Blog

The Knotty Beader: Patricia Manfugas

10/3/2022

What do you create? How did you get started and what motivated you to start?
I create beaded jewelry and other objects. I started during the beginning of Covid under the tutelage of my neighbor who has been doing native beaded art for a very long time and she has taught me and encouraged me to try diffferent things. It was a wonderful creative past time which has turned into an obsession to create more interesting designs.

Which item do you have the most fun making (please attach photo if possible)
I love doing all kinds of types of jewelry and I think the projece that I am currently working on is the most enjoyable.

What are you doing when you're not creating?
Gardening is my other obsession but limited to about 6 months of the year. Other than that, I am beading.

Where do you work on your creations?
I have a home office where I have my supplies and computer handy for searching for trends and ideas.

How do you occupy your mind while working?
Mostly listening to music as I am usually alone when working.

Where do you get your inspiration?
The internet and social media are great inspirations as well as my neighbor.

What's the most difficult part of the process?
Keeping track of what beads are next and not tangling the thread.

What is your favourite piece of work that you have created?
I made a circular beaded design which I love and use for my business cards.

Where else do you sell your creations? Please provide links and addresses where appropriate.
I have sold some of my creations to friends who have seen my things on Facebook.
The group name is The Knotty Beader

You can meet Patricia at The Artisan Fair on November 5th and December 3rd in the Lions Club (347 Burnham St, Peterborough, ON), 10am-2pm.

Three Wicks Candles

10/3/2022

What do you create? How did you get started and what motivated you to start?
I’m Diane, the face behind the brand. I currently have a full-time career in the healthcare industry but after 30 + years of service I will soon retire. I wanted to find something that would keep me busy once I retire, that has meaning to me and will be something that provides customers with an experience that invokes family memories. Family is very important to me, so much so that I named Three Wicks after my three daughters, who are the light of my life. They are my pillars of strength and inspire me every day to strive for more.

Which item do you have the most fun making (please attach photo if possible)
I love making my Fall and Holiday scented candles in any size but I have the most fun doing custom candles.

What are you doing when you're not creating?
Working full time for 7 hospital corporations supporting their clinical information systems.

Where do you work on your creations?
I have converted two of our bedrooms into a candle workshop and office. (previously my daughters' bedrooms)

How do you occupy your mind while working (eg background music, conversation, TV, thinking in silence)?
I like to work in silence when I'm making my candles. I like the quiet time.

Where do you get your inspiration?
From my three daughters, scents of the season and sometimes just by accident.

What's the most difficult part of the process?
Getting the right amount of scent vs wax and the size of the wick. A lot of testing goes into a candle and for every different scent and vessel you have to test the amount of scent that is added to the wax as well as the size of the wick. Too large will cause the candle to have too high of a flame, too small will not allow the wax to become liquid all the way to the walls of the vessel. It's a lot of testing before I can say it's ready to start selling.

What is your favourite piece of work that you have created?
A large custom dough bowl for a customer

What memorable responses have you had to your work?
For me I want candles to invoke memories and I had a customer smell my "Baker's Daughter" candle recently and start to cry because she was a baker's daughter and it reminded her of her father and grandfather in their bakery. I'm also a baker's daughter so we both had a little cry.

What else should readers know about you and your creations?
We have a refill program!

Have you ever bought a candle in a pretty vessel and thought I will burn that on a special occasion and then never used it? I know I did that for years. Always out on display for people to see but never actually burning the candle.

Now you can burn your candle knowing that you can have the vessel refilled so you can enjoy it over and over again!! All our jar vessels can be refilled with a new scent or the same scent for a reduced price.

Refill is based on the amount of wax used. $2.00 per ounce, you only pay for wax used by weight. If you have a vessel that is 8 oz but I can only fill it with 7 oz of wax then you would be charged for 7 oz not 8 oz. Pour is always weighed so you are guaranteed to get what you pay for.

