Vineyard Sale Rocked

I didn't make it to the Manitoba Craft Council one but my girl and I did make it to the Vineyard sale.  It was two floors of awesomeness.  We just buzzed through because my 4 1/2 yr old wanted to go to Chapters for a date but collected lots of cards of potential buys, picked up some chocolate tree ornaments again from Decadence Chocolate because they were such a hit with the kids last year, some treats from the $1 baked table, and a couple art magnets from Wendy Lee.  The cards I took were mostly for items for me so I will visit them again after Christmas since this is a time for giving. ;) 


Bernettes.etsy.com for her handmade pillows,
Love & Life for a potential sign for the lake,
Pure Paper Extract for their baking inspired prints and clothes,
Skill Toys Canada for potentially using for a block party,
My daughter wants a doll made by Jill Zurzolo,
and I plan to get a few bibs from Lilypad.

I love that there were many new tables.  It was also INSANELY busy which is great for the crafty people there.  Hope lots of you got there and/or other craft sales this week.  I am off to enjoy this beautiful day.  :)

Judy Tingley's Art in Glass and Tile

Judy Tingley creates beautiful mosaic art pieces.  It seems that nearly everyone in my family has her mosaics in their homes in the form of mirrors, tables, and trivets, so it got my attention a while back.  One piece she did a couple years ago of my cousin really impressed me and I realized then that this was no mere hobby but a passion and an art.  She has such a range in her creations from beautiful detailed portraits in glass to a little peek here and there into the world around us and nature's little creatures.  I am amazed at what can be done with broken pieces of glass and tiles.  Here is what Judy says of her work:

"I began making mosaic about 10 years ago as a hobby and after retiring 5 years ago began making mosaic as a small business. I work mainly with stained glass but also with ceramic or slate tiles for outdoor pieces. I will also use found objects such as shells, stones and jewellery and build them into the mosaic.

I make home accent pieces such as coasters and trivets, picture frames, trays, mirrors, and and have recently begun to do glass mosaic portraits. I also do outdoor tables, bird baths, plant pot containers using outdoor ceramic or slate tile.

I mainly do commissioned work and am willing to try different challenges. I love working with the glass and experimenting with different colours to create interesting effects. I often am inspired by something I see and will take a picture and then do a mosaic of it. I like doing themed pieces and recently did a mirror with a nautical theme for a friend for her home at Lake of the Woods . This was really fun to make."

Judy is currently working on a website and I will update here once it is up and going until then email Judy at mosaic.accents@yahoo.ca and she would love to commission a piece for you.  :) 

Oh So Retro

I have this problem....I cannot let good fabric leave my house.  I have remade old sweaters into cushions, my old clothes are reformed into my 4 yr old girl's clothes, and friends give me vintage clothes for me to store in my hope chest until I have need of them.  I came across Oh So Retro and she seems to be on the same wave length as me.  She transforms old fabrics into wallets, bags, and more.  She even has a design your own tote where you make your choices for your perfect bag and she makes it.  This is what she says about herself:

"Oh So Retro is a one woman sewing biz based out of Winnipeg, MB Canada. Armed with unique retro fabrics and my trusty vintage sewing machine I create handbags, wallets, pillows, clothing and many other fun accessories.

Oh So Retro started back in 2004 as a vintage clothing shop. I started making purses out of salvaged fabric from floor length gowns and much-too-small-for-anyone tweed skirts and soon enough the bags started outselling the clothing!

I joined Etsy in 2005 & have been selling here ever since. I love the vintage section and love to do trades with vintage sellers."

http://www.etsy.com/people/ohsoretro 

 

Zinnia Handbags' Garden Inspired Bags & Accessories

Grunthal's Zinnia Handbags creates beautiful bags, table runners, scarves, coverlets, and more.  Her inspiration stems from her three loves: textiles, gardening, and sewing.  Have a peak at her Etsy site and see how well she combines her passions into something you are going to love.  :)

"Using botanical + floral patterns (my love of gardening) I design pieces that are simple + functional yet have an impact with interesting textile combinations (my love of textiles). High quality craftsmanship and attention to detail have the highest priority in my handbags + other things (my love of sewing)."
 
http://www.etsy.com/people/ZINNIAHANDBAGS

Rock Candy Creations

Heather Senderewich is the creator behind Rock Candy Creations.  She is from St.Adolphe, Manitoba.  I love this yellow clock and may need to get it once my kitchen reno is done.  It will fit the decor perfectly.  :)

Her glass pieces can be found online or at the Scattered Seeds Spring Show April 15th-17th.  Here is her bio from her Etsy site:


"I started Rock Candy Creations in 1999 and it was primarily a jewelry line of funky glass creations.

Because I love having creative and functional accents in my own home, I created a decor line that has a variety of fun and funky designs for your home or office space.

