Vendor Profile #4: Bearded Nomad

Bearded Nomad

Tell us about what you create and what we can expect at Handmade Hamilton?

 Bearded Nomad is an all natural hair and skin care line hand made here in Hamilton. We make everything from beard oil to tattoo salve with a huge focus on supporting local businesses. You can expect to see quality great smelling handmade products for the modern nomad.

What inspires you?

 What inspires us is meeting like minded people trying to enrich peoples lives with products made by hand and with love!

Who are some of your favourite local makers?

There any so many great local makers here in Hamilton and it truly is a great time to be an entrepreneur. some of our personal favorites are; Vagabond Saints and The Black and Tan Trading Co.

Bearded Nomad

Vendor Profile #3: Rare Specimens

Rare Specimens

Tell us about your work and what we can expect to see at Handmade Hamilton. 

Rare Specimens is made by hand with all natural minerals, crystals, rocks and gemstones. Each piece of jewelry is created from elements of the earth to showcase natural beauty.

Describe your day in studio. 

I'm lucky enough to be able to work from home on Rare Specimens, so I usually get to take my dogs for a walk before getting to work, and they tend to lay on the floor while I work. Depending on what I have to do that day, I may be in the basement of my house breaking down larger geodes and minerals with a chisel and a hammer, upstairs in the attic pairing up crystals to make earring pairs, or soldering brass together while I work on new items. Every day is a little bit different. 

What do you think is the next big trend in craft? 

I've been so in love the textile based jewelry trends of the last little while, and I think that will just get more and more popular. 

Do you listen to music or podcasts while you work? 

 I usually listen to podcasts in the studio, but lately I've also been on a real top 40 pop music kick as well. I've basically just been listening to Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber and Drake songs for the last month while I work. For podcasts I love Stuff You Should Know,

 99% Invisible, This American Life. The classics! 

What are your favourite books and movies. 

I also love listening to audio books while I work. It's such a great way to keep interested while working for 5 or 6 straight hours. Lately I've loved listening to All My Puny Sorrows and The Rocks. Such great books. I feel like my favourite movies are always changing, but recently I can't stop thinking about how much I loved Obvious Child. 

Fave local makers? 

Roisin Fagan textiles, Krystal Speck pottery, Thea Haines beautiful embroidery, and oh man I feel like I could name a million people here.

Rare Specimens

Vendor Profile #2: Dear Edna

Dear Edna

Tell us about your work and what we can expect to see at Handmade Hamilton. 

I sew aprons, tea cosies, quilts, and other practical home accessories, in classic shapes and colourful prints. 

What inspires you?

Beautiful fabric, first and foremost. It literally speaks to me and tells me what it will become. In fact, I get incredibly frustrated when it doesn't; "It's so beautiful, but I don't know what I will make with it!" is a common complaint from me in a fabric store. Ha! 

I'm also constantly inspired by the past and the handmade tradition. The styles themselves, but also the skill and patience it took to make them. The thought of my grandmother sewing a quilt entirely by hand is amazing to me! Traditional sewing, weaving, and printing methods are disappearing art forms. I am eager to learn as much as I can and find ways to incorporate them into my work.

A lot  artists and crafters listen to audio books and podcasts to get inspired.  What do you listen to? 

Working from home every day can be isolating, to say the least, so I try my best to get out of the house for a walk every day and I love to listen to podcasts when I do. Right now my favourites are Seamwork Radio, Being Boss, and She Percolates. When I'm sewing, there is always music playing, typically just a random indie mix on Songza. 

dearedna.com

dearedna.etsy.com

Vendor Profile #1: The Artful Dodger

Everyday until the show we will be featuring our diverse mix of artists who will be selling their art and craft at Handmade Hamilton on December 12.  Each profile will ask a few questions and will include links to their online and social media sites.  So click away and enjoy previewing our local talent - Lisa Pijuan-Nomura - Curator of Handmade Hamilton. 

The Artful Dodger

Tell us about your work and what we can expect to see at Handmade Hamilton. 

The Artful Dodger - I am a local maker, who produces handmade creations that draw direct inspiration from the natural world.  My work incorporates a variety of materials that are either recycled or sustainably harvested.  At Handmade Hamilton, you will find a beautiful array of fine silver, glass and Birch bark jewellery, and other one of a kind crafts. 

What does your creative process look like?

I have a diverse background, which influences my creative process.  I studied glass and ceramics in the School of Craft and Design at Sheridan College, but I also have experimented with photography, textiles, beadwork and needlecraft.  My recent work with precious metal clay (PMC) has allowed me to incorporate a wide range of techniques and skills from my past experiences into the creative process.

What inspires you?

I am inspired by my surroundings.  Whether walking through the Oak Savannah near my home in Hamilton, or along the red sands of an endless beach on a recent trip to PEI, I am drawn to the forms and textures of the natural materials that I gather and take inspiration from.

 The Artful Dodger on Etsy

Handmade Hamilton 2015