I am having a bit of fun getting ready for Easter this year. Now that my daughter is old enough to have a little egg hunt, there is something a little more exciting about the whole experience! We already have some colourful plastic eggs to “hide”, a basket for her to gather them in, and she will probably even get a little treat or toy to play with. She is still a bit too young for much chocolate or candy, but that just means more for Mom and Dad, right? In fact, this year I think the Easter Bunny may go all out, and leave a few treats from Charlinda Belgian Chocolates when he/she hops on by!
- Nothing says Welcome Spring better than (delicious chocolate-y) flowers!
But chocolate shouldn’t only be an Easter treat, it’s so versatile that it can be perfect for any occasion or no occasion at all!
Who knew you could make a piano from chocolate? It's music to your mouth...
Perhaps there is an upcoming wedding or baby shower that could use some decor that doubles as a small gift or an extra desert…
- You may *want* to nibble on the real baby, but people tend to frown on that… so nibble on this instead!
Charlinda is a mother-daughter team from Stoufville Ontario, and they use an old family recipe that has stood the test of time. They have mouthwatering almond bark, truffles, chocolate cherries, and chocolate in multitude of shapes and designs. There’s even a 3D canoe filled with maritime goodies, and I really like this sleek sailboat:
There are so many shapes, and they come in a variety of flavours too.. yum!
The ladies can make almost anything your heart desires, and custom work is welcome. Weddings, trade shows and other events can have a little something extra that won’t end up gathering dust on someone’s shelf, or in next year’s garage sale! Contact them for more details, or visit the website to see what is available.
Wishing you and yours a day filled with sweetness,
~Jennifer
Monday was a big day for some very dear friends of mine. They welcomed a beautiful baby girl into their lives, and she has since stolen everyone’s hearts! (Funny how babies can do that so fast… You just can’t fight those eyes, and the adorable little fingers and toes). So I have had “baby girl brain” all week, and thus have stumbled upon Little Jumping Beans. They have the sweetest little shoes, bibs, and crib sheets, all in fabulous fabrics that any fashionable new parent will love.
Oh I think new baby P and my wee girl need matching shoes (proper girlfriends always share style, right?)
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So pretty and feminine... soft and washable too!
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Jaimie is a mom of two who has a soft spot for pretty fabric and hollywood gossip. She sews all of her creations in her Calgary home.
You choose the fabric, Jaimie will sew up a safe and snug crib sheet for baby.
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- That’s one small step for baby… one giant leap for baby-kind…
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As an extra bonus, 10% of sales are donated to a different charity every month! I love it when you can shop and do good things for the world at the same time. Visit the Little Jumping Beans Etsy shop for more great stuff, or drop by Facebook and say Hi!
Celebrating the sweetness of new life,
~Jennifer
I am so, so, SO ready for spring and Alberta is still buried under snowbanks that are almost as tall as me (and I’m 6’0 tall, folks!).
This pillow, designed and printed by Jenna Rose in her Hamilton studio, brought a little of that summer-y warm feeling into my heart today.
I want to climb up into the branches and hang out with my favourite book!
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Such a fun print - love the orange!
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Originally from Guelph, Ontario (my hometown! Cheers to Guelph!), Jenna now works out of her studio space in Hamilton’s James North area. From her website:
Jenna illustrates each design by hand, drawing inspiration from daily life. Each piece is screen-printed in house using non-toxic water-based pigments and natural and organic materials.
I adore a cute hat, and this one is adorable!
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A really perfect market tote!
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The tote above was recently spotted in the fabulous new online design, travel and food magazine Dabble. A highly recommended new read that I’ve definitely enjoyed browsing.
Jenna will be at the Toronto One of a Kind show this spring so be sure to stop in and say Hi if you’re headed there later this month. You can find more of her work on Etsy as well as follow along on her photography-filled blog and her website.
Enjoy!
~Sarah
I admit it, I sport a ponytail more days than I’d like. If I had some of Melissa Abram’s fun hair accessories, I might feel a little happier about that fact!
A simple, organic print
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A splash of pretty brocade on this headband
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Okay, here’s another confession – I cannot make bobby pins do what they’re supposed to do. They just don’t stay in my hair… but if I ever figure it out, I’d like to add these pretty kimono pins to my collection, please!
Little black dress, red shoes and these in your hair? Gorgeous.
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Robots are, shall we say, “trending” these days and this handsome little dude is featured on one of Melissa’s necklaces and more retro robot styles on rings as well!
Robot!!