All my pieces are handcrafted by me, I like incorporating glass cabochons that I fuse myself to create truly unique one of a kind pieces.

When I am not creating, I enjoy a playing sports, making music and working with computers." 

http://www.rockcandycreations.com/ 
http://www.etsy.com/shop/RockCandyDecor

 

Local Upcycler Is Heading To Toronto's One of a Kind Show

Lisa of lisalesa is a self taught artist and upcyclist.  She is bringing new life to vintage finds has been accepted to the One of a Kind Show in Toronto March 31 - April 3, 2011.  I have previously posted about her upcycled graffiti pumps, purses, bags, and totes as well as her upcycled lighting fixtures.  It is a very big deal for this Winnipeg Artisan to be chosen for this event and is fundraising to cover much of the costs.  There will be an anticipated 200,000 people in attendance over the 4 days of the show and this is an awesome opportunity to spread the Manitoba Homemade word!  If you would like to support her in this venture she is happily excepting donations here:

http://www.gofundme.com/Help-lisalesacom-Upcycled-Designs-Rock-It-Through

This is the press release of her wonderful and exciting news:

"lisalesa takes thrift store drab and applies a variety of found and saved materials to create unique upcycled styles. lisalesa designs are whimsical, kooky and chic and are all truly unique. From one of a kind graffiti designed pumps to upcycled 2nd hand purses, bags and totes, lisalesa mashes thrift store shabby into sustainable high style.

Her passion is for thrift store garage and yard sale lighting finds.

After years of fine tuning her skills of finding vintage treasures at yard sales, thrift stores and beyond to then resell on EBay, Lisa decided to take a giant leap to bring new life to chandeliers, fixtures, lamps and more, all thrift store upgrades, and all using re-purposed materials to make lisalesa truly eco-minded.  With impeccable skill, lisalesa creates handcrafted designs, inspired by everything from her favorite Japanese restaurant, Paris in the spring or the colors of the Aegean Sea, lisalesa designs are an invitation to “bust out of the sameness”.  Specializing in custom pieces, you can either provide your chandelier, shoes or purse for her to work her magic on or let her pick out a “canvas” for you.

Lisa has been accepted to The One of a Kind Show in Toronto in March 31, 2011 She is an avid Blogger and writes to raise awareness of Child and Adolescent Anxiety. As a sufferer herself, Lisa has watched as 4 of her 5 daughters battle with, depression, anxiety and eating disorders over the past 5 years. They are the principal reason she started lisalesa.com, her home grown design business.

To see more of lisalesa’s work and to learn more about her very touching and inspiring story contact lisa at www.lisalesa.com or her Etsy shop at www.etsy.com/shop/EnlightenedThinking."

Lisa will have to take lots of pictures and fill us in on the show when she gets back.  Again, if you can help her out just a little to afford the thousands of dollars you can do it online.  Have a peak at her website, blog or Etsy shop to see her awesome upcycled fashions! We wish you luck in Toronto Lisa!!!

lisalesa
www.lisalesa.com
www.etsy.com/shop/EnlightenedThinking

Of Course You Can!

I loved Of Course You Can's mix of upcycled goodies.  I think it is fabulous that they have more than one price for the same item depending on what you can afford or think it is worth....plus below you will read that they are also interested in barters too.  :)  Old world ideas with a new world charm.  I LOVE their rag rugs and may be buying one for my sewing room once it is ready to decorate.

Note from their Etsy Site:
"Celeste and Dandy are folks who pretty much just make awesome stuff all the time. Between the two of us we do screenprinting, film photography, illustration and painting, graphic design, clothing design, bookbinding, rugmaking, knitting and crochet, as well as a smattering of other random things.

When we're not making art and crafts we're usually volunteering at the local bike co-op, the local radical library, at food not bombs, or making music. Dandy works at an art-focussed drop in center for inner city youth. Celeste plays accordion on street corners.

We also do craft fairs, zine fairs, bookfairs, and farmers markets and have done them in Halifax, Montreal, Victoria and Portland Oregon.

We're also big into the idea of barter.  If you like something we've made, and want to trade us something you've made for it, get in touch!" 

http://www.etsy.com/people/ofcourseyoucan
http://ofcourseyoucan.tumblr.com

Crystal Nykoluk Ceramics Art Show and Sale

Crystal Nykoluk graduated in 2008 from the University of Manitoba Fine Arts Department with an Honors Degree in Ceramics.  Her ceramics have a cozy earthy feel because she finds inspiration in nature.   Each piece is functional and very much a work of art.  Crystal is having an art show and sale on December 19th, 2010 at 741 McMillan from 2pm-8pm.  It will be a very cozy atmosphere to showcase all her ceramic art.  Along with Crystal and her art, Michael Cann & Kurt Wood will be found playing some music for the shoppers.  Have a peak at her website below for more info and photos of her ceramics.  Crystal describes her style:

"I build all my work using soft slabs of clay and also sometimes using molds.   I really enjoy making abstract textures using clay, and I incorporate this element into all my work as well.  No two objects I make are ever identical!  I get much inspiration from simply observing the world as I go through it.  The way frost plays out on a window, the grain of wood as it runs around knots in a tree, cracked soil, and broken rock.  My work is wood-fired.  To be able to wood-fire I depend on the generosity of friends who have wood-burning kilns.  I also fire in a small electric kiln out at my studio in Anola Manitoba.
 

