A few weeks ago, I wrote about finding DaWanda online, and one of the shops that really caught my eye was KaysK9s from Prince Edward Island.
Kay creates incredible sculptures of animals, using a technique called needle felting. Her creations are lifelike and adorable, and she even does custom work! You can send her photos of your precious Fido (or in my case Sunshine the semi-wonder cat**), and have a gorgeous replica made to treasure forever.
This precious pooch seems to be enjoying bath time!
Not only does she make these fantastic pet sculptures, she also does incredible wildlife pieces. Check out this amazing bengal tiger!
I am blown away by the lifelike detail on this tiger. Wow!
This adorable panda looks sweet enough to snuggle.
There is also a selection of smaller items, like key chains and purse clips, so that your favorite animal can stay with you anywhere.
This meerkat makes me chuckle. Cute!
Aside from her DaWanda shop, Kay also has an Etsy shop, her own website, twitter, and a facebook page, so you can always find a way to see the latest and greatest creations!
~Jennifer (and her furry companion Bijou)
** Sunshine was the family cat when Sarah and I were growing up… a very special kitty to be sure! Bijou is the feline queen of my current home, and is also very special.
You guys, I totally laughed out loud when I saw the Monster gloves from Boysenberry Lane tonight. Really, I’m not just LOL’ing, I mean I giggled! Just look at these Purple People Eaters:
Wouldn’t those be fun to wear?! Bet my 4.5 year old would think I was the coolest Mom! I’m thinking that there’s some extra entertainment value in getting more than one pair so that you could mix and match your monsters. These come in kids’ sizes too, and I can only imagine the voices my daughter would come up with for her Purple People Eaters!
If you still like a little flair, but maybe aren’t into the monster vibe so much, these black fleece gloves with a little flower detail are lovely.
Tammy, the creative force behind Boysenberry Lane, hails from Comox, BC and obviously has a sense of humour about her fleece creations. You can get coordinated with a matching iPod Monster case, below, or even dress up your kitty with products from her sister shop at Paws ‘n’ Tails.
You can find Tammy at her shops linked above, as well as on Twitter.
Enjoy!
~Sarah
I’m sitting here, Sunday evening, really wishing that I had a big jacuzzi tub to relax in. We’ve only been home for a few days from our holiday and yikes, overwhelming. Unfortunately, to get that jacuzzi bath we’d have to move and we kind of like the rest of this house :)
So, I’ll just browse yummy bath accessories instead! And I do mean yummy! Check out these delicious sweet treats for your evening bath from Simply Tempted‘s Cargoh shop:
Peppermint-y chocolate-y bath bomb goodness
Neopolitan body soap!
Karen Reed and her husband Duncan started Simply Tempted about 6 years ago, in response to all the chemical-laden body care products in your local drugstore. Based in Calgary, they have an extensive product line (available on Cargoh, Etsy and at www.simplytempted.com) and have expanded to offer an affiliate program as well as selling their products in several retail locations in the USA.
Karen and her team also offer soy candles, lip balms, body scrubs and more. I love looking at the ingredient list and seeing things that I recognize – no 30 letter chemicals here! I also really appreciate that you can order small sample sizes, either to try them out before buying the full size or to use when travelling.
"Velvety Vanilla" soy jar candle
You can also find Simply Tempted online on Facebook and Twitter – drop by and say hi!
Cheers,
~Sarah
Say it isn’t so! We had to turn on the fireplace yesterday because it was (ugh) COLD in our house.
The only thing that can make the prospect of winter’s inevitable arrival a little more bearable? Cute winter-wear accessories… for BABIES! Heather is a crafter and mom to 3 little ones in New Brunswick who discovered knitting after her daughter was born. Good thing for us, because her mittens, slippers and hats are adorable!
Perfect for little baby hands with stubbornly curled fingers, her polka-dot mittens are lightly felted for a little extra cozy-factor!
This baby acorn hat just made me grin when I saw it! How perfect for fall!
These tiny little slippers would be a perfect Christmas stocking stuffer (I know, sorry to break the news, but the holidays aren’t that far away!).
You can find Heather and her HandKnit Hugs on Etsy – she has plenty of colour combinations available and a couple of sizes to make sure that you can coordinate and fit to your little ones. Natural fibers are so lovely, and Heather makes them even lovelier!
Cheers,
~Sarah
While on our recent vacation to the beach, I rediscovered my love of Mah Jongg. That’s not to say that I am particularly good at the game, but I do enjoy the challenge. So I definitely got a little excited when I found pendants made with Mah Jongg tiles. The Tigers and Dragons Etsy shop has a variety of Mah Jongg pendants made using reclaimed vintage and antique game tiles. Each tile has a specific meaning, and a card explaining the significance of your pendant is included with each purchase.
There is also a fabulous line of etched copper and stainless steel jewellery. There are etched pieces with Chinese zodiac signs, or Celtic and Norse designs. The Manitoba-based duo of Paul and Jill have backgrounds in architecture and art, and I think it shows in the esthetics of the jewellery they create.
