Vendor Profile #13 - Frayed Knot Fibre

Tell us about your work and what we can expect to see at this years Handmade Hamilton?

        Frayed Knot Fibre is all about fibre, some of which is from our own alpacas. We love colour and yarn and the fibre arts. We will have a big range of handpainted luxury yarns and spinning and felting fibres as well as our new focus on unique handspun yarns that are easy for you to use to create one of a kind items.

What are your inspirations?

           My colour inspirations come from everywhere, nature astounds me, so do the little things and it all comes together in the way colour and texture can convey emotion, identity and comfort. I am also a visual artist and I use my         studies and finished work as inspiration for colourways as well. I am also inspired by potential, and I find that creating these things which are intended for creations themselves, inspiring and a good reminder of my own         potential. 

What are your favourite books? Movies? Music?

        I have a thing for good Sci Fi books and the occasional mystery. Some of my favorite authors are John Scalzi and Lois McMaster Bujold. I love music that takes me somewhere new, like Kishi Bashi and Andrew Bird, or bands that remind me of good times like Throwing Muses or Forest for the Trees.

https://www.facebook.com/frayedknotfibrefarm/?fref=ts

Vendor Profile #12: ALTR Soaps

ALTR creates hand-made bar soap with local, wildcrafted botanicals.  We seek to change popular soap culture by offering products that showcase only local plants, and, in this way, elevate the seemingly mundane task of washing oneself into a ritual reconnection to the land that sustains us all. 

All of the main botanical elements are wildcrafted by us from local wild areas and are then brewed into a nourishing infusion that acts as a base for each bar. 

Our soap is 100% natural, made with organic ingredients, palm oil free and vegan. We make each product with great care and hope that our soap will inspire people to take care of themselves and reincorporate the natural world back into their daily rituals. 

www.altrsoaps.com

Vendor Profile #8: Island Joy

Island Joy is an artisanal green skincare line that captures the essence of the Caribbean. A collection of luxurious sugar scrubs handcrafted in small batches using natures's finest ingredients and backed by science. 

Founded by a mother-daughter duo, that believes skin care is a ritual through which to indulge, Island Joy creates a sensory experience reminiscent of family memories and life by the beach. Born from the philosophy that exfoliation is key to achieving and maintaining healthy skin ,Island Joy is specially formulated to gently exfoliate and nourish the skin, leaving it glowing and incredibly soft and smooth.

Based on the principle of being kind to your skin, Island Joy uses carefully sourced ingredients and does not contain any fillers, petrochemicals,, toxic chemicals,, phthalates, or dyes.  Mindfully made in Canada, products are formulated with respect to the environment and through methods that are cruelty free. 

Island Joy.ca

https://www.facebook.com/islandjoyca/

https://www.instagram.com/islandjoyca/

Vendor Profile #7 : Eleanor Rosa Felt

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

We use a high quality wool blend felt and 100% felted products to create unique botanical felt flowers, felt succulents, and home decor.   We also have a line of fun and whimsical felted pet "rocks" called "Stone Softies" where we let our creativity and imagination run wild.

What does your creative process look like?

Suzanne loves to garden and is a self-professed plant nerd.  From this perspective, we try create botanically-correct plants in the medium of felt.  We have two daughters who provide a huge source of wild and crazy ideas for our Stone Softie friends.  The whole creative process is a family affair, and we all share a lot of laughs as our creations come "alive"

What inspires you to create the work that you do?

We are environmental scientists and this is an excellent outlet to allow our creative sides to flourish.  We love to see the joy that our products bring to the faces of so many people. 

What are some of your favourite podcasts or music to listen to when you create?

Suzanne is currently listening to a podcast called Serial by This American Life and Mike has A Charlie Brown Christmas by the Vince Guaraldi Trio on a constant loop.  We also love Ray LaMontagne, The War on Drugs, Tom Petty and George Michael.

https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/EleanorRosaFelt

https://www.facebook.com/EleanorRosaFelt/

https://www.instagram.com/eleanorrosafelt/

Vendor Profile #2 - Milo&Ben

Milo&Ben is a collection of my illustrated characters. While some are needle felted,  some are stuffed hand sewn animals. Needle felting is a time-consuming, labour intensive process that allows for a lot of detail bringing each doll to life. It is similar to sculpting in that you can create any shape you want.  Each animal is made carefully and with lots of love. 

