Heart & Hand 2014: Artistans

We're getting geared up for another great event this Sept. 27. 

If you, or someone you know, is a traditional artisan eager to take part in this event get in touch with us.

Is there something you would like to see at the festival? Let us know and we will try and make it happen!

Did you have a great time last year? Share your memories and photos.

Contact jsh@regionofwaterloo.ca or call 519-742-7752
Follow us @jschneiderhaus or @hearthandfest

Heart & Hand: Once Upon A Tree, Wood Turning with Trevor Ewert

Trees have many stories to tell and things to be made into!  Today we have another instalment in our series on wood carving.  Trevor Ewert explains the process of wood turning and how he helps trees tell their story. 

1. What is the significance of the name of your shop, "Once Upon a Tree"?

The name "Once Upon A Tree" captures the essence of what I try to do in my woodworking; to create a piece that carries on the story of the materials from which it was made.  Many of my bowls and vessels feature a "live" or natural edge with the bark of the tree intact.  This combined with a highly polished and refined surface tell the story of the transformation from tree to art work. 

2. How do you decide what piece of wood to use and how to begin your work?

I try to seek out the most interesting specimens to turn and these tend most often to be burls (tumorous growths on the trunk of the tree).  Inside of a burl the wood can have the most interesting colours and patterns and the grain will show curl and birdseye - quite unlike the rest of the tree on which it grew. 

3. How long does it take to create a piece from start to finish?

I tend to start turning when the wood is freshly cut and the moisture content is high.  Sometimes there is a spray of water coming off of the lathe while the wood is spinning!  After a rough shape is achieved, I air dry the bowl for six months or more until it is stable enough to finish.  There is a lot of chisel work at this point to refine the shape and then hours of ponderous sanding to perfect the surface.  The bowl is then oiled and buffed until a highly polished surface is achieved.  

4. What's next?  Any big plans in the works?

Craft sale season is now starting and I have quite a few that I am doing this year: the Central Art Walk in Kitchener, Artworks at Bingeman's, Cranberry Market in Guelph, Plaid Tidings in Toronto, and the Christkindl Market in Kitchener are a few that I will be exhibiting at.

Heart & Hand: What is Wood Engraving, Wesley Bates?

There are many different types of wood carving.  In the last blog post we learned all about chip carving with Peter Findlay.  Today we ask Wesley Bates, renowned wood engraver, to tell us all about his art form, its applications, and how he got his start as a wood engraver.

Wesley Bates hard at work.

1. How did you start with wood engraving? 
I was given my first set of engraving tools as a Christmas present in 1980 or so. Before that I had no idea what wood engraving was. I lived in Hamilton at the time and went to McMaster University Library and looked Wood Engraving up. I found a shelf of books related to the topic and through trial and error and comparison with examples in those books managed to get a feel for the medium. I was very interested in the British engravers, Joan Hassall, Gwen Raverat, and the German/American engraver Fritz Eichenberg in my early days.  

Engraving table: engraved block, engraving tools and proofs

2. What is involved in creating a wood engraving?  Can you explain your process for us a little bit?

Roots To Earth - "The Buildings" by Wesley Bates

Wood Engraving is a relief printing medium related to lino cut and wood cut. Wood Engraving is done on the end grain surface of the wood unlike wood cut which is done on the side grain. When a line is engraved a ribbon of wood is removed thereby lowering that line from the original surface of the end grain block.  After all the engraved lines are completed then ink is applied to the "relief" surface of the block (the part of the block not engraved) and then paper is press against the ink/engraved block and the result is a print. 

3. What has been your most exciting project to work on?

In 1997 I engraved eight images to accompany eight poems by the American writer Wendell Berry. I published the poems and engravings in a portfolio entitled ROOTS TO THE EARTH under my own imprint, West Meadow Press, with the generous help of Will Rueter of Aliquando Press. That project was my introduction to Wendell Berry himself and to Gray Zeitz at Larkspur Press in Monterey Kentucky. It has turned into a 15 year relationship during which time I have worked with Gray and Wendell on five books        and several broadsides. 

4. What's next?

At present I am working on a wordless graphic novel. It is a very large project and is already three years in the preparations.  In addition to that I have several commissioned engraving projects that I am working on. 


Visit Welsey's website and Facebook page for more info and pictures. Don't forget to say hello on Saturday, Sept. 24 at the Heart and Hand Festival at Joseph Schneider Haus! 

Heart & Hand: This Flyer is Really a Box!

The Heart and Hand Festival Flyer is really a paper box! 
Pick up your flyer today at Joseph Schneider Haus, 466 Queen St. S, Kitchener. 
Watch the video and follow the instructions to make your own paper box.

