Saturday Spotlight: Drift Away Art

Saturday Spotlight

Drift Away Art

1. What is the name of your shop or business and what do you sell?

The name of my hobby (business) is Drift Away Art which is a mixture of Canadian driftwood and stained glass captured in the form of mini sail boats set upon a unique piece of glass infused driftwood. It also includes Message in a Bottle, Framed Art, Crazy Eyed Fish, Mood Boxes, Sun Reflectors, Christmas tree and Robin decorations, Lighthouses and nautical glass pebbles.

2. Where are you located? or where do you sell?

I'm located in London (home) and I usually sell at craft shows. 

I have my pieces in The Been Garden on Dundas, 

Glass in Motion (Grand Bend & Sauble Beach) and 

Lake Life Studio in Camlachie ON.

3. Do you have your own website/store or online link? 

I don't have my own website yet but watch this space it's coming soon. 

I put everything I make on Facebook and Instagram so people usually PM me with requests and orders. 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drift_away_art/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DriftAwayArt1/

4. How long have you been doing your craft/art and how did you get started?

I've been doing Drift Away Art for just over a year now; I got started after I took a stained glass course in London and loved it, but wanted to do something with glass and driftwood after I finished so Drift Away Art was born.

I'd like to thank everybody who continuously supports Drift Away Art whether you are a Facebook or Instagram liker, a customer, a shop owner for selling my unique pieces or a friendly smile with lovely comments at a craft show.  I thank you from the bottom of my heart my making Drift Away Art turn from an idea into a reality and a dream come true. 

I appreciate and value every single one of you. 

5. Who or what inspires you to create?

The beach and water are my inspiration; I could spend all day at the beach collecting driftwood and watching the waves. 

6. Do you listen to music when you work, and if so what kind? 

I have started to lately it's usually a mixture of modern country, Sarah Smith, Pink and 90's pop music.

7. What do you like least/most about your craft?

Cutting my fingers on the glass is what I like the least especially when I'm grinding the glass. 

The look on a customers face when they see my Drift Away Art pieces that is priceless and the best feeling ever. 

8. Describe your workspace? 

My workplace is my studio at home. I have 2 work stations, one for cutting and prepping and a soldering table, lots of shelves full of completed pieces and my two mini dachshunds dog bed in the corner they keep me company whilst I'm in there. 

9. What is one of your best moments as a crafter/artist? 

The best moment was the first time I sold my first piece of art at a show (I thought somebody actually likes my work) it's really hard putting your art work out there as it is an extension of yourself, so it's like people are judging you too.. it's very scary. 

10. What advice would you give to anyone thinking about starting their own craft business?

Start very slow, know what you want to do, where you want your business to go.. ie just online sales, or an actual shop, know your audience and what they want, research all your marketing areas, ask other business owners for advice. 

Always move forward but always remember where you started from.. one step at a time. 

Wednesday Wonder

Wednesday Wonder

Sunday Solitude

Sunday Solitude

Saturday Spotlight: Fire & Iron Custom Metalwork

Saturday Spotlight

Fire & Iron Custom Metalwork

1. What is the name of your shop or business and what do you sell?

Fire & Iron Custom Metalwork. 

We are an artistic metalwork and blacksmithing shop that also does small commercial and residential jobs such as gates and railings. We are very much a community oriented business and we do as several charity events each year and we donate pieces to the silent auction tables of many other organizations.

2. Where are you located? or where do you sell?

We are located in the heart of the Old East Village 

at the intersection of  Dundas and Rectory across from Aeolian Hall. 

We sell our small artistic items at The Been Garden in London and Local Luxuries in Lucan.

3. Do you have your own website/store or online link?

Yes. 

www.fireandiron.ca as well as www.facebook.com/fireandironcustommetalwork 

and on twitter @fandimetalwork 

and our instagram is fireandironcustommetalwork

4. How long have you been doing your craft/art and how did you get started?

As a Welder / Fabricator it’s been a hobby for decades, and as I got better at it and acquired good tools I began doing work and creating art for friends and family. It seems I do work that’s desirable, because eventually it spread to friends and family of my friends and family. 

