Powell Street Fest 2010 – Open Door Project

Beata Kacy — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 22:13:25 +0000

Soigne was thrilled to hear during the tour of Open Door Project that in 1941, the front of Soigne building housed the Tsuruda Singer Sewing Machine Store, an important source of machines, fastenings, and supplies for many Japanese woman who did tailoring or taught sewing classes from their homes.

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Soigne at the Open Doors Project

Beata Kacy — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 07:08:38 +0000

Please join Soigne and Octopus Studios (393 Powell street) during Open Doors Project on July 31- August 1 – from 11:30am till 5pm. Open Doors is collaborative project led by the Powell street Festival Society and the Japanese Canadian National Museum. Founded under the City of Vancouver’s Japantown Revitalization project, the Open Doors initiative is to commemorate the divers histories of 300 and 400 blocks of the Powell Street neighborhood.

Check the below link for more information: http://powellstreetopendoors.wordpress.com/

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Soigne inspires their students to run they own business

Beata Kacy — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 17:44:01 +0000

There is nothing more pleasing than to see Soigne past students breaking through hundreds of local crafters and starting they own business.

Kay Wong as “The Other Eden” http://www.theothereden.com/ and Cynthia Chow as “Soap Creations” were some of the first students about 7 years ago; today they both participate in many craft fairs selling their hand made soaps and body care products.

Mima Sorocean, being on her vacation in Vancouver, took a soap making class at Soigne. Shortly after she returned to Romania and started her own soap line Lois Atelier www.loisatelier.ro; It took lots of effort to establish her soap business where hand made products were just breaking the Romanian market; were politics and bureaucracy didn’t help her creative process. But she never gave up!!!

I met Beata through my mom, who is a friend of her mom. When I heard that she was teaching soap making classes, I got so excited, I said I had to learn. At that time I was visiting my parents in Vancouver for Christmas.
So I went and met Beata in her studio. She was nice, warm and so friendly. I immediately fell in love with her studio, I thought it was such a creative place for artisans and artists. My first soap class was just me and the teach’. It went fast and and it was easier than I expected.
After pouring the soap in forms, Beata gave my first batch home. I admit, I was quite proud of it.
A couple of weeks later, I returned to my home country, Romania. Here, I started to think about making soap again. My cousin, who is a photographer, told me about his idea of making handmade paper and handmade soap, before I met Beata. So, it took on that idea, and began making batch after batch, trying recipes, blending aromas, oils and clays. I enjoyed the whole process of working with senses. When I sold my first 50 soaps at a Crafts’ Fair in Bucharest, and I received a good response from customers, I became encouraged to start my own business, selling my soap. So I did. Now, I have my own site and a couple of distributors. I am moving ahead slowly. I have only 5 types of soap, since the legislation here is quite strict and the lab tests are expensive, but I am hoping one day to have more.
Well, this is my soap story. When I graduated from UBC with a Visual Arts degree in 2005, I never thought this would be what I would be doing in a few years. But I’m glad I am, and I wouldn’t have done it if it weren’t for Beata to teach me.
She hasn’t given up teaching me, and is currently giving me long distance classes on making creams and lotions to expand my product offer.
Beata, my many many thanks to you. Don’t give up what you do. You do it with love and passion and are source of inspiration for many of us.
Miss you tons.
Mima Sorocean (ROMANIA)

Nina Inaoka Lee from Vancouver, calling herself Happy Crafter, http://www.himawari.ca/index.php, got her inspiration during one of the Soigne jewelry classes. You can find her work in coming up 34th Annual Powell Street Festival and many other markets in town.

This year I learned how to make soldered pendants at Beata’s studio in Vancouver. The class was so much fun, learning a new craft with friends. Beata was so kind leading us through every step and patiently showing me how to save my projects that I thought I had ruined. After the session ended all I could think of were different designs, and wanting to improve my soldering technique. Beata’s passion for art and working with many different mediums is so inspiring! With her guidance and open encouragement I set up my own small studio space at home and started by including the pendants with my pottery at the Powell Street Festival! Thank you Beata!!!
Nina (VANCOUVER)

Yana Marcuk from Belarus, never had a chance to meet Beata in person, but shortly after she got in touch with Soigne she received instructions and polymer extruding tool to expand her jewelry ideas and possibilities. Yana is selling her jewelry in Belarus.

