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| The Sketchbook Project 2012, pages 29 and 30, Cari-Jane Hakes |
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| The Sketchbook Project 2012, pages 31 and 32, Cari-Jane Hakes |
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| The Sketchbook Project 2012, page 33, Cari-Jane Hakes |
Bon Voyage!
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
The Sketchbook Project 2012 - final installment
These last few pages are literally 'hot off the press' and not a moment too soon! Today is the postmark deadline for the Art House Co-op's 2012 Sketchbook Project. I chose the theme 'Transatlantic' and decided to make this 2012 submission carry on from the book I did for the the 2011 tour (which you can see online here).
And so, my little girl and her trusty stuffed newt, Cedric, have completed their transatlantic crossing - all the remains is for me to address the envelope and send this completed sketchbook off to Brooklyn, New York.
Bon Voyage!
Bon Voyage!
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Front Page of Etsy!
Whilst I was sleeping...
Pam of Bates Mercantile Co's treasury made it to the top spot - the front page of Etsy. Thank you AGAIN Pam. I say again, because yesterday I was the lucky winner of the this lovely Louis XV Chair art print.
It's beautiful, mais oui?
You can see Pam's beautiful treasury in all it's full clickable glory here and the featured Hybrid Handmade necklace here (pictured below).
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| 2300hrs CET, 28 January 2012, Etsy front page |
It's beautiful, mais oui?
You can see Pam's beautiful treasury in all it's full clickable glory here and the featured Hybrid Handmade necklace here (pictured below).
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| Storm, recycled silver necklace by Cari-Jane Hakes, as seen on Etsy's front page 29 January 2012 |
Friday, January 27, 2012
A Fabulous Friday Feeling
Well, I have to say, I haven't been feeling all that fabulous all week. A kind of creeping curmudgeoness had taken up residence within me and so when Eddie Vedder's Hard Sun began playing in the Hybrid Handmade House I knew I needed to get out in it!
I attempted to gather it all up. I inflated my lungs with sunshine and grabbed great chunks of it to store away for a rainy day. I went running through it and under it so that it got all tangled up in my hair and seeped in behind my glasses.
Elsewhere today I added another 'small simple pleasure' to my list. This new one sits level with 'knowing when to buy bread when it is fresh and warm'.
Two pink hyacinths from the local village florists, all neatly wrapped in brown paper. I know that when then bloom they will fill my entire house with their smell - one of the many advantages of living in a small house!
I think I was inspired by this post over on Sania Pell's blog which I pinned earlier in the week on Pinterest.
Bon Weekend mes amis!
I attempted to gather it all up. I inflated my lungs with sunshine and grabbed great chunks of it to store away for a rainy day. I went running through it and under it so that it got all tangled up in my hair and seeped in behind my glasses.
Elsewhere today I added another 'small simple pleasure' to my list. This new one sits level with 'knowing when to buy bread when it is fresh and warm'.
Two pink hyacinths from the local village florists, all neatly wrapped in brown paper. I know that when then bloom they will fill my entire house with their smell - one of the many advantages of living in a small house!
I think I was inspired by this post over on Sania Pell's blog which I pinned earlier in the week on Pinterest.
Do you like my new bird tray? All the way from lovely Ikea. I saw it and have to have it - especially after discovering and giggling over Portlandia's 'Put a bird on it!' sketch.
Bon Weekend mes amis!
Thursday, January 26, 2012
February Desktop
Cheer up your computer with this months desktop wallpaper - dozens and dozens of pure white roses, all for you. Now, don't say I'm not good to you all!
You will notice that this month I have included ALL the days, unlike last month where I made a deliberate (ahem) mistake that no-one spotted (hurrah), or if you did, you employed a character of English reservedness and did not point out my erroneous ways.
All you have to do is click on the image below, save it to your desktop and then use your settings menu (or equivalent) to change your background desktop image.
You will notice that this month I have included ALL the days, unlike last month where I made a deliberate (ahem) mistake that no-one spotted (hurrah), or if you did, you employed a character of English reservedness and did not point out my erroneous ways.
All you have to do is click on the image below, save it to your desktop and then use your settings menu (or equivalent) to change your background desktop image.
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| February 2012, Cari-Jane Hakes |
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Manta Ray Necklace.
Do you remember, last year, I was working on this piece? Well, here are is the finished necklace!
This one was snapped up before it even got on Etsy and it is now swimming around freely in South London.
It really was a challenge to find an appropriate way to render the magnificent manta ray in silver. This one is swimming out of the dark depths and into the light surrounded by the most ferocious etch.
It really is rather THE most beautiful surface texture to behold.
Elsewhere in the Hybrid Handmade atelier these rather manly chunks of silver made a brief appearance before they too were snapped up.
New things are happening on the bench involving antlers and wild stags - all of this seems highly appropriate what with it being Burns Night tomorrow!
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| 'Swim Free' necklace with Manta Ray, December 2011, Cari-Jane Hakes |
It really was a challenge to find an appropriate way to render the magnificent manta ray in silver. This one is swimming out of the dark depths and into the light surrounded by the most ferocious etch.
