R.A.Steen Craft Fair Vendors

I just got back from the fair and surprising there were some wreaths and snowmen men made out of cotton balls. ;) If that's your thing then that is great. If not, here are some of the other vendors.

- Three Angels Jewelry & Gifts - handmade jewerly made from Wolseley local
- Paperplay Creations cards, gift bags, tags, how to classes, and handmade birthday parties for children. www.paperplay.ca
- Total She Inc - check out website www.totalshe.com
- Deloresart - plaques, magnets and more made by graphic design & illustrator Delores Orridge (www.deloresart.ca) from Brandon Manitoba
- Aradia's Gallery & Naturals - handmade essential oil's, bath & beauty products, and more. www.aradiasgallery.ca
- Christina Von Schindler - Fine Functional & Wearable Art. Another Wosleley local
- Boomerang 360 degrees - Kylie Stomp's graphic design t-shirts and other designs www.boomerang360studio.com
- Jake Chenier Photography - Jake is a francophone musician that has music releases in both english and french as well as children's music. He now is documenting his adventures with photography. jakechenierphotography.com
- Naw Kay Backstrap Handwoven Designs - scarves, tablecloths, bags, tops, and skirts made on a traditional backstrap loom
- Kurio Studio & Gallery - photography, art & custom book design. http://adrphotographicart.blogspot.com/
- Photographs by Pat Bragg
- Craig Street Cats - Wolseley area cat rescue. http://cats.wolseley girl.com

Other's that either didn't have business cards or I missed their cards were handmade soaps, more photography, handmade cards, photo cards, handmade dog treats, knitwear, a little baking (not enough for my tastes), clothing, vintage items, and more. I have a toddler talking my ear off right now so I apologize to any missed vendors. Check it out along with the other craft fairs this weekend. There is always some neat finds at these things!!!

I will probably do some reviews or posts this month on a couple of these vendors that stood out to me so keep an eye out for them.

Anyone Need Some TLC???

I have heard nothing but wonderful things about local beauty experts at Tiber River Naturals. How can you not love shopping where the mission statement is to help their customers to have fun, be unique and rise above what drags you down. I have an entrepreneur mind so I love learning about how businesses get created. Below is a blurb about Tibre River Naturals creater Adriana De Luca and business partner Michelle Lalonde.

"Tiber River is a Winnipeg-based business, started in 1999, by Adriana De Luca. A new mother, she was determined not to go back to a job that took her away from her daughter for 10-12 hours per day. Having learned how to make soap from her Nanna years before, Adriana began selling her soaps at home parties. From there, customer requests and suggestions planted the seed for what has become Tiber River Naturals - a thriving business that manufactures their own body products, as well as products for other companies, using natural, environmentally friendly ingredients.

In 2005, Adriana partnered with Michelle Lalonde, a marketing and promotions genius, and together they opened their flagship store at 408 Academy Road. There you can find top-quality products, hand-made right here in Winnipeg, by Adriana and her team, along with their Nail and Body Bar, where Melissa and her team will pamper you with Tiber River goodness. Combining shared values with separate strengths, these two women have forged an unbeatable partnership that reflects in everything they do."

What I like about Tiber River Naturals is their unique items that they make. I used to go there whenever I needed a neat gift for a friend or family member because they had this bath soap that was like plasticine or chewing gum. It was like an adult bath toy; you could squish it up and play with it. What I have not experienced at Tiber River yet is their Nail and Body Bar. They declare on their website that they are not a spa or salon. "We are a unique new concept, where everyone, men, women and children can come on a regular basis to be treated to the best spa services, in a joyous, upbeat atmosphere. Come in to find out why we're told we have the 'Best Pedicures in Town!"

I am a part of a local Winnipeg forum and many of the women were ooing and awing over it. The comments mostly used about Tiber River's Nail and Body Bar were that their products were eco-friendly and people friendly. They also loved that they have formaldehyde free polish for their manicures and pedicures. And...yes, they loved their pedicures!

Check out their website:
www.tiberriver.ca

or stop in at one of their Winnipeg locations for some body products or their famous pedicure:

408 Academy Road T- 204 474 2333

3-1650 Kenaston in the Kenaston Crossing Mall T- 204 284 4247

I was just in their neighborhood yesterday night and noticed that they have a couple specials going on. If I remember correctly it was their famous pedicure and manicure combo for $55 and $5 off their pedicures for November. This is a great time to give them a try!

Wolseley Craft Fair Today!!!

So we will be heading down to 980 Palmerston Ave today to the R.A.Steen Community Centre Craft Fair. It is open 10-4 today and tomorrow. I always attend this craft fair. I am looking forward to it and I will update here about the vendors later today. There are craft and baking fairs all over the place. I saw signs everywhere last night. There is one in the building on Portage Ave across from Polo Park...not sure what it is...maybe a seniors complex. Others open today are:

Today: (10-4) Charleswood Y Neighbours Craft Sale at Charleswood United Church 4820 Roblin Blvd

Sunday: (11-4) Greendell Community Centre 75 Woodlawn Avenue

These are great places to look for gifts!! Craft fairs are not like the ones we headed to with Mom in the 80's. There are no handmade wreaths, doilies, or snowmen made out of cotton balls. The vendors have creative handmade gifts such as cards, baby bibs, slings, clothes, art, tiles, bags, knitwear, toys, woodworking, jewerly, photography, soaps & body products, and of course the yummy baking tables. If you have some time this weekend please take a peak at one of the fairs! Remember to support your local artisans and buy thoughtful gifts this year for Christmas!!

