Uke Fest

Dobriy den! (Good day!)

The Ukrainian Festival was a blast! I got to share my table with a wonderful person I met at Marché La Récré, Zuemy of Es Pera! it was really nice to have a partner there as it made set up go a lot faster, bathroom breaks easier, and Perogi runs possible. :) I was really glad to have some one to chat with and share in the wonderful cultural experience.

I just want to say that the Ukrainian people are very kind, and friendly and welcomed us (non-Ukrainians) very warmly which was very refreshing. So many different people came out to the festival, young, old, Ukrainian, and non, people from the church and the neighborhood; you really felt like you were part of a community. Not to mention the beer garden, dancers and singers, perogis, and sausages (if you eat meat) it was one of the better festivals that I've been to in Montreal.

I would definitely do it again next year. See below for some pics from this year's festival.

UKRANIAN FESTIVAL THIS WEEK-END!!!

For all the culture lovers living in Montreal this weekend's Ukrainian festival promises to be a blast. With everything from a Beer Garden, singers, dancers, local artists, and yummy food, you are sure to have a GREAT time, and learn a little bit more about Ukranian culture while you're at it! The festival schedule and details are below...

T-Love will be there with many other artists, so come and visit for your chance to see the new fall collection, with fringe necklaces with funky chain and all new earrings to bring some pizazz to your wardrobe.

Friday	September 10th 2010	6pm - 10pm (BEER GARDEN)
Saturday	September 11th 2010	10am - 10pm
Sunday	September 12th 2010	10am - 5pm

The Montreal Ukrainian Festival will showcase performances by various Ukrainian, Canadian and Quebec artists, singers, dancers, comedians and choirs.

Throughout the day, festival-goers will be able to browse through many kiosks featuring Ukrainian cuisine, folk art and crafts, local businesses and information booths.

To keep the young ones entertained, the Montreal Ukrainian Festival will offer a supervised children’s area with games, face painting and other fun activities.

Directions via Public Transport (STM)

• Joliette Metro station (green line)
  Take the 67 bus (St-Michel) north until Bellechasse. Walk 1 block east.
• St-Michel Metro station (blue line)
  Take the 67 bus (St-Michel) south until Bellechasse. Walk 1 block east.
• Beaubien Metro station (orange line)
  Take the 18 bus (Beaubien) east until St-Michel Blvd. Walk 1 block south to rue de l'Ukraine, then 1 block east.
• Rosemont Metro station (orange line)
  Take the 197 bus (Rosemont) east until St-Michel Blvd. Walk 1 block north to Bellechasse, then 1 block east.

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Three's Company Origami Earrings

Two pieces of origami and rock quartz crystal beads make this number a great accompaniment to any jewelery lovers collection. These are the mini origami pieces, so the earrings itself are not too big or long, about 1.5 inches. Sterling silver

18$

Or choose any 2 for 30$

Fresh water pearl and Dogtooth Amethyst Earrings **SOLD***

These pretty little things are very romatic in the details, but the rectangular form gives them a modern twist. Dogtooth amethyst stones are complemented by white fresh water pearls. Sterling silver

18$

Or choose any 2 for 30$

Funky Grape Cluster Earrings ***SOLD***

I think these are one of my favorite pairs of grape cluster earrings, they are totally original, and one of a kind as I have run out of those awesome purple beads at the bottom. They are little longer than the original version of the grape cluster, just over in inch long. Made of of an assortment of swarovski crystals, little round green jade beads, and a jasper that looks exactly like wood. I think they have just the right amount of sparkle and color to jazz up any outfit! sterling silver.

20$

Green Thumb Origami Earrings **SOLD**

Origami earrings with many shades of green, perfect for bringing out the green in your eyes! They are accompanied by 9mm black agate beads that have been specially treated to give them a completely different look.

18$

Or choose any 2 for 30$

Simple Ametrine Earrings **SOLD**

This stone baffles my mind as it is a mix of Amethyst and Citrine, giving this stone a multi-colored hue. They are accompanied by embellished sterling silver posts and punch colored Swarovski crystals.

18$

Or choose 2 for 30$

Swing Origami Earrings

These ones remind me of a swing, the fun part is sitting in between the two chains! :) These origami earrings are about the size of a nickel and are just over 2 inches long. They are accompanied by a violet Swarovski crystal, and sterling silver chain.

18$

Or choose 2 for 30$

Perfect Match Grape Cluster Earrings

The picture really doesn't do these earrings justice. The top and bottom beads are some of my favorite from my collection, matt glass beads (the same as the one in the Mary Jane Earrings) the color of paprika, perfectly pairs with Czech glass faceted beads in a lovely turquoise color.

18$

Or choose 2 for 30$

Something Blue Mini Origami Earrings

*** SOLD***
I've been noticing that my blue origami earrings are always the first to go, who ever said pink was for girls and blue was for boys didn't consult the other sex. These two pairs use the same star-gazer lily printed origami paper, but put together two different ways. The first sports lovely, sparkly swarovski crystals in magenta, clear, and mily lavendar. The second is an origami version of my grape cluster earring using light denim colored Czech glass beads.

18$

Or Choose any 2 for 30$

Tropical Paradise Mini Origami Earrings

There's still time left this summer before the "F-word" and the "w-word" to sport these earrings. Mango or Strawberry Daiquiries anyone?

