Hannelore's Story Works

From Canada to Asia, with Love

2012-02-01T13:51:00.003-05:00

I hope this token will capture unimagined adventures.

Stitching by hand is such a meditative process.
It helped me gain some inner peace before I had to say farewell.

I wrapped each signature with a section of vintage
topographic maps from our region.

My latest book was not a commission piece nor was it created for an upcoming artisan show. This book was made entirely out of friendship, admiration, and a deep, deep respect. My Tae Kwon Do instructor (yes, you read that properly) is leaving Canada very soon, with a yet-to-be-determined return date. At this time last year, I had no idea he walked the streets of my city; but today, I am a richer person for knowing him and having learned from him. In fact, my life`s trajectory has been altered significantly, in part, due to him. There are many extremely positive things that I can say about this special individual, whose inner light makes his students likewise shine, but I will respect his privacy by not doing so in this forum. Anyone who has been blessed to be his student knows whereof I speak. Instead I can say this--I hope he knows that it was my utter joy to make something for him with him specifically in mind. I hope his own story continues joyfully and in so many wondrous ways. And I wish him safe travels wherever life may take him. Further still, may our paths cross again. Until then, we carry him in our hearts. Tae Kwon. Thank you, Sir.

Customized Right Down to the Guest Book

2012-01-18T09:34:00.001-05:00

I must first give a huge cyber hug to Mimosa Flower Studio for allowing me to contribute to their jaw-dropping display at The Wedding Co. bridal show. Just as if I were working with any bride, we collaborated on brainstorming. Jennifer Elliotson of Mimosa told me her vision for a guest book for their display and I showed her what was possible in practice. Delightedly, she offered me ideas that I'd not fully considered, and with my experience and excitement I made them a reality. The result? Well, see for yourself! We created an elegant book that echoes the feel and colours of her display. The tangerine Japanese silk-screened paper was a perfect choice. As pretty as it looks closed, once opened there are unexpected delights, such as the co-ordinating grey on the end papers. My favourite touch, however, is the bright orange Japanese tissue dividing the page sections, or signatures. They just make the book "pop." Together we took her wedding story and made it a timepiece to treasure. Just think what I can do for your own special event!

Hey! It`s 2012! Yippee!

2012-01-04T09:57:00.000-05:00

There are some wonderful plans for this coming year! Some new directions to explore. Some new designs to unveil. And a few other surprises along the way. Stay tuned and I hope you share the ride with me.

Heading South (okay, south of here)

2011-11-30T09:42:00.002-05:00

One more official show for this holiday season--this Sunday, December 4. Please find me at the Annual Open House at Studio Twenty in Fonthill. You'll find an intimate gathering of artisans as well as other vendors at this convenient location. Since I don't always get out to the southern part of the Niagara Region, this is a great opportunity for me to meet with you there.

Sunday, December 4, 2011

10 am - 4 pm

Fonthill Shopping Plaza, Highway 20

Fonthill, Ontario

www.studiotwenty.ca

905-892-2920

Christmas at the Market

2011-11-21T22:09:00.002-05:00

This Saturday, November 26 and Sunday, November 27, are two of the most exciting days on my show calendar. The Christmas edition of the Handmade Market is upon us, and I can't wait! This upscale, select, and oh, so fun, local artisan show is everything you could ask for in a show.

Pinky swear!

The First Fall Handmade Market!

2011-09-14T12:02:00.000-04:00

Oh boy, oh boy! Fall is upon our doorstep and with it comes the annual Grape and Wine Festival here in the Niagara Region. (Okay, technically it's now called the "Wine Festival" but habit goes deep and I can't let go of those grapes!) I can think of no better way to kick it off than to spend my weekend at a beautiful local winery. My fantasies of shopping, eating, and drinking wine--all in a beautiful setting--are coming true! If any of the above might tickle your own fancy, please stop in at the 13th Street Winery on Fourth Avenue (I know, I know, a tricky name) in St. Catharines. You will be delighted by all the delights that Handmade Market has to offer. I promise!

Good morning, Sunshine!

2011-02-17T10:55:00.005-05:00

Here it is, the start to my day. The sunshine casting long shadows on my morning cup. Not a random selection, this cup. In fact, quite a personal journey. I opened the cupboard and surveyed my drinking vessels. "Hmmmmmm," I pondered. Which friend will join me for coffee today? Who will fit in my hands so perfectly this morning. Will it be you, tall, indigo pottery mug? Or maybe you, yellow hot chocolate mug? Ahhhn, of course. I reach into the back and find my lovely namesake. Here is my morning coffee companion for today. Come here, old friend. Let's share a cup of magic, shall we? So as my other friend, Mr. Moka Pot brews up some wonder, I have a brief moment to plan out this Thursday in my mind. Photo albums are on the slate. And, oh yes, I get to try out that fun, sparkly cotton paper from India today, too. Maybe some map journals. And of course, I have Mozart sheet music to create with, too. Hurry up and brew, Mr. Moka. I've got a fantastic day ahead!

