What do you create? How did you get started and what motivated you to start?
I’ve always been a creative person and for many years painting has been my passion. After my brother retired he began making pipes out of antlers, truly beautiful, stunningly polished pipes, and he sells them on Etsy (Hornaments 3 by Long John). He needed someone to sell dog chews that were made up from the remainder of the antlers and I agreed to do that here in Toronto. After a while we saw that we needed to do something with the vast amounts of smaller pieces left over from all of this and we began collaborating and designing different pieces of jewellery, buttons, magnets, artwork, ornaments and fragrance dispensers.
I’ve always been a creative person and for many years painting has been my passion. After my brother retired he began making pipes out of antlers, truly beautiful, stunningly polished pipes, and he sells them on Etsy (Hornaments 3 by Long John). He needed someone to sell dog chews that were made up from the remainder of the antlers and I agreed to do that here in Toronto. After a while we saw that we needed to do something with the vast amounts of smaller pieces left over from all of this and we began collaborating and designing different pieces of jewellery, buttons, magnets, artwork, ornaments and fragrance dispensers.
Which item do you have the most fun making?
I love to make all of the items but have the most pleasure making the various pieces of artwork.
What are you doing when you're not creating?
When I’m not creating I am taking care of my 6 year old granddaughter and now a new grand puppy. I have two daughters who are always in need of help for one project or another and my husband and I do many markets together.
I love to make all of the items but have the most pleasure making the various pieces of artwork.
What are you doing when you're not creating?
When I’m not creating I am taking care of my 6 year old granddaughter and now a new grand puppy. I have two daughters who are always in need of help for one project or another and my husband and I do many markets together.
Where do you work on your creations?
I have a desk in my kitchen where it is light and bright and has access to outdoors where much of the work needs to take place.
How do you occupy your mind while working?
I get very focused on my work and time goes by too quickly. I get carried away forgetting about everything else and often need to scramble to make dinner or get ready for appointments.
I have a desk in my kitchen where it is light and bright and has access to outdoors where much of the work needs to take place.
How do you occupy your mind while working?
I get very focused on my work and time goes by too quickly. I get carried away forgetting about everything else and often need to scramble to make dinner or get ready for appointments.
My inspiration comes from the antler pieces themselves. They seem to have a warmth and beauty within them and the various colours and patterns are all so unique. I love to feel them between my fingertips and they give me a sense of awe for God who created them in the first place.
What's the most difficult part of the process?
I find it takes me a little bit to actually put everything together as if I might not be able to make the beauty of the antlers come to life, but once I get passed that I’m happy with the outcome.
What's the most difficult part of the process?
I find it takes me a little bit to actually put everything together as if I might not be able to make the beauty of the antlers come to life, but once I get passed that I’m happy with the outcome.
What memorable responses have you had to your work?
Many people love to hear about how my work came about and see the many different uses that there are for this beautiful natural resource that is at our disposal every year. They are very interested and I’m very enthusiastic when someone comes along who actually feels the beauty of the antler as I do.
What else should readers know about you and your creations?
This all came about because of my brother who had confidence in me to be a salesperson for his dog chews and then gave me the resources I needed to be the creator that I am today.
Where else do you sell your creations?
I sell mainly from home through social media as well as the many markets that I am a vendor at.
Come meet Joanne Koper-Peios at The Artisan Fair in Toronto at 56 Neilson Drive on December 11th, 10am-3:30 pm!
Many people love to hear about how my work came about and see the many different uses that there are for this beautiful natural resource that is at our disposal every year. They are very interested and I’m very enthusiastic when someone comes along who actually feels the beauty of the antler as I do.
What else should readers know about you and your creations?
This all came about because of my brother who had confidence in me to be a salesperson for his dog chews and then gave me the resources I needed to be the creator that I am today.
Where else do you sell your creations?
I sell mainly from home through social media as well as the many markets that I am a vendor at.
Come meet Joanne Koper-Peios at The Artisan Fair in Toronto at 56 Neilson Drive on December 11th, 10am-3:30 pm!