Sometimes you don’t know that you were looking for something until you find it. Such was the case for me when I stumbled upon Polymer Playin’. These pieces of wearable art made out of polymer clay left me wondering how I have ever gone this long without one!
- The colour, the pattern, the bold chunky-ness… I love it all!
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Oh My. How have I gotten this far in my life without owning this? How?
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A love of colour combined with the versatility of clay combine to produce these great works. The somewhat mysterious artist behind Polymer Playin’ resides on the east coast, (Nova Scotia to be exact).
The swirl has drawn me in... I cannot look away
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There’s even some that are suitable for those whose tastes run a bit more to the rocker side of the spectrum. Like this fantastic “flaming” guitar:
- *throws the goat*
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See what else Polymer Playin’ has to offer by visiting the Etsy shop. You might just find something you never knew you couldn’t live without…
~Jennifer
Everyone has different aspects of their personality, even if they don’t often get to see the light of day. Right now I am usually wearing my “busy working mother” hat, with the occasional “goofy friend” or “cheesy romantic wife” thrown in for good measure. But lately I am missing a few other sides of myself. I am currently working on re-introducing myself to the “adventuring traveler”, and maybe someday I’ll have the time to get reacquainted with the “wistful daydreamer” who used to hang out for hours in the branches of a favorite tree.
It is she, the wistful daydreamer who would feel perfectly carefree and at ease in the beautiful bohemian inspired clothing from the Barefoot Modiste.
It has a hippie feel without being shapeless, and the fabrics are lovely
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Milli is a self-taught seamstress who calls Edmonton home. She started sewing at the tender age of eight, and hasn’t looked back since. You can sometimes see the influence of her African roots in her work, and there is a freewheeling gypsy vibe that brings to mind music, laughter, and stories around a campfire.
- I love the colours, and the fitted top/flowy bottom combination in this skirt!
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This shift dress has such a simple shape, but the African print gives it such energy and personality!
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Milli has a mild obsession with fabrics, and is always on the lookout for fabulous finds that make their way into her pieces. Many of the materials she uses are reclaimed from thrift store or garage sale finds, so you can be sure that anything she makes is truly one of a kind.
- I really like the textures in this skirt, and the mod feel of the shapes on the front!
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You can see more of the Barefoot Modiste’s free-spirited creations in her Etsy shop, or stop in and say “Hi!” on her Facebook page.
~Here’s to embracing all the different sides of our many-faceted selves!
Jennifer
I am always amazed by the way an artist can convey a certain feeling so clearly, just through the use of colour and shape. The way that they can capture movement, emotion, and even bring to mind particular sounds and smells is truly amazing. One such talented artist is Shelagh Duffett, better known as Alice in Paris. The moment that I saw her bold and energetic prints, I was immediately drawn in and transported into the seaside world that she creates.
Can't you just feel the salty summer breeze?
Many of Shelagh’s prints celebrate her Nova Scotia home, and there is often a friendly feline or two making an appearance as well. They strike a perfect balance, managing to be both youthful and vibrant without being childish.
So peaceful and calm...
This just sums up a carefree childhood, doesn't it?
I love the strong colours, and the composition of her work. Each one can send you into a new set of daydreams, losing yourself into a whole different world full of possibilities and adventure. Even a few flowers in a vase have an element of lighthearted fun:
I don't know what I love more: the whimsical spirals on the vase, or the "kapow!" red background...
To get a taste of what Alice in Paris is all about, you won’t want to miss her great Blog. Then grab a cup of tea (yes, this is a requirement!) and cruise through the Etsy shop to check out all the wonderful prints. Once you’ve done all that, come on over and join the conversation on Twitter!
Daydream believer…Oui oui!
~Jennifer
We use so many little things in our daily lives without even thinking about them. But how much fun is it when something useful can be beautiful and even have some special meaning to you? That’s why I love these coasters from Jonathon Wayne Design. They have an old-school vintage feel, with plenty of opportunity to customize a set that really speaks to your personality. You could capture the soundtrack to a special time in your life, or have a daily reminder of that incredible road trip with your best friend as you sip your morning coffee.
Available with Broadway favorites, Christmas carols, timeless Opera... or whatever music sings to your heart...
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There's just something about a map that makes me want to grab my keys and hit the road!
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Encyclopedia and Dictionary themed coasters could protect your tables while you are doing the Sunday crossword, reading a favorite novel, or engaging in a spirited game of Scrabble… (on that note, how DOES my husband get 62 points from the word “spell”… How??!!?)
Word nerds unite!
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John is a full-time student, activist, and artist, based in Winnipeg. His coasters have a cork backing, and he is always open to custom orders and special requests. Check out his Etsy shop for more details (and the scoop on whether or not he was really named after *that* John Wayne…)
Here’s hoping we can all infuse a little bit of individual flair into our daily lives!
~Jennifer
Feeling a little bit extra lucky today? You aren’t alone! Today we all get to be just a little bit Irish, so practice your brogue, put on something green, dance a jig, and (if you are so inclined) enjoy a cold, green beverage of choice. In honour of this fun-filled day, we have gathered a few handmade gems for the Irish at heart… Enjoy!
- These four hearts together form a lovely clover pendant. Beautiful any day of the year…
Why should us humans have all the fun? Let your beloved pooch get in on the St. Paddy's Day action with this cute collar!
And for those who really go green from head to toe, you’ll probably need something like these:
Warm, comfy, and festive to boot! (get it? boot... 'cause they're socks... *giggle*)
This would be perfect for those looking for an elegant and understated way to mark the day...
May the luck of the Irish be with you today and always!
~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 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!
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
I will admit that I was a bit of a bookish child growing up. Don’t get me wrong, I certainly climbed my share of trees and rode my bike for days on end, but I have always found a good book to be something totally magical. It’s not at all surprising then, that for a good chunk of my life I entertained dreams of being a writer. I outlined plots, sketched characters for my great Canadian novel, and lurked around corners to hone my skills as an investigative reporter. Now I’m all grown up, and even though I may not be a Canadian Lois Lane, a really nice notebook can still make me swoon!
Why would you settle for a plain old boring notebook, when you can have something as fresh and pretty as these?
Original watercolour artwork decorates the cover, and the pages are all reclaimed and recyled paper
New Leaf Handmade Goods is the partnership between sisters Maria and Cecilia. Based out of Swift Current Saskatchewan, they have blended their love of paper and fabric with artistic talent and thrift-store sleuthing to create these beautiful books. The paper inside is all reclaimed, recycled or repurposed, so they are lovely to look at and easy on planet earth!
Perfect for a budding songstress, ready to be filled with poetic lyrics!
Mixed in among the blank pages in each notebook, you can find reclaimed treasures like sheet music, tracing paper, and map pages that give each book some serious personality. Maria and Cecilia even include a few notes about the origins of “your” paper, so you can truly get a feel for where the pages came from. Then it’s up to you to fill each page with whatever your heart desires.
Let your dreams soar...
There are even some childhood favorites that will bring back happy memories. I just read this one to my little girl a few days ago!
Some of the original story pages are mixed in with the blank sheets. So much fun!
Want to see what else the sisters have to offer? Head on over to the Etsy shop where you will find plenty more notebooks to choose from, as well as a whole bunch of great pillow covers like this:
oooooh I love this one so much!
Then, when you are done browsing, stop by their Facebook page or Twitter stream and say Hello, or visit the blog for musings, DIY and even a newsletter. Also, make sure you wish the girls a Happy Birthday because New Leaf turns one year old in just a couple of weeks! Congratulations Ladies, and keep up the great work!
Cheers!
~Jennifer
