Spice Route Studios - Sharon's Studio

Less than a kilometer south of the village of Apsley down Jack Lake Road is the magical world of Apsley Acers. So close to town, yet, once you're down our long driveway, you are transported back in time into the wilds and feel of yesteryear.

Free Grants and the Homesteading Act passed in 1868, enabled settlers to pour into this area during the 1870s and 1880s. My studio Apsley Acers is attached to an original settler circa 1875 log cabin from that period. We call this cabin home. Our picturesque village is roughly half way between the major cities of Toronto and Ottawa (Ontario, Canada), approximately one hour north of the community of Peterborough. A tourist wonderland; which roughly equates to dense forest, a plethora of pristine lakes all maggoty with Precambrian rocks and few year round two-legged residents.

The large windows in my studio showcase the constant changes in the world about me, whether it be the exquisite colour of autumn; white cloaked evergreens of my own personal winter wonderland or a young fawn rambling in spring with its Mother. By watching all these and other intimate details my imagination and inner design strengths find their base.

A hardwood ridge crowds this view from my studio's windows. It births the breezes for summer cooling; it blazes with vivid colour each fall; then slowly the trees loose their leaves and stand as a bone-like skeletal sentinel structure, awaiting spring; this barren season momentarily allows my eye to actually perceive the ridge's height. When the soft infant leaves appear, and the sun's rays warm and develope them to their full fledge greenery; my momentary extended view decreases, till once again the ridge is enclosed with the secrecy of summer.

Wildlife abounds; tiny mice and moles; chipmunks, red squirrels and nocturnal flying squirrels; marmots and fox are only some of the constant 4 - legged residents also sharing our magical space.

Moose, deer, elk and bear lumber through the acreage at will; often past our cabin windows.

With this wonderful world at my finger tips - how can I not create.

Our "pedigree Heinz 57" 120 lb. foundling dog called Brian (who arrived before Christmas our first year) help keep my husband and myself company, as we all freely wander about our forest. I find the natural environment elemental, uncompromising and charged with meaning. Through this larger than life landscape I move with senses on full alert, exquisitely attuned to my surroundings, constantly noting responses to ongoing minute changes. Greeting all plants by name, I often forage for wild and domestic herb bits for medicinal and culinary use. Carefully gathering only what is required for our current need, and even then careful to be as unobtrusive as possible.

We are Apsley Acers' stewards for this time in its history, honored to be here , thus protecting its flow and harmony is not a chore. This beautiful property can remain as undisturbed and primeval as possible. Part of my karma is to live my life to the fullest while only imprinting the faintest footprint possible upon Gaia.

I often think that as a species we are becoming more and more detached from the natural world and continue to do it more harm than good. The connected vuneralability of animals and humans has grown undeniable.

Our efforts to hear again the little understood messages that the owls, tree frogs, nesting ravens or raucous jays bring from other conditions of life may be crucial to our efforts to save our own lives.

We cannot separate the animal, plant or human spheres. We are all symbiotic internal cogs of the wheel of life.

I called a recent acrylic painting sketch " Requiem for the Corvids ". It evolved after the enormous winter feeder outside my window hosted only one pair of Blue Jays all one winter. The "herd" which used to wake me up each morning was gone. This change announced clearly to me that the disruptive line of West Nile disease had now progressed into our own area of the wheel. Fortunately the next winter numbers have started to rise - alas my noisey "herd" is yet to be recovered.

We seem to worry only about the human side of this equation. Counting Crows (also Corvids) in a cold factual manner. Why do we humans constantly fail to see the whole picture? A question I often ask my soul mate when the world seems too uncaring.

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My new studio evolved from two small rooms, recently converted to open space. The removal of one wall and the insertion of one huge white pine beam (which my husband harvested from a white pine on the property) brought it to being. Daylight spills through the aforementioned bank of second hand windows. The space is creative chaos - littered with beads, jewelry, books, paints and other artistic projects in many stages of completion. This room with the view, like our property, feeds my soul, enabling meditation and execution of my multitude of constant projects simultaneously.

My newer jewelry work evolves from glimpses into Apsley Acers' soul. Utilizing slices of raw rock (often purchased at the local Bancroft Gemboree) hewn from the ground, I polish one side to reveal the intristic beauty hidden within each piece. A hauntingly beautiful yet rustic, wearable art piece invariably evolves.
I am not looking to achieve a polished, perfect, or symmetrical style with my necklaces. These seem to be the mainstay of today's jewelry industry. I appreciate the more basic vibration and allow it to showcase itself when possible. My work has gained appreciation from a wide audience of collectors. This past year several pieces have been featured in full colour page ads on the back covers of several major magazines; for a well known US bead/gem company. This same company also commissioned 3 pieces for their private jewelry collection. These pieces were used in their 2004 catalogue. Another piece won a 2nd place prize in a large international contest. The most recent excitement was a show in agallery for the month of January 2005 which did so amazing I am still feeling over whelmed. (reviews here) The gallery which at first was hesitant with the idea of jewelry as an art form were overwhelmed with viewer numbers and sales. A wonderful beginning for us both in a new area. Last but not least many many pieces have happily claimed their perspective owners through out the globe. (View sold Items here- 2nd album)

I am just another thread in the bead warp of time, I think my work is extremely unique, a bit off the wall and often far fetched. Each of my individually designed pieces definitely has a prospective partner waiting for them somewhere on this planet.

I often head off on tangents, working numerous threads and ideas into my designs. Some pieces evolve from ancient legends. I also address the "energies" natural stones have hidden within them, waiting to be tapped - sometimes their colour and/or the charm talisman energy, if that story also needs to be told. Each component has an internal history almost as fascinating as the piece itself. Sometimes several pieces will evolve from a single tangent - actually "Tangents" would be an excellent title name should I ever personally have my own "show". All pieces become alive as they evolve. When my jewels are admired, people often tell me they feel a particular piece quietly calling to them. I think this unified voice is a melodic ethereal chorus from all the stones and beads. I know they certainly vie for my attention to be chosen during the creation process. Growing up in the wilds of the North Shore of Lake Superior allows me a comfortable serenity and appreciation of the inherent artistic perfection bequeathed to us all from Gaia. I feel privileged to be given the opportunity to show case "Mother Nature's" work so folk with busy lives can glimpse her creative beauty even if only momentarily.

Utilizing gemstones and beads from about the globe, I freely admit to one and all my addiction to one of the world's oldest professions: