I make soy candles and melts in many scents and beautiful colours. I started making soy candles when I found out most candles are made of paraffin wax, which is made of petroleum oil. Many carcinogens in them and I hated the black smoke. Soy is chemical free, so it doesn't take away from the scent. I work full time at the hospital, so love my weekends to make my candles. I love listening to music while I create. The hardest part is setting the wicks. You can meet Kelly at 30 Craft Market on December 9 at Sadleir House, 10:30 - 3:30.
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"I knit toques! All are multi-coloured and most are one-of-a-kind. My mother got me started on the toques. She used to knit mitts for the "bag ladies" in Toronto and we got together and made "sets". I then gave most of my toques away to either her or to the homeless shelters in Peterborough. The multi-coloured yarns surprise me almost every time as they tend to make their own patterns. I never know what the end result will be and find it rather exciting. I'm retired now, so spend my time watching TV [while] knitting [on the couch]. I knit almost every afternoon. I get my inspiration from all of the wonderful colours that are now available." When asked what the most difficult part of the process is, Leslie says, "Some yarns that I use are a bit thick and have many strands, I have to be careful that I only pick up one strand when knitting." Despite this, "many of my toques turn out to be favourites." Most people enjoy the fact that my toques are well made, and enjoy the wealth of different colours. I only sell my toques at a few craft shows, the rest I give away to homeless shelters, or other places where they might be needed. I try to make each toque different from the others.
You can meet Leslie at 30 Craft Market on Dec 2nd (90 Hunter St East) and Dec 9 (751 george St N)! Donna Boyle creates rock people. "After a long-term partner passed I spent a lot of time on the lake shore balancing small rocks and came to love the balance/sensation of them." When not creating, Donna writes. The themes she pursues are love and intimacy. When creating her rock people, she works on her back porch in silence or while listening to the radio. She works only when inspired to, and derives her inspiration from within. Donna says the most difficult part of the process is "free-standing balance". "Free-standing balance - I free stand all of my pieces so that they balance themselves w/out any adhesive substance. Rock people are similar to the Inukshuks we find in the north and they always stand with balance only. Although that is easier to accomplish because the stones are usually squarish and very large I admire & respect that singular accomplishment. Regardless, if my guys are small and rounder, only after achieving balance do I apply the adhesive substance." She sells her creations at 30 Craft Market and the nursing home where her mother lives. "Rocks are like people, they come in every shape & colour and are equal in the eyes of the universe."
You can meet Donna at 30 Craft Market on Dec 9 at Sadleir House (751 George St N) between 10:30 and 3:30. Andrea Sabo says, "I create many knitwear items from a pattern free perspective. Everything from mittens, toques, slouchy hats & headbands to sweaters, cowls, bow ties, blankets, wine bottle covers, art cards & yarn art - the list goes on and on. My nana taught me to knit when I was a little girl and over the years I had made myself, family & close friends mittens, toques & scarves which they enjoyed and appreciated. It wasn't until a few years ago, during the winter season, when I was looking to spend as much quiet indoor time as possible with our aging dog curled up beside me, that my small business was born. Before I knew it I had made several pairs of mittens & toques, and it was suggested I sell what I had made. From there I created my Facebook Page and started posting those very items for sale. Custom orders started coming in so I opened up my Etsy Shop and things have evolved from there." When asked what she has the most fun making, Andrea says, "It's hard to choose just one as I enjoy & have fun making everything that I do but to highlight one item it would have to be my YarnArt. There's just something amazing & different to me about painting a canvas and combining it with something I've knit or crocheted and hanging it on your wall." "When I'm not creating I'm thinking about creating & what my next project will be (even though I've always got several on the go). I also really enjoy baking & gardening and the simple things in life like spending time with family & friends. I work on my creations everywhere ! From the comfort of my own home, trips in the car (where I'm the passenger), or when I'm waiting at an appointment. I generally have a ball of yarn & a crochet hook or knitting needles with me." To occupy her mind while working, Andrea has either the TV on or she works in silence. She also works regularly because she is inspired to do so. "Inspiration for me comes from colours in my day to day environment and sometimes it comes from the simple necessity of needing something useful." For Andrea, the most difficult part of the process is maintaining all her social media sites. She also says, "My favourite piece of work would have to be the All In One Bed & Blanket For Pets that I designed & actually wrote the pattern for. Our cat Stanley sleeps in it regularily!"
