14mm by 10mm - Mosaic gold in sterling silver

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So I may have borrowed the title of a Johnny Cash song for this piece. In truth though, as soon as I got on the bus from the Dublin airport for the 4 hour ride to Listowel, the first thing I though was, "Holy crap, it's green here."

I mean, I knew it was green, thanks to the rain, but coming from a pretty barren, brown island, it was a bit overwhelming.

A quick snap out the bus window

Evening Glow - SOLD

18mm by 13mm - Mosaic gold in sterling silver

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I see more sunsets than sunrises. But no matter how many I see, they just never fail to disappoint. The best bit about sunsets is that they are good everywhere, and just when you think you've seen the best one you'll ever see, another one comes along, and now IT'S the best one. They all have their own particular magic. 

Memories of Greece

14mm diameter - Mosaic gold in sterling silver

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Everytime I am away from my adopted home of Greece, I admit I miss it. Indeed, I miss many a place in the world, as I've mentioned before, but Greece will always hold a special place in this nomad's heart. 

In other fun news, all the Mosaic Arts Online workshops are 10% off until midnight, September 21! Simply enter SUMMERDAYS in the "redeem coupon" box during checkout to get the 10% off. My course is among those on offer, but there are many other great workshops available by some fantastic instructors. 

Scattered Clouds - SOLD

28mm by 18mm - Mosaic gold in sterling silver

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So, right now I'm in Listowel, Ireland, doing an artist residency at the Olive Stack Gallery with my good friend and fellow mosaic artist, Marian Shapiro.  And while there are many stories I'll share, I'm starting with the weather. In my home province, we have a saying, "If you don't like the weather, wait five minutes it'll change." In this lovely town, the saying needs to be altered to a two minute time frame. I have, in one hour while working in the gallery, seen it go back and forth from pouring rain to full sun three times. Six moments of completely different weather is a bit overwheming in the span of an hour. Needless to say, I bought a rain jacket at a charity shop, and I wear it out in full sun. 

Down Under - SOLD

28mm by 18mm - Mosaic gold,  in sterling silver

A few years ago, my dad and stepmother went to Australia, and for Christmas that year, all the women received an opal. The underlying understanding was that these would eventually be incorporated into jewelry that I would make. In typical family swiftness on our grandiose projects, the first of these finally was created this past summer. Given that she wears it almost daily, I think Corinne has decided it was worth the wait. 

Breaking Dawn

28mm by 7mm - Mosaic gold in sterling silver

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One thing I try to do each time I am in Greece, though I sometimes don't manage it, is to see the sunrise. Santorini is famous for its sunsets, but I think I like the sunrise even better. It's quiet, private, and personal, compared to the sunset, which requires one to fight the madding crowd. It's a time for reflection, or intimacy, or awe. Or all of them. 

I missed seeing a sunrise in Perissa this year, and I regret it.

A Long Road - SOLD

28mm by 18mm - Mosaic gold in sterling silver

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The year and a half, I've been doing shorter jaunts away from Canada, generally a maximum of three months. However, when I left this time at the beginning of August, I had commitments in various countries that would mean I was gone the better part of 5 months...at least. This bout of travel has seen me in Greece, now Ireland, and then onwards to Scotland, Italy, and Egypt, and doing some very interesting and different things. Stay tuned!

Everybody Loves Watermelon - SOLD

48mm by 35mm - Mosaic gold, filati in sterling silver

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Back in February, I created a smaller watermelon-esque pendant in honour of my Uncle Evan. It was, not entirely unexpectedly, purchased by my mother, with two other family member also wanting to purchase it. Well, the thing is, my mom likes BIG jewelry. So after wearing her new piece a few times, she came to the conclusion that the piece was too small for her. So she commissioned me to make another, bigger watermelon. Luckily, my aunt who had requested the original pendant had a birthday coming up, so everyone ended up getting what they wanted, though not without some confusion, from what I hear! Alice, sorry I had to pretend to put you off on that commission you requested, Mom didn't want to spoil the surprise. 

Water Baby

18mm by 13mm - Mosaic gold in sterling silver

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I grew up land locked. Apart from family trips to lakes within my province, being near water wasn't really a part of my life. However, earlier this week I said goodbye, with near tears in my eyes, to "swimmable" sea. I don't think I'll get a sea swim until spring of 2018, and even that is up in the air. I love to see the sea everyday, but even more, I love to get in it everyday. So parting is sad. This wee pendant reminds me of the blues of saltwater. 

Favourite Homes - SOLD

28mm by 7mm - Mosaic gold in sterling silver

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I am blessed to have many places around the world I call home. I have "homes" in Canada, the USA, Greece, Australia, and Egypt. What makes these places home though, I have come to realize, is not so much the building or location, but of course the people. One of my favourite homes belongs to the owner of these earrings, my dear, dear friend Merrill. Merrill has been welcoming me into her home and insisting I stay as long as I need/want (and sometimes longer!) for over 4 years. We have laughed long, cried hard, drunk deep, and cooked big. 

Merrill, no matter where I go, I'm always a little homesick for you. 

Prairie Sky - SOLD

28mm by 18mm - Mosaic gold in sterling silver

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Last year, as I left Canada for summer in Greece, I made myself a promise: I would spend July in Canada. Most people think of Canada as cold all the time, snow, and generally inclement weather. Indeed, we get that weather in spades. But our summers are absolutely amazing, and I realized last year that I was about to miss my third Canadian summer in a row. So this year, July belonged to Canada, which happily coincided with my country's 150th birthday, so it felt even more important to be there. 

One thing that I love about my Canadian summers, and Alberta summers in particular, is the blue, blue praire sky.