Thrifting in Saint John

Of course there was no way I could NOT visit the Value Village in Saint John.  They had some amazing stuff there - so much of it I would have snapped up in Toronto, but my mom was with me and her enthusiasm was... underwhelming. :)  However it was seniors day and she got me an extra 20% discount so she did make herself useful (plus she probably saved me from having to pay extra for an over-weight suitcase.)  But how awesome is that huge brass seagull above??  SO awesome, that how awesome.

I kinda liked these quirky brass duck bookends too.  They got an eye-roll from mom.  

How about this pretty hand-painted set?  They would be great espresso cups.

The amazing this about thrifting in SJ is finding local pottery like this lovely planter by Crimmins Pottery.  Mum was more interested by these ones, although the top one had a crack, and we decided we didn't love the pattern on the vase below.  The butter dish in not Crimmins, but rather another NB potter and it came home with me (it got the mum-stamp-of-approval).

Seriously??  A piano?  And not a bad looking fireplace screen beside it either...

And forget antique stores - how about this antique sewing machine and table for $30 bones??

This silkscreen from Nova Scotia almost came home with me - I thought I could reframe it  and really show it off.  Yeah, probably should have nabbed that one.  Ah well.

This print of the Rothesay Netherwood School was tempting me as well, not because I went there, but more because it just reminds me of home.  Again prettier in another simple black frame...

I ended up with some costume jewellery and a pair of Crimmins candle sticks, plus the butter dish.  Not too shabby!  Plus it was fun to go with mum, despite my grumbling.  She was that little voice on my shoulder, except standing beside me and up-ing the ante with frowns and eye-rolls.  Not that she isn't also gifted at thrifting - in fact she picked up most of our beach toys from Value Village, and they were a huge hit, and I am super pleased with the butter dish.  When we got home she showed by a beautiful bowl she had from the same potter.  What do you say mumma, shall we hit the VV's in Toronto next visit? xo

Modern Craze

One blog that is going to make it on my next list of Great Canadian Design Blogs is Style North, penned by Christopher Jones.  He does the most wonderful house tours, somehow they are unlike any other I found online.  They have the same mid-century content as many others, but his feel so much more "real" - they're a peek into someone's well-appointed house, without all the styling or meticulous artistic photography (I mean that as a good thing).  His most recent was the home of Larysa Fenyn, and it was great.  I mean, does this collection of Canadian pottery not belong in my house? (not to mention that rich gorgeous armoire)?

Photo by Clare Summerville via Style North

Larysa clearly has an excellent eye for mid-century vintage pieces, and luckily for us, an online store called Modern Craze where she shares the treasures she has found.  Which is where I found the bowl pictured at the top - and to quote the linguistically-gifted Rachel Zoe: I DIE.

So beautiful.  Too bad Christmas isn't coming up and all.... HINT (and also DIRECT LINK).

Here are some other gems from her store:

If you are in the market for vintage 50's accessories or Canadian craft ceramics and pottery, Modern Craze would be an excellent place to start!

New Brunswick Artists: MNO Pottery

Ceramic artist Darren Emenau (MNO - get it?) grew up in New Brunswick on the Kennebecasis River (where I grew up) and graduated from the New Brunswick College of Art and Design.  I have always loved the organic pieces of MNO Pottery and even have a few myself.  His work is constantly evolving, especially in his experimental use of glazes.  

Darren now lives in the countryside near Brown's Flats and built his own kiln on the property, deep in the woods, using recycled materials from older unused kilns.  His love and respect for the natural environment permeates his work, from the use of soft bricks in his kiln (which take half the energy of traditional hard bricks) to the clay and glazes he uses.  Instead of purchasing processed clay and porcelain, he digs up stoneware, earthenware, and porcelain from local New Brunswick river beds, leaving stones and other impurities intact.  He also sources local granite, slate, calcium, quartz, limestone, potash, salts, and wood ash to create unrefined glazes that change depending on their combination, the temperature of the kiln, and the type of fuel he uses.  

How each piece will turn out is a mystery until the kiln is opened after burning, a process during which Emenau and his friends methodically feed the kiln and stoke the fire by hand for hours on end, reaching temperatures above 1260 degrees Celsius.  The combination of materials, heat, and smoke are different every time, and this unpredictability is part of what Emenau loves.  In Man on Fire (a fascinating account of one all-night firing written by Kate Wallace), he states that "I really just constantly want to be surprised. Every firing is different, it's a lot of feel and intuition." His organic shapes and glazes reflect an artist that sees beauty in unique imperfections, much like the beauty of nature itself, which is probably why I find it so appealing.

I think this last one is my favourite, I just love the shape (looks like a wave to me) and the colours, however, I would be happy with any of them.  :)  What do you think?  To see more details on each of these pieces, including the specific type of clay, glaze ingredients, and fire, head over to MNO Pottery's website.  There are also excellent photos and details about how he built his kilns (he is on to his second now), and on his creative process.

Sources: Ceramics Monthly, Handworks, Telegraph Journal November 2009, Telegraph Journal March 2007, MNO Pottery.

This post is one of a series I am doing on New Brunswick artists, which so far also includes photographer Freeman Patterson.