UNIK printshop

2012-01-25T17:57:00.000-08:00

Unik is stoked to now be selling its work at Maison Kasini. I am entering a stimulating world with a ton of great artists. I'm ready to learn and happy to share with these guys! Check them out, they're downtown on Ste-Catherine street.

http://maisonkasini.com/art/

A New Logo

2012-01-19T16:08:00.001-08:00

Here is my new logo!

Its been a while that I wanted to create a better logo for UNIK Printshop,
and now I have it! I imagine it with a few possible variations, such as changing
the color of the triangle sometimes (for special occasions), or simply printing
it in black and white... I really like it, I think it represents me pretty well and
that people will be able to soon associate it with my stuff!

On a high from being at Smart Design Mart

2011-12-04T06:10:00.001-08:00

The Mart is going amazing so far, I am meeting tons of great people, the vibe is chill (beer&wine on friday!), the sales are good... well I am really on a high from Smart Design Mart. There's one last chance (today, 12h-5h) for you to come and check it out and you should because the level of creativity seen at this event is extremely high!

UNIK will be present @ MARCHÉ SMART DESIGN MART

2011-11-22T17:28:00.000-08:00

I am so happy to be part of the next MARCHÉ SMART DESIGN MART which will be
held during the weekend of the 2,3,4th of december. Its a super artsy/underground scene
and there is tons of talented artists that are part of the event. You can check out their website

SMART DESIGN MART

and here is the floor plan. I am at the bottom of the plan, to the right. A nice big space for me! woot woot...

More veneers on Etsy

2011-10-25T14:53:00.000-07:00

I just uploaded a bunch of veneers for sale on my etsy shop, go check it out, they make for awesome gifts and are very affordable.

Next fair is the HANDMADE HARVEST CRAFT SHOW, nearby Ottawa

2011-10-25T06:41:00.000-07:00

I am excited and happy to be part of the Handmade Harvest Holidays show which will be held in Almonte the first weekend of november (4th and 5th). I will mostly present my veneers, t-shirts and a few little items that are perfect for christmas socks!
Come and see me if you are around the area, and check out their facebook page for directions and more infos: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Handmade-Harvest-Craft-Show/151434371534262

UNIK au Salon des Artisans de Québec

2011-10-14T09:43:00.000-07:00

Je serai présente durant le Salon des Artisans de Québec, du 8 au 18 décembre prochain.
Venez me voir pour compléter vos achats de Noel, j'aurai plusieurs designs sur veneer, t-shirts et créations sur bois!

New Consignment

2011-08-28T06:11:00.000-07:00

Hey folks, You can now find a bunch of my UNIK products at Tah-dah!-Boutique.Galerie.Métiers-dart which is located
right behind the Jean-Talon market (on Jean-Talon street) Its a beautifull boutique that sells only Made in Québec
creations. see their facebook page!

Festival des Arts visuels de Valleyfield ce weekend...

2011-08-04T10:22:00.000-07:00

Venez me voir ce weekend au parc Sauvé de Valleyfield, pendant le festival des Arts Visuels de Valleyfield. samedi 10h à 20h et dimanche 10h à 17h... j'aurai mes veneers, mes blocs de bois et mes prints!

some news t-shirt designs..

2011-07-16T12:25:00.001-07:00

UNIK sera au FIMA du 29 juin au 3 juillet!

2011-06-24T07:16:00.001-07:00

Venez me voir sur la rue Ste-Catherine (entre Montcalm et Beaudry) du 29 juin au 3 juillet lors du FIMA Festival International de Montréal en Art. C'est l'occasion de passer du bon temps à se promener sur la partie piétonne de la rue Ste-Cat, tout en admirant des oeuvres d'artistes étalées sur plus d'un kilomètre. La GaleRue d'art débute à St-Hubert et va jusqu'à Papineau. Du même coup, vous pouvez venir assister aux différents show du Festival de JaZZ! Je serai au kiosque 55 avec mes multiples créations UNIK, donc
passez le mot et à bientôt...

http://www.festivaldesarts.org/accueil_fr.htm

http://www.festivaldesarts.org/exposants2010/artist.php?action=home&lang=fr&id=455

Pour la St-Jean, on est à St-Jean voyons!

