New Barb's Outlet newsletter is out! If you haven't seen the new issue yet, check your spam folder. Featured workshop projects in this issue (step-by-step photos with captions) - Making pendants from cuttlefish castings: New tutorial: How to make simple loops (link in newsletter). New items available on Etsy: Pearl pendants on stylized heart bails[...]
SHIPPING DELAYS NOTICE Canada Post advises that delivery times are at least one week longer than usual--so add that time to the estimated delivery date for any Barb's Outlet Etsy orders. Canada Post is dealing with Christmas volumes of mail, due to people ordering online rather than shopping in stores. I believe the US postal system is dealing with the same situation. GI[...]
Barb's Outlet is taking COVID-19 precautions for your safety. CURBSIDE PICKUP is now available for Lacombe, AB customers. Email me for details. NO GIFT BOXES OR GIFT MESSAGING ARE AVAILABLE FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE. Purchases will be packaged in ziplock bags. Please follow this procedure when you receive a shipment: 1) Put water with a little dish detergent and 1 tsp. b[...]
Alberta public healthcare Commentary: What, exactly, makes the government think it’s okay: - For them to lie to the people they are supposed to be caring for and “representing” (what a joke); - Break their word; - Break the law with impunity (contracts with doctors, nurses, and teachers); - Treat healthcare workers with disdain and disregard as though they a[...]
Newsletter signups Have you signed up for my newsletter...but haven't seen anything from me yet? Possible reasons: You didn't see the opt-in message asking you to confirm your email address (so you are "Unconfirmed" and won't receive onboarding emails; it's a sort of no-man's-land); Onboarding emails aren't going to your Inbox; or Your email provider is blockin[...]
Do you remember the mystery stone with a hidden surprise? As it happens, there were more surprises in store after I blogged about this stone. For starters, it took me a good deal longer than 45 minutes to finish grinding and polishing the two halves of the stone--especially after I decided the partially ground and polished cabochons were too thick. This was a weight consideration[...]
Alberta health care update Christine P. Molnar, president of the Alberta Medical Association, has issued a statement that discussions will continue next week with the Alberta government in an attempt toward a physician agreement that provides value for patients, fairness for physicians, and affordability for the system. You can read Dr. Molnar's statement here. While this[...]
Alberta's health care is in crisis. The sweeping policy changes made by Tyler Shandro, Jason Kenney, and the UCP to take effect April 1--now, isn't that a date with interesting connotations?--won't affect only doctors in our province. It will affect every single Alberta resident. Most of us have no idea how far-reaching and disastrous those effects will be. Here are some li[...]
Our Rock Club had a table at the Red Deer Rock n' Gem Show yesterday. We displayed a number of member-made items on our table (beadwork items by Carolyn (Lady Beadle); fold-formed items by Ron; hand-forged copper bowls by Doug; and wire-wrapped and silversmith items by me). Ron, Doug, and Tony took turns giving fold-forming demonstrations for onlookers (using an anvil mounted[...]
Glamour shot of student ring from recent class This Argentium silver ring was made by a student in my recent knot-a-ring class at the Lacombe Handicraft and Lapidary Guild. It is only the second ring she's made. Instead of using a single wire, she used two--and wrapped them as though they were one. I brought the ring home to further polish and harden it in my rock t[...]
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