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| 'Swim Free' necklace with Manta Ray, December 2011, Cari-Jane Hakes |
Elsewhere in the Hybrid Handmade atelier these rather manly chunks of silver made a brief appearance before they too were snapped up.
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| Rocky Manly Cuffs, December 2011, Cari-Jane Hakes |
Monday, January 23, 2012
These are a few of my favourite things....
I have not been partaking in the making of Etsy treasuries for ages - high time I did a bit of virtual window shopping.
Here is my considered collection for your persual. I have to say, in my humble opinion, everyone should have a pocket arctic fox. In fact, I'd go as far to say, that it should probably be made a law!
a balanced solitudinal study in grey with a golden lining
You can find this golden / grey symphony here (well, until it drops off the edge of planet Etsy Treasury). For you information, solitudinal is not a real word, but it should be as far as I'm concerned. Do you have any made up words that you consider dictionary worthy?
Elsewhere today I was rather delighted by my 'And It Was All Yellow' pinboard over on Pinterest. More yellow I say!
(I know Linda of Odd and Old would not agree - it is her least favourite colour. Sorry Linda!)
Here is my considered collection for your persual. I have to say, in my humble opinion, everyone should have a pocket arctic fox. In fact, I'd go as far to say, that it should probably be made a law!
'A Few of my Favourite Things' by hybridhandmade
a balanced solitudinal study in grey with a golden lining
 our enchanted lives - m... $28.00 |  Vintage Marquee Lights ... $199.00 |  Brand new sand and taup... $35.00 |  lizzy : winter pocket w... $24.00 |
 FOLD TUNIC in slate gre... $125.00 |  Luxury Blown Glass Vase... $295.00 |  Nature Photography - Gh... $15.00 |  Black Faceted Vase $32.00 |
 Arm Warmers $35.00 |  Field Before the Storm ... $30.00 |  3 ft .Industrial Consol... $375.00 |  Haunting Dreams $14.00 |
 Arctic Fox pocket tote... $32.00 |  Growing Horns Print 8 x... $20.00 |  Rain Catcher - 8x10 Wat... $20.00 |  the ties that bind: ear... $275.00 |
You can find this golden / grey symphony here (well, until it drops off the edge of planet Etsy Treasury). For you information, solitudinal is not a real word, but it should be as far as I'm concerned. Do you have any made up words that you consider dictionary worthy?
Elsewhere today I was rather delighted by my 'And It Was All Yellow' pinboard over on Pinterest. More yellow I say!
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| And It Was All Yellow, pinboard on Pinterest by Cari-Jane Hakes |
(I know Linda of Odd and Old would not agree - it is her least favourite colour. Sorry Linda!)
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Something different Sunday - The Sketchbook Project 2012
Two more double spreads to go and then I'll be onto the final page! I'm feeling confident I'll be posting my sketchbook for The Art House Co-op's 2012 tour before (or on) the postmarked deadline of January 31st. You can find out more information about all of Art House Co-op's projects here. You can see the sketchbook I did for the 2011 tour here.
My children sing this little French song every now and again. I must say, it really rather delightful and makes me marvel all over again at how completely, as if by magic, they assimilated another language.
I am actually feeling 'almost French' as I have now perfected my arrival at the local shops to ensure I arrive home for lunch with warm baguettes in my arms. I have to say, it is small pleasure that I enjoy immensely.
Elsewhere today, this film made me wish I could express some of my photography in a more dynamic way.
Here's to a new week - onwards and upwards mes amis!
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| Pages 25 and 26, The Sketchbook Project 2012, Cari-Jane Hakes |
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| Pages 27 and 28, The Sketchbook Project, Cari-Jane Hakes |
I am actually feeling 'almost French' as I have now perfected my arrival at the local shops to ensure I arrive home for lunch with warm baguettes in my arms. I have to say, it is small pleasure that I enjoy immensely.
Elsewhere today, this film made me wish I could express some of my photography in a more dynamic way.
Here's to a new week - onwards and upwards mes amis!
Saturday, January 21, 2012
A Saturday Mosaic
Some new flickr favourites. All wintered hues and solitude for this one. Dark and light and all the spaces in between. Click on the links in the captions to find out more about the author's of these photographs - and maybe you will find a new favourite too.
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| 1. aloe, 2. Mountainous Landscape, 3. ., 4. Snow throwing dot dots , 5. Everything has its beauty, but not everyone sees it. - Confucius, 6. Romanywg in Wonderland, 7. all that remains, 8. Labyrinth, 9. Minehead |
Thursday, January 19, 2012
What Mrs. L. caught in her net!
To my surprise and utter delight I received a parcel in my boîte postale yesterday. This is always the cause of much celebration and excitement especially if there are small boys around who rather enjoy being given the task of taking the key, journeying out to the perimeter and checking if there is indeed anything in the post box.
This parcel was big one and full of many surprises from a regular Hybrid Handmade visitor (and long time acquaintance from London days).
I don't find things like this in my net and so I felt a certain reverence for these pieces. They demanded a back drop of special card and rub down transfers.