2011-06-10T07:14:00.000-07:00

My next market is the first outdoor one of the season! yep... the time of wind and rain and else is started. But its ok, this year I got myself a sexy ans sturdy new Caravane tent, and I am stoked and excited to try it. So for the weekend of St-Jean-Baptiste (24-25-26th of june) I will be having a booth at LES ARTS DANS LE PARC, in St-Jean-sur-le-Richelieu. For those of you not in the loops, that region on Québec recenlty suffered quit a bit due to flooding. Hopefully, I lot of people show up to show their solidarity.

Les Arts dans le Parc website

Next show is PUCES POP MONTRÉAL!

2011-05-24T08:20:00.000-07:00

Hey hey!!

I am back in town baby...
for the past 3 weeks or so I went back to my roots in the treeplanting business. It was a fun and quick way to make a little extra money before the summer, plus I got to meet some charming people! But now its back to business baby and I am looking at a very full season of markets and festival. My next show will be the always amazing PUCES POP, held in Montréal the weekend of the 4th and 5th of june at l'Église Enfant Jésus (corner of St-Laurent and St-Joseph).

There's always a ton of amazing artist hangin around there so if you are up for a good time, come and say hi!
For a change and to spice it up, I might not have all of my regular setup. I found some awesome old luggages-suitcases and I would like to use them for my display... we'll see...

At least 2 festivals for the summer...

2011-04-07T07:35:00.000-07:00

Got some good news lately...
UNIK printshop, or Sérigraphie UNIK (my new french name!) got accepted to take part in at least 2 festival this summer.
I will be part of the FIMA, the Festival International Montréal en Arts, in Montréal from the 29th of june to the 3rd of july

http://www.festivaldesarts.org/

and I will also proudly be present to the Festival des Arts Visuels de Valleyfield, in my home town, during the 6th and 7th of august.

http://sites.google.com/site/festivaldesartsvisuels/

Come say HI! :)

A bit of news, a bit of chatting!

2011-04-03T08:30:00.000-07:00

So today I decided to give you guys a little update about UNIK's situation these days. Lots of people have been asking me how the business is going so far, if I am doing markets, what is keeping me busy and such...So as you all probably know by now, after many years of fun, discoveries and also normal life in British-Columbia, I decided to move back to Québec for 2011. Transition times are never easy and I was well aware that it would be a tough part for me, and it is! I left behind my studio at the foot of the Hudson Bay Mt, and also left behind my one year investment time out west.... But its ok, that's what I wanted for multiple reasons...

Anyhow, so since I came back, I have put lots of energy to try to "re-start" my business here. I am looking into buying a house in which I could install my studio. This is the hardest part to do since I find few options that fits my needs and taste. Since I don't have a studio yet here, I have been lucky to find a place in Montreal where I can rent studio time. Its called La Bourgeoise Sérigraphe. , thanks to Iris for all the help and tricks. 'Cause of that I have been able to somewhat continue to do some projects. I printed some wedding invitations on fabrics (see top photo) and was also able to put out for sale a series of treeplanting T-shirts. I also took part in the march Puces Pop fair in Montreal which was fun.

I wont lie and say that I have had no frustrations about work lately... ahahah, but I see more and more the end of the tunnel and I know that the summer will be great. I have been preparing another set of wood art blocks, been doing some consignement and other Graphic Design contracts. I've also been applying to many summer markets and I'll put my summer schedule up as soon as it will be confirmed.

All in all, my return is positive and I am looking forward to jump into the many opportunities that it holds!

This is the Studio where I have been printing lately....

A TREEPLATING SERIES OF DESIGN

2011-03-11T15:12:00.000-08:00

I am super happy to finally put my thoughts to execution and offer the world of treeplanting a new series of design inspired by our culture. God knows how much our Treeplanting industry and needs a major make over in terms of image and style.
Enough of the t-shirts that we only want to actually wear again when we are deep into the woods, covered in mud.
With this serie of simple designs, inspired by the daily life and challenges of our work, i hope to make a step in the
right direction and offer to the planters an option that they will be proud to wear. I have never seen any options of
design like this in the market up to these days, and its unfortunate. So here it is, CHECK THEM OUT, SHARE THE LINK, TELL YOUR FRIENDS, WEAR THEM, LOVE THEM....

http://unikprintshop.bigcartel.com/

Yeah! UNIK has also been featured on http://www.replant.ca/ et Tree-planter.com

more on the site! hurry up and make sure to get your look set up for the next season!

Puces feedback!

2011-03-09T08:20:00.000-08:00

I just returned from a creatively stimulating weekend at Puces Pop Montréal where I was a seller for the first time. I was happy to be selected to display my UNIK creations among a bunch of other artists and crafty people. In the past I remember going to these events and being so intimidated by the style, creativity and awesomness of the sellers and I was putting them for sure on a pedestal. So being part of them this year was great and I was happy to realise that they were just like you and I! ahah but seriously, every market that I do I am happy to meet new people and its fun to share about work, art, and the reality of being "an entrepreneur" in this tide of Arts and crafts. So the weekend was a good one, aside from the crapy weather and the fact that its march! I was able to see lots of my old friends too and this was another bonus to being there. Thanks for coming to see me guys, by the way. Anyhooo, I loved my experience and I will for sure try to be present to the other Puces Pop shows (october and december) so next time make sure to come check it out!

Above is my neighboor, the illustrator Raymond Biesinger and below are some other friends and vendor's table. The level of creativity that I saw this weekend was amazing. It was for sure a good time even though it is march, which is not usually a super great month for business!

Luc Bossé pour Les Éditions POW POW

Valérie, pour La Bourgeoise Sérigraphie

Puces POP

2011-02-07T12:43:00.001-08:00

Yeah, UNIK participera à la foire la plus Indie en ville ce mois prochain. Venez me voir à PUCES POP (qui fait partie de Pop Montréal) ce 5 et 6 mars prochain. C'est un évènement vraiment unique qui fait la promotion d'artistes indépendant et de tout ce qui se fait de plus cool en ville.

UNIK will take part in one of the most Indie art show in town this next month... Come see me at PUCES POP this next 5-6 march. This is a really fun show who promotes independant artists with their unique creations.

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=194919730520415

What is UNIK cooking lately...

2011-01-09T17:31:00.000-08:00

Here are a few pictures of one of my last projects in 2010.
Just before moving back east I was able to participate in one of
David and the Wood's promotion package. A package with 4 cd's
and a great UNIK hand printed box.

Check them out on facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/David-and-the-Woods/63914663031

Christmas in the Gallery

2010-12-08T19:53:00.000-08:00

UNIK's products are on sale for one last time in your local Art Gallery.
There are tons of talented artists showing off their creations in the Gallery this year. We have a new concept and the whole room is turned into some sort of gift shop, with items such as pottery, paintings, prints, cards, etc. Its a great way to learn about the local artists and to support your Art Gallery. Come and have a look, its open tuesday to saturday, 12h to 18h. The Grand Opening is friday 10th at 7pm.

UNIK is now an Authorized Stormtech dealer

2010-11-27T15:03:00.000-08:00

Great news, UNIK is now an Authorized dealer for the Stormtech products and apparel. They have some awesome jackets, athletic shirts, accesories, etc... Contac me if you would like to get a quote for any of their clothing, plus or without screenprinting images. I've got pretty good deals which I am sure will make you very happy. In the meantime, check out their website at

http://www.stormtech.ca

Back from Vancouver... and people talk about UNIK...

2010-11-25T14:00:00.000-08:00

I just came back from an awesome weekend of total immersion into Arts and crafts. My friend Britt and I spent all day last thursday to make our way down to the big city. I was having a booth at the MAKE it market so we braved the cold/snow.
I L-O-V-E taking part in these events because I always learn so much. The other sellers are very open and sharing and it kinda becomes a small community. All in all, I had an awesome time, got to meet ALissa, Olga, made new friends and was visited by some sweet treeplanters...

Here, they talk about UNIK........... http://stitchrabbit.typepad.com/stitch-rabbit/2010/11/make-it-vancouver-.html

And here are some shots taken quickly at the end of the market:

My friend Olga selling her beautifull Art. Olga was kind enough to let us stay at her place!

My front neighboor selling awesome little handmade monsters

MAKE IT Vancouver, the Handmade Revolution

2010-11-08T12:39:00.000-08:00

I will soon be heading to Vancouver for the amazing MAKE it market which takes place on the 19th-20th and 21st of November. This is one of the most fun Indie art fair in town and a great place to pick up a few holiday presents. I am always amazed by the talent of all the creators present and its a great opportunity to check out the latest creations and ideas. Make It fuses indie shopping, a fully licensed bar and music spun by top Vancouver DJs to create a dynamic, upbeat experience! There will be something for everyone from fashion, accessories, art, jewelry, baby items and home decor.

Should I repeat?? a licensed bar...........

More infos on their website: http://makeitproductions.com/vancouver/welcome-to-make-it/

Here are also some 2$ off admission tickets. You can print those off and get a discount on your entry fee.