All vessels are cleaned, and water tested first to make sure there are no leaks before starting.

For refill of my vessels, you always get your vessel back. You will never buy a new candle that is in a refilled jar. For that reason, you do have to drop the vessel off (tote always on porch) with your name and contact information along with the scent that you would like. Once your candle is ready, I will reach out to let you know.

I love to do custom vessels so if you have a vessel that you would like to be a candle or if you have any questions, please reach out.

Where else do you sell your creations?
The Makers Hub in Whitby https://themakershub.shop/
1380 Hopkins Street. Whitby

We made it Cobourg https://we-made-it.ca/
78 King Street Cobourg

Bean and Baskets Ajax - https://www.beanandbasket.ca/
62 Old Kingston Rd Pickering Village

Biscuits to Baskets - https://www.biscuitstobaskets.com/
49 Beatty Rd Ajax

You can meet Diane at 30 Craft Market in the Peterborough Public Library on November 12th, 10am-2pm, and at The Artisan Fair on December 4th at 347 Burnham St in Peterborough, 10am-2pm.

TG Creations 2 Crafts

10/3/2022

What do you create? How did you get started and what motivated you to start?
I hand craft wreaths, centerpeices, ornaments and gift baskets. It is a hobby for me and I just love making them and trying to improve my technique.

Which item do you have the most fun making (please attach photo if possible)
Wreaths.

What are you doing when you're not creating?
I am a full time mom of three children.

Where do you work on your creations?
In my home.

How do you occupy your mind while working (eg background music, conversation, TV, thinking in silence)?
Music and TV.

Where do you get your inspiration?
Online.

What's the most difficult part of the process?
Burning myself with a glue gun.

What memorable responses have you had to your work?
I have had many compliments.

Where else do you sell your creations? Please provide links and addresses where appropriate.
Online marketplace
Other shows

You can meet Trisha Georgiou on November 5th in The Artisan Fair at 347 Burnham St in Peterborough, Ontario. 10am-2pm.

Kathy Cosgrove's Charms, Key Rings, and Jewellery

11/28/2021

What do you create?
Bead Angel Charms
Ribbon Bookmarks
Zipper Pull Charms
Accessory Charms
Wine Cork Key Rings
Wine Glass Charms
and
Custom Jewellery pieces.

How did you get started and what motivated you to start?
We were expecting our third baby and first girl and the worst tragedy to happen to any parent is losing a child and in 2013 our Meghan was born still. It was hard for me to return to work and I was also expecting our fourth baby and second girl. My late mother-in-law Carman made jewellery and got me started. She taught me everything I know. Together we attended as vendors at a number of Hand Crafted Christmas Markets in 2018. Unfortunately I did not get to learn how to make her more intricate pieces as we lost her to cancer in 2020. I have continued her legacy of hand crafted jewellery and also passing the art to my daughter.

What are you doing when you're not creating?
I'm a mother of three, two teenage boys and seven year old daughter. We have three rescued cats My husband works fifty two hours a week and I'm blessed to have my mom living just a few houses away from us. There is lots to keep me busy with our full house.

Where do you work on your creations?
I'm always found at the kitchen table working on my pieces. I like it there as our backyard is a full of trees and shrubs a beautiful landscape and wildlife to look at and we get a full day of sun into our kitchen.

How do you occupy your mind while working (eg background music, conversation, TV, thinking in silence)?
I do play music in the the livingroom but I find that lately with it nearing the holidays approaching I find myself humming Christmas carols.

Where do you get your inspiration?
Usually I look online for lates trends on sites such as Pinterest and than I go through my stock and try out different looks. Sometimes I just have an idea and go with it. My daughter also gets creative and we go with it or I tweek it a bit. I also as friends and family for suggestions.

What's the most difficult part of the process?
I hand make all the my pieces and a lot of it is working with small findings that can become a bit frustrating to work with. I also put together my packaging by hand, so all this does take a toll on my fingers and hands as I suffer very badly with carpal tunnel syndrome.

