Jim Lorriman...extraordinary wood turner!

King's Point Pottery Gallery & Studio is very proud to announce we are now showing the amazing work of 
Jim Lorriman. ( We are so excited to have his work here in NL!) Jim's pieces can be found in various collections on every continent except Antarctica.  His work has been purchased by a former US president and been given as gifts to a member of the British Royal Family.  He is represented by a number of galleries across Canada and the United States.

Jim was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada and has made his home near Mansfield, Ontario.  He is self-taught but both his father and grandfather worked wood in their spare time.  Like them he started off in furniture and wooden boat building but left these traditional pursuits to become a full-time wood turner.

Early in his career he came across a book by Dale Nish which described how to make a bowl from a board.  Intrigued, Jim tried this technique and has not looked back.  He took Nish's basic idea and expanded the horizon almost exponentially.  

Jim uses this method to give new life to old wood.  Dock cedar, fallen branches from the forest, stair railings, window frames, historical wood and so on - all have been given new life through Jim's careful nurturing.

Always trying to find new and better ways of making his pieces, Jim is constantly innovating.  He is aware that others may wish to follow him.  To this end he has been making videos of his methods of work and various techniques which he employs. 

Thank you Jim, for allowing us to be your first gallery here in Atlantic Canada!

Jim's Website: http://www.jimlorrimanwoodturner.com/
(Images and text from Jim's website.)

Arts Quest profiles KPP

Corinne and Gary a.k.a. Arts Quest in NL

Arts Quest ( artsquest.ca) are travelling all across our great nation meeting a huge range of Canadian fine craft persons, fine artists ....and introducing them to the idea of selling their work on line via their (still under construction) e-commerce site/ full featured online marketing shop. Unlike etsy this will be an all and only Canadian site.

Arts Quest sounds like a very solid idea to us and we really encourage you to watch their videos of meeting new craftspeople from all across this diverse country of ours. We very much look forward to learning more about this project as it continues to develop and wish Arts Quest every possible success in their goal of creating the premier online craft/art market site for Canada.

Here is the link to the new Arts Quest blog/video entry on us:
http://artsquest.ca/2012/09/14/kings-point-pottery/ and do stay tuned to Arts Quest for more NL featured fine craft and art!!

Cheers
David and Linda

Question: 150 craft/artist equals how many kilometers?????

Question for the day!

Our new 2012 gallery shop space features the work of over 150 craft-artists. Question: What if you wanted (in one giant shopping trip) to visit each and every one of our 150+ Canadian craft persons studio's , "How far would you travel?"

Well, if you happened to (conveniently) start driving from the west coast of Canada, where coincidentally our newest crafts person lives and finished your shopping trip here in the gallery at King's Point, NL...how many kilometers would it all end up to be?

Start the drum roll please.........................the answer is ...............................about 24,000 kms. (Considering you could drive half way around the world with that kind of mileage..it really is a rather big distance.)

Sooo... why not make a very short journey down to our new craft gallery, just 12 km's off the TCH to King's Point  and see all 24,000 kilometers worth of fine Canadian Craft. (Just think, it'll be almost like saving 23, 988 kms!)
Happy travels to all.

No# 1 shopping destination in the province!

Who is # 1 under "shopping"?

The other day a NL tourism operator dropped by our shop for the following reason: "According to Trip Advisor.com you (King's Point Pottery Fine Craft Gallery) are the number 1 shopping destination in Newfoundland and Labrador!"  Our reply "Whaaahoooieeee!!!!" Trip advisor rates travel destinations all around the world and to be rated number #1 here in NL is a real thrill. Thank you to everyone who likes what we are trying to do here and we will continue to try our utmost to bring you the very best in our specialty of fine handmade Atlantic Canadian craft! We invite you to drop by and see what's new and exciting at one of Newfoundland's best craft shops!

Wild about Dark Tickle!

photo credit: dark tickle

Dark Tickle creates jams, jellies, teas,...and new types of chocolates...all of which have as a key ingredient
wild -untamed-au naturel-HANDPICKED Newfoundland and Labrador berries. The berry picking capital of Canada is most certainly Newfoundland and Labrador and one of the biggest producers with the most variety is Dark Tickle of the Great Northern Penninsula. Gwen, Steve & their son Kier run the handcrafted business that is also an "Economuseum"! We have a "wonderful grand" new selection of their unique wild food products here at the King's Point Pottery Fine Craft Gallery and Gifts. Why not "hand pick" something wild for yourself during your next visit?