"I really enjoy what I do and try to find new things to create using knitting and crocheting as the main medium. I also find knitting and crocheting very therapeutic as I spend many hours commuting to work from Peterborough. It's an enjoyable way to (generally) end my day by sitting quietly knitting or crocheting. It really is an addiction this knitting/crocheting thing that I do! Just ask my husband - he can verify it for you!" You can buy Andrea's creations from any of the following: https://www.facebook.com/AndreasKnittingAddiction https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/AndreaKnittingAddict https://www.pinterest.com/andreasknitting https://twitter.com/Knitting_Andrea https://instagram.com/andreasknittingaddiction You can also meet her at 30 Craft Market on December 2nd at Mark Street United Church. "Sign Design does custom wood sign designs as well as other generic wooden signs. We make signs for every season as well as holidays. We also make lamps and solar lamps out of logs and beaver stumps. We basically work with wood and design many different decorations for inside and outside your home. Sarah was the one that got myself (Krystal) into it. She took a few classes and started making different signs for her home and families' homes. I saw that she could make them and wanted to make them myself. We started making signs together and selling them on Facebook. We liked it so much and had so much fun making them together. We decided to not just make them to sell on Facebook but to do different shows. Sarah has since stopped making the signs and I enjoy making them so much I have continued. I work a very busy job in a kindergarten classroom and sign making has become my release and relaxation at night. I love making funny signs with funny sayings on them. Love watching people’s reactions to the signs and these signs really put me in a good mood when I am making them! When I am not creating I am an ECE in a kindergarten classroom which keeps me really really busy! I also enjoy hanging with my other half Ryan and our puppy Ringer. We own 500 acres so we are always outside walking, riding four-wheelers or just enjoying nature! I work in a room in my house that has a big window that looks outside. Love being able to see the outdoors and be creative." When asked how she occupies her mind while working, Krystal says, "I have a TV going in the background. I work better with background noise as I am use to it at work. A kindergarten classroom is never quiet. Usually have a show I have already seen so it doesn’t distract me." I usually work on the signs I have sold first then I try to make one or two signs or wooden decorations weekly. I have many pictures of signs I have seen or written down ideas for, so when inspiration strikes on what the finish product should look like I work on those ones first. I do a lot of searching on the internet for wording on signs and I also look around at different signs in stores on how they are designed and I put them together and make them my own." Krystal says the most difficult part of the process is "picking out colours for signs. I don’t always like to go neutral but picking colours that other people will like is very difficult as everyone has different tastes." "I love when my signs speak to people. I hear 'that is so true'. Or 'wow I need that sign it’s me!' Or when they laugh because they find a sign funny. Those responses are always memorable ones. I pride myself on making everything homemade and I am local. I also love making personal signs where people don’t have the vision but the words they want on a sign and I can put a vision to make their personal sign come to life. I enjoy making the signs -- it is relaxing for me. Thanks for taking the time to read this interview and come check out my booth at the December show or check out my Facebook page. I sell on Facebook and they email. The Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/signdesign2 and the email address is [email protected] You can meet Krystal at 30 Craft Market on December 2nd, 2017 between 10:30 and 3:30 at Mark Street United Church (90 Hunter St East), and, December 9, 2017 between 10:30 and 3:30 at Sadleir House (751 George St N). Both shows are in Peterborough, ON. "I make baby and kids clothing, specializing in Grow With Me clothing. I