Classes Winter '09

Ceramics by Hand

Here is my Winter ‘09 Class Schedule.

In Handbuilding we pinch, slab, coil and sculpt.
These classes are fun for any and all your creative ideas.
In the Teapot Course we build an entire tea set, including cups and/or creamer and sugar bowl.
Lamp Making is just that - we create tea lamps, oil lamps, table lamps, sconces etc. using handbuilding techniques.

Core / ClayPlay
Time: January 20 – February 24, 2009
Tuesday 9:30 am -12:00 pm
Tuesday 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Course fee: $195 – Deposit $75 at registration.

Teapot Building
You will create your very own tea set using different hand-building techniques. Previous experience with hand-building recommended.
Time: January 22 – February 26
Thursday 6:30 – 9:00 pm
Course fee: $195 – Deposit $75 at registration.

Lamp Making We will be creating tea lamps, oil lamps, table lamps, sconces and/or outdoor garden lamps. Open to all levels.
Time: January 28 – February 25
Wednesday 9:30 am -12:00 pm
Course fee: $175 – Deposit $75 at registration.


Maximum enrollment: 6 per class, pre-registration recommended.
All courses include instruction, clay, use of tools, glazes, bisque and glaze firings.


Margit Nellemann Handbuilt Ceramics
8350 Richards Trail, North Cowichan, BC 250.748.3811
www.margitnellemann.com

Win a Teapot - part two

Because my studio looks more like an igloo these days and because you need 4-wheel drive to be able to navigate my driveway, I have decided to extend the teapot draw until the end of January.
When the weather lets up do come by for some tea and enter your name to win the teapot.

A Season of Giving

This is what our little road looks like these days. A major winter storm has hit Vancouver Island. Winter storms tend to last one or two days around here. Not this one, however. We have been in a deep freeze for a while now and it doesn't show any signs of moving along.

If you are stuck at home with more christmas shopping to do, giving clay may be a perfect solution for you.
I have four different workshops coming up in January and I offer gift certificates.
Let me know what works for you and I can get it to you via e-mail. No need to venture out to my studio.

Pitchers

A little while ago I ran out of pitchers as I kept getting inquiries for more. Well, guess what? The new pitchers are here. I have pitchers in all sizes and colours. Come see for yourself....

In Honour of Tea

Today is International Tea Day. Enjoy your daily cup of fairly traded tea to help raise awareness of the conditions of tea workers across the globe.

My studio and tea bar remain open Thursday - Sunday 10 am - 4 pm up until Christmas.
Pop by for a cup of tea and enter your name to win a teapot.

A Favourite Cup

With the cold, wet weather here I am really enjoying my daily teas. Here is one of my absolute favourites....
Jazmine Dragon Tears.
These are little beads of hand-rolled tea leaves infused with a delicate scent of jazmine. Yum!

Win a Teapot

Come to the Artfarm between now and Christmas and help us celebrate International Tea Day (December 15th). We will brew you an amazing cup of tea while you browse the studio and tea bar. And with a purchase of one of our fair trade, organic teas we will enter your name to win the teapot in the picture. How is that for a cool Holiday treat!

International Tea Day was initiated in India in 2005 in order to bring awareness to the working conditions of tea workers across the planet. By enjoying a cup of fairly traded tea we can all help improve the lives of these workers. If you would like to know more about our tea menu, feel free to e-mail me.

New Tea Bar

Prior to the shows, I set up a new tea bar in the gallery. It feels really good. We have a new supplier and have some great quality organic teas. Feel free to come and sample when you are on Vancouver Island.

Post Holiday Sale

I have been neglecting the blog a bit lately. I have been so busy with the two weekends of my Holiday Sale. The weather was beautiful. A very low sun filled the studio with warm and golden colours. Thanks to everyone for coming out. We thoroughly enjoy sharing our farm, tea and art with you.

Now, it is back to work. I am coiling up a storm these days working on a lot of Christmas orders.
I have lots of teapots and really large vases on the go. Looking forward to sharing these soon.

Holiday Sale

November 15+16 and November 22+23

10 am - 6 pm
at the Artfarm

Two Weekends of Open Studio
&
Gift Finding

• Tea by the Tao of Tea and Artfarm
• Trufles and more by Art to Eat (Michelle Plain)
• Chocolates by Pearl Chocolate (Patty Doyle)
  
• Tea cosies by Angela McDiarmid
• and lots of my handbuilt ceramics
  

8350 Richards Trail, Duncan, BC
250 748 3811

Clay Classes

Here is your opportunity for another round of classes before the Holidays.
I am offering regular Handbuilding Classes, Teapot Building and Mask Making.

In Handbuilding we pinch, slab, coil and sculpt. These classes are fun for any and all your creative ideas. This time, I am offering slightly longer sessions over a period of five weeks.

In the Teapot Course we build an entire tea set, including cups and/or creamer and sugar bowl. This a great gift idea as well. The tea sets will be ready in time for the Holidays.