Smoked Capelin now rolling in!

Smoking!

Smoked raku capelin that is. Fresh from Northeastern Folk Art, NFA of St John's. Along with a family of black sheep, white and copper...., mermaids, starry fish, trilobites...all with that real smoky fragrance...trust me!! (and/or your nose.) Now, all are rolled in at King's Point Pottery Gallery and Gifts.

Mike Gillan and Erin McArthur are NFA and they currently reside on the North Atlantic coast in St. John’s, Newfoundland & Labrador. The wild natural beauty, rugged coastline and the rich cultural life continue to be a source of inspiration for their fine work. (Info from NFA)

I'm the winner of the 2011 CCNL beeeeest newe product...really!

Photos: Itaro Hayashida

Awarded Top 5 in Atlantic Canada!

Is it true that

King's Point Pottery Fine Craft Gallery 

was selected ( ACTS Awards) one of The Top 5 Craft Shops in Atlantic Canada? 

Yes, for 2012 we are designated Top 5! 

We invite you to drop by and see for yourself 

just what all the fuss is about!

Jason Holley's rubber chainmaille is back!

Jason's wristees...

"The only way to understand my jewellery is to touch it, wear it.  Chainmaille is a textile made up of tiny circles.  Each ring is free to roll over your skin and catch the light. It’s important for people to interact with the jewellery. I display my jewellery open, so that customers can touch each piece."


A healthy obsession with historical chainmaille helps to fuel Jason Holley's career as a jeweller.  His pendants, cuffs and necklaces are evidence of Norse and Celtic inspiration: endless knots and rhythmic rows of perfect, shining circles. Holley sees a common function between the fashionable world of contemporary jewellery and chainmaille.  "I think my jewellery is about confidence and strength.  When people wear a piece and look in the mirror I see them stand up straighter.  I want people to feel strong, secure and bold.  They know that it's armor."  Holley meticulously creates each piece of jewellery by hand –one ring at a time – following his own patterns. New selection now available at King's Point Pottery Fine Craft Gallery.


(text from crafts of character web site)
photo credit: Itaro Hayashida

Urve Manuel, Glass Artist

photo credit Urve Manuel (Deer Lake installation)

Look what just swam into the new King's Point Pottery Fine Craft Gallery...One of Urve's Giant Cods from her amazing public installation at the Deer Lake Airport, NL, Canada called "Coming and Going". It is one of the last of her limited edition works produced for that gorgeous permanent exhibit. Super big fused glass fish with iridescent glass accents...a one of a kind treasure! (Thanks Urve for letting us showcase the giant cod here at the gallery this summer!)


A Stone’s Throw Glass is the name for Urve's glass art business in picturesque Gillams on the North Shore of the Bay of Islands in Newfoundland. She offers custom work in both leaded and fused glass designs for windows, room dividers, and cabinet doors, fused glass dishes depicting local images , as well as lessons, tools, and supplies.


She has been creating leaded glass panels for over 15 years, and have recently been working with warm glass to create fused glass pieces. Her work makes up part of art collections in Iceland, Norway, Canada, and the United States. The Provincial Art Gallery of Newfoundland and Labrador, The Rooms, also houses both her leaded and fused glass pieces.

Don't forget to check out Urve's website at: http://astonesthrowglass.ca/ for more details.

The AFTER...the Gallery section is OPEN!

View from the new archway into the new light filled 400 sq ft gallery space.

Years in the planning and an entire winter/spring of construction...equals it is (structurally) DONE! Over double the retail floor space (just in time for our 20th anniversary), the new fine craft gallery looks some good (to me)!

Birds eye view from the trees above.

As well, we look forward to many-many more internal changes each and every year with new artists and ideas. Special thanks to Pop aka Calvin Yates for all the custom shelves and tables and Dennis Burt for his assistance with the tuckamore trees.

View of the antique yellow hutch and out towards the bay.