18$

Or Choose any 2 for 30$

Oasis Bead Show

This past weekend while I was at Marche La Recre a friend of mine, C, told me about the Oasis bead show that was going on at Place Bonaventure. Knowing what freaks us jewelry makers can be about stones, beads, etc, C knew that I would be all over these beads made in Uganda, Africa.

The Company is called Akonye Kena Self-Sufficiency Project Ltd was established in 2009 to provide young artisans in Uganda a venue to sell their goods and earn a sustainable income.

Akonye Kena arose from the volunteer experiences of its founder, Richard Kennair, in Uganda over the past 8 years. Richard found that while there were many self-sufficiency projects training youth in a ‘sellable skill’, the success of these projects varied.

The challenge to be met was how can we provide an outlet for these well-intended projects so that they can truly be self-sufficient and not reliant on aid. The result was Akonye Kena.

Meaning I will help myself in Acholi, a tribal language in northern Uganda, Akonye Kena is a program that works with community-based self-sufficiency projects.

Women At Risk is based just outside of Jinja, Uganda. They are a group that works with young women, many of whom are single mothers, who are either working the streets or at risk of working the streets. WAR provides non-judgemental support, counselling and training offering the young women the opportunity to pursue their dreams. Akonye Kena is the primary sponsor of Women At Risk, providing close to 100% of funding for the group.

The beads that I bought, similar to the ones below were made by women in Uganda from recycled paper and then coated with a sealant that makes them water proof.







These Pictures do not do these beads justice. As an artisan working with paper these beads have really inspired me. Look out for some creations I will be posting soon using these beads!

Hopefully if I have enough demand I will continue purchasing these beauties in a effort to support this wonderful international project!

Love,

T

Jade Flower Origami Earrings

These babies are chunky but not heavy thanks to the lightness of the paper. Which is partly why I LOVE the origami concept so much. I often find that bigger earrings are annoying and heavy and as much as I love them I just want to take them out at days end, NOT THESE GUYS! :)

Flower shaped jade beads in a pale green tone are accompanied by origami about the size of a dollar coin. Sterling silver.

18$

Girly Pink Grape Cluster Earrings

These fun earrings bring out the little girl in me, and I have to admit that every little girl that walks by my booth at Marche La Recre says "I love those ones!!!" in her most enthusiastic voice. Any earring that promises to inspire the little girl in you, to let loose and be fancy free has got to be a winner.

I can imagine these complimenting a little black dress perfectly.

Magenta Czech crystals are paired with soft pink fresh water pearls. Sterling silver.

18$

Origami Necklace **SOLD***

The necklace measures about 34" and hits about mid bust.

Adorned with multi colored pieces of origami this necklace is sure to stand out and match with most any outfit. The origami is complimented by clear rock crystal faceted beads, and linked together with sterling silver chain and clasp.

40$

Romantic Rose Quartz Origami Earrings

Rose Quartz has a gentle vibration of love for the owner. It gives inner peace and helps in all matters pertaining to love in all its forms. Rose Quartz opens the heart to love.

This origami earring is about 1.5 inches in length, rose quartz stones, and a soft but colorful mix of origami paper.

18$ ***SOLD***

Dogtooth Amethyst Origami Earrings

Purple has long been the color of royalty and nobility. It is a deep, passionate color that evokes emotions. People who desire purple colors are individuals who like to make a personal statement, and express their unique taste. The Greek work "amethystos" basically can be translated as "not drunken" , expresses the ancient folk belief that the stone protects its owner against drunkenness. As the myth goes, drinking wine from an Amethyst goblet would prevent one from becoming inebriated. The gemstone still symbolizes sobriety.

Remember to bring your amethyst goblet ladies, on girls night out! ;-)

This earring is about 1.5 inches long, blue and purple origami paper, accompanied by "dogtooth" Amethyst beads.

18$ ***SOLD***

Citrine Grape Cluster Earrings ***SOLD***

Original grape cluster design with lovely citrine, and olive green Czech glass grapes.

18$

Marche La Recre set up

Marche La Recre has been going on it's 5th week now and I have to say that it has been really fun. Being at this kind of artisans market is really a first for me and it has been a great learning experience. Not to mention the wonderful people I get to meet each week is always very inspiring, and I am very grateful to be able to mingle and talk to so many different creative, talented, and interesting artisans in Montreal. It's really too bad we can't get together more often and share the LOVE!

My set up, and display was a work in progress, and after thinking and planning out what I had envisioned for my little venture I am proud of the results. Here is how it came to fruition.


1. I started off with 2 wine crates I got free from the SAQ. I was really happy about this find as it was free and I got to recycle and re-use which is always a plus!
2. After much humming and hawing I decided to paint the inside white. Nice and Simple.


3. I then stuck scraps of origami paper along the edges, drilled holes in the sides, and used dowels from Rona that I cut to size to hang the earrings off of.

Cinnamon Origami Earring

A guy at my yoga class today said that if these were edible he would eat them. If they were made of cinnamon I would tend to agree with him. Alas these are made of paper and to be honest I think they taste far from spicy-sweet cinamon hearts you get on valentine's day.

These are another mini pair, about the size of a dime, and are accompanied by sterling silver flowers with opal beads.

The name opal is derived from the Latin word opalus, meaning seeing jewel. According to another theory the word opal comes from upala, a Sanskrit word simply meaning a stone. It is the birth stone of Libra. And in ancient times opal was accepted as a symbol of faithfulness and confidence.

18$