Event: SpeakEasy Spring Craft Show

Remember to stop by the Gladstone Hotel later today for the SpeakEasy Craft Show. Hours, 7pm-11pm. Diana and I will both be there selling our our wares so come by and say hi!

Etsy: Vibrant Colours with A Hint of Silver

My latest esty treasury: Vibrant Colours with A Hint of Silver.

I love the Etsy community for being able to buy directly from so many talented artists around the world (who we might not have a chance to know otherwise).

Be sure to click on the treasury link to find out about these beautiful works of art. : )

::: Nathalie

Sources: dahlhaus, mujoyas, EloiseRenouf, etco, sweetestelle, Caracarmina, verabel, Judykaufmann, jennykim, thewheatfield, crystalljackson, OldNewAgain, sushipotparts, Geninne, tushtush, PeggyWolfDesign

I Want

I'm absolutely crazy for these pieces from The Angry Weather - Rain Cloud Stud Earrings and La Nube Necklace. Too cute!

Also cute - Iveth's blog!

Gifts for the Grandparents

Custom tea towels - Happy Christmas family!

Instead of gifting useless things for people, Geoff and I have gotten into the habit of giving yummy treats (and of course crafts) during the holidays for relatives who already have everything.

Last year, we made a big batch of Nigella Lawson's delicious Rocky Road and gifted it in a cute glass canister from Crate & Barrel.

Picture Source: Sweet Paul Magazine

This year, we're giving out Sweet Paul's Cranberry & Maple Loafs (baked in mini loaf pans) accompanied with custom tea towels that Diana and I made and screenprinted by hand.

I think these are great gift ideas that can be used all year round for the people in our lives who have everything.

Interesting tidbit - I heard the average person was spending over $900 on Christmas this year. That's kinda crazy.

Feature: Faux Fauna, Bookhou & Lines by Davis

Diana and I didn't get the chance to meet the artists of these two booths (at the One of A Kind Show) but we really liked their work and wanted to share it here.

Felt Factory presents Faux Fauna

We loved the vegetarian friendly taxidermy by Faux Fauna. Very charming!

Bookhou

Always a fan of Bookhou's textiles and wood workings.

Eternity Scarf; Lines by Davis

Though he didn't have a booth at the OOAK show, we had the chance to meet an awesome local artist by the name of Davis Khounnoraj. He has an Etsy shop for his collection, Lines by Davis and will also be at this weekend's City of Craft.

Light Fixtures & Feature: Lost Nation

I never thought I'd say "thank goodness it's Monday." Geoff and my father spent 2 grueling days wiring the electrical for overhead lights in my home studio. On day two they were ready to install the light fixtures. Then we discovered that the pendant lamps I bought had no covers and would leave the holes and wires in my ceiling exposed. Whoops.

Moving on - this is Katie Barnstaple's work from Lost Nation. When I saw her booth at the One of A Kind show, I nearly broke down in tears for having gone with empty pockets.

I could just picture her Humane Antlers over top of my bed. Wouldn't that be brilliant?

And I could picture her Wooden Antler Chandelier hoisted above my dining room table.

Her Etsy profile sums up Lost Nation perfectly - "I am obsessed with brining the outdoors inside. I believe a home should reflect what grows and lives around it."

Lost Nation's Elkadee and Mustache on a Stick.

You can also check out Katie's blog here.

Feature: Flakes Paperie

Diana and I went to our first One of a Kind Show last Friday (what took us so long?) and literally had 3 hours to go around the entire show. It was madness.

I briefly met Ashley Coulson of Flakes Paperie. I found out her studio is based in Cambridge, ON and she designs and prints everything herself. She focuses on beautifully silk screened items, from gift tags to stationary to calendars and everything in between.

I really dug her beautiful silk screened wall calendar, but alas, I went to the show with empty pockets.

You can check out Ashley's blog here and her etsy shop here.

Flake Paperie's beautiful gift tags

Feature: Touch the Dutch

Computer crisis is averted which means I can continue with the artist features. Thank goodness!

Antler Rings and Axe Brooches from Touch the Dutch

Here is Anneke van Bommel's work of Touch the Dutch. I was already familiar with her work having seen it at Distill Gallery. Turns out you can also buy her wares on Etsy.


Anneke is a multidisciplinary artist who works with paper, wood and porcelain in addition to metals. Her art always has a cool Canadiana theme.


I'm a sucker for small unique earrings and have my eye on Anneke's Bird Beak Studs. They're adorable!

Feature: Offcut Studio

Wood Clocks and table by Offcut Studio

I met Cameron MacLean of Offcut Studio at SpeakEasy and was instantly drawn to the clean lines of his wooden clocks.


Cameron's collection is warm & cozy and has a contemporary Canadiana feel. His Etsy shop includes - wooden skate guards, rear wood bike fenders and wooden vases made out of walnut, maple, white oak and cherry offcut woods.

Wooden Skate Guards

Rear Wood Bike Fender

I wish I could skate and owned a decent bike just to get some of Cameron's cool one of a kind pieces.

Feature: Kempton Jones

I met Michelle Matsui of Kempton Jones at SpeakEasy this past Thursday. She does these adorable Owlies of Ontario which come named and with their own personality traits. Very Cute.

Michelle also works on silkscreened Tooth Fairy pockets made out of eco-spun felt. You can check out her work on Etsy.

This is Dashwood.

Dashwood likes bonfires and checking out bare-bum beach.

Cloudy Monday

Baby Cloudzzz by La Casita

I just received a package from La Casita. Thanks Alessandra - it's beautiful! She's just restocked her shop, so be sure to check it out.

My cloud will hang above my computer once my studio is repainted and redecorated. I can hardly wait.

I Love Stripes iPhone Case - $14.00

Just a quick note, we're having sale right now, 50% off our handmade iPhone and iPod cases. They're great if you're looking for an original and inexpensive gift for the holidays, or just to show a techy that you care.

Support your local crafters! : )

Thanks La Casita

Thanks to Alessandra of La Casita for such lovely words (and photos) on our tea towels. You've made our day. : )

-nathalie & diana