Jewelry at Bluerock :: Spring 2012

Spring has sprung and the display cases at Bluerock Gallery are filled with new jewelry from some of Alberta’s finest craftspeople. From the sculptural “jewelry as art,” of Linda Chow to the fine and sensitive work of Shelley McAneeley to the bright glass lampwork of Alicia Niles, we are certain there is something for everyone in this eclectic presentation.

If you like what you see, spread the word and share this post with your friends. And, as a first for Bluerock Gallery, we are excited to offer this entire collection (what you see in these photos) of one of a kind pieces available for sale in our online store. We have many more pieces to choose from in our gallery, so come and visit in person soon!  But, if you’d like to buy a piece you see here, use the “click here to buy now” button to enter our online store.  Enjoy!

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Valentine’s Day at Bluerock

Browse through our photo gallery of gift ideas in celebration of love!  You can give to your beloved (ahh, sweetness), or you can give to yourself (sometimes even better!)!  Remember, all of these treasures are “one-of-a-kind” pieces, handmade by local artists and artisans.  Enjoy!

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Show Bluerock Your Love! Post Your Photos to Bluerock Gallery’s Facebook Page and WIN!

Until the end of MARCH 2011  we’ll draw a winner every week!  (Yes, we’ve extended the merriment!)

Here’s what you do:

1. Take a Picture of your Bluerock treasure. Anything goes—books, cards, jewelry, art, framing—If you bought it at Bluerock Gallery, it qualifies!. Have fun!

2. Post your photo to our Bluerock Gallery’s Facebook Page here.

That’s it! You are entered!

You can post as many photos as you like, for as many weeks as you want. The only stipulation is that the photo be of a different treasure every time!

Remember, we close for three weeks starting the day after Valentine’s… February 15th, 2011. We’ll reopen, with a new look, on March 10th, 2011!

(And, we are always be delighted to help you purchase a Bluerock treasure in the good old-fashioned ways: by email or by phone!  store@bluerockgallery.ca or 403-933-5047)

10 notable new artists at Bluerock (not in any order of rank)

1. Anshul Fernandes: we love his artistically presented butterflies… and some of us really do love the beetles, spiders, and other bugs too!  There are even stuffed and mounted bats in the collection to go with our “Crows, Ravens and Other Black Things” show that opened on October 23. Read about Anshul and his lifetime passion for bugs and making a difference in the world here.

2. Ann Haessel: And now, for something completely different!

Ann’s work in fibres make you stop and look as your eye sorts out layers of images in airy silks, lushly textured velvets, with subtle stitching and beading.  Check out her website here.

3. Neepin Auger: Having admired her father, Dale Auger, and his work, when  we found his website, we also met Neepin and her work.  We are very glad she’s agreed to let us represent her work in our current show!  Learn more about Neepin and see some of her pieces here.

4. Bob Costa: We’re honored to have Bob return to the gallery, and we love his two ‘floating’ topped tables in the gallery with their very fine inlaid designs and delicate gazelle-like legs.

5. Sam Uhlick: thanks to one of our loyal customers we heard about Uhlick Pottery & Tile in Ardrossan, Alberta. We loved his work so much that we asked him to add his stunning pottery to our gallery.  Now you can start your collection in our gallery – or visit his website for information about his twice yearly sales.

6. Heather Hamilton: Fine handmade silver jewelry, with some beautiful stones and exquisite textures.  Go here to see more of Heather’s passion for silver.

7. Sheila Fendall: Another silversmith, inspired by Turkish designs, and incorporating handmade chainmaille, Sheila’s designs are light and airy, visit her website to learn more about her and her work.

8. Laura McIvor:

Movement is what Laura loves, and her handmade silver jewelry pieces sparkle with precious stones, shine with handmade silver links, and are designed to MOVE!  Check out her website for more delightful designs!

9. Robert Kelly: Beloved U of C art and education professor, and well known for the raven motifs in his art, Robert is now becoming well known as a speaker on the subject of creativity.  Check out his website too!

10. Susan Kristoferson: Paper maker and collage artist, Susan has brought us both stunning collage pieces in the gallery using her handmade papers, as well as books (with multiple ‘signatures’), earrings (YEP), and even books made out of recycled paintings on canvas.  Learn more about Susan and her work here.

Stampede Style, Western Style—Silver Jewelry by Shelagh Blatz

Shelagh Blatz in her home studio in Priddis, Alberta. Shelagh creates necklaces, bracelets, rings and earrings out of sterling silver and precious gems. She uses stones such as turquoise, unikite, pink opal, lapis, picture jasper, ryolite, serpentine, orange spiny oyster shell and picasso marble – to name a few.

Shelagh Blatz embodies western style. Long before she picked up a hammer and started making jewelry, she was working on the family farm, shopkeeping in Western stores, and barrel racing competitively in college. After starting a family, Shelagh’s love of western culture and style culminated in her expression of the unique western silver jewelry she’s been crafting for the last seven years. Hand forged and one of a kind, all of her pieces are stamped sterling silver and the gemstones are set by hand.

“I like jewelry that’s substantial,” she says. “I never liked fiddly little clasps. I wanted to make something that wasn’t going to break.” Substantial, indeed. Shelagh’s signature clasp is made from an Indian Head / Buffalo Nickel—pure silver coins from the 1930′s. Once the necklace is on, it isn’t going anywhere.

We were struck by the attention to detail and the versatility of her designs. Each of the pendants are designed to be worn on their own, and can be easily removed from the gemstone strand to be placed on a favorite chain or cord. Beautiful and practical.

A fine selection of Shelagh’s bracelets, earrings and pendants are available at Bluerock. Drop by and see us soon!

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Don’t Miss Beltbuckle Bonanza!

Belt Buckle Bonanza!—Just in Time for Stampede Week
Thursday, July 1st-3rd, 2010 11am-7pm at the Bluerock Gallery in Black Diamond

July 1st, 2010 drop by Bluerock Gallery to meet Amy Ragsdale whose amzing belt buckles have been described as "haute couture in silver and gold."

Bluerock Gallery presents Amy Ragsdale and Lisa Heinricks—Buckle Up!

“If Coco Chanel and Alexander Calder had a daughter, Amy Ragsdale would be her name”.–Elizabeth Spindletree

Amy Ragsdale and her “audacious” jewellery will be at the Bluerock Gallery on July 1st. Don’t miss checking out her one of a kind, haute-couture belt buckles—just in time for Stampede week. Amy has been practicing her craft for over twenty years, and is a dynamic and skilled artisan who is as committed to the creation of “ethical” jewellery as she is to her personal, creative vision.

www.amyragsdale.com

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“Heinricks will be to the 21st Century what Pollock was to the 20th.”

Lisa Heinricks will be showing her Urban Buckles at Bluerock Gallery July 1st to 3rd. Don't miss this fabulous Calgary artist.

Lisa Heinricks prides herself on her avant-garde approach to fine art. Her work includes Urban Buckles, Custom Painted Jewellery, Hand Painted Guitars and Functional Art including Custom Painted Tables.

www.creamydreamy.com
www.lisaheinricks.com

Drop in, meet the artists and check out the wide selection of belt buckles we’ve put together for Belt Buckle Bonanza. Also, don’t miss a set of great music by songwriter Shelley Lennox who will be playing in the gallery from 5-7pm.

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