Vancouver Island Etsy Shop Feature - Roxanne Rose-Bouchard

'Qualicum Clothworks' on Etsy

• Tell us about who you are and how you got started doing what you do. Did you gain formal training? Where?  If not, how did you develop your art?  

My name is Roxanne Rose-Bouchard. I got my start about 25 years ago, making costumes and stagewear back on the mainland. I went to Kwantlen College in Richmond, BC where I studied the fashion arts and clothing technology for 3 years.  We moved to Vancouver Island in 1992. It is here I developed my own line of clothing. I use natural fibers that I dye and hand print myself. I used to wholesale to small boutiques across Canada and one catalogue company, with the help of an agent in the FX Fashion Centre in Vancouver.

• Tell us about your studio. Do you have a room or workshop especially dedicated to your art? Or is it the kitchen table or a corner in your child's playroom?

I have a studio/workshop beside my house where I design and create.  I also have a retail area where customers can come in and browse.

Roxanne's philosophy...  "A messy workshop is a busy workshop!!"

• Tell us about your processes. How do you work? Do you listen to music or need quiet?  Is it sporadic or do you dedicate set hours to work?

I love to listen to music while I work! I used to have dedicated work hours, but now I have a full time job working on a boat, as well as working on my craft. I would like to go back to my art full time as soon as my husband recovers from his illness.

• What are the toughest challenges you find in keeping consistent hours?  What other challenges do you face in your work and what ways have you been able to address them?
I don’t find it difficult to keep consistent hours as I love to work as much as possible. I do find it difficult to find enough computer time, however.  Hours disappear so fast!

• What types of materials do you use and why?
I like to use natural fibers because I (and many others) love the way they feel and the way they perform. I am able to use greener methods of dyeing, painting, and printing.

• Where else do you sell your work?  

I sell my work out of my shop, Etsy and at craft fairs. I also sell my work at Oceanside Village Artist’s Gallery on Resort Drive in Parksville, and at Nancy Durham’s in Saskatchewan.

• Where else are you on the web? 
Qualicum Clothworks on Facebook 
Roxanne Bouchard on Pinterest

• Why do you think people should buy handmade?
Handmade items are much more special and unique than mass-produced items.  Quality is usually better. Buying handmade helps to support local people rather than large corporations.

• What goals do you have?
My goals are to be able to make a living doing what I love to do. I want women to feel beautiful in my clothing and love the garments as much as I do.

• What are some of the items you sell in your shop?

•  Have you been in the news or featured elsewhere? 
Over the years I have been in the newspaper a number of times. I was just featured in the current issue of “Oasis” magazine that is put out by the Parksville Qualicum News. 

You may also find Roxanne in the Vancouver Island Lighthouse Country  business directory.

Qualicum Clothworks on Facebook 
Roxanne Bouchard on Pinterest

Vancouver Island Etsy Shop Feature - Kent Olinger

'IMAGES BY KENT OLINGER' ON ETSY

Tell us how you got started doing what you do. Did you gain formal training?  If not, how did you develop your art?

I started metalsmithing as a hobby approximately 20 years ago. After taking a couple of start-up classes at the Edmonton Cultural Centre, I continued to learn and refine my craft over the years by reading how-to books and articles and watching how-to videos, but mostly learning by trial and error so I consider myself to be self taught.

In the mid-90’s, I left a full time position as an instructor in the Paramedic Program at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology in Edmonton to pursue metalsmithing full time and have since developed my hobby into a successful small business.

Where do you produce your work?

I relocated from Edmonton to Gabriola Island, BC in 1998 where I produced and sold my jewelry from my home-based studio/gallery and became an active member of the community Arts Council. In 2006, I relocated to Chemainus on Vancouver Island and continue to produce my jewelry to date from my home-based studio/workshop there as well as participate in local artist events.

What types of materials do you use? Why?

I work with various metals but primarily focus on creating copper jewelry. I used to work primarily in sterling silver, but it simply got too expensive. I will still make a piece in silver if specifically requested; however, working in copper allows me to keep my work priced affordably for my customers.

What are three items in your shop that you are particularly proud of?

Many of my handcrafted jewelry designs are inspired by the nature of West Coast living as showcased in my heron and crow pieces of which I am most proud.  (Click on photos to view in Kent's Etsy shop and to read descriptions of process involved in making these pieces.)

What goals do you have?

I am constantly aspiring to learn new methods and techniques including my most recent venture of flame painting on copper.

What are the tools of your trade?

The tools of my trade consist of a variety of jewelry-making supplies, findings, hammers, saw blades and so forth as well as a propane oxygen torch and a small kiln.

What challenges do you face in your work and what ways have you addressed them?

July 2013, I joined Etsy.com and set up an on-line shop called Images By Kent Olinger. Being a seller on Etsy has offered me the opportunity to showcase my work on the World Wide Web and has helped me overcome my biggest challenge as an artist which was simply getting my work out there. Etsy has offered me the perfect platform to do so. My exposure on Etsy has also led to an opportunity to display and promote my work through the Museum of Northwest Art in La Conner, Washington, as well as a feature in the upcoming fall/winter edition of Amazing Canadian FashionMagazine.  

Have you been in the news or featured elsewhere?

Past Honors include: Alberta Government - Commissioned brooch given to Canadian Premiers’ wives at the 17th Premier's Conference - Jasper Alberta, 1996. World Figure Skating Championship, 1996 - Commissioned limited edition brooch. The National Gallery of Canada Gift Shop - Commissioned brooch "Stormy Weather" from Group of Seven painter F.A. Varley, for "Canadian Museums Selections" catalogue, 1997. Designed and produced lapel pin for Nanaimo, BC Chamber of Commerce annual Business awards 2000-2005. Designed and produced "Year of Service Award Pins" for Coastal Community Credit Union 2001-2006.

  

Will you be at any art/craft fairs this year?  Any other places you sell your work?

I also display and sell my work at the weekly local Chemainus Farmers’ Market, May through September, and participate in the annual Ladysmith Arts on the Avenue each August. My work is sold in retail shops in Nanaimo, Victoria and Canmore, as well as the National Gallery of Canada Gift Shop.

Where may we find you online?
 

Etsy: www.etsy.com/ca/shop/ImagesbyKentOlinger

Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Images-By-Kent-Olinger/721401241209065

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/kentolinger/

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