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

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!

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. ​

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."

Working in her home shop, Reta occupies her mind by playing music. She gets her inspiration from driving in the country.

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."

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.

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.

When asked which item he has the most fun creating, Paul says, "Mostly the charcuterie boards. I spend time looking at a piece of wood, figuring out how to showcase the grain.And I do enjoy turning the baby rattles, taking a rectangular piece of wood and making to into something for a child to enjoy."

"I really enjoy looking at a piece of wood and trying to picture the best way to showcase the natural grain, and create something useful. The hardest part is waiting for the glue to dry."

​Every piece is fun to create because there is usually thoug ht and research incorporated into each one. Every piece has a story or reasoning behind it and how it connects to people, wildlife and the environment. Raising awareness about conservation and human impact is something I am extremely passionate about so being able to connect this with painting makes it a fun experience. Each leaf is also so unique! It is fun learning how each texture will react with each painted subject.

As I am in school I currently and most often will work on my creations at the desk in my bedroom here in Lindsay. When visiting home in Sudbury I will often end up working at a dinning table or coffee table depending on the holiday. The framing process becomes more complex and it usually spread out to a few different areas. ​

I often enjoy listening to music while painting. I don't work well with distractions of conversation. ​Ideas pop up throughout every day life. Whether it be while on a walk or doing a mundane task like the dishes. My mind will often wander to something I have read or a fact I have learned about that I think should be highlighted in a painting. If ever I am stuck for inspiration I will often scroll through the Ontario species at risk act to see who I would like to share information on. My passion for positive impacts on nature and wildlife really direct my inspiration.

I have pieces on display for purchase at Boiling Over's Coffee Vault in Lindsay (140 Kent St W, Lindsay, ON K9V 2Y4) as well as Kuppajo Espresso Bar in Sudbury (109 Larch St, Sudbury, ON P3E 1B8). 
I do also have an Etsy shop that has a variety of pieces available for purchase. (https://www.etsy.com/shop/alcreativesshop) ​."

You can meet Alexandra and buy her creations at The Artisan Fair in the Evinrude Centre on Dec 9, 2018 between 10 am and 2 pm!

Hayward turns wood into Christmas ornaments, wine stoppers, bowls, lidded boxes, vases, spin tops, and platters. He says, "I enjoyed wood turning in school (a few years ago) and when I retired I joined the Kawartha Woodturners Guild. Seeing the beauty of the many creations that other turners had done, I decided to try my hand at it. I was hooked and the rest is history."

Hayward has the most fun creating Christmas tree ornaments made from discarded Christmas trees. When asked what themes he pursues in his creations, he says, "Whatever the piece of wood gives me."

Working in his workshop, Hayward says he doesn't listen to music or do anything else. "My mind is on the piece that I am creating. It requires full concentration."

Hayward gets his inspiration from the wood. 

Evaughn Heath says, "I create unique items using my talents as a seamstress, an artist and a embroideress. I might use all three of my abilities together to create something or a combination of two. Sometimes I might just use one.
I have a sign that I have hung in my workroom ...

PAINT

SEW

STITCH

CREATE

I was introduced to the world of creativity at a very young age. I was taught how to crochet and knit first and when I saw my mother embroidering pillowcases for a friend, I knew I had to learn how to do that as well. I was taught sewing by my godmother when I was a young girl and immediately fell in love with all the colours and textures of fabric. I entered the "art community" when I lived in the USA and learned how to paint using most mediums. My oldest sister was a well known and respected artist in the Peterborough/Buckhorn area and it was her passing that motivated me to see if I had the ability to paint."

While working, Evaughn always listens to music. As far as inspiration goes, she says, "My inspiration for creating comes from many different sources from nature to books and anything in between. I f ind that if I listen to my "inner voice" and look at things with my "creative eye" then inspirations come much more easily. My sister is one of my biggest inspirations because I bounce a lot of ideas off of her. She will show me a different way of looking at things which usually results in a creation or helps with a continuing project."

When asked what the most difficult part of the process is, Evaughn says, "​Choosing what to do! I usually have several different projects on the go at one time. Also, I sometimes will second guess myself when I have decided on a project. If I do that, then it usually gets shoved aside until I have the confidence to just do it!"

When asked for the most memorable response to her work, Evaughn says, "​When I was painting with oils, I entered a juried show and won first place for my entry. The painting hung in an art gallery for a month. It was very exciting to have my peers present me with this prestigious award. This will be the first time I have entered an artisan show so I guess I am about to find out! lol"

"I trust in my spirituality and my inner voice to guide me. When I find that I am struggling with creating, then I turn inwards and look for guidance. For me personally, being creative is what feeds my soul." When not creating, Evaughn says she is "Thinking of different things I could create! lol I like to read, cook and hang out with my friends."

Meet Evaughn at The Artisan Fair at the Evinrude Centre in Peterborough on December 9th, 10-2!

​"Living on a farm I needed something durable and warm for doing chores. There just weren't any reasonably priced mitts available that did what I was looking for. I had heard about recycled sweater mitts, so made a pair for myself but added fleece lining and embellishments. Then, people started asking where I got them ..."

"​It all started one Easter, years ago, when I was but a youngster. We hard boiled eggs to decorate. I asked my mom if there was another way to decorate eggs without boiling to keep them. Sure enough, she said we could hollow out the eggs, soak them in a watery bleach solution, let them dry, and we can decorate them. Those eggs will keep without going bad. Years later, we still decorate eggs.Then TV  shows and movies inspired us to make dragon eggs. Our original eggs were chicken and goose eggs. We now have turned to paper mache eggs. the paper mache eggs are more durable; they can be dropped without breaking. No more yolk on us. 
With the slim -- it's always been a Halloween party activity. Now the slime is an internet sensation. We decided to follow the hipsters, and sell our own slime. Our slime isn't gooey, or sticky. The texture is a perfect mixture of elastoviscosity."

