Meet the 2024 Gifts of the Season Artists!
Blackwell Glass Studio
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Judy Robinson
Meet Judy Robinson. She lives in the beautiful city of Sarnia, Ontario, just a couple of blocks away from Lake Huron. This is where she finds inspiration in her surroundings to create elegant and vibrant fused glass pieces. Judy particularly enjoys working with glass because of its transformative properties in its relationship to light; the rich colours gleam and change hues depending on what angle it is viewed from. She finds creating her pieces very satisfying knowing someone can add colour to their day. We hope you find something that you like, and you get as much pleasure from Judy’s designs as she does creating them. Instagram: @blackwellglassstudio Facebook: Blackwell Glass Studio Website: www.blackwellglassstudio.ca |
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Cynthia Lescene
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I was born and raised in Sarnia, moving to Victoria, British Columbia soon after college. I returned to my hometown in 2017, continuing my passion for knitting, embroidery, and needlepoint which is now known as fibre or textile arts. I am a self taught knitter with a background in interior design, specializing in colour consultation, and designing home accessories such as window coverings, slipcovers, pillow covers, etc. I learned to use knitting needles at the age of 15, more than 50 years ago, by reading instruction manuals and on occasion asking experienced knitters for help to understand patterns. As I became more proficient, I created my own designs, whether it be garments or accessories, for personal use and as gifts for everyone in my family. My love of knitting gives me a sense of calm, and helps me to relax....the sound of clicking needles soothing as raindrops and the silky feel of the yarn gliding through my fingers work in tandem to create something unique and beautiful. I recently discovered a new passion...knitting and fulling wool. Inspired by a few local fibre artists and their incredibly beautiful needle felted and wet felted art, I researched techniques to transform knitted pieces into felt and discovered the art of Fulling wool - knitting an item, then immersing it in hot, soapy water and using friction and pressure, creating a smooth, tightly finished fabric. Each piece can take up to 7 days to complete, requiring several stages of processing until it can be used. After a few online courses to learn techniques, I dove headfirst into this newfound knowledge and hopefully, I have created pieces that are functional as well as beautiful. Each item is knit with 100% wool yarn and/or roving. Handbags, vessels and birdhouses are some of the pieces I love to make. I also create comfort bunny dolls and rustic knitted holiday decorations, which can be hung on a tree or stand alone. |
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Hand Me Up Mittens
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Caroline Vallée
Hand Me Up Mittens are handcrafted by Caroline Vallee, a long time resident of Sarnia. Caroline moved to Sarnia over forty years ago from London, Ontario to work in the chemical valley. Working full time while raising three boys left little time for her interest in sewing and knitting. Luckily, as the boys grew older, she was able to find time to return to her sewing machine, ten or so years ago. After attempting several projects that just missed the mark, she made a pair of mittens from upcycled wool that turned out beautifully! After lots of practice making mittens for family and friends, Hand Me Up Mittens was born. Since then, Caroline has been at her sewing machine year round in preparation for each Christmas season. Throughout the year, you may see Caroline at local thrift stores on a search for that beautiful wool sweater that will be made into the next few pairs. Caroline appreciates the inspiration provided by her seamstress grandmother who sewed custom drapery for Sears in Sarnia and her mother who made most of her children's clothes. Hand Me Up Mittens allows Caroline to express her creativity and desire to contribute to the environment in a positive way! Facebook: Hand Me Up Mittens |
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Cheryl Laakes Artist
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Cheryl Laakes
Cheryl has been designing textiles and jewellery for over thirty years. Largely self-taught, she works in a myriad of fibres, semi-precious stones, crystals, glass, silk, wire, yarn, and fabri. Exploring the boundaries of techniques and adapting methods from other media to create truly unique pieces, Cheryl's work is one of a kind. Versed in techniques from spinning, tatting, embroidery, knitting, crochet, beading, wire working, pottery, clay sculpture, sketching, portraiture, smocking, card-weaving, macramé, polymer clay, batik, sewing, and quilting, Cheryl combines multiple strategies to coalesce into a single work. Often her pieces are the wondrous and functional results of experimenting with colour, texture, and technique combining. From classically elegant jewellery in semi-precious stones and sterling silver, to intricate beaded statement necklaces; from framed fibre collage to embroidery; from silk art to scarves and and knitted scarves that warm body and soul, Cheryl's pieces are reminiscent of both the geometrically simple and the organically mesmerising. Currently Cheryl resides in Sarnia with her talented husband, Lars, and two cats. Instagram: @cheryl_laakes_art_jewellery Facebook: Cheryl Laakes Artist Website: cheryllaakes.com |
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The Elephant's Trunk
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Lizz Hubert
