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Heather Oerlemans, Jewellery Artisan

4/25/2019

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"I create wire-wrapped jewellery such as pendants, necklaces, rings, earrings, and bracelets. Each piece is handcrafted with authentic crystals in rough or polished form. Every creation is unique just as each crystal is unique and every individual is unique. The choice of wire, design, and accent colours are inspired by and chosen to enhance the beauty, personality, and individuality of the focal crystal. I believe it is an honour to work with the treasures of the natural world.
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I absolutely love working with wire and crystals! I have always felt a deep connection to crystals and minerals so my career as an amateur Rockhounder (rock-collector) began when I was a child and wearing my latest 'find' was a natural extension of that hobby. I believe crystals can be a reflection of our inner feelings and an extension of our inner being. We are often drawn to specific crystals and minerals based on our own moods and emotions. Crystals can help us express those feelings with more clarity, acknowledge buried emotions, release emotional and energy blockages, and work with our chakras to balance energy.
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As an Artisan, my favourite items to create are solitary pendants. Each crystal has its own personality ... the weave pattern, thickness of wire, type of wire (copper/silver) and the overall design are chosen to complement the personality of the stone. I have the most fun creating pendants for that reason and my hope is that my designs will help others' appreciate the beauty found in the earth.
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I have a studio in my house where I work on my creations. On nice summer days, I will sit outside enjoying and being inspired by nature while I work on my jewellery. The natural sunlight allows me to see more clearly and fully appreciate the colours of each crystal. When I am wire-wrapping, I find myself completely absorbed in my work to the extent that anything could be on in the background and I wouldn't notice it. That being said, I often have the TV on in the background (Netflix).
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I get my inspiration from the stones I wrap as well as individuals when I create custom pieces. As a Reiki practitioner and Certified Crystal Healer I create pieces to balance energies. For example, I create Chakra pendants made with 7 different crystals that represent each of the 7 major Chakras. When I create a custom piece, I choose a crystal based on the energy imbalances of the individual and the colour they are drawn to. Through conversation, I get a sense of the person's style and try to incorporate that into the piece.
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When I finish a piece, I hold it, examine it, and I think ... this is my favourite piece. That is until I make the next one. Each piece is unique and each piece is my favourite for a different reason, much like my children.
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My most memorable response occurred when I made a custom pendant for a woman whose mother had recently passed. She wanted a crystal that would represent her bond with her mother. I selected a piece of Charoite and wrapped it in silver wire with copper accents. When I presented her with the piece she began crying. All of the tears she has been holding back throughout the viewing, the funeral, and to 'stay strong' for the rest of the family were finally being released because, as she stated, she 'felt a deep connection with the crystal and thought the piece captured her mother's style'. She felt like the piece connected her to her mom.

When I am not creating I like to rockhound, geocache, and spend time with my family. 

I sell my creations through my online storefront. The website is:

www.thecrystalvein.net I also sell my creations out of my studio, by appointment only.

Meet Heather at The Artisan Fair on May 4th, 10am-2pm in Peterborough's Evinrude Centre!
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Katharine Grace, Jewellery Artist

4/24/2019

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After 35 years within the confines of the commercial art field Katharine yearned to produce art that was an expression of her instinctive creativity ... a joyful bound into the realm of purposelessness … art with no other purpose than to be pleasing to the eye, the heart and the soul. The result is a line of jewellery that celebrates the depth of feminine beauty. It is simple and elegant in its joyful purposelessness: an expression of emotion, playfulness, courage, joy, strength and spirituality to be worn for no other reason than to be enjoyed. Each piece is created in the mindful space of the heart that each woman possesses and is blessed and cleansed with the magic of light and love. ​
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"I like to use natural stone and crystals in my pieces, matching their inherent energy to the vibrations of the beautiful women I encounter as they visit and browse my booth. Each woman is her own vast well of wisdom and emotion that inspires my selection of the perfect stones, symbols and forms to heal, enlighten and empower."
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Meet Katherine on May 4th in the Evinrude Centre of Peterborough, 10 am - 2 pm!
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Heather Downer, Candlemaker

4/24/2019

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In Peterborough, Ontario, Heather Downer creates candles ... pillars, votives and melts.
"I use paraffin mottling wax with a cotton wick. The wax is a high quality; my supplier is Village Craft and Candle. I have 3 scents: winterberry, sugar spruce and tropical sunset. Colours of deep violet, violet, passion pink, butterscotch and gray. Pillars are available scented and unscented. All my candles are prepared in my kitchen, hand poured.
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The candle store that I was a regular customer at sold and the new owner moved the business to another area. I thought of buying that business but the timing was off and I didn't want to be in a store. I wanted something I could do at home. My son suggested I make my own candles so, I did some research, found a supplier and started making candles last fall. This will be my first craft show so I'm very excited."
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Which item do you have the most fun creating?
"All my candles but the melts I can do more in less time because the 3x6 pillars take hours to det. I have also started making flowers out of wax as decorations which I will bring as props for the May 4th show.
The wax flowers are a lot of fun. I think Halloween will be even better."
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Music videos and safari videos play in her kitchen while Heather makes candles there. 
What's the most difficult part of the process? 
"Watching the wax temperatures to add the scent at the right time."
What is your favourite piece of work that you have created? 
"I did make some zodiac candles but have since re-melted the wax to make the flowers for spring as props for the Artisan show."

