I just love it when you stumble across something totally great, and completely unexpected. The other day I was in the middle of an online hunt for a particular item and found myself following an intriguing trail of links, not knowing where I was going to end up. Before I knew it I had landed at Groovy Glass Girl’s Cargoh site, and I am so glad that I stopped by! Featuring fused glass and stained glass work, paired with artistic metal and wire accents, these accessories are definitely worth a visit.
The peacock feather detail in this pendant is so neat!
I think this cosmic style pendant is out of this world!
A dramatic look, without being overly formal. Beautiful.
I really fell hard for this one:
I love the graceful sweep of the metalwork, and the green glass is lovely!
There are also plenty of earrings to choose from, like this cute pair in lime green and blue:
Plain old hoops?? no thanks! These are way more fun!
Groovy Glass Girl (aka: Poppy) creates her lovely pieces in her home studio in British Columbia. She also has several spots that you can find her on line : all the better for those of us who aren’t “pacific adjacent”. You can visit her Cargoh site, the Etsy shop, her blog, or visit her on facebook.
~Jennifer
In a parallel universe, this is the kind of fab and fashion forward chick I’d like to be:
Style with attitude!
She is badASS and I kind of want to be her. Or, at least have her wardrobe ;)
Alter-Eco Clothing is a line of planet-friendly clothing created by Bianca Strom, a young designer based out of Nelson BC, with a strong focus on loving the Earth! I like how Bianca explains her shop’s philosophy:
Alter-Eco is a fashion-forward Clothing line for those of us out there who want to do our part for the Planet…but look amazing while doing so
So now you too can be a tree hugger in good misfit fashion.
These clothes are strong, spunky and unique – using parts of upcycled clothing, organic fabrics and handpainted designs use non-toxic paints. The shirt below is made out of an old The Distillers t-shirt, some black t-shirt fabric and scraps of leopard print. She is committed to the earth in many ways, and her RelovePlanet website has tons of information about what she’s doing and how she’s working to reuse and reduce and love our Earth.
Bianca does custom work as well – like the dress below, which comes in a variety of colours and will be made-to-order for you! I love the lacing details on this piece!
So bold and fun!
To see more of Alter-Eco Clothing, check them out on Etsy or visit Relove Planet (check out her blog, Facebook or Twitter, too… she’s all over the internets!)
Cheers,
~Sarah
This shop is one that Jenn is probably going to be annoyed that I found instead of her! She loves pretty glass, and these wine glasses from Toronto’s Decouverre are definitely gorgeous! Each glass is hand-painted using non-toxic enamel paints, and each is truly one of a kind with designs created by the artist.
These caught my eye immediately – the bold red and black design is so lovely, with dragonfly silhouettes and the jaunty little bird!
Set of 2, retro flowers
Since they are handpainted, they can be customized and personalized in any way you’d like – add a saying to the base of the glass, or the bride and groom’s name for a bridal party, for example. If you don’t like red, but would love some purple flowers, that can be done. This is why handmade is so appealing to me… I love the limitless possibilities when you’re dealing directly with the creator.
Different styles of glasses and platters, decanters etc are all possible
These martini glasses are another favourite…
As if martini's weren't classy enough, right?!
You can find Decouverre Glassware on Etsy, as well as on Facebook. Pop over to the shop to see some of the holiday designs as well – maybe start a new holiday tradition with your new glasses :)
Cheers!
~Sarah
It’s an almost magical moment for a kid. Getting everything ready for the jolly old elf’s arrival. Hanging (or placing) your stocking, putting out the milk and cookies, and trying (really trying!) to feel sleepy so that morning can come THAT much faster. The stocking is so special, and it is so much fun to dig through it the next morning and see all the little goodies inside. I know that as a new parent, one of the things I am most excited about is watching my little girl experience the holiday magic for the very first time.
So what to do if your stocking is looking a little worse for wear? Or you have a new little person who needs a stocking of their own? Try a handmade felt stocking from Rikrak! They are stylish and fun, and even eco-friendly. Custom work is also available for those truly unique folks (or critters) gathered around your tree.
So pretty! I love the cool white and bright turquoise together.
You can even personalize it with the name of your precious pooch.
A holiday classic.
Don’t miss these stylish retro themed ornaments to dress up your tree!
These colourful ornaments are so fun and pretty!
You can find the whole selection at the Rikrak Etsy shop. You can also visit the Rikrak Studio Art and Design blog to see all kinds of beautiful, inspiring, and creative things. Or, if you like to Twitter (and you know we do!) follow the Rikrak twitter stream.
