Getting Ready for Summer 2015

Summer is just three weeks away and after surviving a long, brutally cold winter, it can't come soon enough. Bring on the spring showers, summer sun, lush gardens, backyard BBQs and bonfires. When I'm not busy creating new pieces, you can usually find me out gardening for a few hours each day. My gardens are my sanctuary...it's just so refreshing to be outside digging in the dirt, clearing out the weeds and watching everything come to life.

I find gardening another way to be creative and love decorating my garden with all sorts of things from old garden chairs, broken crockery, birdbaths, arbours, birdcages, fountains and rustic iron sculpture. I love creating little points of interest hidden between the plants. One of my favourite pieces is a broken mirror frame surrounded by a group of not so scary gargoyles.

Summer is also outdoor show and festival season and for all of us artists, time to pack up the tent and hit the road.  Snowy, cold days provided me lots of time to create and I can't wait to get out there and share my newest creations with you. Be sure to check my facebook page for a complete list of events that I'll be attending. 

This past weekend I went to the Christie Antique Show at the Christie Lake Conservation in Dundas, Ontario. It took us a while to make our way in, but well worth the wait. Bus shuttles take you to and from the show field and we only waited a few minutes. With 300 vendors there is something for everyone, vintage and antiques. Found some fantastic deals on deco and vintage pins and pearls-amazing bargains!! I couldn't wait to get home and start making new pieces with my great  finds.

 I'm also thrilled to announce that I've returned to the Stratford Festival Theatre Stores for another fantastic season and if you're planning to attend one of the Festival's outstanding productions be sure to stop in and check out their lovely shops. 

Take care.....Marian  xo    

Colour Trends Spring 2015

I always look forward to the introduction of the spring and fall fashion trends. I love getting the huge editions of  Vogue, Harper's Bazaar and Elle in March and September and pouring over them for inspiration. Hand in hand with the fashion trends are the colour choices for each season. Pantone Inc. is a U.S. colour authority and they released their spring colours several months ago. The Fall 2015 colours were released a few weeks ago just prior to NY Fall Fashion Week. Pantone's colour of the year is called Marsala and we'll see this colour transition from spring/summer into fall/winter.

Pantone offers lots of great information on their website:  http://www.pantone.com/pages/fcr/?season=spring&year=2015&pid=11 including a video explaining the influences that determine their colour pallette and how to pair up some of these colours.

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This season there is a move toward the cooler and softer side of the color spectrum. An eclectic, ethereal mix of understated brights, pale pastels and nature-like neutrals take center stage as designers draw from daydreams of simpler times. Remembrances of retro delights, folkloric and floral art, and the magical worlds of tropical landscapes restore a sense of well-being as we head into warmer months.

“Many feel compelled to be connected around the clock because we are afraid we’ll miss something important. There is a growing movement to step out and create ‘quiet zones’ to disconnect from technology and unwind, giving ourselves time to stop and be still. Color choices follow the same minimalistic, ‘en plein air’ theme, taking a cue from nature rather than being reinvented or mechanically manipulated. Soft, cool hues blend with subtle warm tones to create a soothing escape from the everyday hustle and bustle.”

Leatrice Eiseman Executive Director, Pantone Color Institute^®

Even though there is nearly a shade from every colour group included in their spring selection, you won't likely rush out to replace your entire wardrobe. But accessories are a great way to introduce some of the newest colours. And for me, jewellery is my favourite accessory and I will definitely be looking to incorporate some of these trendy colours into my designs. Check out these lovely pieces using the 2015 spring colours.

  Absolutely gorgeous....my favourite colours for 2015 are the Classic Blue, Glacier Gray, Tangerine, Custard and Marsala. Can't wait to see all of the lovely colours in stores this spring!

Take care.....Marian  xo     

Thanksgiving....A Time for Gratitude

..and the grand dames of the forest, the statuesque maples, donned their gowns of scarlet, crimson, and gold in preparations for the Great Autumn Ball....

It's my favourite time of year again! Fresh apples, squash and pears; and the gorgeously coloured leaves looking like they've been painted by the Old Masters. This weekend we celebrate Thanksgiving and it's a perfect time for me to look back over the past few months and give thanks for the wonderful experiences, opportunities and successes that have come my way.