In Mask Making we create a beautiful wall hanging using basic handbuilding techniques.

Core / ClayPlay
Mondays 9:30 am -12:30 pm November 10 – December 15
Wednesdays 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm November 6 – December 11
Course fee: $195 – Deposit: $75 at registration.

Teapot Building
You will create your very own tea set using different hand-building techniques. Previous experience with hand-building recommended.
Time: November 4 – December 9 - Tuesday 6:00 – 9:00 pm
Course fee: $195 – Deposit: $75 at registration.

Mask Making
During this 4-week course you will design and create your own mask that can be used as a decorative wall hanging. Open to all levels.
Time: October 23 – November 20 - Thursday 6:30 pm -9:00 pm
Course fee: $150 – Deposit: $75 at registration.

Maximum enrollment: 6 per class, pre-registration recommended.
All courses include instruction, clay, use of tools, glazes, bisque and glaze firings.

Margit Nellemann Handbuilt Ceramics 8350 Richards Trail, North Cowichan, BC 250.748.3811 www.margitnellemann.com

Sidney Fine Art Show

Feels like I haven't stopped running since my last post. I have some catching up and a bit of blogging to do after a hectic month.
This coming weekend the beautiful town of Sidney, BC is opening its doors to the Sidney Fine Art Show. I have two pieces in the show. If you are in British Columbia and anywhere near Southern Vancouver Island be sure to visit the show. Have a look for more information -
http://blog.sidneyfineartshow.com/

Clay Classes

I am starting my Fall round of clay classes this coming Tuesday (September 16). I have a Monday morning handbuilding class that starts September 22 (10:30 am - 1 pm). There is one spot available in this class and a few in the Teapot, Lamp and Mask Making classes. Check my previous class post for further info -

Tea at the Artfarm

I am a huge tea fan. I start with black tea in the morning and then I will sip almost any colour tea for the rest of the day. Delightful! I also have a soft spot for teapots and love making them. Well, what would be more natural than to add tea to the blend. We now offer loose leaf teas out my studio. We currently have 15 different varieties. Have a look at the menu -

TEA MENU

Standards – $3.50 (50gm) $ 6.00 (100gm) - Earl Grey, Monks Blend, Borengajuli (Assam), Keemun, Darjeeling, Pinhead Gunpowder, Genmaicha.
Special Teas - Matcha $ 13.00 (50 gm) $ 24.00 (100 gm), Darjeeling White Tips $ 14.00 (50 gm) $ 25.00
(100 gm), Chrysanthemum $ 9.50 (50 gm), $ 17.50 (100 gm), Hojicha $ 4.00 (50 gm) $ 8.00 (100 gm), Jazmine Dragon Tears $ 13.00 (50 gm) $ 25.00 (100 gm).
Red Teas - Hunny Roiboos $ 3.50 (50 gm) $ 6.00 ( 100 gm).
Artfarm Blends - Iranian Blend(Earl Grey, Darjeeling, Orange Pekoe & Lavender) – $ 3.50 (50 gm)
$ 6.00 (100 gm). Moroccan Blend (Pinhead Gunpowder & Peppermint) $ 3.50( 50 gm) $ 6.00 (100 gm).

artfarm teas
8350 Richards Trail, Duncan, BC V9L 6B4 T 250 748 3811

ARTichokes

Here is what it looks like when you don't eat your ARTichokes -

Handbuilding Classes

With ART+TEA behind me and September just around the corner, it's time to get clay building.
Here is a schedule of the clay classes I will be offering this Fall -


Fall ‘08 Class Schedule


Core / ClayPlay
This six-week course will explore the basic principles of hand-building as well as experiment with various methods of decorating and glazing techniques. Open to all levels.
Time: September 16 – October 28
Tuesdays 9:30 am -12:00 pm
Tuesdays 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Course fee: $195 – includes 15 hours of instruction, clay, use of tools, glazes, bisque and glaze firings.
Deposit: $75 at registration. Non-refundable.
Maximum enrollment: 6 per class, pre-registration recommended.

Teapot Building
This course takes place over three Saturdays. You will create your very own tea set through different hand-building techniques. We will explore teapot design and decoration. Previous experience with hand-building recommended. Tea served (of course!).
Time: September 20, September 27 & October 4
Saturday 10:00 am -2:00 pm
Course fee: $195 – includes 12 hours of instruction, clay, use of tools, glazes, bisque and glaze firings.
Deposit: $75 at registration, Non Refundable.
Maximum enrollment: 6 per class, pre-registration recommended.

Lamp Building
This six-week course offers insight into the magic of lamp making. We will be creating tea lamps, oil lamps, table lamps, sconces and/or outdoor garden lamps. Bring your creative ideas and we'll shed some light on them. Open to all levels.
Time: October 23 – December 4
Thursdays 9:30 am -12:00 pm
Course fee: $195 – includes 15 hours of instruction, clay, use of tools, glazes, bisque and glaze firings (electrical parts extra).
Deposit: $75 at registration. Non-Refundable.
Maximum enrollment: 6 per class, pre-registration recommended.