Wishing you all a beautiful day,
~Jennifer
UPDATE: The RikRak Studio is running a fabulous Mega Happy Holidays contest on their blog – gorgeous handmade goodies to be won! Head on over there and get your entries in (tons of ways to enter!) Click here for all the details.
The weekend is almost here, and you know what that means… Crafty goodness! Especially if you live in the western half of our beautiful country. Check out some of the great shows headed your way this weekend:
Regina, SK: Our Best To You comes to town, running from 10:00 am to 9:00 pm today, and 10:00 am to 6:00 pm on Saturday. Cost is $5.00 for adults, $4.00 for seniors and youth, wee ones under 12 are free. Directions and Parking details are online here.
Vancouver, BC: The Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Center hosts the Circle Craft Christmas Market. Doors open at 10:00 am daily for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Admission is $10.00 for adults, $8.00 for seniors and students. Children under 12 are free as usual. ***thanks to Fiona for letting me know of an error. It turns out that the event details I found for Circle Craft Market had incorrect dates. The Market actually takes place NEXT weekend (Nov 17-21). The official website can be found here. My sincere and deepest apologies to anyone who turned up only to be disappointed. Mea Culpa. ***
Calgary, AB: For a little international holiday flavour, head to Spruce Meadows for the annual Spruce Meadows International Christmas Market. Running this weekend and next, opening at noon on Fridays and 10:00 am on Saturdays and Sundays. Admission is $8.00, Seniors and children are free. Don’t miss seeing Santa’s reindeer, 74 kms of gorgeous lights, ice carvings, music and pony rides. Oh yeah, don’t forget all the amazing craft vendors too!
Enjoy!
~Jennifer
This post is part of a series related to the C+H Handmade Holiday Shopping Challenge. This holiday season, I am attempting to purchase all of our family’s gifts from Canadian handmade sources. I have plans to make a few gifts as well, and have allowed myself the exception of purchasing books (because I can’t imagine a Christmas without new books) from a local independent retailer. You can see all the details in the original post here!
So, first of all, let me tell you that going to the mailbox these days is lots of fun! A couple of times a week there is a package waiting there for me from an Etsy or Cargoh seller, and after I get the kids settled with a snack I can sneak into my room and rip it open to see exactly what that little piece of art or crafty goodness looks like!
I’ll admit that I didn’t really have a “list” in mind when I started this challenge, and I’m finding myself having to get more creative than I expected – no more relying on DVDs, Wii games or trips to the big box store for stocking stuffers, right? Trying to satisfy my hard-to-buy-for husband is proving tough, too, but I’ve found some fun goodies that I wouldn’t have expected you could find handmade (on the off chance that he’ll read this, I don’t want to spoil the surprise!).
The kids are easy because I know they’ll love anything they get, but I want to purchase intelligently. Our goal is to have fewer but better gifts under the tree this year, so buying yet another doll – even a gorgeous handmade one – or yet another costume tutu isn’t in the cards. I’m looking forward to some great craft shows in the Edmonton area in the next few weeks (Weestock and Make It! Edmonton) as well as a much-anticipated weekend in Vancouver with my girlfriends, which happens to coincide with the OOAK Vancouver show.
Eventually, I’ll post a full list of shops and vendors, but for now here are a few of my favourite purchases so far (good thing my girls can’t read yet!):
Sweet little travelling family house by Fee Vertelaine
Felt Princess Crown by Her Flying Horses
Oh Canada Map Envelopes by Prairie Peasant
Please share in the comments if you’re shopping handmade this holidays, link to a favourite purchase or seller if you’d like to, and let us know how it’s going!
Cheers,
~Sarah
Kids are cute. Kids dressed up in adorable outfits are extra cute. Kids dressed up in adorable outfits that are unique and special?? Ridiculously cute. So, if you are like me, and enjoy making sure that the little people in your life look ridiculously cute… you may want to check out the hot real estate on Lilikoi Lane. Lilikoi is the hawaiian word for passion fruit, and just like the fruit, their shirts are bright, fresh, and full of life. There are all kinds of designs to choose from, and each one is made to order! Pick the design that you love, then select the colours and sizes to make it just right for your precious little person.
This style is called the Giving Tree. So sweet, and perfect for fall!
This giraffe is so adorable!
Put your little one's initial right on their shirt!
Oh, and just so nobody feels left out, Lilikoi Lane has adult sizes too! From six months, right up to Mom and Dad, everyone can have their very own unique piece. Or, if you prefer, the whole family can match, or have variations on one theme. There are so many possibilities and combinations with these fun and colourful shirts. If you don’t see a template design that suits you, just ask, custom work is always available.