When asked which item she has the most fun creating, Naomi says, "Dragon Eggs, definitely eggs. Now that I think about it. AHHHHHHH. A dragon egg take days to make. So it depends on the time. Slime gets created in minutes. Also, it depends on the creative urge. Do I want to paper mache, paint, gem, or do I want to slime. Dragon eggs require many materials, whereas slime only needs three materials and the glitter."

"At the moment I am the youngest vendor. I started as a vendor at craft sales when I was 12 years old. I am now 15 years old. I will be using the profit of these sales toward my post secondary education."

When not creating, Naomi says she is "going to school, doing homework, playing on the computer, or doing some camping." You can meet Naomi Day at Mark Street United Church on Sept 1st, between 10 and 2.

Robert Holdforth creates bird and wild fowl pictures on wood plates. "Many years ago, 1986 I made a rocking horse for my first grandchild, from there I got into carving birds for competitions."

"​I really enjoy custom orders, they are a one of a kind piece, and at times came be very challenging."

I sell solely via Etsy (byKusia). I myself am a big Etsy shopper. It's absolutely fantastic for finding super one-of-a-kind but also QUALITY products for yourself and every special-someone in your life. It's a wonderful community that I am proud to be a part of.

I regularly post to my Instagram account: @bykuusia (two u's in there) & Pinterest: @bykusia.
I do have a Facebooke page (@byKusia) - but I am not as active on it as Instagram and Pinterest. ;)

I have in the works: my own website- so stay tuned:) www.bykusia.com (*under construction).

Meet Nicole on May 5th at 90 Hunter St East between 10 am and 2 pm!

"​My mother (Lynda) and I have always enjoyed baths, growing up she would always buy bath salts or the oil beads to use, and when bath fizzies and bombs came out we would buy them as gifts for one another. Then one day my mom Lynda came up with the idea to try making some, we enjoyed making them together and started experimenting with other things. Once we perfected and tweaked recipes to our liking we decided to make our products available for others to enjoy as well."

"We like to create things that are cute and trendy. Right now unicorns and mermaids are very popular and we absolutely love both the themes."

"I am definitely the type of person who has the television playing all day while I'm at home. I do like the background noise and listening to my current favourite Netflix shows (Riverdale and Dynasty). However, if my significant other is using the television I like putting on my headphones and jamming out to my iTunes playlist. A lot of my inspiration comes from things I already enjoy like Hello Kitty, Skulls, and food. For example, my friend inspired me to make the Unicorn Cupcake Bath Bombs after she had her daughters first birthday in a unicorn theme with cake and cupcakes."

"Our products are made with top quality ingredients and materials. We ensure to list all ingredients on our product labels for you to look out for any possible allergies you may have. We take pride in using only cosmetic safe ingredients, colours, glitters, fragrances, and essential oils.

Lynda Loo Bath products are available online at www.LyndaLooBath.com. Our products are also carried in four store locations in south-western Ontario. Kindred Expressions in London. Epiphany in Aylmer. Dutton Casual Corner in Dutton. And The Window Shop in Port Stanley. We also like to do craft shows in different areas of ontario including areas around Cobourg where most of my family including my mom lives."

"My primary focus is on my art sketches such as portraits. However, that is not the only thing. I also create one of a kind hair accessories. I got started in grade 11 when my teacher told me that I had great potential as an artist. After that, I started focusing all my spare time into drawing and it become a great passion. As for the hair accessories, it started when I was creating a cosplay costume, and I could not find the hair piece that I wanted, so I decided I would do it myself, and I had a lot of fun doing it, so I decided to just carrying on doing so."

"The thing I have the most fun creating is some of my all time favorite characters from various TV shows and Movies. I love doing my own rendition of them, and how they appear to me. With my drawings, I really don't follow a theme. Most the time, it is just what I feel like drawing that day or if I am watching a movie, I will pick a significant object or person. With my hair pieces, most of them are based on the sea and sea critters, like mermaids!"

"I have an art room in my house, that is solely dedicated to my work, that my wonderful husband made for me instead of making himself a man cave! It was quite the surprise! Most of the time, I will be watching TV or a movie while working on a piece, However, I like to mix it up from time to time, and listen to some music."

"The most difficult part of the process for me is almost the whole thing. I am such an OCD perfectionist, that if the small detail isn't correct I will sit there for hours fixing it til it is to my liking. ​"

Stephanie's work can be bought online at her Etsy shop. Meet her at The ARtisan Fair on May 5th, 10 - 2 at 90 Hunter St East in Peterborough!

WHenn asked what she has the most fun creating, Hayley says, "I love wire wrapping, and I am still perfecting my ability. My favorite item to work on are wire masks." The jewellery Hayley makes is "uniquely pagan and spiritual". "No pagan is the same as another pagan, and as such I try to make pieces that call to anyone." Hayley crafts all of her items at home. "Each piece is crafted with love and intent, and charged by the moon."

Most of the time when working at home, Hayley has music on. it could be an upbeat playlist, or a soothing nature sounds playlist. When asked where she gets her inspiration, Hayley says, "My path and different views inspire me. Nature and the celestial bodies move me."

For Hayley, the most difficult part of the process is running out of specific pieces. 
Her Beltane mask won an artisan contest at an event, and is her all-time favourite item that she has created.