Shout With Joy

Welcome to my new website

Clarke — Tue, 08 May 2012 03:09:56 +0000

Exciting!

I have recently discovered the wonderful world of WordPress and am about to embark on a new website layout.

Please check back for new updates.

We Were Thinking of Evolving (Wake Up): The music and videos of K Sera

Clarke — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 11:43:42 +0000

Just today I happily discovered the music of the band K Sera. Following some of the bands links, I was brought to a couple of music videos that really caught my eye. The videos are fresh and fun, full of life, full of energy. The music is classified as alternative, but what really is alternative these days—since the early eighties anyways? But we can give K Sera the alternative banner to wave, cause their music could simply not be classified any other way. K Sera’s music is a quirky explosion of multiple genres. On another website I saw that their music got stuffed into three simple categories. But that just cheapened it for me. The music of K Sera is too good to just be passed off as Indie, Rock and Experimental.

With style pretty much his own, Lead Singer Mike Caswell belts out much of the lyrics. But you can catch glimpses of undertones, of a terrific voice just begging to sing a quiet, more gentle solo. The other members of the band have just as much energy and play their instruments with force. That’s why I call K Sera an explosion of sound. Each band member’s musical influence seems to jump in at anytime. Drummer Dustin Combs is wild!

The standout for me besides the lead singer, is Keyboardist David Christensen. His fingers leap from note to note with runs of semi-tones that hint of songs yet to come. He’s a musician’s musician. He’s not hard to look at either. They’re all super cute, and so are all of their friends. Well, at least the ones in the videos anyway. Yes, super cute and super talented, making super great music! Their music is so strong, their sound so scrumptious, that anyone will enjoy sinking their teeth into these tunes.

Here’s a video to get yourself acquainted… I really like this song and video, plus the cool charm of Thomas Dutton singing his cameo with such intensity. I’m looking forward to hearing more music and seeing more cool videos from K Sera.

Let me know what you think in the comments section below.

K Sera – “Me Before Women & Children” Music Video from sigismund s. pikul on Vimeo.

Check out this video too:

K Sera – We Were Thinking Of Evolving (Director’s Cut) from sigismund s. pikul on Vimeo.

We Were Thinking of Evolving (Wake Up), Me Before Women & Children and other K Sera tracks are available digitally from the iTunes store, download K Sera’s music here.

Not too late! Unique gifts for the Holidays still available from Victoria Dickens Craft Fair Vendors

Clarke — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 17:25:57 +0000

Even though the Victoria Dickens Craft Fair is now finished for this year, it is still not too late to pick up some quality handmade, homemade and homegrown gifts for the Holidays. You can still get some great deals and some great Holiday gifts for friends, family and for your pets from many of the outstanding vendors that participated in #DCF2010.

The day of the event this past Saturday December 4th, was a terrific opportunity to find all of these top quality vendors under one roof, to make your shopping task easier, but you can still peruse the Victoria Dickens Craft Fair 2010 Gift Guide and contact each of the vendors directly, to purchase these quality products from them before your Holiday Celebrations begin.

For more information visit the Victoria Dickens Craft Fair 2010 Gift Guide

wannawafel

Clarke — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 06:19:05 +0000

This waffle venture and idea originated in 2009. Developed by a Belgian family now living in Victoria, this much loved business has matured quickly to become a waffle heaven for Victorians and visitors to the capital city.

wannawafel use only authentic Belgian recipes, all made from scratch as well as the toppings. Renaat, Krista, Arno & Dana, are all very enthusiastic about their products. One of their missions is to continue to keep that smile on your face!

wannawafel appeared on the first episode of Season 5 of CBC’s Dragons’ Den. Victorians were on the edge of their seats watching the episode, showing their love via Twitter as the show unfolded and wannawafel successfully accepted an offer. Watch the entire episode online here!

wannawafel will be on location at the 30th Annual Victoria Dickens Craft Fair, so if you haven’t already, you will now be able to taste, first-hand, what many people are talking about.