What memorable responses have you had to your work?
I had made a customized bracelet and necklace set for a client and they were so thrilled. Their pure reaction of how much they loved the piece made me feel happy and even more inspired that I like what I do.

What else should readers know about you and your creations?
I came into this line of work after losing my baby and finding it difficult to go back into the working world. I chose to stay home with the kids and try and make my hand made pieces my small business. It has not lifted to far off the ground, but with more exposure I am positive I will be successful. My business name will change in the future to reflect both my girls and it is still in the creation stage.

Where else do you sell your creations? Please provide links and addresses where appropriate.
Currently I have only set up a Facebook Group Kathy's Jewellery, this is the link.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/630888723971417/?ref=share

You can also private message me on messenger.

Muna Berroa, Glass Painter

12/2/2019

What do you create?
I love learning all sorts of new mediums, and am currently painting on glass for faux stained glass creations.

How did you get started and what motivated you to start?
I’ve always loved crafting, and when I see something interesting, I want to try it for myself. I like taking on challenges, and will often take inspiration from my customers’ suggestions.

What themes do you pursue in your creations?
I love poppies, cardinals, birch trees and feathers.

Where do you work on your creations?
My dining room table - I don’t want to be off on my own when I craft, and haves large surface space for my materials. I don’t like to have to put everything away for big family occasions.

How do you occupy your mind while working
TV or music.
What's the most difficult part of the process?
Finding the time and space for crafting, in between my 9-5 job, and life in general.
What is your favourite piece of work that you have created?
My poppies!

Meet Muna on Dec 7th at Mark Street United Church (90 Hunter St East) in Peterborough, 10am-2pm!

MixedElementals Jewellery

11/27/2019

What do you create?
Metaphysical Jewelry to help Heal the World. All of my jewelry is created with Light Conciousness in mind, with purpose and Intention. From Malas to rings, necklaces, bracelets and earrings - each piece is infused with love source energy. Made with wire, semi-precious healing stones, glass, mixed metals and fabrics, I put my own unique spin on jewelry that you may not see everyday. I have been told by others that these pieces seem to have their own energy, their own power - and that is what attracts one to wear one of my pieces.

How did you get started and what motivated you to start?
It all started with my love of crystals and how they make me feel. I started collecting them a couple of years before making jewelry. It was when my workplace was getting stressful that I found an escape in “tinkering” with crystals and wire wrapping — that was my first love. Cloaking a crystal I love within a beautiful wire setting. It just felt so complete! Shortly after I began tinkering, I lost my full time job - they moved a longer commute away, so after helping them with the transition, I decided this was a new path for me. And I haven’t looked back!

Which item do you have the most fun creating?
Oh - that’s a toughie! I love creating all of it! It’s so hard to choose one - but if I did, I’d have to choose 3. Mala’s, the wire wrapped bracelets, as well as the wire wrapped pendants. I love working with crystals, and it makes me feel so good. I enjoy working with the crystals and wire the most — although I do not wrap them as soon as I purchase them for my creating. They tell me - yes - I want to be in a piece, but after I get home, they may say “not yet”. But when they do tell me, I have an image in my head and I go from there. The crystal tells me what it would like done with it. That is what I love. The energetic connection between the piece I create and me. That’s why sometimes it can be so hard to put them up for sale!

What themes do you pursue in your creations?
Natural, with a touch of the elegant. I love the boho feel of the materials I work with, but I am still a bit of a “princess”, so I do love to bling them up a bit. It is either that, or I make them chunky and primal. I love earthy elements, and I do love my skulls (although I don’t put skulls into everything I create). I don’t think there is much of an “in-between” with me.

Where do you work on your creations?
I work from my home. This is what I do, full time. The creating, the marketing, the packaging, the supply shopping (my favourite part besides the creating), and minding the home. I have a room upstairs that I use as a studio, but at the moment, most of my work is done on the dining room table where my dog can be right with me. It’s a little hard for her to go up the stairs, and since she is blind, I make sure she is nearby, and I am easily accessible to her.

