Where Have All the (Crafty) Men Gone?

June 27, 2009 – To my dismay my husband is no longer a knitter. As a child however, he was taught to knit in his daycare/preschool program. And while I meet the occassional man in my shop who is a “maker” of goods, those occassions are rare. Unintentionally most of the goods at Love, Me are made by women. That is definately the case with our jewellery. Until recently…. Meet Matt from PEI (aka Overman). Matt works with cool old watch parts to create unique, one-of-a-kind jewellery.

Overman’s oeuvre consists of bracelets, earrings, necklaces, hair clips, and cufflinks. Yes cufflinks! So now not only do we have a man jeweller but jewellery for a man.

   

Post Note: While skimming through the Overman Facebook page to snag some images, I found a note that Overman Jewellery is featured in the show Profile PEI. I am expecting a sort of (now defunct) Living Halifax type show. To my surprise I realize it is a mockudrama similar to Trailer Park Boys. If you like that kind of humour check it out. I personally found the character Johnny Larter pathetically loveable. And yes Kelsey (or is it Kelly?) wears the super long Overman earrings which look fantastic.

Rain Rain Go Away

June 23, 2009 – I am ok with the rain for a couple of days but really a whole week makes me a bit wiggy. (Yes, I stupidly looked ahead and the future doesn’t look bright…) I think days of rain during summer months shouldn’t be allowed. Here that Mother Nature? I think she has her head phones on.

Well, it is the first week of Summer. Rain or not – I am gonna get the good times rollin’ in the shop with some mark downs on summer clothes! Yah! See how you like me now crappy forecast.

Call for Emerging, Emerged or Still Unsure Designers

June 17, 2009 – They are still looking for people for this. So if this interests anyone…contact Argyle Fine Art and see what the new deadline is.

ARGYLE FINE ART PRESENTS: OFF THE CUFF

Argyle Fine Art is pleased to announce it’s first annual fashion competition and runway show. This exciting project will host ten local designers in a four-week competition throughout the month of July. This project is designed to test the designer’s strength in fashion and design through weekly, themed challenges. Contestants will advance through a succession of eliminations judged by a jury and the public (who will vote online). Participants will then have the opportunity to showcase their works in a final outdoor runway show September 13th in beautiful Historic Properties where the winner will be chosen. Designers wishing to participate in this event, are asked to send or hand deliver an updated portfolio for consideration.

Portfolios should include:

-          10-15 images of relevant work, showing as much detail as possible. (Images should be submitted by CD and in jpeg format)

-          A brief bio or description of the work

-          Artist resume

-          Artist Statement including why you want to participate and why we should choose you!

-          Self addressed and stamped envelope if you would like your portfolio returned. (Any portfolios left behind will be discarded by the gallery)

This competition is open to all levels of training and experience. We are looking for creative people with exciting ideas. If you would like more information, or if you have any questions we welcome you to contact us at: Argyle Fine Art, 1869 Upper Water Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3J 1S9  902.425.9456 gallery@argylefa.com  www.argylefa.tk

Writers are Celebrities Too!

June 16, 2009 – In one of my retail stints many moons ago, I cashed out Mr. Michael Ondaatje (author of The English Patient). I blushed when I noticed the name on his credit card. My head was panicking “OMG! It’s freakin’ Michael Ondaatje! Say something! OMG! Say something!”. So I thanked him for his purchase and as I handed him his bag, I squeaked out something like “I am a fan of your work”. He was very gracious and said thank you. After he left, there was some jumping and giggling.

While I would definately be excited to meet “Hollywood” celebrities, authors are just as exciting to me – especially if I am a fan. So right now I am all a twitter for Cotton Candy Cupcake whose fun feather earrings were picked up by the matriarch of Canadian Literature, Ms. Margaret Atwood. Atwood and her daughter were trolling around in LaHave (where Rita sells her Cotton Candy Cupcake earrings as well as at Love, Me) this weekend and purchased some gorgeous feathery for themselves.

I think I would possibly pee myself if Margaret Atwood came in the store.

Lovely Lomo

June 13, 2009 – Last night was the vernissage for “Moving Pictures”, the newest exhibition/sale at Love, Me. Moving Pictures is a collection of six lomo photographs by Shannon Webb-Campbell. These whimsical and lovely photographs were taken using two different types of lomo cameras. Before this exhibition, I had only heard of lomo photography. And while I am by no means fulling understanding the world of lomography, here is what I know so far:

- Lomo photography is a way to create/duplicate those happy accidents that can occur in (non-pro) simple film photography: light leaks, fuzziness, non-centred subject matter, etc.

- Lomo photography is achieved by lomo cameras. (These were described to me by Shannon as toy cameras. One of Shannon’s guests brought one to the opening and I got to see it first hand. It is small and light – like a toy camera!)

- Lomo cameras come in “effects” – fish eye lens for example.

- Lomo cameras are still not “exact”. You don’t know the result until you develop the film – making lomo photograph a fun experiment in photography!

Check out these examples of lomography from www.lomography.com

   

(all photos taken from this site where lomographers post their work)

And so now that we got the lomographic basics down…let’s talk about Shannon Webb-Campbell. Some of you may recognize her name from The Chart, The Coast as well as other publications as she is a writer & journalist. (She has a lovely blog where she writes about her life in our fair city.) Moving Pictures is her premiere exhibition and Love, Me is so honoured to host. I love SWC to bits! She is bright and full of life and that is evident in her photography.