How many waffles can you eat in one day? Yummy eats!

For more information on wannawafel and to peruse their full menu, plus check on other locations around Victoria, visit www.wannawafel.com.

aNc: altogether naked cosmetics by Chris Walton

Clarke — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 15:00:08 +0000

Chris Walton calls her unique range of beauty products aNc: altogether naked cosmetics (cosmetics stripped for you) to emphasize the fact that these hand-made cosmetics and beauty products contain the best ingredients, have no fillers, unwanted perfumes or dyes, and do not have the packaging and marketing costs associated with other products.

This unique approach to her product line, enables Chris with the opportunity to sell these quality products at much less expensive prices. For example her skintight serum, which works really well to tighten the skin and reduce the appearance of wrinkles, sells at $40 compared with commercial products that cost more than $120.

Don’t be fooled by the low price. Need proof that this serum works? Chris’ mother in law, Agnes, uses the skintight serum and you will find her at Chris’ booth at many of the local community markets – her skin is a fantastic testament to the product’s effectiveness.

The idea for aNc: altogether naked cosmetics began four years ago when Chris decided that she needed to start making her own cosmetics to ensure she was using only the best ingredients on her own skin. Since moving to Victoria about a year ago, Chris has offered her products for sale in the Greater Victoria area at community markets and neighbourhood fairs, as well as online.

Chris Walton’s cosmetic, bath and beauty line offers more than 21 different products, including a Vegan friendly line, as well as an array of programs including those for sensitive skin. Many of Chris’ customers have sensitive skin issues, and the purity of her products combined with the effectiveness of the ingredients have provided them with cosmetics that really help with their skin issues.

Of course, aNc is for everyone!

Men like the shampoo, conditioner, and body wash as well as the soothing aftershave balm with sunscreen. These products are also ideal for children. Chris’ grandchildren enjoy the bubblicious herbal mineral bath and silky lotion for their dry skin (especially in winter), and soothing lip balms.

What people are saying about aNc…

I like the Silky Lotion for its freshness and natural ingredients. It even has appeal amongst my daughter’s friends in Paris, France. And with its “Made in Victoria, BC” label, it’s a real hit!

Sidney

I use Chris Walton’s aNc acne line of products and love them! Chris’ products have really helped to clear up my skin, especially those big blistering acne blemishes. This is SO nice!

Arielle Boivin, Goldstream, British Columbia, Canada

We are very excited to announce that Chris Walton will be participating in the 30th Annual Victoria Dickens Craft Fair, offering up her quality line of cosmetic, bath and beauty products. This unique, well-made line of beauty and skin care makes great gifts for friends and family.

For more information about Chris Walton and aNc: altogether naked cosmetics and to order online, visit the following:

Website:
aNc: altogether naked cosmetics

Blog:
chris-anc.blogspot.com

Mi Fiori

Clarke — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 08:17:27 +0000

Mi Fiori is a unique floristry design business based in Victoria, British Columbia, serving all regions of Vancouver Island and the neighbouring Gulf Islands. Mi Fiori was created to capture the abundance of nature and flowers in Victoria, which is recognized as one of the greatest garden cities of the world.

Since moving to Victoria in 2007, Floral Designer Nicola Parry, the Founder of Mi Fiori, saw the possibility of bringing the out-of-doors, into our living spaces, to create floral designs which reflect the changing seasons of our surroundings. This enables Mi Fiori to be ‘green’, utilize local flowers where possible, keeping their designs reasonably priced.

Mi Fiori specializes in flower design for Corporate clients including local businesses, restaurants, hotels and spas, for special occasions, including weddings & parties, and for private clients who are looking for unique bouquets and arrangements for their homes.

Having worked for 15 years in Marketing, Nicola Parry has a keen eye and unique sensibility for creating floral designs that complement a company’s brand and core business ideas. For instance, Nicola believes that flowers in the reception area of your business, hotel, club, spa, etc., are often the first thing a client will see, and play a big part in setting the tone and mood of your client’s experience. This philosophy is reflected in each Mi Fiori design.

