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At the market

I wanted to thank everybody who came to the Forks Market to support me and to check out my spring collection. It was 2 days full of meeting great new people and having a chance to show off my work. I even managed to participate in the chocolate festival and taste some incredible chocolate treats. The Forks Market really is an inspiring place to be at. I am planning on being back to sell my work at the Forks a few times this summer by participating in the Outdoor Farmers Market.

If you missed me this week-end and are looking for the perfect gift for mother’s day just give me a call or send me a quick e-mail to arrange a time to come by my studio (p. 204.510.3939, anjastudios@shaw.ca).

Ciao!

Anja

setting up early in the morning
having fun
my stall
textiles
jewelry & photos
more jewelry and photos
anja studios
See you next time
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Inspired by my fridge

I have always been using natural object such as prairie wheats, leafs and rocks within my jewelry. A had dried some leafs and wheat before the winter but I have been getting a bit bored using them over the last little while. Last week I was working on jewelry and when opening the fridge inspiration hit. I saw some fresh rosemary and dried hemp seats so I started playing around with them. Here are some of the results.

Ciao

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custom squirrel

A while back I received an order for a piece of jewelry depicting squirrel. I had made many sketches until I had a drawing I was really happy with. I ended up making a linocut of the squirrel and using it to make it into a recycled silver pendant. Here are a few picture of the different stages.

I hope you enjoy seeing the process. Please let me know if you would like any custom pieces. They keep things challenging and interesting.

Ciao

linocut of squirrel
raw stage before being fired
et voila
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Wish I was there

I wish I could have been in New York this week-end for the opening reception of “The sketchbook project” exhibition. It have never not been at the opening reception of an art show that I have had art work in. Too bad. I just have to make it work to go see the exhibit in one of the US cities it’s going to. Maybe Washington DC in April or Chicago in July. I will let you know once I have a trip planned.

Ciao

scars spread from my sketchbook
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Eames chairs – recycled beauties

One of the best ways to be green is to purchase antiques. For example recent research has shown that an antique chest of drawers has a carbon footprint 16 times lower than that of its modern twin, even allowing for it to have been sold, moved and restored twice in its lifetime. The quality and craftsmanship that has gone into antiques surpasses most of the furniture produced these days. So by purchasing an antique you are being green, you get a better and longer lasting piece of furniture plus you get a piece with a story and history.

One of my favorite designs is mid-century modern and one of  my favorite designers from this period are Charles and Ray Eames. The Eames Molded Plastic Chair is just one design from a long line of innovations from two designers and artists who were always looking to do more with newer and better materials. The newness and technological explosion of the modern world fascinated the couple, and their goal was it create a fusion with the natural beauty they saw in the organic world. The Eames Molded Plastic Chairs are the result of months of tinkering and enthusiastic, creative design. In the end, the shape is pleasing to the eye and easy on the body. Without using padding, leather, cushions, or traditional armrests, the Eames’ had created a chair that served every need of the modern American, while at the same time looking great and being comfortable. Just a great example of mid-century modern design.

I had spent years dreaming of sitting in one of those beautiful chairs while eating dinner in our house. Yesterday I saw a listing on kijiji for 3 of the chairs and I was able to make an appointment to view them tonight. They turned out to be in great condition which really made my day. We are now the proud owners of 3 beautiful Eames Molded Plastic chairs in white and hopefully one day I will come across another one to make the set complete. If you have one for sale please contact me. We will take care of it well and provide a loving home!

Ciao!

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The first pictures

Here are a few of the first pictures I took with my new baby. I used the macro setting and shot at a really low aperature. The pictures are of some of my jewelry made from recycled silver, beach glass (from Canada) and beach rocks (from Italy). I haven’t done any corrections to these pictures so they are as they came out of the camera.

Ciao

 

Recycled silver

 

 

 

Recycled silver and beach glass from Gimli, MB Canada

 

 

 

Recycled silver and recycled fresh water pearl

 

 

 

Recycled silver and beach rock from Elba, Italy

 

 

 

Recycled silver and sterling silver

 

 

 

Recycled silver and beach glass from Gimli, MB Canada

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Meet my new baby

I am so excited! I got a new camera for my birthday. It’s a point and shoot but shoots raw files and has all the manual control of my digital SLR. I am so excited to finally have a small camera that still gives me all the creative freedom and control I want. I just tried it out taking some pictures of some of my jewelry and the pictures look amazing. I will upload some of them tomorrow!

Here is my baby: Panasonic Lumix LX5 with an amazing 2.00 Leica lens!!!!

Ciao

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Green Christmas Gifts

I hope that you had a wonderful Christmas filled with quality time with you friends and family. K. and I had a really nice Christmas. We went a bit overboard again with gifts. It’s just so hard because there are so many things I think he would love. I absolutely loved the presents I got from him. I got a new winter jacket and hat made from hemp (hoodlamb.com). And they are not just pretty and warm! The outer shell is made from 55% hemp and 45% organic cotton and the lining is made from hemp and recycled plastic. I absolutely love it!

I made most of my Christmas presents again this year. Here is what I gave as presents: my jewelry made from recycled silver, beach glass, beach/river rocks, hand-made pottery, eco-friendly cup cozies made from recycled clothing, homemade hot chocolate mix and homemade cookies.

Did you get or give any green gifts for Christmas?

I apologize for the bad pictures of my jacket (K. was having a hard time with my camera 🙂 ).

Ciao and happy new year!

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Made from recycled clothing

Here is another one of my green creation: The eco-friendly cup cozy made from recycled clothing. The perfect accessory for the fashionable and eco-minded coffee or tea lover. It’s a great way to reuse the fabric from your favorite jacket. 🙂 If you like them let me know! They are $10, which makes them a perfect stocking stuffer.

Recycle. Reuse. Recreate.

Ciao