(click here to print a printer's friendly version)

PG was awesome, now off to Kitimat!

2010-11-02T10:39:00.000-07:00

I just came back from beautifull* Prince George where I had a booth at the UNBC fair. It was
impressive to see so many artisans and people walking in the university corridors. Definitely a good time! Thanks to Amanda for giving me a roof and sharing a nice Halloween dress up evening!

The Revenge of the Pine

2010-10-25T11:48:00.001-07:00

Fresh off the press are the Plan B brewery shirts.
The Revenge of the Pine, by local artist Facundo.
They are for sale at the brewery! In blue or Red...
Thanks Mark and Glen, it was awesome working with you.

http://www.facebook.com/planbbrewing

3 Workshops coming up!

2010-10-13T11:51:00.000-07:00

ALL WORKSHOPS ARE NOW FULL!!!!
THANKS FOR YOUR INTEREST.

Unik printshop will be giving 3 workshop in the next couple months. Register NOW to make sure to have a place. And do not hesitate to contact me for more infos!

SUNDAY 17TH OF OCTOBER----- FULL

SUNDAY 7TH OF NOVEMBER----- FULL

WEEKEND 13-14TH OF NOVEMBER------FULL

Cost is 45$ including one t-shirt. Lessons starts at 1pm and goes for all afternoon usually. You'll learn how the screenprinting process works and will be able to print your own image on different kinds of materials. Its a fun time and a great way to create personnalized and handmade gifts for the holiday season!

to register you can send me an email----- unikprintshop@gmail.com

2011 Calendars

2010-10-08T11:47:00.001-07:00

I just finished some awesome 2011 Hand screenprinted desktop Calendars. 12 pages of unique designs printed in the studio, plus a transparent calendar case to put on your desk. All created by UNIK printshop. They will soon be for sale for 16$ in my Etsy shop so make sure to visit the site.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/unikprintshop

T-shirt photoshoot

2010-09-30T08:52:00.000-07:00

I had the pleasure of having 2 awesome models with me lately. I wanted to take a few shots in order to promote my UNIK t-shirts and I asked my friends Britt and Mike (newly weds) if they would be interested. We first tried the train track, but we were told that it was too dangerous, so after this life threatening experience, we headed for the Fire department training centre to find nice graffitis on old cargo car. It was really fun to work with both of them, so Thanks again for your help and your beautyness!

UNIK is supporting The Shanti Uganda Society

2010-09-27T11:21:00.000-07:00

UNIK printshop is proud to support the Shanti Uganda society organisation, which is organizing a foundraising this coming Wednesday 29th in Vancouver. If you are in the neighbourhood you should check it out. There will be tons of great and unique Art work, and it will give you the chance to support the organization in the same time.

To buy Tickets or donate an art work go to:
http://www.shantiuganda.org

New page on my Website

2010-09-22T10:08:00.000-07:00

So I felt like I needed to update my website a little bit. There were a few infos that I wish would have been there straight from the beginning and I was just unable to get myself around refreshing it. I had planned to put time and energy on it in Québec but with all this french social life, time ran out.

I finally spent some time on it lately, changed a few things and created a new Products and Services page. The French version is still to come...

www.unikprintshop.com

One last outdoor market

2010-09-16T11:09:00.001-07:00

Come see me at the next Smithers Farmers Market, this coming Saturday 18th. From 8am to 12pm. With this automn arriving, its one of the last outdoor market and probably the last one for UNIK printshop, as Saturday the 25th I will be having a printing Workshop at the studio and wont be available for the market. See you there!

Frelighsburg Festiv'ART 2010

2010-09-07T06:05:00.000-07:00

The weekend was a real pleasure and a success for UNIK printshop. I spent the last few days in a region of my own province that I truely didn't know too much, and it felt great to discover such beautifull new places. There was tons of people walking down the streets and litterally taking over the charming 1100 people village of Frelighsburg. Fun times fun times!

Festival des Arts Visuels de Valleyfield

2010-08-09T17:44:00.000-07:00

This past weekend was the Festival des Arts Visuels de Valleyfield and it was a real fun time for me. It was my first event in Québec, and first in my hometown and Ohhhh God, did I feel it. I felt it because there was so many people asking me if I was the daughter of Rémi Joubarne, or the niece of the other, or if I knew this Joubarne, etc. There is even a older man who told me that my Grandmother was his teacher! Valleyfield is not as small as Smithers, but still, everyone knows everyone too! Anyways, the festival was a great time and I was able to reunite with some old friends and see a lot of people that I know, in the same time as doing some good sales. The Festival was so well organized and the planning and help for the artists was impecable. There is even a saxophonist who came and played a song inside my booth. It was one of my secret favorite moment, since lately I have been having a huge interest for this instrument. I will for sure try to participate again next year.