See more at the Lilikoi Lane Etsy shop,or in the online store. You can also follow Crystal (that’s the brains and busy fingers behind the clothes) on Twitter and Facebook!
Have a great day!
~Jennifer
I have to admit, I am a bit of a word nerd. As a kid, I would hide novels inside my textbooks and read during class (maybe why I am terrible at math to this day??). I would stay up late reading under the covers,and pass entire day-long car rides without noticing, caught up in the world at my finger tips. As a mom to a busy little 10 month old, I don’t have a whole lot of time for reading these days. Whenever I do get a chance to sit and read, I treasure those moments now more than ever.
When I discovered Retrograndma on Etsy the other day, it really took me back to those carefree days lost in the pages of my favorite stories. From her home in Saskatchewan, Retrograndma creates one of a kind purses from her favorite hardcover books and record covers. What a fun way to carry a special memory with you every single day!
Nancy Drew! I so desperately wanted to be as clever and independent as Nancy. Plus, the pink cover makes this purse really fun!
I love the beaded handles on this Hardy Boys purse. So pretty!
Who doesn't love the Beatles? Honestly!
I was also a little bit giddy when I discovered that Retrograndma makes book safes! Just like in so many mysteries, where important things or clues are hidden on a bookshelf in a hollowed out book, you can have one of your very own! (Yes, my husband did mock me tirelessly for my unbridled glee, but I am not ashamed, this stuff is cool!).
Oh what I would have done for one of these as a kid... so fun.
Want even more retro stylings? Check out the great clocks made from upcycled records:
Perfect for a diner-type kitchen, or retro styled rec room.
You can see more from Retrograndma at her Etsy shop, on her blog, or by following her on Twitter.
“Good books are like old friends, they never let you down”
~Jennifer
Yummy bath goodies make the daily shower a little more luxurious, and I just have to share the deliciousness — it’s my blog, that can be a word if I want it to be! — that is Soul Sister Soaps.
Lately, I’ve been using Angela’s Warm Vanilla sugar scrub and it’s lovely with a great scent (not too overwhelming) and really feels wonderful. She has a wide variety of options, and it’s worth checking out her shop just to see the combinations she has put together. Pineale and Paprika Scrub, Sweet Heart Sugar Scrub with Peppermint, Black Licorice and Bergamot, Lemon Rosemary Lip Balm etc.
Some of the yummiest that I saw on her shop today:
Orange Cocoa Whipped Body Butter
Cuticle and nail repair salve - vegan
Candy Cane Lip Balm
Socialite Sugar Scrub - Bay Rum - Coconut - Lime
Angela hails from small-ish town Alberta, and works hard to be as environmentally conscious as possible. Many of her concoctions are vegan, organic or both and she makes good use of her bike whenever possible. She’s a busy mom, but makes time for her passions which is something I can relate to.
You can find Soul Sister Soaps at her Etsy shop or her Facebook page!
Cheers,
~Sarah
I am a sucker for anything personalized – maybe that was the ulterior motive in naming our girls Julia and Emily, since they should never have trouble finding that pencil with their name on it, or the tacky souvenir at our summer holiday destination of choice! Yay!
Through the magic of Twitter, I discovered Penny People (via @clippo) the other day and I’m smitten. Lindsay Stephenson, the artist and designer behind the company, has created a line of personalized art as well as invitations and stationery that are cute and modern. I remember looking for something like these alphabet prints a few years ago for my daughter, and I couldn’t find any Canadian options. Problem solved :)
Available in 7 different colourways!
Perfect for the kids who share a room!
We’re thinking about the holidays already, and Penny People offers holiday photo cards that are really lovely, as well as return address labels, wedding invitations and more! The designs are lovely, but I also really like the story behind the name of the shop. A self-taught artist, Lindsay started out as a child, making faces using a penny to trace the circle… and Penny People were born! Her style has evolved over the years, but her designs are still bright and colourful.
Lovely modern birth announcements
Metropolitan damask invitation - lovely!
Lindsay is a busy, busy woman running her business, designing for corporate clients, keeping up a great blog and chatting on Twitter! You can find her at PennyPeople.com (invitations, photo cards etc.) and on her Etsy shop for the personalized prints alpahbet prints above.
Every kid (and adult!) deserves to have something with their name on it – thanks, Penny People!
Cheers,
~Sarah
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Update! Lindsay wrote about us on her blog – thank you! Check it out here!
