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News & Events
New Website
We we would like to take this opportunity to welcome you to our new web site.
New items to check out in our product listings: prints, wind chimes and fabulous one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces. Visit...
Hours
May, June, September, October
Daily: 10:00am-5:00pm
July, August
Mon-Sat: 9:00am - 5:30pm
Sunday: 10:00am - 5:00pm |
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Featured Artists
Nastas'si
Pine Needle Baskets
Researching my Aboriginal ancestry took me down the path of learning more about various forms of traditional art. I have long since admired the ash baskets of the Mi'kmaq people of PEI but was curious about what other types of baskets could be created using other types of natural materials. When I discovered the coiling technique used to create pine needle baskets, I discovered an art form that brings out my creator given talent.
 While most pine needle baskets available elsewhere are made from the long leaf, ponderosa pine needles (10 to 18 inches), I have chosen to follow the tradition of my ancestors by creating baskets from the local eastern pine needles (6 to 8 inches). Working with these shorter needles requires patience that is easily rewarded by the beauty of the basket. From the gathering stage to the finished basket for a basket the size of a grapefruit can take 4 to 5 hours which can be longer if decorations such as beads or shells are added.
As a self-taught artist, I am learning the techniques of working with these natural materials and have pulled many splinters from my fingers as the needles are teaching me. The joy of working with these baskets is the joy of discovery. Making a basket is more of a cooperative effort than a plan as each basket seems to take on a life of its own and the shape comes from the needles as much as from the artist. Each and every basket I have made is unique, and I eagerly look forward to what form the next basket will take.
Mete
Sterling Silver Jewelry
 Mete has worked with silver jewelry for almost 40 years. For the last 25 years he has been designing his own line of traditional Native and contemporary sterling jewelry, including rings, pendants, bracelets, necklaces and hand woven chains. He uses the best quality silver (.925) and a variety of beautiful stones and shells.
Mete's contemporary line of jewelry is innovative and elegant, featuring clean lines and rare and unusual stones and shells collected from around the world. His traditional native line features turquoise, coral, lapis and malachite set in settings featuring traditional design and totem symbols.
Chief Charlie Sark,
Ash Splint Baskets
 Basket making is an art I learned from the Elders and artisans of the basket making community. Being Mi'kmag, I was able to observe and learn basket making from the many adults who took their time to explain the numerous methods of creating hand woven ash splint baskets.
The main material used is black ash. Other woods can be used but black ash is preferred because of its high moisture content and pliability.
Preparing the wood is the most time consuming and labour intensive of all the steps in the basket weaving process. Once the wood is prepared to the correct width and thickness for the size and style of a specific basket, the artisan begins the weaving and assembly of his creation.
I take pride in being able to preserve and pass on to others this wonderful bit of Mi'kmag culture.
The spirit of our ancestors lives on in our baskets.
Walks in Forest
Traditional Weapons and Amulets
 Walks in Forest creates his museum quality primitive art in the seclusion of a woodland camp, where he lives as self-sufficiently and close to nature as possible in this day and age. He acquires many of the materials needed to make his traditional weapons and amulets using the age old methods of hunting, trapping, gathering and trading.
Walks in Forest creates in winter silence using only materials from mother earth. All items in his collection, from the largest spear to the smallest arrowhead amulet, are imbued with the spirit of the forest. He is developing a classic tradition for generations to come.
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