Texada Island resident Ashley Rairie is a self-taught artist who creates unique jewellery pieces with copper wire salvaged from work sites. In addition, she does beadwork, loom weaving, freeform crochet, wood burning and photography. Rairie is participating in the Texada Artist Studio Tour this weekend.
Where are you from originally?
I'm 25 years old and grew up in Gillies Bay on Texada Island. I live in the Van Anda area now. I left for a little bit after I graduated, but came back.
Can you tell readers a little about the type of art you make?
I got started with and mostly make copper-wire jewellery. I make intricate crystal wire wraps and also simple designs. I also incorporate beadwork into lots of my pieces, which are very bright and colourful. I have also begun processing the stones I've been collecting on the island so I can use my own soon. I've always picked up crochet on and off over the years, but for the past year I've been working on loom weavings mixed with my own freeform crochet to make bright and funky wall hangings and upcycled clothing.
How did you get into making your jewellery and art?
I actually started with making dreamcatchers while I worked at the local gas station. At the time, I was trying new things to try and calm my busy mind. A friend gave me a whole bunch of copper wire out of an old television, which led me to try wire wrapping. I still collect copper-wire electrical scraps from the community that I use in almost all my copper pieces. My materials are mostly recycled but not completely. I also work with local beach glass, local cruelty free feathers and upcycled fabric for my jewellery. For my loom weavings I use all secondhand materials or upcycled fabric strips. I prefer to use recycled or local materials.
What inspires your work?
I’m often inspired by all the beautiful swirling patterns and colours in nature.
Where can people find your art?
You can find my art locally at the Texada Island Inn, Mary Mary’s Café, local events and online at wildmoonchilddesigns.com. I have shipped my pieces and shared them all over the world. But I also use my social media presence and art as a chance to inspire creativity in others.
Texada Artists Studio Tour takes place from 10 am to 4 pm on Saturday, July 28, and Sunday, July 29. In addition to Rairie’s work, a full range of visual arts at 13 studios will be on display, including painting, jewellery, beach glass, sculptures, photography, felting, printmaking and stained glass.
Maps are available at That Place Café in Blubber Bay, Texada Island Inn, Mary Mary’s Café in Van Anda, Gillies Bay General Store and Ravenous Raven Restaurant in Gillies Bay, as well as at Powell River Visitor Information Centre. A shuttle bus is also available for those who register.
For more information about the studio tour, go to texadaart.com.
