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Arts Council Artist Directory
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Shirley Ivison (613)477-2869
Columbine Cottage Ever since childhood in Ancaster Ontario, I’ve been interested in art and crafts of some form. First it was sketching animal portraits, (which I still do on occasion); then in high school, sewing and art classes. Thereafter, self-taught through public library research and some workshops, I worked at various fibre and fabric based crafts and competitive flower arranging, later intermingled with family life with my husband and two children. After extensive travel in western Europe and north Africa, and residing in several areas of Ontario, my family and I left the 'golden horseshoe' and I finally settled in our present location on Highway 37, just north of Roslin. Here I operate and enjoy a small shop, Columbine Cottage, adjacent to our old stone home. I create wreaths, floral arrangements, cloth toys, dolls, apparel, etc. I stumbled upon my most successful project accidentally; a simple Santa figure with a plain face typical of Hamish dolls. After considerable success with these Santas, the repetition of this style became monotonous. I began to experiment with shaping, moulding then stiffening fabric to develop faces with a three dimensional ‘lifelike’ appearance. They are often mistaken for ceramic or porcelain. Each santa is now entirely handcrafted including the armatures, leather boots and sacks or shoulder bags, mitts or gloves, and treated sheep's wool beards. The costumes, created from my own patterns, vary from woolen trousers and coats, to velvet robes trimmed with fur, braid or cording. Appropriate 'to scale' accessories complete each figure. These styles developed from research in the public library and any other publications I could find; by which I discovered (and am still discovering) the history and legends of Christmas and the Evolution of Santa Claus. I now create over thirty Santa styles, including seventeen figures of the Legends Collection which illustrate the evolution of Santa Claus as we know him today, from before Christianity. There are also the Classic Collection of four old European style Santas and my one of a kind originals; the Canadian North Santas that depict my ideas of how our very own Santa could look. I make several Heritage Santas; others can be created from your childhood memories or a picture. You may complement your décor with a Custom Order; or feature a special fabric remnant, fur piece or other treasure in a 'Memories' Santa. The sizes vary from 14" to 26" in height. I have successfully participated in the Friends of Presqu'ile Christmas show and sale for several years, the Tweed & Area Studio Tour, for five years and made numerous sales from my shop over the past twelve years. My Santas are spread from coast to coast in Canada, and as far south as California in the USA. Please come visit Columbine Cottage . . . and don’t forget to bring your imagination!
For more information about Shirley and her beautiful Santas go to her website at: www.centrehastings.com/santas |