Kispiox Music Festival

2010-07-26T11:23:00.000-07:00

I just came back from an Awesome weekend in the Kispiox Valley. I had a booth at the Music festival and was able to meet tons of fun people, share time with some old friends, enjoy the sunday sun and even do a few sales! After over ten years of hangin out around the area without being able to go to the festival, I was happy to finally have the opportunity to participate in the event. Here are some pictures of the booth and the weekend. I also took the time to shoot a few of my new Wood Art pieces which is my latest project. I am having so much fun doing it!!! I am actually going to go print a few more blocks right now!

Some treeplanting imagery, of course!

This is my friend Jess who was having a booth in front of me. She creates beautiful jewelry in copper, it was really a tease all weekend to not want to buy all of her things, specially those nice turquoise leaf earrings! She was making a brand new batch during the weekend...

Busy days...

2010-07-17T14:01:00.000-07:00

Sorry, I have been pretty busy lately and I haven't been able to update this site much. I have been printing so much. I was mostly working on my first real big order (260 t-shirts for Summit Reforestation, picture above) and a few smaller orders as well. On top of that, I still had my booth at the farmers market on saturdays and I have been preparing a few of the upcoming festivals. During this process, I started to do more art pieces with wood and I am so into this project these days, its really fun. I found some 2" thick wood at a small local mill here and after sanding it down and vernishing it, I give it a bit of paint and then I screenprint an image that I drew or designed on it. This way, each piece is absolutely unique. This is mostly for the festival in Valleyfield, but I might bring some pieces at the Kispiox Music festival, so make sure to look for them!

Also, Tomorrow is my second workshop with some fellow creative ladies! I will try to give at least one workshop per month so do not hesitate to contact me if you are interested. I can also arrange workshops on demand, so if you are a few people (5-6) wanting to learn how to screenprint let me know!

Smithers Farmers Market

2010-07-04T09:55:00.001-07:00

So I was finally able to make it to the farmers market and have a booth there. It has been a while that it was my plan to do so, but with treeplanting and the midsummer festival, I wasn't able to go. Yesterday, I truly had a good time there and it was by far my favorite event so far. The sun was there, the kids were playing around, there was tons of awesome people, my neighbour was selling Chai tea (oh yeah!) and the cuban music was just chill and perfect. It was the perfect morning and a good way to start the day. I will continue to be there at my booth for the next two weeks so you should come hang out! Maybe you'll even find something UNIK to bring back home!

Smithers Main street festival

2010-06-20T10:37:00.001-07:00

I am finally back into "normal" life and as soon as I arrived I prepared myself for the mainstreet festival here in Smithers. I had a booth just beside Oscar's source for sports and was able to enjoy the very Sunny day watching bmx jumping and listening to awesome music. It was a great day, just chillin and enjoying the croud. Next off:..... Midsummer Festival, Yeah!

Some products photos!

2010-04-22T22:56:00.000-07:00

Since I have put my online store on hold for a little month, you can scan through these photos to see a few of my products...

Gone Treeplanting...

2010-04-22T08:42:00.000-07:00

Well.... that fatal moment has come and I have to put my business on hold for a little month and a half. I am leaving, again, for some treeplanting work in northern BC. I have been a treeplanter and then a foreman for the past 11 years and this year is the one where I retire and move on to other glories. So, I am sorry if my online store is on hold and there wont be much new stuff on this blog for a few weeks. I'll make sure to return in force in the mid-june.

I'll also be participating in a bunch of markets;
*The Bulkley Valley Farmers Markets (Smithers, saturday morning)
*The Midsummer Festival and also
*The Kispiox Festival.

I will driving accross the country to go hit a few of Québec's festival and I am now looking into doing a few markets in the south of BC.

Stay tune!

PORTOBELLO WEST fashion and art market in Calgary! Happening NOW!

2010-04-09T23:10:00.000-07:00

I am in Calgary this weekend, taking part in one of my first real big city markets. Its Happening NOW! at the Big four building in Stampede park. Come see me all weekend, there's some nice treasures for sale!

First workshop a success!