Mordens' of Winnipeg Chocolaterie

Another amazing thing about Winnipeg is the amount of chocolate shops per capita. There is not much that I love more than chocolate. I don't mean hershy's powder chocolate kisses or most of the other mainstream chocolate bars. I mean chocolate. The real stuff. I haven't yet visited them all but I will have to take a peak at the others and then I can become an expert on the chocolates Winnipeg has to offer. So today I am looking at one of my favorites and that is Mordens'. What I like about Mordens' is that it seems very old school and has a large variety of sweet treats, gift boxes pre-made and ready to go on site and off site at numerous food shops, they do custom orders, and they have wonderful customer service. Whenever I go in with my daughter, who is always my date for these fun shopping expeditions, they give her a huge chocolate covered marshmallow on the house. I know it makes a disgusting sticky mess in her car seat but I LOVE when service people do not ignore the children and only concentrate on the adults wallet. ;)

When I was still in the working world I was in charge of the Christmas gifts for all our big customers so of course I shopped local and skipped the thoughtless pre-made gift baskets that they usually did in the past. My no brainer stop was Mordens. I called and pre-ordered my favorites which were their russian chocolate mints, roasted nuts, and what guy doesn't like beer nuts? Of course we got many happy comments on these custom gifts so I could pat myself on the back. I am so impressed by the talent Winnipeg has to offer.

I would recommend skipping the Black Magic and yucky chocolate kisses for Grandma this holiday season and stop in at the downtown location at 674 Sargent Avenue for a wonderfully yummy box of chocolate. Mordens is also a great stop for bakers or home chocolate makers. They have bulk chocolate chips, nuts, and other delicious must haves. You will not want to leave empty handed. They are so old school they do not even have a website so you will have to call for an order and stop in with your child to sample their great customer service and chocolate marshmallows. YUM!

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

There is always time for High Tea

When my little girl was teenie tiny I used to have to walk everywhere with her in a sling. We got to know every garden in Wolseley, shopped at every local store, and made lots of local friends on these walks. One of the little shops I happened upon was High Tea Bakery. I love cookies but don't tend to shop for them because I am a fairly good cookie baker. I decided to cross Portage Avenue and pick myself up a treat one day on my way back from my baby group. I loved High Tea the minute I walked inside. It was small & cozy, smelled wonderful, and had showcase filled with nothing but cookies. I picked an imperial cookie, or what my friend Michael calls Storm Trooper cookies for all you Star Wars fans, and a couple other choices. I always buy imperial cookies because they are my favorite store bought cookie. I never make them and I even buy them when I know they are not very good just because they are imperial cookies. Let me tell you, these Storm Trooper cookies from High Tea Bakery were to DIE for. They made me come back and pick up a bunch more. I told the baker that I LOVED them and she said that they use butter while most don't and that is what makes them so good. Oh how I love butter. While she packed my order she had the gal to drop in an almond cookie for me to try on the house. WELL.....now I have to go there for their almond cookies too. She is like a dealer...getting me hooked on they sugary delights.

So, they get me hooked and then they pack up and leave Wolseley to a location by Assiniboine Park. I don't get there as often as I did but I do stop in with my little girl now and then. She has a cupcake store, toy store, and now a cookie store. She loves picking her cookie of the day and then we sit outside and munch.

That is my High Tea Bakery story but they do offer so much more than imperial & almond cookies. They create and decorate cookies to order. A rich woman who had a jet at the old air charter company that I worked at previously to having my kids had them make little airplane cookies with their aircraft identification letters on it. They were too cute and probably made an impression with her ritzy clients on board. High Tea also makes cupcakes, cakes, wedding cakes, and sell a variety of teas and other retail items. There are a lot of companies and bakeries that make decorative cookies but I promise you that they will not taste as good as High Teas. Remember...it is the butter that makes them good! ;)

I warn anyone with a sever sugar addiction to stay clear of High Tea Bakery. It is too good and you will return and return and return.

www.highteabakery.com

All photos & logo given permission of use by High Tea Bakery.

Skip the Box Stores for This Years Family Portrait and Hire Local Photographer Kenzie Prudhomme

One thing that you should never do is get family or children's photos taken at the big box stores. Your kids will have 13 years of getting portraits taken at school in front of a blue screen. I know that the prices of a professional photographer will never compare to their $29.99 specials but the photo quality is nowhere near the same. Your friends will goo over your cute kid, put the photos onto their fridge for the holiday season, and then they will be thrown out or put in some cardboard box with all the other stuff they don't know what to do with. A family photo by a photographer such as Kenzie Prudhomme will make it into their albums or framed on their mantle. These are not just photos of a cute kid. They can be art to be enjoyed forever.

I just love photography and Kenzie does it beautifully. She has been taking photos since she could walk and loves it. She has a gorgeous website where she has slide shows of family photos, newborn babies, weddings, and more. She is a professional and is very reasonable with her pricing. Keep her in mind for the future because her photos will create memories that a discount box store cannot do.

With a little research you can find an awesome photographer at any budgets. There are many photographers that do not have the giant portfolio but have the eye and talent to create beautiful memories. Do not be suckered into the big names wanting the big bucks. Winnipeg has a great art scene here and there are amazing photographers at all levels that are not hard to find.

Check out Kenzie Prudhomme Photography online at:

www.kenziesphotography.ca

Or Kenzie's blog:

www.kenzie-kenziesphotography.blogspot.com