All the tiles are reclaimed from incomplete vintage sets, so they have the added appeal of "game history"
I love the warm patina of this copper etched piece
While it was the Mah Jongg pendants that originally drew me to Tigers and Dragons, I have to admit that my eye has been caught, and my heart stolen, by this etching on stainless steel:
For the intrepid traveller: a beautiful symbol of protection and guidance!
The design is called a Viking Compass, and when translated from icelandic, it means “see the way”. It is said to help guide the traveller safely home. What a lovely sentiment to keep close to your heart while collecting stamps on your passport and having grand adventures!
You can see the whole selection of items at the Tigers and Dragons Etsy shop. I’m off to put Mah Jongg on my computer so I can play any time!
~Jennifer
Today marks the beginning of a new school year for many students across the country. Having been a student for many (many!) years myself, September always feels like a time for new beginnings, a clean start, and getting organized. One of my favorite things about back to school was all the clean, new supplies. Aaaahhh… the bliss of fresh, unmarked notebooks, a set of highlighters with every colour, pens and markers galore, all neatly housed in a new pencil case and backpack.
Within a few weeks I was always down to one blue pen, a random highlighter, a couple of markers with no lids, and my notes were falling out of their once-organized binders. But for a few precious days everything was bright and new, full of possibility and opportunity. So in honour of the first day of school, may I present some school supplies that would definitely have made the cut for my backpack: courtesy of Smackeral of Books.
This journal is begging to be filled with special thoughts and dreams.
Protect artwork and other projects with this stylish portfolio case!
This little notebook is eco-friendly, made of upcycled materials, and small enough to be handy for lists and reminders.
Smackeral of Books (aka: Beth) works from her home in St. Catherines, Ontario. All her notebooks are hand bound and unique. In addition to notebooks, journals, and portfolios, she also has a few pieces of abstract art available. You can see the whole selection at her Etsy shop.
Beth also has a blog (head over there and read about the super-exciting Levi-Strauss project!), and a facebook page so you can stay in the loop.
Here’s to all the students and teachers in our lives… have a great year everyone!
~Jennifer
The last long weekend of the summer is almost here, and with it comes the New Brunswick Fine Craft Festival. The show opens today at noon, and running until 5:00 pm on Sunday at Officer’s Square in Fredericton.
In addition to the show and sale of wonderful handmade items, there are live demonstrations of woodworking, weaving, pottery, and more! There is even a children’s craft tent, where the kids get to participate and make a craft of their own to take home!
There are also free musical performances, food booths, and I’m told there may even be some prizes to be won…
For more information, head to the website, or call the New Brunswick Crafts Council at (506) 450-8989.
Wishing everyone a safe and wonderful long weekend,
~Jennifer
No matter where you are, I bet you can take a look around and see at least one techno-gadget… Either a cell phone, blackberry, iPod, iPhone, or any number of other gizmos are probably lurking nearby. Sometimes we even have multiples of the same items. My husband and I had identical cellphones for a year or so, which was a pain, and I was always having to check and make sure to grab the right one while rushing out the door. We no longer have that problem, but I still have an affinity for things that help distinguish, decorate, and even protect those handy little gadgets that keep us in touch and entertained. So I was definitely excited when I found NORMandLOU from Thunder Bay, Ontario. They put together fun and functional hand cut felt covers and cases for the hand held devices that we use every day.
Colourful and cute, an ipod touch could live happily in one of these!
Smart retro styles for a blackberry curve
I couldn't resist the Canadian theme... Patriotism for your iphone!
Head to the NORMandLOU shop on Etsy for the full range of products. You can also follow on Twitter or Facebook to get all the latest scoop. Custom orders are welcomed, just let them know what you would like!
Yours in techno-geekery,
~Jennifer
Let me begin with a little disclaimer: I do not have pierced ears. You can blame that one on a lifelong plague of needle-phobia. However, that doesn’t keep me from loving the look of earrings, and appreciating the style and finesse that they can add to an outfit. Every so often I come across earrings that make me take a moment and contemplate finally taking the plunge and getting pierced. Today, it is Ear Curls, etc that has me double-thinking my poor naked ears.
Ear Curls only require one piercing, but gives the appearance of many, with a dramatic sweep of jewels up the ear.
Elegant, and yet a little bit edgy
Ear curls are available with a variety of beads, and your choice of sterling silver or 14 carat gold. These are a great option for those who love the multiple-piercing look, but don’t want to commit to it for every single day.
Ear Curls, etc also has lovely little wine charms, and neat beaded hair wraps.
Less dangly and clanky than traditional wine charms, these wine curls wind up the stem to decorate and identify your glass!
A quick and easy way to embellish your hair while keeping it up and out of the way.
Ear Curls are handmade by Shirley on North Pender Island, B.C. You can order them online, or check here to see if she will be at an upcoming craft show near you!
Shirley's crafty hands hard at work!
Have a great day!
~Jennifer
