About Ruby Mountain
Sharon Ladd
Sharon Ladd was born in New Westminster, British Columbia. She lived in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories for 18 years and now resides in Calgary, Alberta. She is also available as a workshop facilitator throughout Canada, the US, and internationally.
Her career as a rustic builder started much the same way the original rustic pioneers started - "out of necessity for a place to sit." In the early seventies, Sharon was stationed on a remote fire tower where the furnishings left a lot to be desired. Inspired by a need for functionality as well as creativity she built benches, loveseats, and a bathing lodge from willows. In Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, she expanded her work and her interests and built willow chairs, coffee tables, fences, and one-of-a-kind birdhouses. Sharon has also built both straw bale and log homes.
In the mid-nineties, she started Ruby Mountain Treasures, where she builds and teaches in several rustic styles including bent willow, mosaic, rustic, and western furniture.
She has studied with the renowned American Rustic Maker and artist Daniel Mack and her work has been published in two of his Rustic books. Sharon has also studied at the Emily Carr School of Fine Arts in British Columbia and her work has appeared in Up Here Magazine (which has a national readership) as well as in several newspapers throughout northern Canada.
Her latest art exhibit was in 2006 at Art Point in Calgary, Alberta which she shared with Australia artist Jodie Hilton.
Ruby
Ruby is her soulful Border Collie companion. She came by her name from a book written by Lynn Andrews. In the book, Ruby was a wise elder and teacher living in northern Canada. The magic of the book overlapped with the blessing of a black and white puppy and the name Ruby seemed a perfect match. As you probably know, Border Collies need to work and they will make anything into a job. Ruby watches Sharon peel willow and then peels willow herself. She even chews willow branches off the trees and helps bring bundles of sticks from the bush. She continues to bring her vim, vigor, and love to all who come to workshops at Ruby Mountain Treasures.