During her Moving Pictures exhibition/sale, Shannon is featuring her European Souvenir Photo Project. In the fall, Shannon will embark on a solo adventure to Europe. The photo project will give you, the audience, a chance to had a photographic souvenir created for you by Shannon while she is away. When you sign up to participate (at Love, Me), you answer 3 questions which will help guide Shannon in her task to take a souvenir photograph especially for you. While she is away she will post and blog about this project as well as her adventures. And when she returns, your photograph will be available at Love, Me to pick up. Whoa! A personalize work of art for only $35!

Come check out the show and learn more about the project at Love, Me.

Jars and Planes

June 10, 2009 – I got through the pile of new arrivals today. Yesterday alone new product arrived from Air Jewellery, Kate Bredeson,  Dawson Printshop as well as Bespoke Uprising.

Bespoke Uprising is a new artist here at Love, Me. Those of you who frequent the Halifax Crafter’s Craftshows will immediately recognize Bespoke Uprising/Roisin Fagan’s work. She is one of the co-organizers of the show from its early inception. We are have received her super cute kids tshirts and baby onsies (with images of canning jars and paper planes) in gorgeous colours as well as her awesome teatowels with burlesque dancers or maritime themed images.

 

 

Baggage

June 4, 2009 – I am not one of those ladies who uses a different bag everyday depending on her outfit. I am just not that organized. I have a kid and a business and hectic mornings. I am lucky if I can get E to daycare without any major upsets like forgetting her shoes. (Yes we have put her in the car with her slippers on. Thankfully we realized it in time to run back in and get her shoes.) I bring this all up because I want to talk about my everyday bag.

For the past few years, I have used the same fabric, double handled, over the shoulder, gym bag sized “everyday bag”. I had spilled my tea on it, dripped my lunch in it, and stuffed it full of crap. I soon realized by shoulders and back were killing me and I was a bit embarrassed of my stained and ripped “purse”. 

So I had a new quest – a ”purse” that I could wear out to dinner, go for day adventures with the family with, and use everyday to and from work…that was smaller than the old gym bag but still held a book, a notebook, my mini “essentials” bag (floss card, mirror, mini comb, bandaids, chapstick, emergency feminine products, mints and small bottle of cream), my camera, my waterbottle, plus the necessary keys, sunglasses, wallet combo that could be worn across my shoulders or on one shoulder and would stay relatively nice looking regardless of my tendancy to spill liquids. Tall order! Enter Astrosatchel – the Downtown Tote.

My beautiful Downtown Tote got its first spin in the world on our trip to Cape Cod. It spun around Portland, the Boston ICA, Falmouth, Provincetown, Bangor, plus a multitude of in and outs in the car. It got to attend a wedding (filled with a couple kids books and loads of tissue) and then carried home all the wedding goodies like woopie pies and treats from the candy bar. I mean really, if your bag can’t hold woopie pies and candy – what use is it???

Back at my daily routine, I am glad to be rid of the old stained oversized arm weight. I admit whole heartedly, I enjoyed the praise of behalf of the bag: ”great bag” “cool bag”. And not once has my sweet new bag puffed out vainly at the compliments thrown its way but instead plays the part of a trusty and loyal carry-all with just the right amount of cool sass.

Post note: I can’t be the only one whose bag needs an overhaul. Come on in to Love, Me to check out some Astrosatchel goodies. While I enjoy the Downtown Bag, you might be more of a Medium Tote gal or need a small but organized AND adorable clutch to keep the essentials close at hand (in your massive gym bag purse).

  

June 2, 2009 – I am back at the shop after a week travelling for my brother’s wedding in Cape Cod. I am behind in my to-do list already! But really happy to have a chance to hang out with my family and see a part of the US that I hadn’t really had a chance to explore. On our way down we did make a special stop in Boston to check out Shepard Fairey’s solo show at the ICA. If any of you are going this way this summer…go see this show. It is so great.

 

Shepard Fairey began his career with a guerilla art sticker campaign based on Andre the Giant as well as making simple cardboard stencils and spraypainting these images around his city under the cloak of darkness. Influenced by skate and underground music culture, Fairey’s graffiti style art has lots of great pop. And his contemporary politics images are so powerful. You are probably more familiar with Shepard Fairey than you think. Fairey is responsible for the red, white, and blue image of Obama “Hope” and “Change” which morphed into an avatar circulating around on Facebook where you could make yourself a Fairey/Obama face.  

  

Fairey was also in the film Beautiful Losers which I am so keen to see.

More on Shepard Fairey from the NY Times and the ICA Boston.

New artist

May 20, 2009 – We have had some Jenna Rose goods for a few weeks now but I have only gotten to finishing up the interview for the new artist post. I love doing these little examinations because it give me a greater appreciation for the person behind the artwork. I love learning things about their nature and their lives. So go check out the interview with Jenna Rose here. Before you leave though, I need to point out the absolute adorableness of her goods and reiterate to all you craft project (read: knitting/crochet/embroidery) people, Jenna’s storage buckets are so great at keeping your ongoing projects contained in your tv/visiting rooms. They are also great for containing toys and newspapers! I heart these bags …  but then again, I do have a weakness for storage solutions.

Summer Treats

May 15, 2009 – I know it is all grey out but you & I know that summa is right around the corner. Love, Me recently received some new summer goodies.

Last night Anna, Nova Scotia’s own eco designer of deux fm, dropped of some sexy little bikinis. I heart these bikinis so very much. And dig that they are made from fabric remnants. And they are made by independent sewers in Truro, NS!

 

And then there are some beautiful new pieces from Maudlin & Joy (the new name for Mothertrucker whom many of you love – same gal, same great feminine pieces, different name). If you are checking out the Maudlin & Joy site, note that Love, Me has the Pickford in Navy, the Turner, and the Novak. Here is a great overview to the collection in the Georgia Straight.