day 9 – shop local for handmade goodness

We seem to be running out of time to craft something for everyone on our list. Luckily, Gabriola Island has had many craft fairs to help us make sure all our loved ones receive something handmade. If you are still looking for a few ideas in this neck of the woods, here’s a few local makers that can surely help you out:

Thorne Crate Company has a variety of gift crates full of local homemade goodness (thanks for including my hubby’s Slow Rise Bakery Granola in the breakfast crate!)
Feedlot Studios - the funky and functional pottery of Mariko McCrae will make anyone smile (I love her silk screened tea towels too)
Forgive and ForGet Boutique – Robyn McMahon makes magic with fabric in bright and modern designs (the cowl I got from her gets nothing but compliments).
My friend Jane Reddington grows and incredible garden and has her floral art cards to prove it – pick one up at Village Foods or ask me how to reach her if you need one of her sweet hand-sewn owls to round out your gifting!
Panacea Herbs is the only skin care product line I will use – check out the new product line and ask about the gift sets. These organic, all natural products are gifts that shows you care!
My dear friend Christine creates magic with her Modern Bohemian collection of fabric creations! her pillows and aprons have that extra something you are looking for. My girls are in love with the corduroy skirt and scotty doll stuffy she made them and I have one of her fabric buntings hanging front and centre in the guest room!
Paula is another friend who dishes up beauty at Madd Art and Inaja Jewellery (email me as her website is not yet up). You will love her metal sculptures and we love our latest acquisition from her, a tea cup bird feeder fro the garden!
You must check out the shiny beauty at Paprika where design + silversmithing collide. I am in love with the tangle pendant – it reminds me there is beauty in the chaos!
Illuminati Glassworks has incredible glass decor and functional items that willl bring light into your home (and snowflake ornaments that I need more of, good thing their gallery is open from 12-4 today) and Tammy Hudgeon’s glass and mixed media will colour your life in a similar, yet totally different way!
Hayden Harvey has art to wear AND put on your walls – check out her gallery and contact her if you see something that sings to you (I love the 3-D butterfly pendants)!
SpiritSong Designs (silver jewellery and horse art), I love the “seek peace within” pendant
My talented friend Dianna Bonder has whimsical artwork and children’s books that will become family favourites (we have pieces of hers in many rooms and I gift her books to every child I know).
The Happy Hippy Soap Company wants to help fill your stockings with the good stuff (that brown sugar body scrub is the best).
Sheila Norgate is another local artist that you should consider for someone dear. I have opened up a painting by this amazing artist on a Christmas morn, and oh how loved and amazed I felt (and still do every time I walk past it)!
Also today, stop in at The Herbe Shoppe OPEN HOUSE from 10-6 or drop into my friend’s La Belle Vie Studio (for aromatherapy and art of every kind) at 3300 South Rd. Her studio and more are described by the Gabriola Island Chamber of Commerce.

There really is no need to leave our little island today, even if you are not done your holiday shopping. Wherever you are today, please shop local! I promise you it will be FUN!