When I found Beata’s site I was admired by her handmade things. They are quite amazing! I couldn’t guess how she and her students can make it themselves. I was acquainted with Beata by email. And once she sent me some copies with nice workshops about making polymer clay jewellery and an instrument which is very useful in making jewellery. It gave me a great inspiration and new ideas)) I’m inspired by Beata’s creation. I’m happy to be acquainted with such an open, creative and interesting person!))
Yana Marcuk (BELARUS)

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“Self Pamper” Shaw TV express at Soigne SOAP MAKING class

Beata Kacy — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 06:16:42 +0000

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What can you do on rainy Sunday?

Beata Kacy — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 01:21:04 +0000

If you are antique lover there is nothing better than treasure hunting which includes exploring antiques malls in New Westminster, Cloverdale, Fort Langley and Vancouver.
Last weekend we found a few treasures which are already proudly decorating the Soigne art space. Check out the new steamer trunk; around 100 years old and perfect for craft fairs and displays. Soap trays in Soigne colors were quite a win. Old wooden boxes which are great for wall displays and shelves; and the star buy of the day – a metal flour salesman’s case with 40 little glass jars, probably around 90 years old. Enjoy the pictures.

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Soigne classes featured on Tv Shaw Express

Beata Kacy — Fri, 28 May 2010 19:01:11 +0000

Soigne was pleased to welcome the TV Shaw Express crew who were filming one of its classes. Special thanks to Shaw’s Peter Kim and his filming crew and my awesome students: Mimi, Ewa, Hamideh and Cynthia.
Cynthia was one of the first students of the Soigne ‘Soap and Body Care’ course few years back. The course has really inspired her and awakened her love of natural products, she subsequently started her own line of body care products.
You can watch it all unfold on TV Shaw Express airing Friday 27th of May at 3,6,8 and 10 pm. If you miss us, the show will be available online.

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Industrial felt laptop bag

Beata Kacy — Mon, 10 May 2010 05:08:06 +0000

Hi all, it has been a while since I worked on a new bag design. This time Soigne is presenting a laptop bag made of industrial 100% wool felt. It is a very durable medium yet super soft and light weight. It has been pleasurable discovering new felt possibilities. Hope you like the bag.

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Metal Clay Certification – Aprill 16th, 17th, 18th

Beata Kacy — Mon, 03 May 2010 01:07:44 +0000

Soigne joined a fantastic 3 day PMC (metal clay) Certificate run by Rio Grande in Snohomish, Washingtown. The course was taught at “The Ranch” where you can take courses lead by world class artists. Randi Harper the owner and the founder of “The Ranch” makes you feel like at home; very welcoming and unforgettable hospitality. Patrick Kusek, senior PMC instructor, made our 3 days worth every penny and great overall experience. I had the chance to meet other jewelery artists from all over the Washington State and exchange opinions, get advice and learn new methods. You can check every bodies work below. We had to follow Rio Grande guidelines to pass each piece, technique was a key in the final mark.

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New Class at Soigne: Wire Chains

Beata Kacy — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 04:01:34 +0000

Were you always amazed with intricate wire chains and do you wonder how they are made? Then It is time to explore new skills, using only a few tools, Soigne wire chain course will introduce you to 10 different styles of chains and wire jewelry without soldering.

Perfect for you to learn how to make your own jewelry at home with only a few tools. After this 4 hour course, you will be able to produce jewelry with wire and make your own designs using various styles and techniques!

More info under the link: http://soigne.ca/about/wire-chains/

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Soigne at Ayden Gallery

Beata Kacy — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 05:45:18 +0000

Welcome to Ayden Gallery, contemporary fine art gallery located in downtown Vancouver, exhibiting the work of both established and emerging artists. Soigne was please to exhibit our felt accessories, bags and jewelery. Please come for a visit on 88 West Pender Street, 2nd floor International Village(Tinseltown).

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