Category Archives: Art

The Edgy Art Scene on Orcas Island

Posted by Sandi

Opening night of the Edge art show at Orcas Center, Orcas Island WA

Opening night of the Edge art show at Orcas Center’s Madrona Room. There were so many participants the displays spilled out into the reception area and hall.

This weekend marked the opening of the Edge Art show at Orcas Center, featuring alternative art from artists in our community. The techniques and mediums varied wildly and included felted puppets, indian headdresses, venetian plaster/gold leaf abstracts, collage of homeless persons’ signs and stunning “gun powder” art from Clyde Duke, a local contractor and fire commissioner.

Writers composing poetry at the Orcas Center Edge art show 2012

Writers composing poetry “while you wait” on old fashioned typewriters.

Most unusual was a group of poets typing poems on ticker tape using old-fashioned typewriters. Give a keyword to one of them, and they’d compose a poem around it. My word was “autumn” and I was surprised when a gal named Kat tracked me down to recite it and give me the carbon copy as a memento. What a creative bunch! This group also published a Zine which was a new concept to me.

Soul Flour Bakery wood-fired pizza on Orcas Island

While waiting for my pizza, I munched on one of their delicious organic cookies — a chewy concoction of oatmeal, berries and chocolate.

The Friday night opening event included yummy wood-fired pizza from Soul Flour Bakery as well as beer from our new Island Hoppin’ Brewery. Many of the artists were present, and it was fun to see familiar faces in a different context from their day jobs. The show will continue at Orcas Center throughout October. And although there won’t be food or “poems while you wait,” I recommend you attend to see the alternative art side of Orcas Island!


Looking to enjoy the simple life on beautiful Orcas Island?
Contact T Williams Realty  – we’ll help you find your way home.

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Tap Into Your Inner Child: Build a Fairy House!

Posted by Sandi

Recently while showing property I happened across a neat surprise: a fairy house built on an old stump at the end of someone’s driveway. Instant enchantment! I went back to take pictures when I had more time. I just love it and am starting to look at stumps around my property a bit differently. Let me know what you think!

Fairy House on Orcas Island

The most important feature of a fairy house is the door. This one has a roof overhang above, garnished with a bird's nest.

Entrance to the Fairy House

Closer inspection revealed that the fairy house was already inhabited. Look at the the cute candle above the bench!

Chimney detail on the fairy house

Around back I found a stacked stone chimney. Cool!

Back of the Fairy House

And then I found another surprise - a second bird's nest! Someone really had fun with this.

There are many fairy house enthusists – and not all are children. You’ll find books, websites and even YouTube videos on building fairyhouses. All you really need, though is an imagination and desire to have fun outdoors. So go ahead – release your inner child!

And if this inspires you to make one, send me your pictures and I’ll include in a future post!

 

Looking to enjoy the simple life on beautiful Orcas Island?
Contact T Williams Realty  – we’ll help you find your way home.

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Homemade Gifts – Island Style

Posted by Teri

I was really looking forward to this year’s homemade gifts. Every year I try to create a gift that will be unique and meaningful to the receiver. Not always an easy task! The benefit for me, besides the joy of giving, is having my thoughts go to the person. I recall memories, shared times together, likes, dislikes and the energy that person gives from their heart.

This year I tried a few new gift ideas:

Hand-painted Mailbox by Teri Williams

Creating designs for communication boxes, formerly known as mail boxes. I believe these inexpensive Home Depot purchases can be used inside the home and can deliver all kinds of messages.

 

Cross-stitch Pillow

Cross-stitch a “teri” designed pillow. This is the reason I needed a new eyeglass prescription! I added second-hand store beads for a little more color and texture.

 

 

Moccasins made by Teri Williams

Martha Stewart design of moccasins. Martha’s design used felt. I wanted something a bit sturdier and found fur lined suede for my toe warming gift.

 

 

Canned goods by Teri Williams

And lastly, one of my favorites, home canned goods. I spent an evening with close friends in Bellingham. I brought them a box of canned goodies: tuna, salsa, apple pie filling, apple butter and pepper jelly. Well received!

 

Looking to enjoy the simple life on beautiful Orcas Island?
Contact T Williams Realty  – we’ll help you find your way home.

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Filed under Arts & Crafts

Gifts From The Heart

Posted by Sandi

‘Tis the season for gift-giving (and receiving:). An upside of our down economy is that many of us have scaled back our purchases re-learned the joy of handmade gifts. This is especially true in our small island community with so many creative, resourceful people choosing to live a simpler, less materialistic life.

A gift from the heart conveys so much more meaning than the gift itself because of the time, effort and forethought involved. Money is tight, but time is universally more precious! A truly personal, one-of-a-kind gift will be cherished forever.

I’m excited about a few gifts I’ve made for Christmas this year (will save for a future post so as not to spoil the surprise.) In the meantime, here are some images from the archives. If you’ve given or received a gift from the heart that had special meaning, we’d love to hear about it!

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Looking to enjoy the simple life on beautiful Orcas Island?
Contact T Williams Realty  – we’ll help you find your way home.

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Filed under Arts & Crafts, Nature