This one in particular may NEED to be transformed into something epic involving silver and a handmade chain. However, I need to wait for a narrative to suggest itself to me before I can begin (and there is a rather full workbench schedule at the moment).
When faced with such remarkable little things in the palm of my hand I conclude, as I have concluded on many other occasions, that your really can't improve on nature. The detail, the texture, the deftness of line and distribution of pattern are always perfect. Any creation by my own hand will fall short when compared to this. The revelation of this fact will not stop me trying though.
Thank you lovely Mrs L. You made our day!
This parcel was big one and full of many surprises from a regular Hybrid Handmade visitor (and long time acquaintance from London days).
I don't find things like this in my net and so I felt a certain reverence for these pieces. They demanded a back drop of special card and rub down transfers.
This one in particular may NEED to be transformed into something epic involving silver and a handmade chain. However, I need to wait for a narrative to suggest itself to me before I can begin (and there is a rather full workbench schedule at the moment).
When faced with such remarkable little things in the palm of my hand I conclude, as I have concluded on many other occasions, that your really can't improve on nature. The detail, the texture, the deftness of line and distribution of pattern are always perfect. Any creation by my own hand will fall short when compared to this. The revelation of this fact will not stop me trying though.
Thank you lovely Mrs L. You made our day!
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
The Sketchbook Project 2012 - the deadline approaches!
Picking up from last time I have been gradually filling my Art House Co-op sketchbook (see here for more information).
'He dreamt of a green wide space stretching out, thin and bleeding colour at its edges. The pigment has leaked out, it was muted. It has become dissolved, washed away and dispersed by distance.'
Four more double spreads to go until I can post this book off to the Brooklyn Art Library in New York where I imagine it will be put next to the book I did for the 2011 Sketchbook Project (see here).
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| Pages 21 and 22, The Art House Co op Sketchbook Project 2012, Cari-Jane Hakes |
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| Pages 23 and 24, The Art House Co op Sketchbook Project 2012, Cari-Jane Hakes |
'He dreamt of a green wide space stretching out, thin and bleeding colour at its edges. The pigment has leaked out, it was muted. It has become dissolved, washed away and dispersed by distance.'
Four more double spreads to go until I can post this book off to the Brooklyn Art Library in New York where I imagine it will be put next to the book I did for the 2011 Sketchbook Project (see here).
Monday, January 16, 2012
Words to describe the beginning of today.
Today the light crashed up through the horizon with a kind of belligerent energy. It started with a few striations of vivid colour and then it splintered up into view and shone with a crisp brilliance that was magnified ten fold by the tiny fragments of furry ice covering every leaf and twig (and spiderweb).
I belligerently swept through my work so I could get out in it. I stepped out and cut through the dense cold air - I ran and ran. As bundled up Vendée-ans regard my t-shirted running attire I am always ready with a jaunty "Il ne fait pas foid! C'est comme l'été en Ecosse!"
There is something rather nice about being able to joke in a language which is not your own.
It makes you feel a little bit like you 'belong'.
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| Sunrise spider's web, 16 January 2012, Cari-Jane Hakes |
I belligerently swept through my work so I could get out in it. I stepped out and cut through the dense cold air - I ran and ran. As bundled up Vendée-ans regard my t-shirted running attire I am always ready with a jaunty "Il ne fait pas foid! C'est comme l'été en Ecosse!"
There is something rather nice about being able to joke in a language which is not your own.
It makes you feel a little bit like you 'belong'.
Saturday, January 14, 2012
The work of Valérie Buess
Every now and again you discover the work of someone that makes you stop in your tracks and take a sharp intake of breath. Your heart leaps and something within you recognises the form in front of you. You make a connection with something that is familiar but is not of your own hand. It's like the surprise of meeting an old friend in an unexpected place. It's like finding your way in a town that you left long long ago.
As I stumbled upon the work of Valérie Buess this week (via uponafold) I felt all of these things. Since then I've been trying to articulate in words what it is about her work that made me stop, stare and smile.
For 20 years Buess has been working with paper. In every image of her 3 dimensional work that I've shown here there is the core of an everyday action, which on its own is really rather unimportant. Rolling up a little piece of left over paper in the bottom of your pocket as you wait or tearing the corner off a ticket and working it into a finer and finer point are things we do absentmindedly.
But do this again and again with deliberate care and attention and suddenly a visual drama is created that vibrates with beauty. The repetitious action creates a pure symphony of form and colour and texture. The everyday disposable action becomes elevated into something rare, interesting and intriguing.
The forms remind me of some of the things I have caught in my net and perhaps this is why I stopped and stared - as if at an unexpected familiar face in a crowd.
The final image is from her 'moving' series.
You can find out more about her work on her web site http://www.valeriebuess.com.
As I stumbled upon the work of Valérie Buess this week (via uponafold) I felt all of these things. Since then I've been trying to articulate in words what it is about her work that made me stop, stare and smile.
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| ready! by Valérie Buess |
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| cloud 2 by Valérie Buess |
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| cube by Valérie Buess |
The final image is from her 'moving' series.
You can find out more about her work on her web site http://www.valeriebuess.com.
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