I really believe that you get out of life what you put into it.  A life surrounded by handmade objects is a way of soothing the soul and satisfying your right to be individual.  We need to show the world we care about what we own.  We care where it comes from and we care about ourselves!"


Crystal Nykoluk Ceramics
crystalnykolukceramics.wordpress.com

Hartmont Holiday Inspired Candles

One thing that makes me think of Christmas gatherings and parties is the glow of a warm candle.  Candles on mantles, tables, in sconces, and chandeliers.  Hartmont Candles has a big following and they have some beautiful holiday scents to make your home inviting when the snow begins to fall.  :) Have a peak at their website for some Christmas inspiration.

http://www.hartmontcandles.com

Gingerbread Dreams

Fresh from the oven, this is our warm and spicy gingerbread with a touch of crushed cranberries. This is the holidays with a touch of zing

Mandarin Coconut

Is our own perfect blend of sweet & juicy mandarin oranges with holiday spices on a warm base of toasted coconut. It is our way of making coconut wonderful all year round  

Silver Bells

A wonderful combination of fresh peppermint leaves and sweet, ripened strawberries, on a dry down of vanilla. 

Woodland Whisper

Beautifully fragrant balsam & fir surrounded by sparkling notes of orange, grapefruit & cranberries with a base of sandalwood, clove & cinnamon. A favourite for the season. 

"Unique to Hartmont, The Fiesta Collection is a brightly colored combination of palm & soy waxes. Like the Glow Collection, the palm wax forms an exterior shell that resists melting. This creates a gentle ambiance as the 100% soy wax melts & glows through the palm wax shell. Every candle in the Fiesta Collection is handpoured & uses the highest quality of wax & fragrance, to ensure they burn clean & have excellent scent throw. Our candles are also created for quality of light throw, optimum burn time & are made with 100% natural cotton wicking."

Take Nancy Blokland's Pottery Home This Fall

Nancy Blokland Pottery would like to invite you to the following events where she will be selling pottery including wine tumblers, mugs, serving dishes and plates, tea sets in new and exciting glaze combinations.  All pottery is dishwasher, microwave, and oven safe.  Local, handmade sustainable and usable for generations...

In Plain View an Open Studio Tour
November 6 and 7th, 2010
273 Enfield Crescent (a selection of pottery including "seconds" will be available.  come out to see a studio in action, have some mademade nibblies and feed the soul with handmade treasures)
204-233-9752
nancyblokland@msn.com
www.inplainviewwinnipeg.com/blokland.shtml
 
St. Mary's Road United Church Craft Sale and Fair
November 6th, 2010 (10am-5pm)
613 St. Mary's Road
(a selection of gift giving items)
www.stmarysroad.ca

Vineyard Centre Craft Sale
November 27th, 2010 (10am-4pm)
782 Main St.
www.vineyardcraftsale.com
Funds to go to women's project in Nepal

http://nancybloklandpottery.blogspot.com/

Local Upcycler Remakes Lamps, Bags, and Even Shoes!

Lisa Wiebe is this local Winnipeg Upcyclist.  She currently has two Etsy sites, a website, and a blog.  Her first Etsy site is http://www.enlightenedthinking.etsy.com  and here she sells upcycled lamps.  She uses thrift store and vintage lighting and applies a variety of re-purposed, de-constructed elements.  One of her primary mediums is recycled-auto glass that she hand dyes.  Her other Etsy site http://www.etsy.com/shop/rockstartrashbags is home to to her upcycled, hand-painted/embellished shoes, boots and purses and totes.  Lisa works full time upcycling in her home studio.


It isn't too hard to find Lisa and her upcycled lamps, bags, & shoes.  She has had her lighting displayed in the front window at Edge Gallery since May 2010 and has just refreshed it this week.  She has several items on consignment at Mozy Rue and Scrunch Hair Co. (hair salon) on Lilac St.  Lisa's Etsy treasures have also been featured on the main page of Etsy three times and has been featured in many treasuries.  Take a look at her Etsy shops above and you can find her blogging at http://www.lisalesa.wordpress.com and on her website http://www.lisalesa.com.