How do you occupy your mind while working?
Oh, this is an easy one! I always have meditation music playing — mostly with Solfeggio Frequencies that activate my Chakra’s. Before working, I either meditate, and/or play a singing bowl to cleanse the area and my Spirit. After each piece is created, further energy is infused into it via sage or incense. Creating is my form of meditation and healing - that’s why I love it so much!

Where do you get your inspiration?
My mind. I know that sounds funny, but often I receive images of pieces that I should create. These include what crystals I should use, what their healing purpose/properties are, and the colours. I also see inspiration from nature - the colours that are combined within are incredible. Some designs come to me like “popcorn” - they pop in the mind - and those are the ones that the Universe is telling me that I should create. Sometimes I don’t know why, but there is a reason for each piece I create. And there is a home for each one, out there somewhere.

What's the most difficult part of the process?
If I’m in an energetic slump, it is hard for me to create. Hard for me to market, and hard for me to do the background business things needed to do. The hardest part of the process for me would be the marketing and putting myself out there. This is getting slightly better, but there is always room for improvement.

What is your favourite piece of work that you have created?
Oh my goodness - I have so many. But I think my favourite would be a commission I did for someone with some Amber. She had all these pieces of drilled Amber from a Great Aunt in Poland, and apparently all these beautiful pieces came from one necklace! I ended up doing 1 Statement necklace, 3 simpler necklaces with wire work, and 4 memory wire bracelets and 3 smaller bracelets for her grandchildren. All of these were from one necklace - it was incredible, and the Amber was an amazing energy to work with!

What memorable responses have you had to your work?
The most memorable was with a Reiki practitioner who came up to my table and told me he can definitely feel the energy emanating from my pieces. This felt so good, and verified that I was on the right track with my work.

What are you doing when you're not creating?
Belly dancing! I’ve been dancing for almost 13 years (I think- I often loose track), and I love dancing to different music - my favourite being Symphonic Metal! One may not put a connection to the two, but I do.

I also love going out for drives with hubby, and morning snuggles with my dog, Roxxy - an almost 13 year old Cockapoo.

What else should readers know about you and your creations?
Each piece is created with an intention. Before, during, and after the work is completed. I try my best to use materials that are ethically sourced, so that the authenticity, uniqueness, and energy radiates from my work.

Where else do you sell your creations?
My online shop: www.squareup.com/store/mixedelementals
Facebook and instagram links are on my shop page.

Sacred Quest, (The Purple House), 118 John St., Whitby. Www.sacredquest.ca (also on facebook)

The Bent Willow, 54 Simcoe St. N, Oshawa
www.facebook.com/the_bent_willow

Charmed, 82 Simcoe St. S, Oshawa, www.charmedstore.ca

The Artisan’s Nest (within Bubbles & Gems), 52 Walton St, Port Hope www.bubblesandgems.com (also on facebook as The Artisans Nest of Port Hope)

You can meet Shari on Dec 7th at 90 Hunter St East, 10am-2pm.

Ember Junkin, Woodburner

11/12/2019

What do you create?
I do pyrography! Also known as wood burning. I also dabble in needlepoint and other similar hobbies.
How did you get started and what motivated you to start?
I've always been into art, so naturally, when i was browsing around Michaels one November day looking for that next thing I didn't really need, but would soon decide it was life, I stumbled upon one of their little wood burning displays. I though it looking pretty cool and desperately needed to try it. That Christmas i had one bought for me, and the rest is history.

Which item do you have the most fun creating?
I actually have the most fun creating larger pieces. Ones that challenge my skill, as well as are very intricate. The more challenging and time consuming the better!