2010-04-05T21:19:00.000-07:00

I was giving my 1st workshop this weekend and I had so much fun. I taught the process of screenprinting to 6 girls who wanted to try something new and creative. We did some Gocco printing as well as traditional screenprinting in my studio, along with chatting, eating cookies and drinking coffee Baileys! It was really a great afternoon for me and I was happy to be able to share my passion. The girls were excited and eager to print and it made me even more excited to give the lesson! I am definitely going to give more workshop in a near future. I like to "teach" and I am so passionate with screenprinting that I need to share about it!

On my way back home I was thinking about the afternoon and I was actually realizing how superbe of a medium/process screenprinting is. In only a few hours and a quick little lesson, the girls were able to print multiple cards and also print themselve a nice t-shirt. Its not every process who would allow that... Check out some photos: (Its funny, I had a bunch of colours, but they almost all choose the same. The prints are a Dodo bird, which is an extinct bird, and also a plant photo from Karl Blossfeld)

Thanks again girls for the great easter day :)

Portobello West in Calgary

2010-03-25T09:07:00.000-07:00

I am super excited because I have been accepted to be a seller at the Portobello West fair that will be held in Calgary the 9-10-11th of April 2010. Its going to be a small road trip in the same time! Right now its a little overwhelming though, as I have to prepare enough products. It ain't small city Smithers over there, and they estimate the amount of people going to the fair to close to 50 000 people! If you happen to be around Calgary these dates, you should definitely come and see me. There will be about 70 artisans and tons of fun!

Little Bird boxes

2010-03-21T21:39:00.000-07:00

Mannnn... do I like to try everything. After sowing (and pottery lessons on monday!), I decided to start working with wood for my next project. I am building some keys holders (keys or anything else really...), either to put in kids/babies rooms, or if you are as mature as I am, for your own room!

This town (Smithers) is full of amazing people. For this project I was lucky to have the help of Bruce at North Country rental. This is where I rented a router to cut the holes inside this Cedar wood. He was super kind with me and even did a template to make my life easier. And that helped big time, because after 2 days I could feel the Router in my arms. Here are a few early pics or some of them.

Oh! and ya, and I drew a simple little bird, screenprinted it with fabric ink on my Gocco machine and sowed them with stuffing in them. Ohhhh, cute little birdsss! What colour is your favorite?

( I love when there are nuts in the wood. With the natural oil finish it looks absolutely gorgeous...)

some photos of my new cushions covers

2010-03-15T21:20:00.000-07:00

Just thought that I would put up some photos of my latest work.
Been sowing quite a bit lately...

Art camps at the Smithers Gallery

2010-03-11T09:25:00.000-08:00

OUff, I had forgotten how kids can be draining! ahah I just finished two days of Art camp with kids between 7 to 12 years old. It took me some time to find what to do with them, since we had few equipment and well, since they are 7! Card making was of course already taken... So I decided to build nice ceramique tiles coasters and hotplate on the the first day. That went pretty well, except that all the table were full of glue after 10 minutes! ahaha The second day we went for a bit of leather work, creating nice IPOD and cellphone cases. I had quickly screenprinted some pieces with a pattern design in red. That was a bit of a challenge for them, the leather was hard to punch and it took more precision, but I think that in the end, everyone was pretty happy of their creations. And it definitely made me reconnect with this young period of our lifes!

Alchemy Boutique

2010-03-08T09:10:00.000-08:00

During my business classes I got to meet Joanie Smith, who just opened a clothing boutique in Old Hazelton. Joanie and I have kept in touch and now UNIK printshop's item are for sale at Alchemy Boutique. It was great to finally see her space, which she beautifully decorated with birch trees, inside the store! She is selling a bunch of local art, accessories and clothing and also some second-hand clothing. There's some nice treasures in her store and there's even some clothing that she creates herself. If you are around the Hazelton area some time soon, you should totally stop by, and then go grab a coffee and see my photos at Mercedes Beans! :)

More display for Inwards

2010-03-06T11:08:00.000-08:00

I drove to the Old town of Hazelton yesterday to bring some of the photographs of Inwards to the local coffee shop. I decided to try to get a bit more exposure time and continue to show a few pieces. The coffee shop will be a good change from the Art Gallery, you should go check it out, they roast their own beans.......

All the photographs are for sale. You can also see more of them at www.sophiejoubarne.com

More printing... and products

2010-02-25T09:24:00.000-08:00

A few more products that are freshly printed. I am about to pass another order soon and I think that I will focus on a few things, such as tiles (for hotplates, and coasters), onesies and baby clothing ('cause its so cute!), on t-shirts, totes and also maybe more aprons. I dont talk about cards 'cause cards are a keeper, its obvious.

