Sharing my passion for handcrafted jewelry, paper making, and living a creative life.

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Follow the Sun

Encaustic painting offers the perfect opportunity for control freaks like myself to let go.


Follow the Sun - Encaustic on cradled board - 11x14


As I learn more about ways to control the medium, I also find myself working out ways to to let the paint do what it wants to do to take advantage of its special qualities.  If I want a painting with perfect control, I can use my acrylics or oils.  I want something different from my encaustic paintings.

Monday, September 6, 2010

Beautiful Body Butter

This is my own special recipe for a really delightful body butter.


The ingredients can be varied according to your personal tastes and skin care requirements.  Just stick to the amount of beeswax called for and the same proportions of solids and liquids.  Add your own special blend of pure essential oils for natural fragrance and special skin care properties.


Body Butter Ingredients  (this recipe makes about 31/2 - 4 cups):

225 gm solid fats (cocoa butter, shea nut butter, mango butter, etc.)
50 gm pure natural beeswax
250 gm liquid oils (olive oil, jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, avocado oil - there are so many to choose from)
5 ml Vitamin E oil
Optional:  5-10 ml pure essential oils (depends on how strong you like your fragrance)


Melt your beeswax and fats (except the vit E oil and pure essential oils) together in a double boiler.  When they are melted, add the Vit E oil and pure essential oils.



Pour your melted fats into a bowl and let cool until the mix starts to solidify.  If your room is very warm, you can put the mix into the fridge.  Don't let it get too solid or you'll end up with small lumps of solid fat in your body butter.  You can always remelt and start over.

I recommend setting the bowl in a large box or plastic bin to whip so you don't get fat everywhere.  When the mix holds it's shape but the peaks aren't too stiff, spoon into containers.  Tap the container on the counter lightly to settle out air pockets.  Cover with a lid, store in a cool place, and enjoy!


Paired together with a lip balm, this makes a luxurious gift for someone special!

Friday, September 3, 2010

Sun Worshiper (Encaustic)

Once again, the road in my journey was twisting and winding so I got a bit lost but then found myself somewhere I liked better than my originally planned destination.

Sun Worshiper - Mixed Media Encaustic -12x12 on cradled board
 This is a mixed media piece using both encaustic and oil stick.  It was a challenge to both let go and keep control.  I think in my next painting I'm going to drop the control part and see what happens.

Our New Artisan Centre

We have moved to our new location!

Lakes Artisan Centre, 586 Highway 16, Burns Lake, BC
On June 1st, a group of Lakes District artists and artisans joined together in a spirit of cooperation to open an artisan centre on main street.  After a 3 month trial period, and encouraged by local community support, we are taking the next step and forming a cooperative.  This beautiful building is our new home.

I am very excited to be a part of this group and look forward to the year ahead. For more pictures,  information and updates on what's happening at the centre, please become a fan of our Facebook page.