We're having a baby!

And maybe you'll come visit us at the too-often neglected Camp + Quarry journal?

(PS - Posting this, I realized that I totally miss Blogger...)

New website launch!

Hi friends! I've been away and took a lot of pictures to share with you! Here's the catch: they're going to be shared on the new Camp + Quarry site! So head over to http://www.campandquarry.com to check out Day 1 of our West Coast roadtrip (and more) on the new C+Q journal. This blog will stay here for now and can now be accessed at http://campandquarry.blogspot.com. But if you're looking for me, you'll find me at the new site! Stop by and say hi!

new website and new film shots

Hi everyone! Just a quick post here today to let you know that you can take a peek at the new Camp + Quarry website which I'll be launching officially in mid-September. This is the place to check up on my travels and see some of the new pieces that I've been working on lately. Let me know if you find anything weird going on over there! It's all still pretty new!

The picture above was taken in Stanley Park on my Fed 5 rangefinder camera a couple of weeks ago. To see more just head over to the new Camp + Quarry journal. Many new things on the horizon, some of which you can read about on the new site, which is still technically a work-in-progress.

Here's a song for you today, too. Kind of a nice summer wind down thing from the new XX album:

David Rakoff

Let's talk about how much we're going to miss this guy. My favourite contributor to This American Life.

"The only thing that makes one an artist is making art. 
And that requires the precise opposite of hanging out." -David Rakoff

what's new

I'm going to tell you guys a secret. Yes, things have been quiet around the C+Q blog BUT...I'm working on a new website for Camp + Quarry (launching as soon as I can launch it!). AND I bought a blowtorch and set up a metalsmithing studio at home and have been working away on new pieces. Above is a picture of the ring that I made Jeff this week. A brushed sterling silver band, perfect for the dude who is not so into accessories but has to wear it cuz I made it, right? So take a peek in the shop, as there are lots of new things there and more on the way, and keep checking back to find out more about the new site if you'd like. Jeff and I are headed off on our belated honeymoon adventure in three weeks and my goal is to have the Camp and Quarry site go live before then so I can share some of our travel photos with you.

Hope you're all enjoying the summer!

fiestodon

Here's something amazing for you guys. Feist vs. Mastodon. A nice reminder of all the times I saw Feist perform in punk bands when I was a teenager going to all ages shows. This video is interactive, too, so be sure to give it a watch! Happy long weekend!

july mixtape

Wow! It has been a long time since I last posted! There's a lot going on right now, a lot to be excited about, but rather than try to get you all caught up I thought I'd post a mix of the songs that are on repeat in my house these days. This mix is also for Jill, because it's been a while since I made her a new mix (too long, buddy, sorry!) and I think this might be just the thing to listen to while hanging in Bowness making jam. Enjoy! Summer is finally here in Vancouver so I have to get outside and enjoy it while it lasts!

tracks:

kill for love • chromatics

it's gonna take an airplane • destroyer

go outside • cults

shining escalade • hot chip

the nights of wine and roses • japandroids

when i die • johnny and the moon

party talk • craft spells

look at where we are • hot chip

american wedding • frank ocean

these days • gregg alman

32

I just turned 32 yeseterday. My last weekend as a 31 year old was so much fun. Camping on Galiano Island wth friends and dogs and a few fancy chickens. Camping Club III was a success. And I tried out the best birthday present Jeff has ever given me, my new Poler Napsack. Everyone should have one of these things!

i feel better

This is old and I'm behind the times, but here it is. Hoping some of you haven't seen this and if you have, well, maybe it'll just get you excited about the new Hot Chip album.

washington

Jeff and I are part of this little thing called Camping Club this summer. We are going camping as often as we can manage and hiking as much as possible all summer long. So far we've been pretty good at getting out at least once a week and have already gone camping twice this spring (and that is with some pretty crappy weather happening in this part of the world). Here are some pictures I shot while we were on Whidby Island in Washington two weeks ago. Oh, and then we finished our long weekend with a Destroyer concert in Seattle. The picture of Dan Bejar was taken with the VSCO camera app on an iPhone 4S. The rest were taken with Camera +. Love that tree with a face.

recently

Jeff's graduation from UBC with a BSc in Nursing. So exciting that we're both all finished school! Hikes with friends. And our garden is looking better than it ever has thanks to some recent renovations and some plant-friendly spring weather (fingers crossed). 

chain chain chain

Hi friends and readers, I need your help! It's time to update a Camp + Quarry classic and I can't choose between the three chains that are in the running to complete the new edition of the C+Q dipped crystal necklaces. I have my favourite, but which one do you like best?

P.S. I recently made two purchases on Etsy that I'm very excited about! Take a look at these fantastic shops and items here and here. Have a great weekend (long weekend if you're 'merican)!

disconnect

Brohm Lake, British Columbia taken and edited on an iPhone 4S with Camera+

scarves

Happy long weekend, everyone! Just a quick post to let you know that there are a few new organic cotton scarves available in the shop this afternoon. This time I dyed lightweight organic cotton using a new technique and I'm happy with the subtle galaxy-like textures that I ended up with. Lots of lavender, light blue, and bits of turquoise with charcoal in this batch. Thanks for looking!

silversmithing

Emily and I have been learning some silversmithing this spring. This is the hammered sterling silver ring band that I finished soldering and filing last night. I still have to put the stone on it, but it's sooooo close to being finished, as are the pendants I was working on a couple of weeks ago. Can't wait to share the finished pieces with you in a couple of weeks. What have you been up to on your days off lately?

thanks, mom

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there. Thanks for the awesome birthday parties, holidays, road trips, dinners, and advice. And thanks for the cute little baby sisters, too! (That's me and my mom with the matching haircuts and my little sister in the yellow dress...aren't we all adorable?)

scarves

It's starting to feel like this time of year again. New scarves in the shop this weekend. Just a few for now, more to come. What colours are you into this spring?

summer

I am ready for summer.

I am also here today. Thank you Kait and Vitamin Daily for the feature.

monday

I rode my bike the 30km or so return trip to work today. Stopped to take this picture from the Burrard Bridge on the way home. It was finally summer here (at least for today) and tonight I got caught up on online orders. Camp + Quarry packages are headed off to places like Poland, Finland, and New York, New York. I always love tallying up the destinations. Tomorrow I have metalsmithing class and plan to buy a nice ball-peen hammer. That's my life right now: jewelry. What's new with you?

P.S. Jeff invented a union for the dog tonight, it's called C.A.T.S. (Canine Association of Trades and Services) Local 604. Your dogs can join, too. Power in numbers, my friends.

Got Craft? Spring 2012

I unveiled a lot of new pieces at Got Craft? today and sold out of many of my favourites. Dipped crystals, rutilated quartz, and fluorite pieces were among the most popular, but scarves, cave explorers, and more are off to good homes, too. Thanks to all who came out and supported local makers! I had a great day and was happy to meet so many new people and see some familiar faces, too. If you were there, I hope you had fun day, too. Now to watch many episodes of Downton Abbey (so good!!!) and eat ice cream.

Hey, it's after 8PM and it's still light out. Best day ever! Thanks to Laura and Jeff for all their help today. And to Andrea and Rob for another great show!