Abigail Corbin is a creative spirit. A multi-talented artist, Abigail brings her unique vision to many forms of art, such as drawing, painting and collage. Her current endeavour is a new design of accessories. Abigail has created a magnificent array of pendants made from stained glass, hand-painted silk and japanese paper. In addition, Abigail boasts a colourful variety of hand-painted silk scarves that suit a variety of seasons. Her current innovations are garnering praise for their unique, one-of-a-kind design, and their versatility. Abigail infuses her work with a celebration of the feminist spirit and the female form by providing an example of creativity that can serve women from all walks of life.

 

 

Christine Tyrala - http://doesntmatch.etsy.com

Many years ago, Chris discovered a purple crayon and became an artist. Evolving through many gallons of paint, always involving some purple, she discovered that sculpture was her art of choice. Soapstone, wood, wire, paper mache, and fabric art. Exciting bits of cloth are sculpted into collectible dolls, small animals, and tea cozies. Hand painted silk is also appliqued onto taffeta and framed because there are so many ways to have fun playing with fabric. You can contact her directly at doesntmatch@gmail.com.

Cocoon Apothecary - http://www.cocoonapothecary.com

Cocoon Apothecary is a natural vegan company that specializes in therapeutic body & skincare products. Founded in 2004 by certified aromatherapist, Jessica Burman, Cocoon offers a range of products from skincare to aromatherapy roll ons. Each ingredient used is well researched and has a specific purpose in each product. One of the most popular products, Rosey Cheeks Facial Cream, is made with the powerful oils of rosehip, avocado, and camellia making anti-aging efforts that much easier with it vitamin packed moisturizing abilities. Cocoon has a fun side that encourages turning grooming time into a pleasurable experience, less of a task and more of a treat. We could all use a little something extra in our day...luxurious natural products may be just what you need.

 

DOT handmade - http://dothandmade.etsy.com

DOT handmade is run by the "know how" and the nimble fingers of michele scott. She enjoys playing with merino fluff, which she sculpts with barbed needles, into brooches. Most of them are in the form of flowers. michele is also known to dabble with sterling silver, semi-precious stones, and glass beads, which has turned into some nifty jewelry. She has learned these skills by taking metalsmithing courses and with practice. michele takes great care in designing and making her wares. One day this will be her full-time gig!

Emily Hearth - http://handmadeEm.etsy.com

Emily Hearth is a local artist who revels in the rag bag. She enjoys crafting with found and recycled materials to create quirky wear-ables and treasured toys. When she's not crafting you'll find Emily picking weeds in her garden, baking cookies, or untangling three lovely children from her yarn stash.

 

Henry Ensley - http://www.aawforum.org/photopost/showgallery.php?ppuser=1874&cat=500

Henry Ensley is a wood artist who works and resides in Waterloo, Ontario. He started turning wood in early 2002, and continues to expand upon his artistic vision. Henry uses recycled and reclaimed timber to make beautiful “one of a kind” vessels and boxes. He seasons and dries the wood in his shop, and uses natural finishing techniques. Design is the most important part of Henry’s artistic process.

“I create my functional art with an eye for perfect curve and form. I try to reveal the story of a fallen tree, and give it a second life. I seek to create heirloom pieces that speak of the trees from whence they came. My hope is that each piece will be cherished for generations.”
- Henry Ensley.

See an instructional video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jl7DPJfv0Ps

Laura Carey - http://www.stuffyoulove.etsy.com

 

Lauren Stallard - http://down2earthdesigns.etsy.com

Lauren is a seamstress and owner of Down 2 Earth Designs. She operates out of her Kitchener home and sells at local festivals and shows. All of Lauren's designs feature hemp products as well as recycled textiles. Hemp is an amazing plant with lots of potential; an ideal meat alternative, a great alternative to cotton (which accounts for 50% of agricultural pesticides) as well as wood (four acres of trees and one of hemp produce the same amount of paper), and is the most durable and strongest natural fiber. Hemp fabric is versatile, and available in a variety of textures and blends. Lauren uses hemp twine, vintage textiles, and hand painted designs to add richness and detail to her work, and to express her love of colour and texture. With help from her wonderful production team (mom), Lauren is able to transform neutral hemp fabric into beautiful, unique, colourful creations.

 

Nesting Emily - www.flickr.com/photos/nestingemily

Emily is a simple person with a simple mission- to take over the world using nothing but clay, felt, wood and chocolate. This mission came to her in a moment of great clarity brought on by her first use of a potter’s wheel over 16 years ago. She was able to solidify her plan by watching loads of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and meeting up with fellow evil craft doers, and thus Stitch n’ Kitsch was born. When she grows up (and takes over the world) she would like to open a shop filled with great yummy crafty-arty-farty treasures. While pottery, knitting and felting are her sports of choice she also likes to listen to old Stevie Wonder, barter for cool stuff- especially yarn (she has a problem and is seeking help), collaborate with other crafters and eat chocolate (big surprise there).

 

Studioloo - Studioloo is run by Cindy Cole. Cindy Cole is an artist working in many mediums including clockmaking, jewellery design, fiber arts and toy making. Cindy's artistic inspiration comes from all things eclectic, found, colourful and coveted. She is an artist inspired by the mesh of function and the fantastic. Cindy incorporates many found objects into her work such as antique toys and embroidery, beads, natural items from the Earth and other ephemera. Cindy's work is always of the 'outside the box' mindset and she hopes to inspire and be inspired in this rich world of the arts we all share. Visit http://www.studioloo.com to see the wide range of Cindy's handspun yarns, freeform crochet hats and accessories, clockworks, and so much more. You can also read her publication 'Studioloo Magazine' at http://www.studioloomagazine.com. It is a culture fusion of the arts, craft, music, film and modern living movements. Contact her directly at cindy@studioloo.com.

Sue Nally - http://www.karmasutures.com

Ever since Sue was a wee jimmer-jammer she liked to make things. Having dabbled in everything from toe-weaving to whipped candles, she finally settled on bringing joy and laughs to the craft world by her fortune kookies. Her work embodies her firm belief in the functional being fun and funky. Her latest projects re-visit her love of embroidery and marabou. She's well-known for not doing her best work in the morning. An exciting website for KARMASUTURES is coming soon...

 

Sharon Whittle
Working with fibres in a variety of mediums provides an opportunity to explore colour, form and technique. Using unusual, often unexpected, materials with traditional skills yields fascinating results in basketry, volumetric sculptures and every day jewelry. It is the experimentation with the materials and forms that allows these refreshing and intriguing entities to emerge. Every piece is one of a kind. Each has a life of its own in a deeply organic form resembling sea anemones of various shapes and sizes. These novelties appeal to our tactile sensibilities, and are fun look at and or fun to wear.

Tamara Robinson

Tamara is a messy little house elf who creates chaos wherever she goes....especially with shrunken wool sweaters, plant dyed felt and kool-aid stained roving! Her passions include needle felting tiny winter vegetables, unschooling her three daughters, and smashing the state!