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What memorable responses have you had to your work?
At the post office I was told the box containing a candle smelled great; she had no idea what was in there until I told her it was a scented candle.
People have also commented on the colours. 
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My creations are a passion, I really enjoy making candles."
What are you doing when you're not creating?
"Thinking of things I can make for Halloween, Christmas and other occasions."
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Reta Frederick, Metal Artist

4/24/2019

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In Peterborough, Ontario, Reta Frederick creates fractaled charcuterie boards, 
metal art, metal on wood, and scarf ladders. "After I retired I Started with trying wood burning but quickly switched to fractaling. My husband and I both live to work in the shop."
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The most fun is the metal work every piece is original. 
Ideas come as you are working on it; always a real challenge and always changing its form as you work with it. Never doing the same thing twice, allowing us to be creative and experiment with different things. The metal pieces are always trees and sometime with animals."
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Working in her home shop, Reta occupies her mind by playing music. She gets her inspiration from driving in the country.
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"My favourite peice is in our garden at home. It is a Heron in the bulrushes."
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Meet Reta at The Artisan Fair on May 4th, 10am - 2pm in Peterborough's Evinrude Centre!
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Serenity Flaxseed Pillows

4/8/2019

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Ashleigh Antre says, "I create handmade microwaveable and freezer-friendly flaxseed pillows. These pillows are made from 100% cotton and flannel. There are a handful of sizes and fabrics to choose from and we also have custom orders available. The pillows are scented with doTerra's Canadian Natural Health Products that are regulated by Health Canada.

Just over a year ago I was working as a Job Developer for people with special needs and needed to supplement my income. I remember my Nana always having this bean bag of some sort that she used to put in the microwave and throw it in her bed to warm it up at night. 

I am always cold and my muscles are sometimes sore due to working out and for some reason that made me think of the beanbag. I was looking for warmth and comfort. So I asked my step-mom to teach me how to sew. We spent an entire weekend sewing, had some laughs and some wine and three months later I had created a business plan, a logo and sewed enough stock to attend a craft show."
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When asked which item she has the most fun creating, Ashleigh Ante says, "I would have to say the Serenity Cuddle Buddies. Although they are a lot of extra work the end result is what is satisfying. They are really cute and to see children's reactions to them when they first see them is really sweet. It's a great motivator to keep going. ​

​I don't really have a theme. I guess you could say I try to maybe purchase fabrics that are in season at the time. I also try to keep up with what is popular when it comes to children. For example Peppa Pig, Paw Patrol. Then I look for those fabrics. 
I also try and target men as well. Women are more likely to purchase my product. Men do purchase them, just not as much as women do. I try to make it appealing to everyone because the flaxseed pillows are so beneficial on so many levels.
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For the most part I work in my sewing room in the basement in my home. If it is a nice sunny day though I will bring everything upstairs to my kitchen and sit by the big bay window that overlooks my backyard and enjoy the sunshine. I tend to have music playing in the background. I have to be careful sometimes though because I get distracted when my jam comes on and I will start dancing. When that happens and I am not being very productive then I put the TV on. Ha ha.
I work with a lot of different essential oils as well so I always smell them and it's very relaxing. Not a bad work environment at all. :)

I get my inspiration from a lot of places/people. Nature is my biggest one though. I am a feeler and then I tend to relate that feeling into the different fabrics I purchase or how I am going to market my product.

I also have a Goddaughter, two step-daughters and two nephews that love to go to the fabric stores and pick out what they like. Kids are usually in "the know" when it comes to 'the craze' so I trust their judgement. 
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When asked what's the most difficult part of the process, Ashleigh says,  
"TIME!!! I feel like there is never enough time. Because I am a one-man show it is difficult to keep up with social media, marketing, making the product, selling it, booking shows etc.
However, I wouldn't change it for the world. I love what I do.The best part of the whole process though is meeting other amazing and talented creators. There are so many talented people out there and it's so amazing and inspiring to be part of it all.

Because I generally have the same items for sale the items themselves don't change much. However, I do make custom designs and there was one customer where her husband was in the military and suffers from extreme back pain.

They reached out to me and asked if I could custom make one to his size. The pillow that I made was about 4 times bigger than the one that is typically found on my price list.
After I made it and gave it to them they reached out to me about two weeks later and gave me the most heartfelt review. They told me that my product really did help relieve the pain and discomfort. As a creator it is always nice to receive feedback. it helps us improve our creations. Aside from the one I just explained, I do receive a lot of feedback from my customers. There is one in particular that made me laugh though. I sold a few Serenity Eye Pillows to a friend of mine. She took them home, used them the very first night she had them and then her boyfriend/husband tried them. She had to order more because she didn't get them back. I thought it was really cute.
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I am currently working on a couple new designs of pillows. One of them will target the shoulders and upper back part. I hold a lot of my tension in that area and I find that heat always helps. However, this particular pillow will be multi-functional. I am looking forward to the launch, I am just not 100% sure when that will be.
The other product I have in the works is a flaxseed blanket. this product will target children (ages 0 - 12) that are on the Autism Spectrum. This product will target the sensory to help calm a child down but also provide the warmth and comfort from the heat. Again, this one is still in the works but I am very much looking forward to releasing it. ​ I absolutely love what I do.
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For down time I love to cook. I also am very blessed and have lots of close girlfriends. 
Or I am chilling out with my boyfriend and the girls at a park, colouring, playing mouse trap! Ha ha. I am a giant child myself so these activities are a lot of fun! :)

I attend a lot of craft shows all over the Durham Region. I am just starting to branch out into the York Region and making my way to Hamilton."
Just Us Salon and Spa in Oshawa

Simcoe Street Market in Beaverton 
Bubbles and Gems in Port Hope
Fields and Flowers in Port Hope
"I also sell my product online as well through Facebook or Instagram."
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/serenityflaxseedpillows/
Instagram: #serenityflaxseedpillows

Meet Ashleigh at The Artisan Fair on May 4th, 10 am - 2 pm at the Evinrude Centre in Peterborough!
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