What themes do you pursue in your creations?
I wouldn't say i have any particular theme to my stuff. I burn for the sole purpose of I enjoy doing it, so whatever strikes me to do, is what ill do. I've done plenty of comic related work, portraits, fantasy, logos,landscapes, animals and so forth. So what I choose to do really just depends on me going, "Hey this moves me right now, lets do this!."

Where do you work on your creations?
I work in my art room! I took over a bedroom, made it a nice calm space and all my art and crafty stuff lives in there.

How do you occupy your mind while working?
I have two methods. My usual is to just have my music on. I also have a metronome that I use when I'm feeling more like silence, but am just looking for something to calm the noise. I always have a candle or some scent in the burner going though.

Where do you get your inspiration?
I wouldn't say there in any one place where I get inspiration. I create when I "feel the itch." as I say. It comes and goes, there could be months where I don't do much art, and then months of going to work, burning, and going to bed.

What's the most difficult part of the process?
The start. I find I have zero motivation to actually get the wood, cut it, prep it, then draw the designs on it, as well as the after of again, prepping the wood to be sealed for life after. I usually do several burn preps at once to avoid my "starters motivation." That way there is always burns readily available to do if I just want to burn. Several burns get drawn 3-4 times before they ever get drawn onto the wood to even be burned, and even when that's happening, I'm still tweaking designs while burning them. The actual burning I feel like is the smallest part of the whole process.

What memorable responses have you had to your work?
Ive done a couple of pieces for memorials over lost love. These people made me feel like I was apart of their family. The joy and sincere thanks I got from them was overwhelming. I also did a burn for a gentlemen of one of his cars from when he was younger, that man carried that burn with him to the cottage and back. He also went out of his way to frame it all nice and cut out where i had my signature and the date it was completed so that he could always see that and be reminded.

What are you doing when you're not creating?
Pretty much working, eating, reading, sleeping ... then general everyday life things one must do.

What else should readers know about you and your creations?
I wouldn't really say there is much else you would need to know about me and my creations. I burn because i enjoy it, and I do it cause I want to. I don't set out to make things people may want, or is in fashion at the time, because that takes the fun out of it. But burning also takes up a bunch of space once you have a bunch of these laying around, so why not get out there into the world and see if there is someone who may enjoy a particular piece just as much as i did making it.

Where else do you sell your creations? Please provide links and addresses where appropriate.
I sell my stuff through Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/pineandneedlecraft
As well as I can be followed or contacted through my Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/pineandneedlecrafts

Yandy Zuo: Thoughtfully Handmade

11/4/2019

What do you create?
I make and sell handmade cards, bookmarks and gift tags!

How did you get started and what motivated you to start?
Since 2016, I’ve strived to provide uniquely handmade cards, bookmarks and gift tags to help people gift more thoughtfully and save them from awkward gift-giving situations. I chose to start my own business because I was (and still am) sick and tired of the impersonal, mass-produced cards in the market today. I'm sure you feel the same.
I love helping my customers spread positivity. It's another reason Thoughtfully Handmade exists! What better way to spread positivity than with cards? I mean, you don’t give someone a card for a negative reason, right? Let's all start being more thoughtful and intentional with our actions!

Which item do you have the most fun creating?
I love creating my tag cards- they’re just so much fun to make!

What themes do you pursue in your creations?
I only use scrapbooking techniques with my cards. So that means it’s all paper, stamping, inks and embellishments!

Where do you work on your creations?
I make all of my cards at home in my study.

How do you occupy your mind while working?
I always have a TV show or YouTube video on while I create. Recently, I’ve been re-watching Brooklyn Nine-Nine since it’s one of my favourite shows!

Where do you get your inspiration?
I get most of my inspiration from pretty pattern papers and colours.

What's the most difficult part of the process?
The most difficult has to be translating the image in my head into paper. Sometimes, there is a disconnect, and what I create with paper doesn’t reflect the design that I thought of. For example, some colours and designs seem to work in my head but in reality, they clash!

