Canadian Art Pottery

26 Aug, 2007 in art pottery by admin

Canadian Art Pottery

7 Great Salt Spring Island Getaway Ideas

If you’re thinking about taking a relaxing west coast getaway then you should definitely consider a visit to Salt Spring Island. The largest of the Canadian gulf Islands, Salt Spring has a wide array of things to do that will suit any taste and budget. Below is a list of 7 great ways to make your Salt Spring vacation memorable:

1. Try your hand at kayaking – Saltspring Island offers some very scenic and protected waters in which to take your first kayaking forays. Ganges harbor is protected from much of the weather and has several intriguing islands that you can kayak to and explore, like Goat Island and ‘the 3 sisters’.

2. Have a little romance – Salt Spring is unique in that it has one of the highest numbers of bed and breakfasts anywhere in Canada for a community of its size. From the quaint and cozy to the truly spectacular, you’ll find such gems as a 100+ year old farm house by the lake to a bed and breakfast in a tree! There is something to suit everybody’s budget and taste.

3. Hit the beach – The Island has a number of traditional sandy beaches but it also has numerous beaches where you can drink in that gorgeous west coast scenery. Vesuvius or Churchill beach are probably your best bets if you like sand and warm water, but the beaches on the North and South ends of the island also offer spectacular scenery and great opportunities for beachcombing

4. Get pampered from head to toe – the island offers several choices for spa treatments and massages. Get a facial, body wrap, hot stone treatment or a full body massage. If you thought just visiting Salt Spring was relaxing then taking a spa treatment can take your relaxation to a whole new level.

5. Stroll around the local market – Every Saturday morning during the good weather months Salt Spring has a local market in the heart of Ganges. This market is huge with lots to see do and taste. Delicious deli items, snacks and preserves can be found in abundance alongside clothing pottery painting and a wide selection of fresh produce. And there is frequently live music. Definitely worth checking out but be sure to either arrive early or park a few blocks away as finding a parking spot while the market is on can be pretty tricky.

6. Take an art tour – the island has well over 50 artist studios that are open to the public. Take and afternoon or the whole weekend to leisurely explore and examine some truly beautiful west coast artwork!

7. Hit the links – For an island with just over 10,000 year round residents Salt Spring Island is fortunate to have 2 excellent golf courses. Blackburn Meadows offers a more rustic or traditional golfing experience. Formerly a sheep pasture and set on the edge of Blackburn lake the course offers great scenery and some unusual obstacles ranging from the occasional heard of sheep that have hopped the fence from a neighboring pasture to a family of deer grazing on the 9th hole to the occasional unexpected water hazard created by the lake’s local beaver!

About the Author

Ian is a former Salt Spring Islander and has written many helpful articles for making the most of your visit to Salt Spring Island and to
make Salt Spring Island Accommodations as pleasant and memorable as possible.

I like several different types of styles for home decor, should I combine all or choose one?

These are the styles of decor I like - Southwest inspired such as Native American art, pottery, drums, cactus, zig zag lines, bold earthy colors etc; Canadian/Alaskan wildlife like moose, wolves, evergreen trees, pinecones, etc; and Asian inspired decor like bamboo plants, water fountains, windchimes, teapots, feng-shui, etc.

In my new home, should I try to incorporate parts from each or stick with one type the whole way through? I don't know how I could pick only one style and if I did, I would miss the others. What are your thoughts on this?

Pull something from each style that will blend with the other styles. For instance, the Indian pottery will work well with the bold earth colors as well as the fountain and bamboo plants mixed with other types of plants. You could take a couple of pieces of the pottery and make you own water fountain/feature...you could place a bowl or dish on a table filled with pinecones. Decorating is a personal choice..do what makes you feel good and use what you like..the key is to find a common color or element that pulls them together..Good luck and have fun

Sunshine Coast Artists of British Columbia, Canada