What's all the Buzz about

So, I'm a bit behind on posting this one, but not so behind that you are missing out on it. If you follow me on Instagram/twitter you may have seen me posting about the Bees {& the Birds} show that had it's opening last Thursday. Well.... that show is still going on until this Sunday (May 29) so if you're in Toronto go check it out. (Graven Feathers hours for this weekend: Friday and Saturday from 12:00 to 6:00 p.m. / Sunday from 12:00 to 5:00 p.m.)

A group of 38 artists coming together to use their art to help the bees.

Each of the artists participating in the show want to make a difference and help the bees. The works are bee inspired pieces that explore the role of this alchemist insect in our world. 

These artists felt their work could play a big role in raising awareness and money - offering solutions for individuals - for our community - and for our world.

That's why 10% of all show proceeds - including sales - will go to the David Suzuki Foundation's efforts to save the bees.

I was super excited and kinda nervous about the show. I committed early, then almost got cold feet. I've done plenty of craft shows, but never a gallery show. Luckily being amongst such talented folks, and my good friend (oh yeah, and the curator/organizer of the show) encouraging me and having faith in me, helped get over that insecure moment and I got my piece finished and up on that wall for opening night. It wasn't the piece I originally set out to create something entirely different, but that ended up becoming a bit of a beast and took on a completely other life (ie: something really fun for the Midsummer collection) and what came to be was the lovely Bee Keeper.

You guys know me pretty well by now, so you'll know I'm pretty much down with any kind of environmental cause. But... I'm also totally afraid of bees. Even the big fluffy bumble bees. Actually I'm kind of a wimp about anything buzzes and flies. Tenfold if it'll sting me. You haven't seen anything until you've witness my bee dance. But you know, I can get over myself to remember that these little dudes, and all pollinators, are very important to the planet and to all of us who want to continue living here. Anything that helps to bring awareness, spread the word and raise a bit of money for, I'm up for it. And since this lady got so much positive feedback I'll be doing up some smaller prints to bring with me to the TEST Midsummer Market next month. And of coarse for you non-local friends, they'll be up for sale in the shop soon!

I had a great time at the opening night, got to catch up with some old friends I haven't seen in awhile, browse through the other gorgeous pieces, make some new artist friends and honestly just be surround by good vibes. Hopefully you get a chance to make it down to see the show, or maybe you already have - if so let me know what you thought.

Happy Summer little peeps! 

{I forgot to mention that it's already officially too hot for me here in Toronto ;}

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Give a Girl a Journal

those 2 on the right... that's my super secret diary from high school. everything was life altering during those years!

My friend Christine shared this project with me called Give a Girl a Journal, organized by Jamie Ridler of Jamie Ridler Studios. The goal of the project is to get journals to young girls and to really empower them to use them and to chronicle their journeys through words and drawings or really by any form their hearts desire. You can read all about the project here. You can also read all about Christine's journal journey here.

I was totally in love with the idea. I LOVE journalling and have since I was a young little thing. Most of my journalling is written, just putting thoughts, ideas, dreams and frustrations to paper. I have at least 4 notebooks on the go at the moment. I carry a bit notebook in my pack with me during the day that is my go to thoughts journal - I usually write out frustrations or maybe thoughts I need to work through. I have a journal for all my ideas, be it things I want to do in life or creative project ideas. I usually work out the idea behind a piece before I ever start sketching. This is my favourite stage really, it's where the ideas truly come to life because they all have some sort of story behind them. I have my doodle book, where I usually spend about 10 minutes just random doodling as an ice breaker between day job work day and me + thunderpeep time. Then I have a notebook for stories. Yes, I write my stories by hand first, they go through editing when I type them into the ol' laptop. I love physically writing stories out. Usually in pencil so I don't feel like I have to commit to anything just yet. I also loving planning anything and everything. My daytimer is more of a journal than a traditional daytimer. I use it to plan out projects for thunderpeep, my freelance work, travelling, meal planning, yoga schedule, blog planner etc... for the month and each week.

I'm also a super nerdy trip planner - this is my giant journal from my trip to Finland in 2010

Journalling can mean so many different things, even to one person. It's an incredible resource for self-exploration and creative expression, and giving girls the opportunity to tune into themselves is truly an amazing gift.

When I started thinking about the post I went digging for the old journal I knew I still had (the one you can see in the top image). The one from my most tragic teenage years. Oh my goodness. Re-reading some of those pages was kind of embarrassing, but I'm never one to turn down the opportunity to laugh at myself!