Mask Making
During this 4-week course you will design and create your own mask that can be used as a decorative wall hanging. Basic sculpting techniques will be taught along with the opportunity to glaze and embellish your mask in the last class. Open to all levels.
Time: October 23 – November 20
Thursdays 6:30 pm -9:00 pm
Course fee: $150 – includes 10 hours of instruction, clay, use of tools, glazes, bisque and glaze firings.
Deposit: $75 at registration. Non-Refundable.
Maximum enrollment: 6 per class, pre-registration recommended.

Margit Nellemann Handbuilt Ceramics
8350 Richards Trail, North Cowichan, BC
250.748.3811
www.margitnellemann.com

ART+TEA

Wow! What a month it has been since my last post. With very little time we managed to organise and promote a wonderful 1-day ART+TEA event at our Artfarm. We decided to create cups that would serve as tickets. And because we were sure ART+TEA would be a huge success we made lots...


Even the corners of the farm were cleaned up and the studio polished for the day. We erected two tipis and set them up as a Morroccan and a Japanese teahouse.


Millie, Chris and Angela were our belly dancers for the day. They performed in the Moroccan tipi throughout the day.


Most of my studio was emptied. The tea bar was at one end and then I shared my space with three other artists - Cory Judge from Shi Studio Design, Sharon A. Stone, Rob Gentleman from Green Earth Woodworks and Angela McDiarmid.
The weather cooperated beautifully. We served lots of tea, baklava and sticky rice goodies -

ART+TEA

One of my big pleasures is creating teapots. Another one is tea. I hardly need an excuse to combine the two and turn it into a day of celebration and indulgence. Great artwork, exquisite teas, more tea, music and....tea!
I would like to invite anyone who is in the area to come out and celebrate with us.
Here are the details -

August 23, 10 - 4 pm - ART+TEA. This is a funtastic day of fusion - a Morroccan and a Japanese teahouse set in two spectacular North American tipis. Tea tastings, exotic teas for sale, belly dance and brilliant art by several local artists exhibiting at the beautiful ARTFARM gallery in the heart of the Cowichan Valley.

8350 Richards Trail
North Cowichan, BC
250 748 3811

Sooke Fine Arts Show

It is the perfect combination. A beautiful small West coast town and a fine art show. The Sooke Fine Arts Show runs from July 26th until August 4th. This show is well worth a visit to lovely Sooke on Vancouver Island.

I am excited that one of my platters was selected for the show.
For more information check out the website

http://www.sookefinearts.com/

Lavender

A couple of years ago we planted lavender at the artfarm. We had originally dreamed of row upon row upon row of purple bliss. What we ended up doing was putting about 200 plants in the ground. They are now 2 years old and still growing strong. They love their sunny south facing slope and are just prime and irresistible these days. I have been picking and bundling, drying and giving away. Lavender is marvellous in tea and ice cream.
Here is a sample ....


We have a few tipis staying at the farm at the moment. This one looks nifty between the lavender and the barn.

Thank You!

Thanks to everyone who came to the ARTFARM during the 10 day Visions Tour. It was great meeting you at our beautiful ARTFARM. I enjoyed every minute of it.

The draw for the two little dishes was won by Margaret deWeese. Congratulations Margaret!

If you would like to come back for more of that lovely country air and peruse the clay works again, my studio remains open throughout the summer.

Looking forward to seeing you.

Margit Nellemann Handbuilt Ceramics
8350 Richards Trail
North Cowichan, BC V9L 6B4
250 748 3811
www.margitnellemann.com

Gallery hours: Thursday-Sunday 10:00 - 4:00 pm

Art Studio Tour

For the second year, I was part of the Visions Art Studio Tour. The Visions Art Studio Tour runs throughout the Cowichan Valley every summer in July. This year there were 24 studios with 37 artists and artisans. I had two guests artists here who had their work in my studio for the duration of the Tour. Françoise Moulin is a multimedia artist whose love for colour and spirit is manifested in her brilliant and lively creatures. Angela McDiarmid makes fantastic & colourful tea cozies made from antique sari silks.

I thoroughly enjoyed having people visit the studio and the ARTFARM during the tour.

Many of the studios on the tour remain open for the season.
Go to www.VisionsArtTour.ca for maps and more tour information.

ARTichokes

This season seems to be an amazing year for artichokes. I have three plants right outside the studio. Prolific to say the least. We have been eating lots, harvesting and giving away as well. Now I am going to let some of them flower. Curious to see what purple show that will be.

Welcome!

Welcome to my new blog. I am excited about my new website. It has been a long time coming. And now I will be blogging as well. What great fun! This is all very new to me so please bear with the blogger in training that I am.