We hope you will be able to find the time to drop down to our town of King's Point and see all there is.... here at the gallery, at the restaurants, at the trails, at the museums, at the accommodations...The town has become a real Central Newfoundland destination! (Check out the new Newfoundland and Labrador Travel Guide...featuring the Town of King's Point + the Pottery + the Cafe + Tom's store...!)

View back to the centre of the middle portion of the craftshop.

More pictures soon!
(To see "the before" image pls go to the March blog posting.)
Best wishes
Linda and David

Beach glass jewelery a.k.a. Mermaids Tears...

Judy Jenkins of Nova Scotia, Cindy Schaefer of Rattling Brook (summer-gal) and Leslie Yates of  Corner Brook are our beach glass artists. We have a wide range of rare colours and unusual shapes to choose from. Our antique glass is from across Atlantic Canada but predominately from here on the island portion of the province. For something truely different in beach glass think King's Point Pottery Gallery and Gifts.

PS: Did you know that NL is truly a beach glass hunters paradise with such interesting places a nearby glassy beach, or historic trinity or...other old towns and villages...many laden with glassy treasures. Good hunting!

The ladies who make Labradorite Jewelery...

Leslie Collins of Lelli (St John's), Michelle Lambert of Art Sea (CBS), Nancy Rogers of NDR (Dover) and Carissa Thorne of  CC Handmade (Springdale) are our NL designers who work with this iridescent stone. And 'yes' it is true, Labradorite is the official stone for our province of Newfoundland and Labrador. It was discovered and named (in the 18th century) for the original deposit found in Northern Labrador. Aboriginal legend has it that the source of the sensational play of colours showing in the rock is from the Northern Lights that are still trapped inside. We encourage you to drop by our fine craftshop and see if you too will be captivated by the dancing aurora borealis like colours of the stone called Labradorite.

Photo of CC Handmade by: Itaro Hayashida

Crafts in Glass

Fred and Vera Warren of Chapel Arm are the makers for these true NL stained glass products. They started out with it as a hobby but have been full time for alot of years now. The above is an image from their web site, of their varied and colourful work, with the wonderful view out the bay in behind their bayside studio. They do custom work as well and just finished 3 very lovely larger pitcher plant pieces for our gallery, as well as a huge range of everyday priced smaller work for our shop. We carry a wide variety of glass products here at King's Point Pottery Gallery and Gifts but Crafts in Glass are our only stained glass suppliers.

Potter's Mill of Carbonear, NL, Canada

Who's the best thrower? As far as I am concerned that would be Mr. Sid Butt. He is very accomplished at many other things but since I know something about ceramics, it seems most appropriate to comment on that particular aspect of things. Like many other multitalented artists Sid spends half his time on one art (painting) and half on another. We are lucky enough to have his summer craft, pottery in our shop. He and his wife Aggie run their pottery from the lovely old Salvation army church in Carbonear...surrounded by a small garden with cluckin' chickens.

New work now in stock from Sid Butt of the "Potter's Mill", a great Newfoundland ceramic artist at the King's Point Pottery Fine Craft Gallery right here in King's Point, Green Bay, Central Newfoundland, NL, Canada!
Photo credit of Teapot: Itaro Hayashida

Gordon Gosse Woodworking.

Another new fine craft artist has joined our gallery today, Gordon Gosse of St John's. Here he is in his selection room in the capital. What fun being there in person getting to visit the artist!

His wonderful work speaks for itself...and it tells different people different things! I see an orchid in this book matched spalted NL birch box lid but others see...well what do you see????

Some of his newer boxes feature many naturally coloured woods...ebony (black), yellow heart (yellow), poplar (green)...wonderful stuff. Truly exception work at very affordable prices! Pls do drop by and check out this new craft artist here at King's Point Pottery Fine Craft Gallery, Gordon Gosse!

(Special thanks to the CCNL craft gallery for providing me with Gordon's contact info.)

King's Point Pottery Fine Craft Gallery

This is our brand new retail shop blog here at King's Point Pottery. (August 02, 2011) Last year it was around 70 and now we feature well over 100 handmade craft artists at our studio-shop-gallery! Our ambition is to (one day) feature 365 (to celebrate one artist for everyday of the year) handmade (Atlantic Canada) artists here in King's Point....but we just might need to expand our floor plan ...as you can see it seems we are bursting at the seams already! More details sooon.