have a two year old daughter, and like most babies and kids she grew (and continues to grow) fast! It was frustrating to have all these cute clothes that she'd maybe wear once or twice because she outgrew them so quickly. There were even some things that she never got to wear at all! I also didn't like having to constantly be packing away the old sizes and buying or unpacking the next size up. It felt never-ending. When I started making clothes for her it made so much sense to create pieces that would fit her for months or even years, so that's what I did! I started with Grow With Me Pants, and added other GWM items from there: Hoodies, Tunics, Shirts, Shorts, etc. People kept asking me if I was selling the clothing I made and that really planted a seed in my head! I decided to go for it. Of course, I had to name the business after the girl who inspired it all and her nickname was Baby Bee." When asked what she has the most fun making, Heather says, "I love making the Grow With Me Pants. They're fairly quick to make and they were the piece that got this whole thing started!" "When I'm not creating, I'm either running after my two year old, working on my skincare business (yes, I have another business), or working as an ASL - English Interpreter. Needless to say, my life is pretty busy! I love all the things I do though, and try to ensure that each one of my passions and responsibilities get my focus and attention. We have a little bungalow in Whitby, and in the basement there's a spare room that I slowly took over until everyone started to refer to it as my sewing room. It's cozy, but I have everything in one place and a door I can close when necessary! One of the things I love about sewing is how meditative it is for me. I'm completely immersed in the task, and I don't listen to anything else but the sound of my machines when I'm sewing. It's a wonderful contrast to my day job as an interpreter where I have almost constant auditory input to attend to, decipher, and interpret into another language! I sew most days, whether it's to work on an order, prepare for an upcoming show, or make something for myself or a family member. The most difficult thing, as you may have guessed, is finding the time to create as much as I'd like. Right now I work full time during the day, and I have this business, another business, and a home and family to care for. It's a juggling act at times! When asked what her favourite piece of work is that she's created, Heather says, "I made this Grow With Me Cowl Neck shirt out of a fabric remnant. It was the last piece the supplier had and there was just enough to make this shirt. I absolutely love it." "The best responses I get are the ones where they can't help but send me pictures of their babies and kids wearing the clothes! That's one of my favourite parts.
I buy all of my fabric from suppliers that are Canadian home-based businesses run by mompreneurs like myself! At the moment I sell online via my facebook page facebook.com/babybeeclothing and in person at vendor events and artisan markets." You can meet Heather at 30 Craft Market on Dec 2nd at Mark Street United Church (90 Hunter Street East). "I make cute felted bunnies, cacti and ornaments. I also make custom mobiles. I've always wanted to be a DIY kind of person. I believed I could make or create things myself, without having to rely on box store products. I learned to knit, sew, felt and wet felt, as well as bead. All these crafts come together in my products. I love making my white bunnies. They are my most popular item and I can add flair to any of them. When not creating, Manon takes care of her 5-month old son. And when she is working, most of the time she just enjoys the silence. "I work a lot throughout the day. It's a great way to combat boredom if the baby is sleeping. It's also a great outlet for creativity." About the most difficult part of the process, Manon says, "Wet felting and sewing, because it always takes the longest! The challenging part is trying to hold/soothe/feed a baby all the while ... so needless to say it takes a long time!" Manon's favourite piece is a custom mobile she made (see above). She sells her creations at Watson and Lou on Water St and the Play Cafe on Chemong. You can meet her on December 2nd at 30 Craft Market (90 Hunter St East, 10:30-3:30)!