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Some more #WeBeTest Love

So you know that I'm participating all month long in the #WeBeTest instagram challenge right? If not you are clearly not paying enough attention to me! (follow my instagram here)

Ok but seriously, yesterday one of our prompts was Fellow TEST fav - showing some Valentines Day love to your favourite team members. I've made quite a few great friends through the team and I've also discovered some incredible artists. How the hell could I just pick one? I decided to showcase some of great things I've acquired from my fellow teammates, but still... you can't help but feel like you're leaving someone out! So I decide to post a few more of my favs here today and links to their shops. You know, in case you wanted to do some shopping ;)

1. Carolyn Draws

2. Art That Moves

3. Leikey Designs

4. Salvage Ink

5. Grey Matter Collection

6. Your Hearts Haven

7. Pikelet Workshop

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Fun Friday: Loving the Bees!

I'm super excited to have my friend Christine Pensa from Art That Moves visiting the blog today. Well, she's not actually sitting inside my blog, but if anyone can make that happen - yes please. That would be so rad! But what I really mean, is that Christine has created some special artwork as downloads for this instalment of Fun Friday. And it all revolves around a pretty great cause, one she's very passionate about.

Bees. I'm totally afraid of them. Yeah, I can handle a giant moose, but some fuzzy buzzing insect will have me running for the hills (no kidding I will actually run away if there's something buzzing in my ear.) To be fair it's more likely those horrible wasps and hornets I'm actually afraid of, not having been stung creates this larger than life horror around them {one day I'm going to have to tell you about my wasps invasion - when I think you can handle it}

So anyways, I've known Christine for a couple of years now, I can't actually remember where and when we first met, she's just one of those people that I instantly connected with and she just kind of fit into my world that it feels like I've known her my whole life. It could be because her favourite place to visit in Newfoundland and I LOVE that province too. She has this great presence, one of great creativity and peacefulness but also knows how to laugh and joke around (and makes some wicked cocktails - most likely a skill she learned from her earlier days working in politics!) She creates artworks by combining inspiring words with her magical illustrations, and pieces vary from original art, to prints and stationery to her sweet line Om for your Home - a selection of silkscreen pieces for your home including tea towels, bread bags and pillow cases (all available in her Etsy shop). If you follow me on Instagram you may also remember our trip to the AGO to see the Emily Carr exhibit, where Christines' paper Emily doll tagged along.

inspiring Hafiz quote print available here and Ladies of Art paper dolls available here

Christine recently put together a show here in Toronto, to raise awareness and funds for the bees at the Graven Feather Gallery on Queen West here's what she had to say about the show and her reasons behind it:

I have been passionate about bees (and other pollinators) and the threats they are facing to their very survival for some time. Over the last year and a half I have donated 10% of proceeds from my bee themed art products in my Etsy shop, at the One of a Kind Show and in other retail venues.

This spring I wanted to do more.

I contacted Graven Feather Gallery in Toronto’s west end and asked if they wanted to host a show in support of the alchemist insect – the bee.
Once we put out a call for artists our Bee themed art show came together rather quickly. I thought we might start our first year with 25 artists, but after the overwhelming response we received we opened the show up to include 48 artists participating!
The response is so gratifying and the opportunity for spreading the word about the plight of pollinators has grown exponentially.

People DO want to make a difference and that makes my heart happy!

Each of the artists in the show has agreed to donate 10% of their sales to the David Suzuki Foundation‘s work to help the bees.

The show runs until June 27th, so if you're in the Toronto area I highly recommend you go and check it out. Some of my other friends are also in the show - Ele of Minouette and Michelle of Kempton Jones both have pieces in the show.

Want to know more about what you can do to help the bees and other pollinators at risk? here are a couple of useful links: David Suzuki Foundation, the Sierra Club, and of coarse don't be like me and run away from bees. They really are our friends.

Christine has created some gorgeous screen savers for your phones and desktops, to bring a bit of bee love into your daily life. So download and enjoy. Just click on any of the images below and it will pop up in a new window. Right click the image and download it onto your computer, then select it as your new wallpaper and BAM! you now have a super Fun image on your screen - or use the same process to upload to your phone as a screen saver. (please note that these images are for personal use only they are not for resale but feel free to share this post with your friends!)

some bee love for your phone!

Eat Local and organic Desktop screen saver

Bee Love Desktop screen saver

Yay Bees! Thanks for caring about these pollinators and thanks for sharing your beautiful images with us Christine :)

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