For Christmas Mi Fiori will be designing wreaths and table decorations to bring the essence of the festive season to your home.

See you at the 30th Annual Victoria Dickens Craft Fair, where you will get the chance to meet Nicola in person and purchase Mi Fiori floral designs for your Holiday decorations.

For more information and to book orders for all of your floral needs, visit www.mifiori.com and see more of Nicola’s beautiful, earthy designs.

You may also contact Mi Fiori by email at nicola@mifiori.com and by phone at 250-217-7586.

The Scruffy Dog Barkery

Clarke — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 09:33:12 +0000

The Scruffy Dog Barkery offers a variety of healthy, wholesome, innovative, fun dog treats with a focus on wellness, and offer an alternative to commercially prepared treats. They create a selection of products ranging from birthday cakes and biscuits to scones, turnovers, bread, quiche, and of course, cookies! But be sure to also ask them about their lollipawps.

The Scruffy Dog Barkery’s mission is to create healthy, wholesome treats for their dog that do not contain chemicals or artificial flavouring, and share them!

Meet Troy, Ursula, and their mascot and main taster Lily at the 30th Annual Victoria Dickens Craft Fair on Saturday December 4th, 2010 from 10am-4pm at the James Bay Community School Centre, 140 Oswego Street, Victoria, British Columbia. The Scruffy Dog Barkery will help you fill your favourite furry friend’s stocking this Holiday Season.

To find out more about The Scruffy Dog Barkery before the Victoria Dickens Craft Fair, visit their website at www.thescruffydogbarkery.ca. Here you’ll be able to peruse product info, read more of their unique story and that of their scruffy mutt’s story (Lily is an immigrant), and you’ll be able to order their scones and breads for dogs online.

Follow along with Lily and The Scruffy Dog Barkery on Twitter and on Facebook.

Holiday Floral by Wilma

Clarke — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 02:02:53 +0000

A floral designer for over 20 years, Wilma is now retired but still enjoys her craft. She has a love and a passion for creating floral pieces for Christmas and the Holidays.

For the 30th Annual Victoria Dickens Craft Fair, Wilma will be creating fresh door swags, fresh wreaths and fresh Holiday arrangements.

Jason Smith: local Greater Victoria farmer

Clarke — Sun, 28 Nov 2010 22:27:03 +0000

Jason Smith is a local Greater Victoria farmer of fruit and vegetables who tends his farm in Colwood; a new location for him. Jason is hard at work getting his produce production to full capacity by 2011.

Pictured: A selection of squash from Jason Smith's local Greater Victoria Vegetable and Fruit Farm.

Meet Jason Smith, his wife and their two young boys at the 30th Annual Victoria Dickens Craft Fair and purchase your supply of winter vegetables from this conscientious local farmer. Jason and his family will have squash, beets and potatoes for sale at #DCF2010.

Jason loves to give gardening lessons to share his knowledge. His speciality is basil and growing many things in smaller areas to maximize space. Ask Jason about his classes and for gardening tips at the Dickens Craft Fair.

Did you know, Jason Smith is an original vendor of the James Bay Market? Since 1995, Jason has provided fruit and vegetables from his local farm to the residents of Greater Victoria.

Rick Ellis

Clarke — Sat, 27 Nov 2010 22:08:02 +0000

Australian Aborigine inspired Dreamtime Rattles and Walkabout Didjeridoos

Rick Ellis designs and creates beautiful Dreamtime Rattles and Walkabout Didjeridoos.

Rick has spent time in Australia with Australian Aboriginals and is an accomplished Didje player. He has created a real didjeridoo in a box shape, his own design, that can fit in a back pack for ease of travel!

Come play one at the 30th Annual Victoria Dickens Craft Fair. Ricks pieces make great gifts for anyone on your list, especially those guys in your life that may think they have everything they need.

For more information and to place orders in advance of Christmas, visit www.rick-ellis.com.

Special orders are welcome.