Heart & Hand: Fibre arts with Wendo Van Essen

Midwinter Sunrise

Wendo Van Essen works with fibres, cashmere, wool and mohair, bringing to life a variety of interesting and fanciful creatures and creations.  We asked her a few questions about how she started working in the field of fibre art and what keeps her hooked.

What was your introduction to fibre arts and felting? 

I travelled around the world working in animation and while I was in Berlin, Germany, I discovered there is a huge Mongolian refugee population there and since they are credited with the beginnings of felt making 5000 years ago, there is a lot of felt work in galleries there.  When I came home, I took a one week felt making course at the Mississippi Mills School of the Arts in Almonte, Ontario.  I became completely obsessed with felting, especially needle felting. 



What is it about working with fibres that is most appealing to you?

I've always worked with my hands...whenever I move to work on another animation project, I take local crafting courses: batik making in Thailand, silk thread work in Seoul, Korea, clay sculpting in Phoenix, AZ. As soon as I found needle felting and felt making, I was hooked.







Dragon Head Trophy

  

What inspires your creations? 

I love whimsy. I try to make creatures that make people smile or laugh out loud. I think my animation background has really helped me in the creation of my goofy animal head trophies...





"Buttons"

What's next for you, any projects in the works?

This is a very busy time for me...I do a craft show or workshop every weekend until Christmas so I go crazy making stock.  I'm also working on getting samples together for a chance at attending the Westminster Dog Show in NYC in February.  I do pet portraits and I'm really excited to think I may end up at one of the most famous dog shows in the world.



If I wanted to make felt art where should I start?

For one of my animal head trophy sculptures, I start with a wire armature.  I then wrap this in wool and gradually build up the bulk of the head with the felting needle, poking and compacting as I go.  As soon as I'm happy with the figure, I do the eyes.  They are the most important part of any portrait, be it a crazy zebra head or a gorgeous Persian cat.  This comes from my work in animation.  The eyes are what give a character life.


Come say hello to Wendo, Sept. 24, 2011 at Joseph Schneider Haus and join in the fun!
Visit Wendo online!

Watch the feature on Wendo from TVCogeco’s The Source.



Heart & Hand: In the Studio with Mosaic Artist Sophie Drouin

Mosaic art dates back to the 4^th century B.C.  Artists use small pieces of marble, glass and stone to create images on floors and walls. Today artists are able to make portable pieces of mosaic art allowing them to exhibit their work in galleries.

Join us as we visit with modern day mosaic artist Sophie Drouin in her Kitchener studio. She shows us how to break up marble and tells us why she loves being a mosaic artist.

Sophie Drouin Mosaic Artist

Visit Sophie's website www.sophiemosaics.com

Join Sophie at the Heart and Hand Festival Sept. 24, 2011 at Joseph Schneider Haus!

Heart & Hand: Beading and Beadwork with Marilyn Gardiner




Beads adorn ceremonial items.

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Beading and beadwork is found in the traditions of many cultures around the world.  Beads are used to create jewellery and to adorn clothing and ceremonial items.



Beaded purses.

Marilyn Gardiner, former Joseph Schneider Haus artist in residence, creates original works and borrows from traditional beading and jewellery patterns.  

A display of Marilyn’s original works and beaded artifacts at the JSH gallery.



Art Deco inspired necklace.

Here is one of Marilyn's original necklace designs; it borrows from the designs of the Art Deco period.

 



Persian GSG pattern.












This copper necklace created in the Persian GSG pattern is also one of Marilyn’s creations, and one you can learn to do yourself.

Interested in creating your own jewellery? Want to learn more about Marilyn Gardiner Design?  Visit  www.marilyngardiner.com.  You can order kits, books or sign up for a class. 

Follow Marilyn on Twitter www.twitter.com/#!/gardinerdesign or visit her Facebook page www.facebook.com/gardinerdesign .

And don't forget to visit her at the Heart and Hand Festival Sept., 24 2011!

Heart & Hand: Roll up your sleeves!








Joseph Schneider Haus built c.1816



 Join us for this years Heart and Hand Festival at Joseph Schneider Haus.

This outdoor artisan market brings traditional arts to life, with artist demonstrations and sales. Admission to the grounds is free for the day.  

Cast your vote, along with our team of judges, for the ‘Best in Show’ artist display and demonstration.

Roll up your sleeves and join in the hands on activities. 



Our new Washouse!



Come enjoy storytelling by the Baden Storytellers Guild and visit the historic house.

Our new washhouse will be open to visitors for the first time!