This is my "Red Fish" simple design inspired by a weird sculpture made of metal scrap I saw in the States. I also did a print edition of 13 of that same design. And down are a few items with a piggy design also created from a sculpture that I saw during my journey across Canada (via the States).

Studio work

2010-02-22T09:21:00.000-08:00

Yeh! I finally started to print! OUf, it was a process to install everything and make the studio work properly, with the water room and the dark room. But now everything is in place. Last week I worked quite a bit on doing some time tests and others. I bought this handmade light table from an old screenprinter from around here, and I had to figure out the exposure times. Its really funny because the only bearrings I really have are from the screenprinting labs in university. There would be time charts on the wall and everything was new in the lab. There would even be technician to trouble shoot with you. eheheh its a bit different this time, but God I love it! When I'm in the studio time just slip through my fingers like sand.

I worked with a few designs last week. An elephant and also a fish. Here are a few screen and studio shots, and some of the first textile prints that I did so far.

Visit of Paradise Hill Design

2010-02-17T13:00:00.000-08:00

This week I decided to do a bit of driving and to go visit a nice couple living in Fort Fraser. Its a couple that I meet at the local craft fair of Smithers, Wintergold. They were selling beautifull frames made out of barn wood. One thing that also caught my attention back then, was the fact that they were selling online, on the exact same website that I intended to use (Etsy.com). Their products are really unique and rustic and since december, I have been carrying on my intentions of visiting them, since we are not too far apart. I guess that in Northern BC, 3 hours driving is not too far!

So I gave them a phone call and they were super nice and invited me to come see where they live and see their shop. The drive was so nice and ended in a 2 miles drive-way, taking me along a sunny and secluded landscape. I now understand why they are called Paradise hill Design. It was simply gorgeous, and so peacefull.

We talked and shared some snacks and tea, while I was trying to not bombarde them too much with my million questions.
I also got the priviledge to hear some great stories about the house where they live, their 320 acre property (where they take all the barn wood) and the construction of the work shop where Rick builds the pieces. On her side, Heidi gave me tons of valuable tips on Etsy. Funny enough, Rick and I also realized that we basically grew up in towns 30 minutes apart from each others, back east!

The products that they create are very cool, and that is partially why they were featured artist on the etsy website. The goal of every online seller! ahah You can read more of their story here: http://www.etsy.com/featured_seller.php?featured_user_id=92493

(I bought these two pieces, a frame and a mirror frame)

(the wood that they use and transform into something unique, Rustic Refine!)

Thanks to Rick and Heidi!
Visit them on http://www.etsy.com/shop/ParadiseHillDesigns

ETSY SHOP IMAGES

2010-02-07T10:35:00.000-08:00

Etsy
Buy Handmade
unikprintshop

Online Store open on Etsy
I have been working on opening my Etsy shop lately. So it is now possible to buy a few of my items online NOW! Yeh! I have only put some used leather bracelets, cards and ornaments up so far, but I should be able to add up a few more items very soon.

check it out at http://www.etsy.com/shop/unikprintshop
and if you like what you see, you can Heart my store :))

INWARDS... at the Smithers Art Gallery

2010-01-29T09:58:00.001-08:00

INWARDS.......towards the inside.

I will be exhibiting some photographs at the Smithers Art Gallery from the 2nd to the 27th of february. It is an exciting project that has been keeping me pretty busy since november. I already learned a lot of new things and meet a bunch of new people too. Inwards, will be showing multiple portraits of people met during my different journeys accross the globe. Here are a few of the photographs...

The WEBSITE is up and running!

2009-12-20T21:35:00.000-08:00

I have just finished to Design my real website and its already up.
Go check if out if you want, i'm pretty happy! Feedbacks are welcome,
ahah, specially if its about translation. My god, it was so difficult. I always knew that I couldn't write in english, but now I am wondering if I can even write in french.... Anyways, talk talk talk, Check it out and let me know what you think!

http://www.unikprintshop.com/

Member show @ the Art Gallery

2009-12-17T15:33:00.000-08:00

I have 2 pieces exposed right now @ the Smithers Art Gallery.
The Gallery is showing its members show and I was able to sneak
in last minute. I know that this is not so much Unik's stuff since I
am showing photography and nothing screenprinted, but whatever.
It still fits well into my style! Here are the two photos, they are part
of a more complete body of work (BUSH WORK) I realized a few years ago.
This time, I decided to have them print on Arches paper, 11x14...