I am a self-taught mixed media artist. From a very young age, I used art as a way of self- expression. I am inspired by the wonder of nature, my 5 children, colour and texture. I create my art in various forms, watercolour, acrylic and pyrography. I am originally from the GTA, however I have resided in beautiful Camlachie for 13 years. I take tremendous pride in my work, and put my heart, love and soul into everything I create. Instagram: @the.elephants.trunk.co Facebook: The Elephant's Trunk Website: theelephantstrcanada.etsy.com |
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Suds Shop Sarnia
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Natasha St. Louis
I am a Sarnia nurse and mother who found soap making when frequent handwashing left my oldest daughter's hands dry and cracked. Switching to handmade soap healed her skin and ignited a passion in me. Since then, I've added bath bombs, shower steamers, lip balms and other body care products to this growing business Instagram: @suds_shops_sarnia Facebook: Suds Shop Sarnia Website: sudsshop.ca |
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Bevel and Barrel Woodworking
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Liz and Steve Bujaki
At Bevel and Barrel Woodworking, our passion is to create one of a kind, beautifully crafted wood designs that capture the beauty of nature and add timeless elegance and warmth to any establishment or occasion. Our commitment to supporting environmentally sustainable practices and utilizing locally sourced and reclaimed wood is our mission. We use the finest craftsmanship to transform each piece we design into high quality and unique wood products. We are a husband and wife team who have always derived much of our passion from the great outdoors and our beautiful surroundings where our workshop is located along the shore of Lake Huron. The days get lost here as we work on projects we love and get inspired by nature. Our unique pieces are created with precision and care, from quality woods that are locally sourced (some of which have come from our own property). We specialize in custom wood furniture such as live edge tables and benches, river tables, refurbished wine barrels, custom art pieces created with wood and resin/epoxy and small projects such as charcuterie boards and personalized boards. Instagram: @bevelandbarrel Facebook: Bevel and Barrel Woodworking |
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Pawsitive Pottery
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Lori Kennedy
In 2016, when I was going through a psychological breakdown, I took a pottery class, with my youngest daughter, at Lambton College. Art therapy was just what was needed. I realized that being a Pottery Artist was what I was meant to be! When the house began filling up with pottery…Pawsitive Pottery began! Each piece of my pottery is created and decorated by hand. As an artist, I’m very influenced by my surroundings. Whether it be ships, the river, cats, dogs, landscapes, colours, etc., I incorporate these into my creations through form, surface decorating, and glazes. Everything that happened in my life has lead me to where I am today...happy to be able to share my pottery and bring happiness to others. I’m incredibly excited to be a part of Gifts of the Season! It’s such a great way to support our local community. Through pottery and clay I discovered the Me that I was always meant to be. Instagram: @pawsitive_pottery Facebook: Pawsitive Pottery - The Shoppe Website: pawsitivepottery.com |
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Mae Allen Confections
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Jessica Raaymakers
Mae Allen Confections was officially established 27+ years ago via participation in local craft shows and bazaars. An online website became a reality in 2007 with the shop graduating into a brick & mortar location officially in 2012. After a few locations within Forest, ON, the confectionery business is now located at 140 Christina St. North in Sarnia, inside the Downtown Market. All items are made & packaged by hand - with a great selection of flavours to choose from you're sure to find just the right gifts and stocking stuffers - or treat yourself! Instagram: @MaeAllenConfections Facebook: Mae Allen Confections |
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Sticks and Strings Handmade
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Linda West
Linda West has exhibited her work at shows throughout the province, and has been a regular exhibitor at "Rotary Art in the Park". She enjoys working with fabric and fibre, and has created various items for holiday decor, as well as the "Nun of a Kind" Collection. For this exhibit, handmade hats, scarves, cowls, and a growing line of "Snuggle" characters for children of all ages will be featured, with gift giving in mind. Instagram: @sticksandstringshandmade Facebook: Sticks and Strings Website: www.nunofakind.com |
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Painted Tin Candles
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Tina Stewart
Over the past few years, I decided to tap into my creative side and work on creating cute soy candles. I've always loved all the unique ways we can use our creativity to enhance our surroundings. They were such a hit I was encouraged to share them. I wanted to incorporate my love of candles and the benefit of clean burning soy, calming fragrances and a product that enhances any space with soothing light and fragrance. It's just a bonus that they burn far longer than other candles and are almost smoke free. I hope you and your friends and family enjoy the benefits and subtle fragrances of these candles, too. |
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