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Melissa hails from Quadra Island, BC and has a great line of semi-precious jewellery as well. Be sure to drop by her website, her Etsy shop or her Facebook page to see more of her designs including earrings, rings, bracelets and more hair accessories.
Enjoy!
~Sarah
P.S. I found Melissa via the Artzi Stuff shop in Nanaimo, BC! If you’re in the area, definitely check it out – over 40 Canadian artists are featured!
It’s the quintessential fathers’ day gift, and a Christmas time staple. The tie. Almost every man has a selection to choose from, but lets be honest, most of the time they are just like every other tie out there. Bo-ring. So why not shake it up a little and get your husband, father, son, or even your boss, wrapped up in some handmade style. Nadine De Lange is an Ottawa artist who creates these fabulous marble effect hand painted silk ties.
From her "brights" collection, this one definitely makes a statement!
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Have an upcoming wedding that needs a splash of unique style? Nadine can hook the entire bridal party up with some one of a kind dapper duds. Take these cumberbund and bowtie combos, for example:
Subtle enough not to offend Great Aunt Betty, but fun enough for a modern groom and his merry men.
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Nadine’s work is done in batches, with a very cool “floating paint” technique that gives her pieces great dimension. You can see the whole process, step by step, right here on her website.
Suspenders never looked this good!
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This reminds me of cells through a microscope. Perfect for the fun brainiac in your life!
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Custom work is available, and Nadine prides herself on 100% customer satisfaction. Visit her website to see the whole range of colours and styles, from demure to dramatic!
Have a great day everyone,
~Jennifer
In honour of our 200th post, and the friendly little community that joins us here at Canadian+Handmade every day, we are introducing a regular feature that we’re calling “Community Day“. We know you’re out there, working, playing, being inspired and challenged every day by the world around you, and we would love to get to know you a little better so we’re giving you your own day. Lucky ducks ;)
So, please join us here in the comments or on your social media avenue of choice (Facebook, Twitter) for our first Community Day session. Here’s the question of the day:
What is the one thing you always seem to gravitate to for inspiration – when you’re running low on creativity or energy, how do you find your mojo again?
I love it when something just catches your eye and captures your imagination. When I saw these gorgeous lampwork beads from Flame on Glass, I immediately started dreaming up ways of incorporating them into my daily life. I was drawn to the colours and shapes, and just couldn’t look away.
The silver foil detail adds an extra fun touch!
This one is feminine and sweet, it's like a mini garden!
I am picturing gorgeous beaded book markers, key chains, wine glass charms, and of course some bold, chunky, and utterly fabulous jewelry. There are so many possibilities for creative projects that would be perfect to showcase these super-fun beads.
These ones feel a little "cosmic" to me. Far out!
You can wear your heart on your sleeve... or your wrist, or anywhere you like!
Flame on Glass is the brainchild of Linda James from Salt Spring Island, BC. Her love for melting glass has been going strong for more than a decade, and I think it shows in her beautiful beads. Check out her Etsy shop to see all the different colours and styles, you’ll be glad you did!
Cheers,
~Jennifer
It may feel that April Showers and May Flowers are still light years away, but the truth is that Easter (and all it’s Spring-y goodness) will be here in just a few short weeks. So I can’t hold out any longer, I just have to tell you about So Jeo and her stunning Pysanky. I discovered her gorgeous traditional Ukrainian Easter eggs last summer, and wanted to share them with you at just the right time. Folks, that time is now… Feast your eyes on the fabulous colours and intricate patterns, all designed and created by hand using traditional techniques.
The rich colours are so gorgeous, I have such a weakness for purple!
The images are built up by using alternating layers of carefully applied hot beeswax and dipping the egg in various shades of dyes. Then the wax is melted away, leaving only the lovely designs to be admired and treasured for generations.
The skill and artistry involved is just incredible!
So Jeo even works with teeny tiny delicate finch eggs to create lovely Pysanky jewelry pieces as well. Once they are sealed and covered with a clear polymer finish, they are durable and strong enough to wear without fear of damaging them.
These would be conversation starters at any springtime or Easter gathering, that's for sure!
So Jeo is a self-taught Pysanky artist, who imagines the egg as her canvas, and is inspired by the natural elements around her Nova Scotia home. She even welcomes commissions, so if you have a vision for something you would like to see, she will do her best to make it a reality. You can see what she has to offer on her Etsy shop, or visit her website for a stunning gallery and to learn more about the traditional art of Pysanky. You can also join her on Facebook or Twitter.
How Egg-ceptional! (ouch… sorry!)
~Jennifer
