Countdown to the Festive Season

     

     Glowing Autumn leaves, foggy morning light... needless to say it is a beautiful time of the year. There is still plenty of sunshine to enjoy when taking a break from preparations in the studio for the Festive season ahead of us. I'm looking forward to meeting you at one of the shows I'm doing before the end of this year. Don't hesitate to get in touch or browse Valg Studio shop online if it's not meant to meet in person.

      I'm delighted my first show of the season will kick off in Cork city. If you live in the province of Munster or are visiting Cork city during the second week of November make sure to visit the annual Glucksman Gallery Craft + Design Fair.  It is wonderful vibrant craft fair and I will have new work on display as well as old favourites. I hope to see you there! 

Valg Studio stand at The Glucksman Gallery Craft + Design Fair 2015

Get ready to feel the Christmas spirit! Liga x

Gastronomy & Art. Food & Pottery.

     Artist made exquisite tableware, locally sourced and prepared food right in front of you, beautiful open-air setting by the lakeside on the fine Summer evening. What can I say - a feast for the eyes and the soul.

     Recently I had the pleasure of attending the Gala dinner, culmination of the 1st International Ceramic symposium CLAYMEAL held in Latvia, Vaidava. The symposium gathered artists from around the world, including Ireland, to create dishes for the 11 course menu created by the head chef of the restaurant „Valmiermuižas pārstāvniecība Rīgā” Dzintars Kristovskis. Each participant received 50-70 kg of red clay from local quarry and the creative journey started. Tableware created is unique and special in many ways. It was then used for serving dinner ''Pilnbrieda garša. Latvijas vasara'' /''Mature taste. Summer in Latvia''). I loved that fact that the menu focused on local food and ingredients, but offered them in ways I had never experienced before.

     I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to find the proper wording for ingredients in english and translate the menu. Especially because many of the ingredients were new to me, for example, various edible wild flowers or fir needle oil. Not to mention that every dish was perfectly paired with craft beer from a small manor brewery ''Valmiermuižas alus''. My sisters and myself were lucky to be part of this special meal. It was also a night to celebrate the music of Haralds Sīmanis, a lot of distinctive raw power in his voice. We had a perfectly delightful evening full of moments and emotions to treasure. Sometimes we have to stop worrying, wondering, and doubting and just live the moment.

If you would like to learn about this event or future similar activities in your region visit:

symposiums.lv

Europen Region of Gastonomy

''The best thing about the whole Nordic food movement is that it has made possible to be honest, to be who you are. You don't have to pretend to be an Italian chef, you don't have to pretend to understand Asian flavours and cook with out-of-season bullshit ingredients from duck knows where, you no longer have to be a copy of an imitation.'' - Dzintars Kristovskis

I hope you have all had an amazing Summer filled with inspiration, laughter, sunshine and positive energy. Liga x

Wonderfully interesting menu, brilliant chef.

Nice atmosphere by the lake Vaidava.

Haralds Sīmanis unique musical talent.

Relaxed and happy.

No.11 on the menu, so good and perfect finish to our meal.

CLAYMEAL Exhibition.

A personal favourite.

All images © 2016 Liga Valge

Kilkenny Arts Festival Has Kicked Off

     Kilkenny is charming, quirky and vibrant city. There is really something special about this city, I bet it is safe to say you are guaranteed and amazing, memorable time if visiting during Arts Festival in August.

     Delighted once again to take part at this wonderful festival with fellow FORM Designmade in Carlow members. This year our venue is an unit at Pembroke Hotel courtyard. Open 5th - 14th August, 10am - 6pm daily. Jewellery, ceramics, stone and textiles. Come along and say hello!

FORM Craft Exhibition

     FORM Craft Exhibition showcases wonderful work from local art and crafts people including jewellery design, ceramics, stone and fine art textiles. Taking place in the beautiful and historic Shaw Room of Carlow County Library it is open during Carlow Arts Festival until 18th June.

     Tireless work and support from everyone involved leading up to last Friday concluded with the opening of FORM exhibition by the Minister of Enterprise (Mary Mitchell O'Connor) and launch of brand new FORM Designmade in Carlow brochures. Thanks for the  continued support to Karen Hennessey from the Design and Craft Council of Ireland (DCCOI).

     Below you will find a short video from the opening day on 10th June. Part about FORM starts at 1:00 into the clip. Delighted to show the Minister my new work. We had a short conversation about it and the material I use. Great to hear a compliment. It was a lovely morning.

     Many thanks to Kieran Comerford and John Mulcahy from Local Enterprise Office and the team at Carlow Library for all their help organising this significant event. I have to admit I think the window film looks great, very eye-catching. 

Fragment Series Necklace / Valg Studio

FORM Craft Exhibition during Carlow Arts Festival at Carlow County Library, June 2016

DIVA Necklace / Valg Studio

Icy Necklace, Rocks Brooches / Valg Studio

Official opening of FORM Craft Exhibition by Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Mary Mitchell O'Connor. 

Martin Lyttle, Stone sculpture.

     I'm honored to be part of this exhibition and delighted to show new work. FORM Designmade in Carlow exhibition during the Carlow Arts Festival in Carlow Library is open till 18th June. You are all welcome to visit. Liga x

Rocks Collection

     Introducing the new 'Rocks' collection featuring simple and elegant contemporary pieces. Treat yourself with fresh colors and unique designs to complement your individual style. The beauty of statement jewelry is that it only takes one piece to make your whole outfit to stand out.

     Tirelessly tiny pieces of polymer are cut, chosen and arranged in clusters on pearl white or granite polymer clay base to create limited edition cluster rings, earrings and pendants. The inspiration behind the collection grew from the statement necklace 'Icy' designed and made last year for the International Polymer Clay Awards.

     Selection of 'Rocks' collection will be available online at valgstudio.etsy. Alternatively during the Summer months I will take part at Carlow Arts Festival in June and Kilkenny Arts Festival in August. Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or require further information.

     I was delighted to work with Ramona from Strike a Pose blog and Dagnis from Photography by Dagnis Abols on the Rocks photoshoot. I couldn't have wished for a better model than Ramona and Dagnis captured the mood and pieces of this collection wonderfully. Product photography by Rory Moore during the FORM Designmade in Carlow annual photoshoot.

     I wish you a wonderful Summer filled with love, adventure, joy and piece. Liga x