2 steps forward and 2 steps back

Feeling pretty happy about the two new stores I am in, one in the heart of Winnipeg at 296 McDermot with Tannis Ross of A Pinch of Creativity and then one in Minnedosa at Inspire Studios.
Both run by creative talented ladies who have the courage to take on bricks and mortar and support Manitoba artists. Love it!

We made a road trip yesterday, and took a few pictures

 These are from Inspire in Minnedosa. She has made a beautiful gallery setting and mixes different artists work together in groupings, very beautiful. cute little bakery next door too, we stopped in for lunch and picked up brownies and bread to bring home.

So that is the good news, the bad news is what is happening with my base glaze on the Day at the beach pottery. In this last firing, it seemed to crawl and fall off of the pots, leaving a very messy look and almost bare clay. Only thing I can think of is that the last addition of chemicals had something wrong, so I guess that will have to be disposed of, and to find homes at half price for the pots, which are many which are not of an acceptable quality.

So if any of you potters have hints, I am up for suggestions and help

.

Exchange Uporium Adventure part of the fun and funky Exchange

So glad I jumped into this venture with both feet, and tomorrow is opening Day of the Exchange Uporium at 264 McDermot in the Exchange District of Winnipeg.  Last night was the soft opening and I was really impressed with how great everything looks. I am hoping to get there for the ribbon cutting tomorrow and Grand Opening.  Here is the press release.....

Winnipeg’s newest Pop-Up Shop is opening soon in the historic Exchange District. In

conjunction with Centre Venture’s PUSH program, this diverse retail experience will wow

Winnipeggers with the amount of amazing and beautiful talent found in Manitoba.

The name of the new Pop-Up Shop? The Exchange Uporium! Founded by entrepreneurs

Patti Henderson and Eve Wowchuk, this is the first retail location for Patti and Eve with

plans for other pop-up locations to be announced in the future.

Exchange Uporium is Volume 1 of the PUSH program. Push is a year-long pilot-project

modeled after similar pop-up retail concepts seen in other major cities. The project pairs

start-up retailers with vacant downtown storefronts on a short-term, low-risk basis.

Winnipeg Minister Kevin Chief has this to say about the project:

“Patti and Eve’s vision for Exchange Uporium is a triple-win situation, revitalizing underused

retail store fronts in downtown Winnipeg while supporting more Manitoba artisans by

getting their goods into a store front and offering the 100,000 Winnipeggers who come

downtown every day more reasons to stay and shop,” said City of Winnipeg Minister Kevin

Chief. “This is where we should all be coming the next time we are getting a gift for

someone special.”

 

Minister Chief will be cutting the ribbon for the store opening at 11:00 AM on Thursday, May

15th.

You need to go and see the setup. I will try to get there tomorrow, it was full of people last night, but everybody's display is original and unique. Super fun and a great representation of the creativity of Winnipeg. Friday is the 2nd Anniversary party for TaraDavisStudio Boutique, the Exchange is really alive with shopping and socializing fun.

Have I said how much I love selling on Etsy

I love Etsy.  It helps me feel connected to the world of handmade crafty artisty types, since I work in my own little studio in my basement.

This Leaf plate has  home in Georgia.  It made it there!

This butter dish went to the United States. I am doing French Butter Keepers now for a lady in California.

This bowl was a custom made piece for a wedding gift last year, in Texa.

I love reading my stats on a daily basis, and constantly am amazed that out of the bizillions of pottery and other items on Etsy, people actually find mine.

Where I will be this weekend and a new recipe for Basil!

Brandon Folk Music and Art Festival
Brandon Folk Festival Under the Canvas Artisan Village Brandon, Manitoba Behind the Keystone Center July 20 - 6-9pm
July 21 - noon-8pm
July 22 - noon - 6pm


 Thai-Style Stir-Fried Chicken and Basil

by Lori Longbotham



read reviews (16)

Craving your favorite Thai dish, but want to stay in tonight? No problem. This stir-fry is simple to make, quick, and delicious, so it won't disappoint. If you like, finish the dish with a mix of fresh cilantro and mint instead of basil.



Video: Watch the Homegrown/Homemade team demonstrate how to make this recipe.



Serves 2-3





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vegetable oil



shallots



garlic



more

crushed red pepper flakes chicken breast cutlets limes brown sugar basil Asian fish sauce 2 Tbs. vegetable oil

4 medium shallots, peeled and thinly sliced

2 medium cloves garlic, thinly sliced

1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes

1 lb. chicken breast cutlets (about 1/4 inch thick), cut crosswise into 1-inch-wide strips

1 Tbs. fish sauce

1 Tbs. fresh lime juice

2 tsp. packed light brown sugar

1 cup lightly packed fresh basil leaves





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Heat the oil in a well-seasoned wok or a heavy-duty 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering hot. Add the shallots, garlic, and red pepper flakes; cook, stirring frequently, until the shallots start to soften but not brown, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the chicken and cook, stirring, until it’s no longer pink and the shallots are beginning to brown, 2 to 3 minutes.



Add the fish sauce, lime juice, sugar, and 1/4 cup water. Cook, stirring frequently, until the chicken is just cooked through and the liquid reduces to a saucy consistency, 2 to 3 minutes. (If the sauce reduces before the chicken is cooked through, add water, 1 Tbs. at a time.) Remove from the heat, add the basil, and stir to wilt it.

Will they like them??

So it's all well and good to be moving ahead with all these new pots and new colours, etc..But now, will people like them...I am always second guessing myself on this.  I don't want to be stodgy and just repeating the same colours that I like and that sold well last year,,, that seems way too "civil servanty" for me.

However, it was a good year financially in spite of the"economy" and now am I messing with that, is that sado masochistic, or brave??? i am not quite sure and am probably using energy on worrying about it, that might be better invested in something else, and I don't mean eating more pretzels or ice cream bars.  Only 12 days till the Big Festival du Voyageur show begins.. this is a first and a cooperative venture, so lots of new ground. Nervous doesn't quite describe my feelings and so I will just wait and see.  I hope the weather stays cold enough for the snow sculptures but not so cold that I need to buy more outerwear.  Did I mention this Festival is outdoors for 9 days in a tent. I think I am trying to forget that part, since I shiver at Farmer's Market in September sometimes. I hope all my fellow Winnipeg and WEST artisans come out to visit, maybe group hugs can help keep me warm.

Another Sale to add to the Fall Season

You’re Invited to the Autumn Odyssey Craft Show!






Saturday, October 15, 2011



9:30am-3pm



#2-172 Lilac Street (Corner of McMillan)



All these crafters were hand picked, and it seems quite eclectic and interesting.  The hosts are using their own homes and are doing a lot of the work for us, so I am looking forward to it.  Just need childcare for that day,  how unususal to have that problem.  that in fact is my perennial problem, outside of Farmer's Market.  He is not big enough to be at home, and too big to be carted around.  Thank goodness he has lots of friends for playdates, both adult and child type.