Humboldt's Legacy

Humboldt's Legacy is one of the originals on Westminster Ave in Wolseley's core. I have been shopping at Humboldt's for many years now and every time I head in there they have new things. I found an article on Humboldt's Legacy online at http://www.bsdglobal.com/viewcasestudy.asp?id=72 that says everything better than I can so here it is:

"While big-box retailers in the Canadian city of Winnipeg leave large, unsustainable footprints, 'Humboldt's Legacy' treads much more lightly. Located on a quiet, elm-lined street with an organic food co-operative and a wholegrain bakery for neighbours; Humboldt's is a sanctuary for green consumers.

Humboldt's Legacy was founded on the belief that consumers can influence the shift to a more sustainable society by changing their purchasing habits. It gives consumers access to products that support the shift towards an alternative, sustainable economy.

'This is a very democratic enterprise,' says Willi Kurtz, Humboldt's co-owner. 'Our whole concept of this store is that the consumer sets the tone for the economy. For instance, we constantly hear people demanding certain products, or an end to child labour and so forth. That's a very simple thing that would happen tomorrow if our shopping patterns would change. And that's what we've seen here every day for ten years.'

For over decade, Humboldt's Legacy has been providing environmentally friendly household products to Winnipeg consumers. According to Kurtz, the economy as it exists today seems to be intent on fostering social inequality and environmental degradation.

The Humboldt's Legacy product range is diverse, but designed for anyone wanting to live in a sustainable society. Customers can find recycled paper; soaps, shampoos and detergents in refillable containers; clothing and bedding made from organic cotton; seeds that support biodiversity and organic agriculture; books and magazines providing information on a plethora of green subjects; and many other items."

887 Westminster Ave, Winnipeg
(204) 772-1404

EMK Clothing

Erin May Kembel learned how to sew when she was 9 years old by taking sewing lessons in her neighborhood. This childhood hobby quickly became her passion. She begun selling her work to friends and family, and got into her first store when she was still in high school. Now Erin has her EMK Clothing line which she sells online, from her studio, artisan shows, and at stores across Canada including the Manitoba Museum Gift Shop in Winnipeg & the Art Gallery of Southwestern Manitoba in Brandon.

Erin designed her EMK line to be functional and beautiful. She loves the combination of colour, print, and texture.

I was first introduced to EMK back when Erin and a partner had Osborne Village store Stulka Clothing and Accessories. I had loved how stylish and comfortable her clothes are. I bought a couple pairs of pants off the shelf and had her custom make me another couple pairs. Her EMK line had these bright retro Mitchell Fabric basement prints mixed in casual bottoms lie black corduroy floods. Yes....I still use "floods" rather then "capris"....Old Navy ruined that term for me. ;) I have not been the only person I know that was crazy about Stulka and EMK. My friend bought her very favorite EMK wallet at Stulka many many years ago and it is tattered now and terribly worn but she will not quit using it.

Erin seems to have dropped the clothing currently and has concentrated her design efforts to bags, accessories, and baby slings.

Even without Stulka there are still so many places to purchase EMK clothes. I just saw Erin this weekend at the Signature Craft Show at the Convention Centre and took a look at some of the new items on her EMK line. She still does great stuff and I find that all of her items, no matter how different, still have that EMK feeling that I remember from Stulka. It must be the Erin in every piece. I recommend that you take a peak at her website and download her catalog to check out her complete EMK line.

www.emkclothing.com

Prairie Stained Glass

Prairie Stained Glass has been in the West End neighborhood since 1978. They have a huge storefront and along with local made stained glass pieces, they sell kits, supplies, equipment, and books. They are best known around here for our custom designed pieces such as windows & lamps. Something that may not be known by most is that they also make large pieces for room dividers & glass sculptures. They have created donor recognition walls in Victoria General Hospital and the Children's Rehabilitation Hospital, booth dividers at the Round Table Restaurant and the Elephant & Castle, and stained glass windows for many Churches. They have also built thousands of custom pieces for customer's homes and offices.

I love stained glass and have a few smaller pieces around the house and in our cottage. We plan on adding a couple of larger pieces inset into the windows of our near 100 year old house in the near future. I love looking at the pieces in Prairie Stained Glass. They do beautiful work and have many artists working there daily on the custom orders.

A couple other things to know about Prairie Stained Glass is that they have on site beginner and advanced stained glass classes in a studio setting. They have several different classes offered over the year such as art clay, stained glass, fused glass, and mosaics. They also have their own published books that they sell on site.

Take a walk into Prairie Stained Glass at 587 Sargent Ave and find a gift for your special somebody or even a beautiful addition to your own home or office. Even better, take a class there and make your loved one a hand made stained glass gift. There is nothing better than a gift from your heart.

Register online for a class today.

www.prairiestainedglass.mb.ca