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!