In April I began a retail partnership with the Stratford Festival and have had great success selling my jewellery in their  Theatre Store. Krista Swetman and her staff are amazing and do an absolutely lovely job of displaying my pieces. I've been invited to continue selling my jewellery at their downtown Theatre Store, located next to the Avon Theatre on Downie Street, this upcoming Christmas season. I'm so excited to be able to extend my stay in Stratford and looking forward to creating many new pieces for gift giving or to treat yourself.

To celebrate my mother's birthday, I joined my sisters and Mom for a weekend trip to Niagara-on-the-Lake. This was a first for the four of us and we had a great time. Lots of shopping, laughter and great food--oh yeah, and a delicious bottle of Three Olives S'Mores Vodka (great with chocolate milk!) Here's hoping we have the opportunity to do it again....and again, and again!

Turning lemons into lemonade--unfortunately our truck broke down and started on fire while on our way to a huge outdoor show in Windsor in early June. Thankful that we weren't hurt and now have a new (to us) Hyundai Sante Fe....and a CAA membership!

The Home County Music and Art Festival took place in July, and this was one of my lifelong dreams accomplished. This turned out to be my first outdoor show and despite the "all day" showers on Saturday, I had a great weekend. I met so many fantastic people and had a chance to connect with old friends. The highlight of my weekend was being awarded with the 2014 Best Booth Design. Not bad for my first outdoor show!

I've also had the opportunity to spend the summer selling my romance&ruin creations at The Village Collective. It's a delightful shop in Sparta, ON set up as an artist's cooperative where we shared space, expenses and working in the shop. Thanks to Shelley McVittie and the other lovely artists. It was truly an opportunity to grow and expand my horizons!

This past weekend my husband and I travelled to the Bobcaygeon/Peterborough area (the foliage was spectacular) to attend the wedding of a dear friend. I was honoured to be asked to create the bride's birdcage veil and hand ornament, and it was a thrill to see her wearing my pieces-so lovely!! Congratulations Rebekah and Eric!

And last, but not least, we came home to find out that my daughter and her boyfriend got engaged over the weekend-congratulations and much love to you both, Jessica and Brent!

 Wishing you all a lovely Thanksgiving weekend, and hope that you all have many blessings to be thankful for. Surround yourself with loved ones and enjoy what promises to be a gorgeous weekend!

Take care.....Marian  xo     

Catching Up!

These past two weeks have been jam packed with so many things going on-birthdays, Halloween parties, job offers, and my first Christmas craft show. Lots of wonderful things to share with you in this post that I'll use to catch up.

First, my hubby's birthday...Happy Belated Birthday! I am blessed with a really great guy...my dearest friend and companion, and my number one supporter! I can't imagine life without him... Love you and wishing you many more!

Next on the calendar was my daughter's second annual Halloween party. This year's theme was "A Haunted Carnival". Great food, great costumes and lots of fun! Here are some pics of the Carnival's characters.

 

The Ventriloquist and his Dummy...Brent and Jess

 

Two deranged clowns...aka me and hubby.

 

 

The Gypsy and the Crazed Clown....Trish and Greg

 

 

Cotton Candy Fairy, Conjoined Twins, and the Demented Popcorn Vendor...Jeannette, Audrey, Olivia and John

 

And the Strong Man that stole the show....too cute!!

 

An illuminated Captain Spalding

 

*****

 

More thrilling news for the family this week when two long awaited job offers came through for Jess and Brent. Congrats and good luck to you both on your new careers!

 

And lastly my Christmas Show schedule started off with a bang this past weekend at the Rotary Christmas Show in Stratford. I had an absolutely WONDERFUL time. The Rotary Club organizers did a fantastic job and couldn't have been more supportive. The Rotary Complex is a lovely venue--bright, clean, easy to get in and out, and decorated beautifully. 

 

I had the opportunity to meet so many amazing people...patrons and vendors. In addition to fantastic sales, I was completely overwhelmed with the response from everyone...so much positive feedback and support. And as if this wasn't enough, I did some incredible networking that may lead to some awesome future opportunities to expand my business in directions that I could only dream of before. Thanks to everyone that stopped by my booth. It was lovely meeting you all and I look forward to returning next year.

