Opening Night of "WITHIN CELLS INTERLINKED" A New Exhibit of Ceramics, Metalwork and Sculpture, Curated by Charlinee Wichaidit Jan 22, 2026

I often visit the Craft Council of BC, on Granville Island, as it features such a wide variety of Art and Crafts, and the collections and events are always changing. Please have a look at my instagram to see more or check out the specific reels for (Kinuka Hara, Isis Costa, full exhibit) of the reception, last night to see the gallery, the crowd and some of the Artists and Staff who welcomed us to an evening of looking at and thinking about the complexities and beauty of all of the pieces in this exhibit, WITHIN CELLS INTERLINKED, featuring 5 Artists: Isis Costa, Kinuka Hara, Naomi Zhang, Jordan Mitchell and Tatiana Ragonesi,  as well as many other Artists, throughout the entire space. I have enjoyed the CCBC's annual Earring Show and blogged about one in 2022, here. I look forward to the next one May 7-28th!! Since I do love jewellery, I will focus here on the jewellery by Isis Costa currently a student in the VCC Jewelry program, and Kinuka Hara, whose ceramic stoneware 'wearable art' headpiece and necklaces, titled: In the Flow of Sakura Petals, reminds me of the cherry blossoms here and in Japan. She is thinking about Spring and "...the beauty of nature" but also about family and her experience in Japan and in Vancouver. I was thinking about how the beads were petal shaped and would move as you walked or turned your head.I wondered how it would look with a kimono and the sounds it might make in a quiet tea room or at Queen Elizabeth Park, in Cherry Blossom Season. Isis Costa had many pieces in her collection: earrings, rings, brooches, and bracelets. Here are 10 photos and a description with each. It seems that Isis is reflecting on the inner spaces of the Artist and all humans, as well as the inner layers/compartments of each piece. Her sterling silver work is strong and draws the eye. Her rings, brooches and bracelets are shapes I have never seen before. Isis had the support of some of her fellow students from VCC at this fantastic evening at CCBC. I look forward to being at her graduation and being able to buy something special. "Within Cells Interlinked" is on now so I encourage you to get to 1386 Cartwright St., Granville Island and see Art at its very best!

Mary (Head of Communications and Marketing for the Gallery) and me!

Isis and Charlinee Wichaidit

Looking Back at Vancouver Events in December 2025

I have always loved windows for the view outside to the world of adventure. Looking back, I notice that there is usually a touch of colour, often red, somewhere in the frame. This photo, by Luke the photographer, shows me looking out the window as we land in Greece, for the first time. I had never tasted olive oil, picked lemons, or been to the Parthenon. It seems wherever I go, I write and take photos. I have decided to do a monthly blog post about Vancouver events, starting with December, and including some of my favourite photos. Someone once said,"You always blog about what has already happened." I repost and share on Clothes Line Finds Facebook Page and Instagram what's coming up and then I write about my experiences. My hope is that you will join me and help share all of the great events that go on, here, year round. So, look out and go out and tell us what you see.

Christmas at Fairmont Hotel Vancouver and a fantastic gingerbread version of our 'castle in the sky'. The decorated windows, trees and holiday spirit there, make a December visit, special. Red in my Kenzo scarf from Japan. 

Family visit to favourite spots at Granville Island include Granville Island Hat Shop Nooroongji Books Santa's Workshop and puppets at Granville Island Kids Market.

Joy at Vandusen Garden Festival of Lights and me surrounded by lights and wearing my Hudson Bay Scarf, with a red stripe, of course!

 Family visit to Holt Renfrew and on our way to False Creek Ferries. And Art; I hope this drawing is of me, wearing my crown, of course! 

Celebrating Eco Thrift and Holiday Windows at Wildlife Thrift Store on Granville. Lots of reels on my instagram as well! 

Vancouver Community College (downtown) annual Holiday Market, spotlighting Student Makers VCC Fashion VCC Jewellery VCC Digital Media Design, VCC Spa & Salon, small businesses and much more. (reels on my Instagram) Vancouver Community College is open year round and offers courses and events, year round. Here I am with a new bag, a COLURE Product by vcc students enrolled in the Design & Production Program. Note that VCC Fashion shows annually at Vancouver Fashion Week.

Starting the Fleurs des Villes Noel trail at Fairmont Hotel Vancouver across from annual tall Christmas tree and Ferris Wheel (Free on Tuesdays) and nearby Pendulum Gallery Fleurs des Villes Noel floral installation #20 CF WINTER HARP by Manites Flower Shop! Note that Pendulum Gallery has year round free and fabulous events/art exhibits. Thanks to fellow writer Marilyn Wilson for the photo of me and to helpful bystanders for others.

Another popular Pop Up Market that happens throughout the year is firstpickhandmade.com Fashion + Design Pop Up Dec 13,14. (Reel 1 and Reel 2 on my Instagram). And, did I mention the people I meet? Here is a Father and Daughter team of wood turners:Dan Breck of Bees and Bowls, and Alicia Breck of The Brecking Point. 