What the heart wants

2011-02-14T15:03:00.001-05:00

A burst of sunshine in the heart of winter

Love shows itself in surprising ways. While we are generally conditioned to think mainly of Valentine's Day as a celebration for lovers, I grew up as seeing it as a day of hope. My own mother would sometimes leave a small gift beside my bed for when I awoke. Perhaps a small bag of chocolate hearts or cinnamon candies. It was the joy of finding these small tokens--this splash of red in the heart of wintery white--that always made me smile. They spoke volumes about the power of little luxuries, of wee delights that made me say--and still makes me say--how wonderful that you remembered. That you knew what it took to make me feel special. And now, with my own family and friends, I profess that I cannot read minds but if I listen carefully enough, I can hear what the heart wants. And it wants to feel special. Noticed. Loved. It might be by serving my son homemade cocoa that was frothed on the stove. It might be by playing that song that makes my daughter's eyes light with delight. It might even be taking on that chore that my husband thought I'd forgotten about. Or it might be by calling a friend out of the blue. In themselves, these acts are small. But to the individual, they are tokens from me to them. They say that I noticed. That I remembered. That I know this is what will make you smile. And all these every day bits help make up what it is to be human and connected. They are the building blocks of relating and growing. And loving. Happy Valentine's Day to you.

Saturday daydreaming

2011-02-12T13:59:00.000-05:00

A wonderful sense of contentment is settling in me. I've spent my morning putting my domestic bits back in order. Well, some of them at least. And to my delight, quiet has descended upon my mid-century brick bungalow. My people are away on adventures for the afternoon, Daisy the Jack Russell Terrier is languorously sunning in a patch of warmth on the hardwood floors, and a hot cup of tea steams in front of me. Delicious. And out through my kitchen window, the sky is a crisp winter's blue. Immense clouds glide past, reminiscent of character balloons in big-city parades. In fact, that one hovering over the distant tree line bears an uncanny resemblance to a Muppet. Or maybe I've just got the Swedish Chef on my mind. Meatballs, anyone?

Little treasures

2011-02-10T14:07:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I accomplished a liberating feat. I finished a long overdue task that'd been daunting me for MONTHS. I'm so happy to say that over the next few days, some very special and unsuspecting people will open their mailboxes and find some happy mail tucked amongst their bills and bank statements. Hee hee! Some will be in the form of letters that I'd written years ago and recently rediscovered in a forgotten nook. Others contain children's artwork. Another has a Christmas present from '09. And one has a book that I'd read and wanted to pass along to a far-away relative, as the story was set in a city she'd once spent a portion of her life in. In the heart of a bitterly cold winter, there are little treasures awaiting to warm us all. Mine came in the form of sending some love, unbidden, out into the world. Where will you find yours? I can't wait to find out.

Here we go!

2011-02-07T12:40:00.004-05:00

I think I'm ready. Let me clarify. As it is with my life, this blog is still a work in progress. Text and photos are changing and being tweaked because that is what I do--change and tweak. The editor in me is never fully satisfied. The text can always be improved. The fact is that I probably will constantly rewrite this blog. And why shouldn't it be so? I am constantly changing. My work is constantly evolving. And my experience level is always growing. The content simply reflects who I am in my life at this moment. Where and who I'll be tomorrow is a mystery. That's a good thing.

Oh, how patiently our Daisy waits amidst the snow.

I've just become the cautious owner of a digital SLR camera and I'm experiencing mixed emotions. You see, I'm an old-school gal at heart. Our previous SLR is manual. (And when I say manual, I mean f-stops and shutter speed are all in my control. Pop in the film and away I go.) I adore it. I love the internal tension as I pull back the lever to advance the film. I love how it takes me slow and painstaking minutes to compose my shots just so. If I could have a darkroom in my house, I would jump at the chance. This digital device, however, is a completely different animal to me. The first time I turned it one I jumped back at the complex display screen and immediately turned it off again! But slowly, I'm ready to explore this new kid. I even think I can be friends with both. My old buddy is like going home--comfortable and true; but this new one is an adventure waiting to happen. With it, I can show you my story, display my craft, and help you visualize my world. Rather exciting, I must admit. So, you never know where life will take you or with whom you will travel. I only hope you'll join me on my ride!