Rene Trim: A look ahead to the 2015 craft show season

Well, the 2014 Christmas Craft Show season has officially ended but fret not: most show producers are already preparing for their 2015 events – and you won’t have to wait long for the first one: the other day, I received word that the organizers of “For the Love of Winter” have decided to go ahead with the 3rd edition of their annual winter art and craft show in February.

Into local artisan food & drink? I recommend a visit to the Glebe Community Centre on 3rd Avenue on January 22 for “Taste in the Glebe”, where some 50 local (as well as some non-local) restaurants, wineries and micro-breweries will be gathered for a culinary fest.

If you prefer the hands-on approach, I suggest you sign up for Kanata mixed media and jewellery artist Violeta Borisonik’s “Valentine Ring” workshop on February 8. It’s one thing to buy your Valentine a ring but MAKING that ring takes your gift to the next level! Violeta provides the tools and the metals (and the guidance, of course) - all you need to do is show up and get creative! You can register for this 4 1/2 hour workshop via Violeta’s website ** Inspired by a love of wood: Jeff Collver ** Jeff Collver has always had a passion for wood – plain and simple! That, combined with an interest in historic architecture, inspired him to bid the corporate world farewell and enrol in a 2 year Heritage Carpentry and Millwork Program. He went on to become an honours graduate in traditional wooden construction methods and historic architectural styles.

Passion and imagination were now coupled with knowledge and skills, so the next step was to start a business: Whistlewood Custom Woodworking and Design (“Whistlewood” for his two favourite pastimes: whistling and woodworking). For the past 23 years, Jeff has been designing and building custom cabinets, furniture and mantles such as the one shown here:

Although Whistlewood Custom Woodworking and Design is still very much alive and kicking, Jeff recently decided to branch out with Whistlewood FINE Woodworking and Design, which features a line of unique and artistic wooden home accents. He coined his style “Art Motif”, a synergy of Jeff’s two favourite styles that combines the craftmanship and simplicity of the Arts & Crafts Movement with the natural shapes and lines of Art Nouveau.

Wherever possible, Jeff allows for the natural imperfections of the wood to remain a part of the piece, as a reminder of the tree’s life and individuality. Also, he prefers to use clear finishes so as to allow the rich figure and natural colours of the wood to show through. His intent, after all, is to create beautiful wooden objects that are timeless and truly unique!

That’s all for now – depending on which holiday you observe, have a Merry Christmas, a Happy Hanukkah, or a Joyous Kwanzaa! Oh, and have a creative week as well, folks!