Handmade in Bermuda

Pearl Treasure

Happy Easter, All!  A big THANK YOU to everyone who has been viewing, liking and sharing this blog. Please keep at it!

About a year ago, a group of local crafters met to discuss setting up a cooperative to offer local hand made items and classes in various craft techniques.  Two of those ladies, Andrea Moniz and Jan Quinn, went forward with the idea.  Hand Made Bermuda Ltd. opened in the Clocktower Mall in Dockyard in July 2013.  Since then, the shop has blossomed with an array of local products.  Check their Facebook page and Twitter feed for full details on the myriad hand made products they offer or visit the shop.  They are open 7 days a week from 10 - 6.  You will find unique gifts, soaps, jewellery, beads, cards, and more.

Bermy Urchins Studio is represented at Hand Made Bermuda.  This week, I delivered my newest products to them and updated my website.  Here's a preview...

Bermy Bubbles

Bermy Bubbles

These spheres are made of air dry clay which has been applied over a foam armature and carved free form.   No two are exactly alike.

Artists acrylics and inks produce the vibrant colour contrasts, and are sealed with lacquer.  Waves, sun, sails and the ocean are referenced in this pattern.  The larger bubble here is about 6" in diameter and stands about 8" high.  The other one is 4" diameter and stands close to 6".  Both come gift boxed.

Whimsy Paintings

Perfect for a child's room or anywhere a pop of colour is needed.  These vibrant ink and acrylic paintings (not prints) were inspired by colouring book images.  On 8 x 10" artist canvas, each item includes a stand for display.

Nautical rope bracelets

Further to my post on Knots, I used my newfound skills, Marlow twine and New England brand ropes to create these nautical rope bracelets.   The hardware is genuine marine stainless steel. Will look great on your favourite yachtie guy or gal.

 

 

Beaded Bermy Urchins

Like urchins found sunken treasure and decided to wear the jewels...

Starting with vellum printed with my own nautical designs, these Bermy Urchins are sparkly little delights.  96 spines are wrapped and beaded.  A sea glass is embedded at the core.  Lacquered and sprinkled with Bermuda pink sand and glitter to evoke salt, the materials are transformed into 6" diameter sculpture.  Each one is gift boxed.

There's more on my website - like original art, shirts featuring prints of my art, and loads of Bermy Urchins.  Thanks again for your time and patronage.

The Joy of Fishing

On Sunday, we went fishing.  Or perhaps we went boating while bringing rods and bait. The weather on North Shore made up a bit more than anticipated, and actually catching fish of a size suitable to bring to shore proved to be beyond our admittedly novice skills.  But we had a great day nonetheless, and a few fish benefited from gobbling our bait.

Porgy Dreams

Don't confuse us with game fishermen - we have much more in common with the folks we saw casting hand lines off the rocks.  Our rods are the junior specials and the bait came frozen from the fuel dock.  

Wise women usually know that when their men disappear to go recreational fishing, it's often an excuse to spend some time with their mates and otherwise avoid their honey-do lists.  A catch is sought as evidence of their pure intent, but it is really about the camaraderie.  I've also had it suggested to me that the presence of women on boats ensures little or no catch.  A silly suspicion!  

Here's what I think my land-bound sisters (and many June to September boaters) are missing...

1. Fresh sea air.  Yes, bait and fish smell, well, fishy.  But not nearly as bad as nail polish or traffic fumes.  If it's not high summer, the smell is quite pleasant.  And you can sit upwind of it.  Draw in lungfuls of salt air.  It's much fresher than the yoga studio's.
2. Noise abatement.  Cellphones work inshore - but you can always use the excuse of poor reception to take a break from the wired world.  While boat motors are noisy, they are behind you and off when you are actually engaged in fishing.  Listening to the lap of waves and occasional bird call is super relaxing.  And the party boats aren't out in winter.
3. A different perspective.  I've always thought that Bermuda is much more interesting when viewed from the water.   Plus, a lot of moorings are empty before May - you can putter around the shoreline before coming home and learn quite a bit.
4. Friendliness of strangers.  Everyone waves and smiles around the water, with very few exceptions.   Those people are either uninitiated visitors or miserable.  Wave anyway.
5. Observation.  Bermudians are pokey.  While you are looking at them, they are most certainly checking you out.  While they wave.
6. Staycation.  Honestly, we often forget to enjoy for free what our overseas visitors pay dearly to experience for a few days.  The stress reduction benefits of a sunny day by the water are huge - and you don't have to get all sandy, or brave a bathing suit, or perspire.
7. Catch and release.   Unless you really enjoy cleaning and cooking fish, I recommend gifting the catch or sharing with someone who will appreciate it.  Or throw it back and let the circle of life work.
8. Self accomplishment.  You know that saying about 'teach a man to fish'.  Well, it feels pretty darn good to land or boat a fish and even more exciting to see it just under the water when it is magnified.  The source of all 'fish tales'.

So if you get a chance to get out on the water before May 24th or after Labour Day, take along a fishing line and hook and try your hand at jigging.  I have a friend who swears by chicken for snapper bait.

Lobster Tales

Spiny Lobster season will be over on March 31st; though the cooler water will have put off many of these divers by about mid-November.  This painting is called "Lobster Tales".  I've printed it on a long sleeve t-shirt that is perfect for boating or fishing and available on my website www.bermyurchins.com or at Hand Made Bermuda's shop in the Clocktower Mall at Dockyard.