What is your favourite piece of work that you have created?
I created a card series with __karonn__ who writes poetry promoting self-love. All of my cards in the Positive Change series are my favourites. Maybe it’s because I used a lot of purples and that’s my favourite colour!

What else should readers know about you and your creations?
I choose to put hours of hard work and thought into every single card, bookmark and gift tag that I create. By buying one of my cards, not only are you supporting a small business and a crafter, but you are also helping Seniors With Skills. They are a new non-profit organization dedicated to preventing seniors from social isolation. Ten cents from every item that I sell will be going towards their operational costs.

What are you doing when you're not creating?
I’m a full-time student at the University of Toronto pursuing a double major in Criminology and Philosophy!

Where else do you sell your creations?
I have a website where you can find a full collection of my cards: thoughtfullyhandmade.com. You can also find my cards at the Oakhill Marketplace in Brantford (https://www.facebook.com/oakhillmarketplace/) and Dini and Co in Georgetown (https://www.diniandco.com/).

Meet Yandy on Dec 7th at 90 Hunter St East in Peterborough, 10am-2pm!

A River of Yarn ...

10/29/2019

What do you create?
Hand crafted blankets, baby items, clothing & accessories.
How did you get started and what motivated you to start?
A River of Yarn has been a dream that came to fruition four years ago. It is currently a part-time yarn studio & online store. You can find me participating in many yarn and fibre shows throughout Ontario. I am always creating something new to highlight a yarn in stock. Many finished items are on display and for sale.

Which item do you have the most fun creating?
I love knitting the bulky blankets at the moment. They work up fairly quickly and keep you warm while you work.

Where do you work on your creations?
All items are made in the A River of Yarn studio located east of Keene, Ontario. We are just north of Hiawatha.
How do you occupy your mind while working?
Many of the items are created while visiting with friends or watching television.

Where do you get your inspiration?
My inspiration comes from the various yarns in the studio, and what is trending in the current fashion scene.
What's the most difficult part of the process?
The most difficult part of the process is finding the time to create what I want to create. As I am still working full-time, I find it hard sometimes to set aside my making time.

What is your favourite piece of work that you have created?
Usually the last item that I have worked on is my favourite. I am always looking forward to my next project & learning something new.
What memorable responses have you had to your work?
"I just love the blanket. We use it every day!"

What are you doing when you're not creating?
I work as a secondary school Family Studies teacher during the day. The night time is my 'making' time.
Where else do you sell your creations? Please provide links and addresses where appropriate.
Mostly at the Artisan fair each year. My creations can be seen and purchased at A River of Yarn studio. Current part-time hours are Wednesdays 3pm - 7pm, Fridays 4pm - 7pm, and Saturdays 10am - 1pm.

Meet Tracy Minnema and buy one of her comfy creations at The Artisan Fair on November 2nd, 10am-2pm! 90 Hunter St East.

BobCob Creations' Totes and Purses!

10/23/2019

What do you create?
I create one of a kind bags, purses and pouches.
I seek out interesting fabrics and use them in a creative way to fashion unique and practical items.
I also enjoy working on custom orders.

How did you get started and what motivated you to start?
I’ve been sewing since a very young age. I sewed clothes for myself and later for my home and family ... even make my.husband’s clothes.

Which item do you have the most fun creating?
I thoroughly enjoy sewing purses and bags.

Where do you work on your creations?
I work from my home sewing room.

How do you occupy your mind while working?
I occasionally watch TV but mostly work in silence, except for the hum of my machine.

What's the most difficult part of the process?
I like to apply all interfacing in one ironing session so that I can then move on to the creative assembly process.

What memorable responses have you had to your work?
I find it rewarding when women tell me that the purse or bag which they have purchased has brought them many compliments.

On Nov 2nd, 10am - 2pm, you can meet and buy from Colleen Hartlen, the creator! 90 Hunter St East, Peterborough, ON. RSVP on Facebook