Milo&Ben Shop

Instagram

Tell us about your work and what we can expect to see at this years Handmade Hamilton?

My work is primarily needle felted creations. All the animals are based on my illustrations. I am bringing my most popular Patrick penguins as well as my new line of felted mobiles and felt wreaths. 

What does your process look like?

My process involves sketching the animal until I’m happy with the way it looks. It must convey a certain personality so that the final piece comes to life.

Tell us some of your favourite things about Hamilton?

Hamilton is such a vibrant city! Always welcoming and supporting of small business and the handmade movement. Milo&Ben and Makeology have always felt welcomed and supported. 

Melissa is also the founder of Makeology, an excellent craft show that is happening on November 19th!  Be sure to check it out!

Makeology

Vendor Profile #1 : Bailiwick Studios

Bailiwick Studios

Tell us about your work and what we can expect to see at this years Handmade Hamilton?

I am a printmaker working with lino block and primarily in black and white. I’ve branched out this year to include small, unique home décor pieces. You can expect block printed holiday ornaments and cards, upcycled animal planters and a variety of original art prints.

What does your process look like?

My process is SO scattered these days because I am very busy chasing my 11 month old around! It’s difficult as a creative to only have these small windows of time to work on your art, but it is very important for me to be present when its family time so developing that balance has been very important. Printmaking, although takes time, can be a nice mindless activity sometimes! 

Tell us some of your favourite things about Hamilton? 

Hands downs, the sense of community. Not only amongst artists and makers, but between local business’s.  

Many makers listen to podcasts.  Do you? and what are some of your favourites?

I just recently started and love it! I listen to How I Built This, Revisionist Historyhttp://revisionisthistory.com (among others) but I am currently obsessed with Being Boss!  

INSTAGRAM - @bailiwick.studios 

FACEBOOK - facebook.com/thebailiwickstudios/

Vendor Profile: The Simplest Stitch

The Simplest Stitch had a humble beginning in 2010. I took out every crocheting book from the library and obsessively taught myself to crochet in order to make a hat for my daughter. I discovered how much I love the creative process. Looking at various fibres and textiles and feeling inspiration take over. Add in some time, and something wonderful is made - with my very own hands. 

I do believe that simple things can be some of the most beautiful things, so it is with the simplest of stitches that I create inspired pieces. I hand make scarves, slippers, baby booties, hats, boot cuffs, headbands, accessories and more (crocheted or sewn).  Each year I accept a limited number of custom orders, and I sell my own creative pieces. 

www.thesimpleststitch.etsy.com 

www.facebook.com/thesimpleststitch 

Vendor Profile: Laura Konyndyk

Hi! I'm Laura, and I'm an illustrator based in Hamilton. My work is inspired by many things: woodland creatures, nature, word play, the city I live in, people, sweaters, scarves, children's books, and fabrics! (It's a list that's always growing.) 

I've just launched a line of cards and am often busy dreaming about the next print I'm going to make. Over the last few years my style has been informed by my growing love for watercolour--a medium that invites me to embrace happy accidents and experiment with fresh colour combinations. I feel very lucky to be a part of Hamilton's vibrant arts community and I'm excited to continue honing my artistic voice as I create and sell paper goods!

https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/LauraKonyndyk

Vendor Profile: Delia Lane

I've been sewing and selling online for five years, mostly cute vintage-style things.  I have a heart for vintage fabric, which I source anywhere and everywhere. I love the thrill of the hunt for the perfect materials for a project. I've recently picked up hand-embroidery and have enjoyed creating my own patterns there too. You can find my work at delialane.etsy.com and on Instagram under the handle @shopsewrobyn. I'm very excited to participate in this event with so many other talented artists!

delialane.etsy.com

Vendor Profile: Adele D'arcy Urban Folk Art

Adele D'Arcy specializes in decorative painting on wood and illustrative design inspired by folk art from a variety of cultures.

Vendor Profile: Curious Oddities

Born in a century-old log cabin in the wilds of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, surrounded by a community rich with artifacts of the early pioneers and settlers, I grew up with the heart of a dreamer and the spirit of an explorer. My intensely inquisitive nature led me to explore many different crafts and trades, absorbing new techniques and inspiration every step of the way.

Since 2008, I have spent my time travelling, collecting treasures and making delightful, fantastic jewelry.