 

Thanks also go out to my sister Jeannette for helping me on Saturday. You're a sweetheart and loved having the chance to spend the day with you! I also want to thank my hubby who spent the day with me on Sunday...couldn't do this without you! And thanks to Brent for help with setting up on Friday...yes it takes a village.

 

Here are some pics of my booth this past weekend:

 

 

 

I'm back to work on new creations for my next show which is Nov. 16'th right here in my hometown of Aylmer, ON. Diva's Christmas Day Out runs from 10 to 4 at the German Canadian Club-Saxonia Hall, and if you're in the area it promises to be a great show. Hope to see you there!

 

 



Take care.....Marian  xo    



 

 

Fall and Winter Collection

We're enjoying a glorious Fall and I took advantage of the weather to get out and do some gardening today. I'd like to think if I can get some more weeding done now it might make my spring clean up a little easier. Besides, it's a great excuse to get outside for a few hours. Not that I need an excuse, but with four weeks until my first show, I'm feeling a little guilty for taking time away from business these days.

I've been busy making lots of new jewellery and fashion accessories that I'll be adding to my Etsy shop and selling at my four upcoming Christmas shows. For a full list of shows check out my Facebook page: www.facebook.com/pages/RomanceRuin. I'll be adding discount coupons for admission over the next few weeks and if you're in the area, be sure to stop by and say hello.

I've been scoping out some new fabric stores and found some delicious new fabrics, along with some fantastic deals. I love the rich colours and textures of cool weather fabrics, and as usual, purchased far more than I'll ever have time to use. I'm like a kid in a candy store when it comes to fabric shops, and could spend hours wandering around touching all of the gorgeous fabrics and getting all sorts of ideas. I'm always so inspired after a shopping trip and can hardly wait to get behind the sewing machine. Lots of hats, scarves and bags are waiting to be made and I promise to share my newest creations with you when they're done.

Right now I've been focusing on jewellery and here are a few pics of my newest creations:

 

 

With the introduction of my new Fall and Winter collection and Halloween around the corner, I thought it would be a perfect time to have a sale. My "Bewitching Sale" offers 10% off everything in my shop until October 21, 2013. Just use Coupon Code BEWITCH 2013 at checkout to get your discount. Lots of vintage and antique styles if you're dressing up in a period costume--or if you just feel like treating yourself or someone you love! Click on the link to take you there: www.etsy.com/shop/RomanceandRuin.



 

 

Thanks for stopping by today!

 

Take care.....Marian  xo    



Last Minute Details

Three days left before the big show and I'm starting to feel more relaxed as I continue to stroke things off my to-do list. Other than packing, which I'll take care of on Thursday night, most tasks that are left are quick and easy. The plan is to sit down and sew all day tomorrow and most of the day Thursday. Hopefully I can make a few new ties, hats and carpet bags....and necklaces, bracelets, earrings....and rings, scarves, belts, and headpieces.

I never seem to make as many items as I think I should. That's one of my worst fears--that I won't have enough to fill my booth. And fear # 2 is that I won't sell anything....oh yeah-and fear # 3 is the weather. This will be  my first outdoor show and the heat wave that we're currently experiencing is supposed to break on Friday, along with the severe thunderstorms that normally accompany a big change in the weather. Yes, Friday is Day One of the show. So as the British say, "Keep Calm and Carry On". I know in the end that these are normal pre-show jitters and I just try to keep them at bay. Things always seem to work out fine in the end.

I'm still working on new displays and had a last minute thought on a unique way to display my bracelets and Gatsby hand ornaments.

                  I purchased a collection of vintage gloves on Ebay, and with a little batting...voila!

Bracelet displays!



 

 

 

 

This is a Gatsby inspired headpiece that I made for the show in black and silver.....

 

 

.....and stacks of business cards are printed and ready to go!

 

So, I'm nearly set and can't wait to get started. To meet lots of new folks, see some familiar faces, enjoy the music

and fingers crossed, have a very successful show!



Take care.....Marian  xo