 And more Art, always Art!! A Christmas gift to myself is this one by Dorothy Woodend. Two things that made me go right over and buy are: the colours red and green and the images of majesty and magic! One of my favourite brooches is a tiny ceramic frog, gifted to me by a student who said I believed in the power of transformation.

So this is December so far and it is still a week before Christmas! I am looking out at the sun and anticipating what's to come! 

A Study in Scarlett: A Vintage Fashion Show and Interview With Ivan Sayers, Vancouver Fashion Historian and Collector of Women's Fashion 1750-2000

I interviewed Ivan Sayers because I wanted to know more about his next event "A Study In Scarlett", a sold out event with Coquitlam Heritage,  before I went to Place Des Arts to cover it. Why Scarlett? She plays first in the game, Clue Master Detective. She is truly a scarlett woman and is all about murder and blood. Very dramatic. Here are a few dresses from the Vintage Fashion Show, that might fit the bill. Most of the models wore red lipstick and there were touches of red in their accessories throughout the collection. I wore red Kate (not Sam) Spade shoes and jewellery by Carolyn Bruce Designs, a typewriter key necklace, spelling Librarian, with attached book charms and a special red book in the locket. Should have been a little black book, perhaps? Think: "killer Librarian" series by Mary Lou Kirwin. Reel of the show on my Instagram (look for the red shoes)

An Interview with Ivan Sayers

Q: Who is your favourite Mystery Writer/Character? 

A: Agatha Christie is my favourite read, going back as far as high school. I like BBC's of Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot. The writers and the characters must be academic, clever, believable, professional but real. The satisfying thing about these mysteries is that the murderer is always discovered and justice is done. 

Q: How does clothing set the scene or make the character? 

A: Clothing reflects the character of the individual...so not just superficial. Clothing has to be real, not all costume. Colour is key. ( In his show, Ivan focused on black, for death/mourning, red, for blood, heart, passion, green, for the exotic, immortality, travel: King Tut's tomb and white, for purity, bridal, peace, maybe.) Colour can indicate personality:  Extroverted, Introverted, Dynamic, Daring, Quiet, Reflective, but going deeper, there is choice of fabric, style (classic or trendy) and then accessories: brass or plastic, diamond or paste, designer or copy, beret or fedora, cap or cloche. There is dressing for work, for the theatre, or for travel. There is dressing to be seen or to blend in with the furniture.It depends on whether you want to be seen or watch what others might be up to. So clothing does reflect who we are, who we want to be and where we want to go. 

Q: Do you have a special find specific to this collection? Is there anything you would 'kill' to addto it? 

A: All dresses are equal before God! But I have the humble and the magnificent and am always on the prowl. Am looking for a 'wide-awake' hat from the 1860's ...a goal but not a deadly one. 

Q: Will you be wearing anything theme related for the Scarlett Fashion Show? 

A: I will wear something neutral as I am the commentator. Clothing is costume of a kind, but also something you are or want to be seen as. Clothing is character and history. A museum of costume, here in Vancouver would preserve and reflect that. The past is inspiration for both the present and the future. I have shown just a few of the outfits, completely accessorized and referencing many, many Mystery Writers, Detectives, Characters we know well, from my collection from 1750-2000. Today we went from Edwardian to Twiggy. Want more details? Visit here and here for more information. (Here he is in deepest black at a graveyard. A funeral? No, just another spectacular event.) 

Many thanks to Ivan, for this interview! Thanks also to Markus Fahrner, Heritage Manager Exhibits, and Malika Arora, Communications and Community Outreach Manager @coquitlamheritage, for my Media Pass to the Scarlett Fashion Show. 

Kate Spade Red Slings and a Librarian, Book Themed Necklace by @carolynbrucedesigns

Red Dress, and red gloves, white fur stole, made in Canada. One shoulder, 

Neo Classical Greek, Platform Shoes, 'femme fatale'?

Red silk lined cloak with gold, wealth, royal, silk dress, neither touch the ground, 

neckline but modest, travel, exotic, murder happens often to the wealthy

Nile green, "Death on the Nile", exotic, immortality, travel, Egypt

All business and what does that bag conceal. Pearls and white against deepest black

Long sleeves for a dinner and dance event. Pearls, a simple classic, form fitting but enhanced by bell sleeves and tulle. Revealing but covered. Depth and detail, just like the great mysteries.

Slightly faded movie star? Slouch hat. "Murder on the Orient Express", modest neckline but furs and white, wealth to travel and to afford furs, esp. white. A servant would carry her bags. 

Maid's outfit, pocket for secrets and vial of poison, did the maid do it? "The Case of the Perfect Maid", Miss Marple Series, Agatha Christie

Ivan Sayers and Parker McIntosh (Tailor of Historical Costume)