 My work is heavily influenced by the designs of the Victorian, Arts & Crafts and Art Nouveau Eras, in which romance, whimsy and elegance were paired with fine workmanship, quality materials and exquisite detailing. I also draw inspiration from many literary sources including works by Jules Verne, Neil Gaiman, Edward Gorey and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. I have always been deeply aware of the balance and beauty of the world around me. Through my work, I love to marry the natural with the mechanical, drawing unexpected beauty from the mundane.

With a rampant imagination, I seek to find a story in everything and seek to unveil the magic in all I touch. The Curious Oddities collection is an ever changing and eclectic mix of salvaged treasures, vintage finds, gemstones, Czech glass, enamel and new, premium quality, traditionally pressed, antiqued, inked or plated brass.

All of my Curious Oddities are lovingly crafted and curated by me in heart of Hamilton, Ontario Canada where I currently reside with my three rather eccentric calico cats.

Most of the pieces that I create are small run (usually less than 10) or one of a kind; there are a few designs of the pressed brass that are renewable and are a more permanent part of my collection.

Enjoy!

xo Kat

http://curiousodditiesshop.com

Vendor Profile: Heidi Van Veen

I am a textile artist who loves to screen print and sew items for you, your home, or your baby. I love bright colours and mixing and matching fabrics. My work is unique, whimsical and made with an attention to detail.

I am an experienced surface designer and textile artist. I have had my work featured in several magazines and newspapers including Canadian House and Home, Today's Parent, Style at Home, and Canadian Family.

https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/heidivanveen

Vendor Profile: Hitokoo

HITOKOO is a handcrafted line of casual luxe clothing, intersecting fashion with art and craft elements. 

Each collection is created out of concepts I explore in my textile art. From design, patterns to final product, each piece is hand crafted by myself, every step of the way. The images I use in my prints are all my own original hand created stencils from illustration, painting or hand cut paper lace stencils. I source elegant, fine quality, luxurious natural fabrics in limited quantities. In the ethic of slow fashion, and small run production, I create original, well crafted pieces of contemporary wearable art.

http://www.hitokoo.com

http://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/HITOKOO

Vendor Profile: Soulful Soap

 Soulful Soap is committed to creating handmade soap using reverse osmosis water and essential oils with therapeutic intentions. When using Soulful Soaps, subtle energies begin to cleanse, heal and revitalize your mind, body and soul. 

www.soulfulsoap.ca

Vendor Profile: Atelier Larme

Atelier Larme's jewelry is simple but feminine, 

 appropriate for both daily wear as well as for a more formal look.

Using gemstones, wood, crystal beads, silk ribbon and lace,  designer Keiko creates delicate one of a kind necklaces, rings and earrings. 

www.facebook.com/larme.atelier

Vendor Profile: Banjo Puppets

Hi - I'm Joel and I've had this wild obsession with puppets ever since I could say "Cookie Monster". I started making sock puppets at an early age, and over the years got into working with different types of foam, fur, and fleece. People started noticing, and wanted to order puppets from me, so I launched Banjo Puppets in 2005 to make this whole thing official. 

Much of my work so far has been creating custom puppets for educational programs, professional puppeteers, birthday presents, tv, and movies. The past few years I got involved in the Toronto craft sale circuit and started selling these little monsters with great success. 

Please check out my website to see more of my work - www.banjopuppets.com

Vendor Profile: Joanne Marlowe

Tell us about your creative work and what we can expect at this years Handmade Hamilton Show.

I currently have a pocketbook entitled "My Little Book of Randoms" that I will be featuring and selling.  I am also doing homemade gift tags & cards.  I will also be selling some of my poems which will be typed (on a real typewriter).

What does your creative process look like?

A lot of cutting, stamping and typing!!!

What inspires you? Where do you find your inspirations?

Just life. Everyday life.  People watching, listening to music, looking at a photo...all these things evoke a vision in my head and that's when a story comes out.  The crafting part is new for me and I have a love all of things typewriter that I want to share.  Bring back a little bit of old school fun.

Words of inspiration to other artists?

Just do what is natural and the results will show.

Fave quotes?

" To wish impossible things"  The Cure

"I had nothing to offer anybody except my own confusion" Jack Kerouac

"Never trouble trouble til trouble troubles you" A fortune cookie

www.jomarlowe.net