Farmers Market Report: April 2005
 

About The Farmers Market Report

Farmers Market Report written by Moncton area writer, Heather Ferguson, covers the farm, hobbyist, and artisan producers who display their products and artistry at Moncton's Farmers Market Cooperative and Downtown Moncton's Marche Moncton Market each week. "Market Report" blog also covers small independent speciality businesses in southern New Brunswick. To suggest a business or artisan for a profile, please use the comment form on this blog. See you at the Market.

Saturday, April 30, 2005

Virginia Tupper


Virginia Tupper with Two of Her Works

Virginia Tupper is the quintessential woman of today - companion, mother, homemaker, career woman, vital component of the family business, and artiste extraordinaire! Always striving to put her best into each of these roles, it is her artistic endeavour, however, which affords her a measure of relaxation. For Virginia, art is the medium through which she can truly connect with herself, continuing to grow in her talent as she experiments with various techniques and styles to achieve works of art on the cutting edge of innovation.

With valuable past work experience in layout and design for daily and weekly publications, Virginia is a graduate of New Brunswick Community College Miramichi in the Animation and Graphics Program, New Brunswick Community College Moncton in Photography for Beginners and has taken courses toward a degree in Fine Arts from Mount Allison University in Sackville, NB. A member of the New Brunswick Filmmakers Co-operative and of The Moncton Art Society, she has won accolades and awards which include "Honourable Mention" as well as 2nd and 3rd places at The Moncton Art Society Provincial Art Exhibits; "Certificate of Achievement" from Ron L. Hubbard's Illustrators of the Future Contest, LA, California for 1999; "Sheila Hugh MacKay Foundation Grant Award" for 1999; and "Award of Merit" Tearsheet of the Month, presented by Metro Creative Graphics, USA, in 1990.

Virginia’s excellent illustrations have graced the pages of the following publications - "Not for the Glory: A History of the Moncton Fire Department" and "Atlantis - A Women’s Study Journal," Acadia University, Wolfville, NS. Virginia's art has also been displayed at many public venues including Moncton City Hall, Moncton Gallery, Capitol Art Gallery, Equinoxx Studio Gallery, Moncton Museum, and Marche Moncton Market Global Hall.

Best known for her beautiful portraits, Virginia accepts only a handful of commissions a year as her busy schedule keeps her from devoting the time she would like to her art. When times does allow, however, Virginia can often be found indulging in her lovely fantasy pieces or portraits of family, friends, and other subjects through which she can happily explore her limitless creativity. To view Virginia's artwork, refer to her website at www.virginiatupper.com and revel in the delight of one of the Moncton Area's most prolific artists!

Advertisement




Silver Reflections


Al Kiepprien

For unique jewellery and giftware items off the beaten track, visit Silver Reflections' attractive booth at the Marche Moncton Market on Saturdays. You'll be simply delighted by the lovely items, cleverly crafted from antique flatware, vintage china and various materials all skilfully put together to produce items that are truly unusual. At Silver Reflections you will find the most innovative transformation of used items in the ultimate in recycling. Choose from wonderful mobiles and wind chimes made from old forks, knives, spoons, clocks made from old china saucers, candle holders with built-in boxes at the base to hold matches, vases wrought from old silver-plated hollow knife handles, lovely bracelets, and rings from flatware handles and fork tines - the ideas are endless! Silver Reflections also carries lovely sterling silver jewellery, crystal bead necklaces and bracelets - look for their birth stone wristlets for adults and children with matching drop earrings to complete the set.

Independently owned and operated by Al and Lynn Kiepprien, Silver Reflections also has a retail outlet at 56 John Street in the heart of the city centre. Open weekdays, Al and Lynn look forward to helping you find that special gift item for friends or for yourself. In the market for that special piece to put the crowning touch on your own individual decor? Silver Reflections has the perfect item, destined to become a conversation piece for years to come! For more information, call 863-0192, or email them at lkiepp2487@rogers.com and purchase a treasure today that is sure to become a family heirloom of tomorrow!

Advertisement




Saturday, April 23, 2005

Ginette Henrie Jewellery Design


Ginette Henrie

One of the most fascinating tables at the Marche Moncton Market is that at Ginette Henrie's fine handcrafted jewellery featuring exclusive and original designs in the precious materials of gold and silver, some accented with wonderful cut and polished precious and semi-precious stones, many set in abstract settings all skilfully designed and personally wrought by Ginette herself - all works of art in their own right. Many are one-of-a-kind items of outstanding beauty. Also specializing in custom orders, Ginette works with customers to arrive at personalized designs. Got a unique design in mind? Ginette will make your ideas and actuality! Ginette also has an extensive repair service as well as wide experience in reworking customers' old gold pieces into new updated designs.