Some pictures of my leather work and more...

2009-12-14T19:14:00.001-08:00

So I am still waiting for my main equipment to arrive. I wont get it before the holidays so it is hard to just sit and not print. I decided yesterday to use my gocco machine one more time...I bought some great leather when I was down in Vancouver and I still have a whole lot from the batch that my favorite shoe repair kept for me. I love his batch because it is thin and soft leather, the kind that fits your body perfectly. I have been sowing into it, as well as doing some screenprinting on it... Here are some pictures of my latest products, I tried to take the best shoots with my big lens and my poor lighting but I swear i'll buy a macro lens once I am famous and popular!

And here are the printed ones. I choosed an organic shape and printed them in Gold ink.

And then I thought I would shoot some of the ornaments I made for the first fair. I screenprinted my images on fabric, then stuffed them up before sowing them with some pattern fabric. Note to self: next time, I should put something that smells in them 'cause everyone who came across them was just putting them right to their nose!

If you like any of these, let me know. I will soon open an online store on Etsy and it will be easy to purchase them there!
Until then, you can pass directly through me... Thanks!

Images of the fairs

2009-12-14T18:56:00.000-08:00

Here are some images from the recent craft fair where I was a vendor…

This man was so photogenic and funny. He was making beautifull wooden bowls. I offered him a pack of Christine's cookie in exchange for his portrait!

The 3rd makes the month

2009-12-13T22:34:00.001-08:00

The 3rd makes the month is really just a direct translation of the french expression “Le 3 fait le mois”. Its this old expression that simply means that usually the 3rd day of the month is a presage, or forecast for the coming month. I always try to manage to have a great day on the 3rd of the month, just to give myself the impression the month will be great. I truly have no clue if you can say this in english, but I decided that I was not going to care. This is my blog and I will soon be my own boss, so I can do all I want hey! Plus, if my new business idea doesn’t end up paying the bread and butter, I can always try to publish a great book of french expressions from Quebec expatriates!

So anyways, we were recently the 3rd of December 2009, and I finally was able to register my Business name. I am officially registered as UNIK studio, even though I plan on doing business under the name of UNIK printshop. I was really not familiar with the whole process and I was surprise how easy it was in the end. I pretty much just needed to do a research and then pay to register online, and that was it. It took me way longer to find a name tho!

Why UNIK printshop/studio? Well, there are many reasons. Even though one of the great force of screenprinting is the fast and easy method of printing (reproduction), each single print is different in itself. Even with amazing skills the result will have differences, even the more subtle ones, may them be from the pressure put on the squeegee, or the speed, or the angle, or the ink… That’s the beauty of handmade printmaking. I also chose that name because I found it could be a good signature name and it could represent the unikicity (yep, that’s a new word) of my creations. I have to give a bit of credit to some great people I met in my business class for this name as well. I think that we came up with it last november (‘08) as I was learning how to make a business plan. Which, by the way, I just finished. Now its the time to produce, and get lost in this great new challenge…

About

2009-12-13T22:21:00.000-08:00

UNIK printshop (studio) was founded in december 2009 by Sophie Joubarne. Sophie graduated from UQAM University in Montreal in 2003, with a degree in Graphic Design. She also studied photography at Concordia University in 2005. Apart form spending the last 10 years of her life treeplanting in the northern parts of BC and travelling around the globe, she developed a great passion for screenprinting. Soon to turn 30, she decided to jump into this new challenge of owning a screenprinting business. She decided to JUST DO IT!

Born and raised in Valleyfield, in Québec, she lived in Montreal during her studies, in Thailand and Burkina Faso for foreign working experiences, and in her little tent during the summer months. Yet, she finally settled down in Smithers, a small town of northern British-Columbia. She feels that here, she really has “everything it takes to live” (“Tout ce qu’il faut pour vivre”), and she discovers about herself as much as about the beautifull Bulkley Valley which everyone should visit at some point.

Through elite sports and treeplanting, its been a long journey before she was finally able to assume her artistic self. But now, she is fully dedicated to showing her creations. Her ambitions are as wide as humble and diversified. She wishes that this new business will allow her to live a simple life, doing what she enjoys to do as a full time job. She is looking forward to explore her limits, and of course, to push them!

“Enfonce-toi dans l’inconnu qui creuse, oblige-toi à tournoyer” (René Char)