A few more pictures from the third Hands-On Workshop that was held during the One of a Kind Christmas Show. Look at those aprons, aren’t they fabulous! This will also be the last post of 2009! We will return in 2010 with lots more exciting content…Happy holidays, and as always, thank you for all of your support!

On Monday morning, we had our second Hands-On Workshop. Led by Shawn O’Hagan (a visual artist living and working on the west coast of Newfoundland, you can find her at the Show, Booth #A-51), knitting fanatics learned the art of spindle-spinning to create their own yarn.

About Shawn: Although her background is in painting, Shawn has always been a knitter. Her desire to control the colour and texture of the fibre lead her to spend 6 months using only a drop spindle to produce her yarn. She dyes all her own fibre, spins, then knits it – she is the creator of her product from start to finish. As a full time crafts-person living on the west coast of Newfoundland, Shawn is inspired by nature and the beauty around her.

If you are interested in participating at the One of a Kind Hands-On Workshop, there is a very limited number of spots left for the following session, Pochoir with Sara Torrie on Fri, Dec 4, 10-11am. To register, please click here.

Earlier today, we had our first One of a Kind Hands-On Workshop. Led by Karen Kimpel, body care artisan & herbal farmer, participants had an introductory lesson about natural body care and Ontario herbs. In addition to creating their own soaps, decorative packagings were provided, making these soaps extra special for gift-giving in the holiday season!

About Karen: When Karen started The Elora Soap Company in 1987, her focus was on natural and local ingredients – before being “green” was in fashion. Today, just as when she first began making soaps, her method includes: using plant or vegetable oils, instead of animal fats used in commercial soap making and using caustic soda, which does not contain phosphates. With her strong background in botany, Karen has been able to help hundreds of customers from around the world overcome skin sensitivity issues. Look for Karen at Booth U-37!

If you are interested in participating at the One of a Kind Hands-On Workshop, there is a very limited number of spots left for the following session, Pochoir with Sara Torrie on Fri, Dec 4, 10-11am. To register, please click here.

The Legacy Club is a group of exhibitors that we decided to recognize this year, who have shown outstanding commitment to the One of a Kind show. All artisans in the Club have been with the show for at least 20 years – some have been with the show since the very beginning, 35 years ago (like Betty Van Der Voort, pictured here receiving her Legacy Club certificate, with Steven Levy, founder of the One of a Kind Shows)! The reception on Friday was a great chance for the club members to reconnect with each other and share memories of the early days, before heading back down to the very busy show floor. See below for more images from the reception.

Hannun Lyn is an artist in every sense of the word.  Her creative philosophies blend into her spiritual beliefs and they both seem to effortlessly trickle through her fingertips, through her porcelain and into her everyday life.  As a recipient of the 2009 One of a Kind Award for Excellence in Ceramics, her work not only demonstrates quality and precision, but also undeniable talent as an emerging artist. 

While Hannun was busy preparing for the upcoming One of a Kind Christmas Show, I had the opportunity to ask her a few questions about the creative process, inspiration and her life as a potter.

Your artist statement is very intriguing.  Not only is it very thoughtful and self-aware, but also spiritual.  Does the actual act of creating lead you into a meditative state?
I try to leave the outside world at the door of my studio (no bills, no phone calls, no errands).  I actually try to start off by trying to be very aware of what I am doing and trying to stay in the moment – focusing solely on the work.  I suppose that it is a form of active meditation for me where all I am trying to do is just do the work, make the piece, focus on the art and not anything else at that time.

What is your own personal craft mantra or motto?
I am a potter, an artisan.  I make handcrafted one of a kind pieces meant to stimulate thought as well as our basic senses of touch and sight.

What’s your favourite time of day to work?  Do you also have a preferred season? 
I love working in the early morning and late evening best of all.  I seem to have the most creative energy then.  As for the season, Summer…what other season is there!!!  Hot, Humid, Hydrating….great for the pots of a porcelain potter!

Do you listen to music while you work?  What’s on your iPod/radio/CD player/turntable/tape deck?
Yes, definitely!  My musical tastes are quite eclectic.  It ranges from Bach Cello Suites to Tom Waits, Jeff Buckley, Niko Case, The Beatles, Pink Floyd and Ali Farka Toure.  I find artist that can inspire by their instrument, be it their cello, voice or poetry inspires my work and enhances my creativity.

Your CV notes that you went on maternity leave in the fall of 2006.  This means you have a little one who is almost 3 years old.  What has motherhood taught you?  How do you balance your role as a caregiver with your passion to create? 
Motherhood has taught me PATIENCE and time management.  I see things quite differently with a toddler in the mix.  Lilly is almost three and she is so full of life and spirit – everyday she reinforces the zen philosophy of ” Beginner’s Mind”  – this means that one tries to see things or do things as if they are doing it for the first time, with the enthusiasm and excitement of a child.

“I believe that everything I do is practice.” Does this Buddhist philosophy ever conflict with your need to earn a living as an artist and your need to ‘close a sale’?
I have tried to do and make things that I think will surely sell…it never works!  I have learned over the past 5 years from being a full time potter that the work that I make is different from anyone else that I have seen.  This is why it is unique.  When any artist makes work, a piece of them, a piece of their heart, spirit and soul goes into that work.  Now I only make work that resonates with me and what I find is beautiful.   I think that the people who connect with my work can feel that when they look at or handle my pieces.  They understand the time and effort that goes into each unique piece of my porcelain vessels.

If you could host a dinner party for 5 others, who would you invite and why?
Harlan House – my mentor and friend.  He is the wisdom and sage of my pottery career.
Adarsa Chakra – my husband and love of my life, my spiritual strength, my biggest fan, my rock.
Maya Angelou – for her spirit and strength to persevere despite unimaginable odds and hardships to find beauty and poetry in her life and art.
Pablo Picasso – for his humour, creativity and unsurpassed talent as an artist
Dalai Lama – for his unending wisdom and universal compassion for all things.

Where do you draw your visual inspiration when you’re in the city?  Where do you find inspiration in rural settings?
I find inspiration from the everyday interaction with life.  In the city or country we are all human all seeking happiness and peace.  We just find it in different ways depending on the setting. 

You graduated from Sheridan’s Craft & Design Program.  What is the single most important thing you learned?
Practice, Practice, Practice.  Sheridan offered me the opportunity to explore all there was to know about clay; from firing types (gas, electric, wood, salt/soda) to glaze materials, to different clay bodies – they gave an artisan every tool that was possibly available to facilitate one’s creativity.  They allowed the student to make use of all that the school offered and for me, a person who chose to “quit the 9 to 5″ this was an absolute gift.  I learned that if I remained focused and just kept making my own style of work – it would eventually come together.  I think it has.

What are you doing to prepare for the One of a Kind Show?
I have been very busy in my studio making beautiful pieces to show at the OOAK.  I have introduced some new glazes in my palette and am very excited about it.

Hannun will have an incredible selection of work at the One of a Kind Christmas Show, but she will only be at the show for the first 5 days.  Be sure to drop by the ‘Mud Coans Ceramics’ booth at O-23 between November 26 – 30, 2009.

Mary