An independent entrepreneur, Ginette can be found Saturdays at the market from 7 am to 2 pm or weekdays at her very own studio at 31-D Mark Avenue in the City Centre where she can be contacted at 854-8094 from 11 am to 6 pm daily. Need a special appointment before or after hours? Ginette can be flexible if you call ahead. You'll be amazed at her lovely jewellery designs utilizing white or yellow gold as well as sterling silver with brass or copper accents, some with the use of special oxidation and texturing to create works of highly artistic merit. Indeed, her many years in the jewellery business has enabled Ginette to hone her craft to perfection. In the market for that special piece of jewellery that stands out from the rest? Looking for a special gift idea? Attention visitors to the area - do you want a piece of jewellery handcrafted right here in Moncton? Visit Marche Moncton Market - you'll be thrilled at the unusual design concepts of Ginette Henrie.

Advertisement




Saturday, April 09, 2005

Braids by Jestina


Jestina and Tina Kamara

Jestina Kamara is a virtuoso at braiding hair! Often found Saturdays at the Marche Moncton Market, her nimble fingers keep busy creating wonderful braids, some accented with colourful beads or extensions for that dynamic, personalized look for market-goers eager to make their own individual fashion statement. Indeed, Jestina's lightning fingers are so deft at her craft that it's hypnotic to watch her work, and she often attracts quite an audience. The finished product is so beautiful that, especially with the upcoming summer season, her handiwork is sure to grace the heads of many area residents who love the look and easy-care braids offer. Have a special design in mind? Want your whole head done, or just a few strands as an accent? Choose from photos on display or create your own look with the help of the skill and artistry of Jestina and her daughter, Tina, who often assists her.

Jestina's personal story is an amazing one of courage and survival. A recent refugee from Sierra Leone in Africa, she now makes Moncton her home where she and her three children have found a measure of peace and sanctuary from upheavals of war in her home country where, sadly, her husband was killed. With true determination, she now faces a new life here in Moncton and with an enterprising entrepreneurial spirit she has put her skills to work doing what she’s expert at - braiding hair!

The fabric of our Canadian society is made up of peoples of other lands who have made Canada their home and it is the multi-stranded quality that has come together to create a tapestry that is uniquely Canadian, and it is often at the Marche Moncton Market that this fact is most apparent. Visit Jestina Saturdays at the market - you’ll be amazed at how beautiful the braided look can be!

Advertisement




Friday, April 08, 2005

Rags of Time



Welcome to Rags of Time Books & Crafts, purveyor of timeless tomes on timely topics! Moncton's newest specialty bookstore, Rags of Time Books & Crafts deals exclusively in quality used books bought and sold. Centrally located at 983 Main Street in the centre of downtown Moncton, this spacious store houses thousands of books in every genre, appealing to a wide audience on literally every topic under the sun. Got an afternoon to yourself? Spend it browsing through the impressive constellation of titles at your fingertips at Rags of Time.

Independently owned and operated by Lauchlin MacDonnell, the Rags of Time Moncton location is the sister store to a similar location in the quaint and picturesque university town of Sackville, New Brunswick. With humble beginnings, this enterprising business venture has grown over the years with the result that its highly successful formula has been brought to the people of the Greater Moncton Area, opening up the joy of books to book lovers of all ages with friendly, personalized service and items at reasonable prices. Rags of Time is a great place to find some school books and university texts at a fraction of the cost of other retail outlets.

Books are our silent companions. They open up other worlds. They inform, educate, and entertain. In the august words of one of the 18th century’s most prolific bards, John Milton, "A good book is the precious life blood of a master spirit..." Indulge your passion for books today at the Moncton location of Rags of Time or take a leisurely drive to Sackville and stop in for coffee at their Sackville location. Got a basement full of used books? Rags of Time will gladly take them off your hands with excellent trade-in value. Visit Rags of Time today and feel the excitement of your very own literary treasure hunt! For more information, call 388-9038.

Advertisement




Wednesday, April 06, 2005

Photo Evolutions


Jim Miller of Photo Evolutions

Meet Jim Miller - an artise extraordinaire whose medium is photography! His impressive kiosk, which has been spotted at both locations of the Farmers Market, is a mini art gallery in its own right and will simply take your breath away with its dynamic display of photographic artwork of all sizes and price points just waiting to put the right finishing touch to your own home or office decor. A wide variety of lovely subject matter features lovely Maritime scenery with such diverse locations as peaceful river scenes, typical harbour fronts and elegant lighthouses unique to our Atlantic coastal regions. All creatively matted and framed, some to create the appearances of looking at the scene through a window, a definitive mosaic theme enhances a repetition of motif effect in subjects ranging from animals at the zoo, garden butterflies, hot-air balloons, sea shells, and all the natural flora and fauna exclusive to our Maritime region.

Passionate about photography and an avid outdoorsman who loves hiking, Jim Miller has successfully translated these relaxing pastimes into an art form and he is more than willing to share with us all. With a hands-on career a Moncton fireman, his time away from the rigours of the job affords him the luxury of indulging in the creative side of life with wonderful results we can all enjoy. For more information on Jim’s lovely photography contact him at 854-9709 or at photoevo@nb.sympatico.ca or seek him out at the market Saturdays and immerse yourself in Jim's wonderful world of photography!

Advertisement






Advertisement
You are Visitor # 3389861