"I create hand knitted and crocheted work patterned, socks, hats, mitts and baby snuggle bags. There are also lots of fun hats, and shadowbox mitts which are both closed in and open at the top, to facilitate using your phone with ease. Animal inspired mitts and hats, such as hedgehogs are the latest addition to my line. Knitting has always been something I've loved doing since my Grandmother taught me when I was very small. Being able to do something I love, and make a bit of extra money, plus make others happy, has inspired me for years. The hedgehog mitts are my favourite, although quite time consuming. The look on the faces of my customers when they see them, makes me smile. When I moved to Peterborough 4 years ago, I didn't know anyone outside of my family. Joining knitting/crochet groups has allowed me to meet wonderful people and to help create many and participate in charity work. We create blankets, sweaters, hats, mitts and many other things for veterans, children's aid, abused women and their children as well as many other groups. It really helps to give you a wonderful feeling, helping others. I love trying new things, especially fun creations which make people smile. That is why I love to make animal inspired hats and mitts. I'm a home crafter, so everything I do is either done at home, or at one of the club/group meetings I attend." While working at home, Lorel says "watching dvds and (gasp) videos of golden age murder mysteries is my favourite way to work. I try to work regularly, because it can take quite a bit of time to finish each item. I do take some time off, so that I don't get sick of knitting. Much of my inspiration comes from online searches, on places like Pinterest, Ravelry and other sites like that" For Lorel, the most difficult part of the process is the finishing. "I hate sewing in the ends of yarn. LOL I think a good many knitters would understand that!" Her favourite piece is a sweater she made for a customer. "I've now added it to my line as it was such a success."
As for the most memorable responses she's had to her work, Lorel says "Some children think my animal-inspired mitts are puppets, and want to play with them. One girl actually created a special home for her hedgehog mitts and her mom says she treats them more like a pet!" Lorel sells at shows and through Kijiji. "Some of the shows I will be at this fall are the 30 Craft Market on December 2 at the Mark St United Church, and the Cottage Craft shows in Peterborough, Morrow Building November 26, Lindsay Exhibition Grounds December 3 and the Morrow Building December 19th and 20th." "I make beautiful and comfortable reusable cloth menstrual pads, incontinence pads, bamboo nursing pads, period underwear, and a great many other reusable cloth items for the family. I loved using the cloth menstrual pads myself and, when my friend told me about the issues she was experiencing with disposable menstrual pads (unbearable rashes and irritation!), I knew I could help her with cloth pads. Her mom also wanted some for incontinence. And a business was born! I really enjoy sewing all my products because I like to play with the fabrics and colours to make an interesting product. Also, I really enjoy selecting cheeky fabrics, like the "Burley Beavers" for my pads. It's just a bit of fun during a sometimes less-than-enjoyable week. I have 4 kids, a husband, a day job, and a VERY messy house! Needless to say, I almost always choose sewing over cleaning the house! I have a sewing and fabric area set up in our basement which is just perfect to work while kids are playing behind me and it also allows me to work into the night when everyone is in bed." When working on her creations, Maureen listens to the radio or finds a great show to binge-watch online. "I try to sew every day but it's not always possible given all the other things that need to get done in a day. Often, I end up sitting down for a long period of time and banging a whole wack of pads out." When asked where she gets her inspiration, Maureen says, "Ooooh, the fabric!" For Maureen, the most difficult part of the process is explained as "cutting all the pieces that go into my pads really just takes time, as opposed to being difficult. I am beginning to learn that cutting a whole bunch of one thing at a time and getting a good stock built up is really the best way to go for me." I have had several notes from women who are so happy to have found my pads. Maybe they had allergic reactions to disposables and found a solution, or maybe they just wanted to have a smaller environmental footprint, but many have said how much they appreciate being comfortable for the first time in a long time.
Maureen's creations can be obtained from the following: www.gardenofedenreusables.com Peterborough Green Up - Alymer St., Peterborough Kawartha Local Marketplace - King St., Peterborough ETSY - shop name is: GardenofEdenReusable (the "s" wouldn't fit) "I use a lot of organic material in my pads, and some of it even manufactured right here in Canada! As well, my exterior fabrics are of a very high quality (quilter-quality flannels and cottons) and so will last for years without fading or pilling. And finally, the waterproof barrier I use is top-notch; nothing is getting through that baby! :-D" You can meet Maureen at 30 Craft Market on Dec 2nd, 10:30-3:30, at Mark Street United Church (90 Hunter St East). |
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November 2022
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