It became a business a little less than 3 years ago

5. Who or what inspires you to create?

Our customers are our inspiration. 

Because we are primarily a custom metalwork shop, people come to us with an idea or vision and we do our best to realize that vision in metal.

6. Do you listen to music when you work, and if so what kind?

I couldn’t work without Music. 

Usually it’s just the radio (which is the second thing I turn on after the lights in the morning) and it’s usually good old Rock and Roll.

7. What do you like least/most about your craft?

Our craft is dirty, dangerous and heavy. 

We literally put our sweat and blood into our work.

8. Describe your workspace?

It’s a very crowded 1000 square foot shop packed with machinery, material and projects. 

The walls are covered in a random selection of odds and ends and leftovers.

9. What is one of your best moments as a crafter/artist?

We were commissioned to create a Vimy Ridge war memorial which was installed just south east of the Trafalgar/Hale roundabout.

10. What advice would you give to anyone thinking about starting their own craft business?

Go to the Small Business Center and enroll in the set of small business courses and seminars. 

The $500 you spend there will translate into thousands of dollars later. 

Knowledge is power. 

Learn how to make a proper business plan and then make one..You’ll be surprised...Trust me.

Wednesday Wonder

Wednesday Wonder

Sunday Solitude

Sunday Solitude

Saturday Spotlight: Brandow Soap Co.

Saturday Spotlight

Brandow Soap Co.

1. What is the name of your shop or business?

Brandow Soap Co.

2. Where are you located? or where do you sell?

I am located in Ingersoll and in 5 stores:

Ohtera in St Thomas;

The Been Garden, Prim & Pauper Makers Market, Duck & Dodo, all in London; 

and Local Luxuries in Lucan.

3. Do you have your own website/store or online link?

I currently do not have a website; I currently only work off of Facebook. www.facebook.com/brandowsoap  

4. How long have you been doing your craft/art and how did you get started?

I've been doing handmade bath products for almost 5 years. I originally started it as a line for my mommies when I sold cloth diapers.  It took off from there and has been very successful. I am absolutely blessed to have the customers I do!

5. Who or what inspires you to create?

Over the years I have followed some amazing Soapers!  They have definitely helped me take something ordinary and turn it into art.  And believe it or not a paint chip can be some great inspiration. There have been many things that have planted a creative seed from artists and their painting to a plate full of milk and cookies! Nothing is off limits!   

6. Do you listen to music when you work, and if so what kind?

I listen to all kinds of music when working from opera to alternative to classical and holiday music. 

7. What do you like least/most about your craft?

The least thing I like about my job is that it can become very repetitive and sometimes can become boring.  Creating something new is the best part.

8. Describe your workspace?

I work mostly in the kitchen as I need a sink and a heat source.  I also spend quite a bit of time in my office designing and printing all my own labels. 

9. What is one of your best moments as a crafter/artist?

One of the best moments that I had was being asked to take part in a brand partnership with quite a successful business.  My second greatest moment was when I was asked to join my first retail store.

10. What advice would you give to anyone thinking about starting their own craft business?

Research!  Research!  Research!  

When starting your own business you can never have too much information about your type of business. Know what's proven to work and be successful but never be afraid to try something new.  And no matter what type of business your interested in starting, make sure you put your own spin to make it uniquely yours!

Day Tripping: Arva Flour Mill

Day Tripping

Arva Flour Mill

How have I never been here before?

Love this store!

We'll be back soon, when we have more time!
Arva Flour Mill

And besides flour and grains, they carry jams, honey (from Dave's Apiaries here in London!), and a variety of other goods.

And a glimpse through the door into the back....

Wednesday Wonder

Wednesday Wonder

Day Tripping: Wildwood in the Winter

Day Tripping

Wildwood in the Winter

Wildwood Conservation Area

Frozen in the winter.

But the river runs below and the creaks and noises are eerie on a calm cold day.

Waves frozen.

And ice fishermen get set up.

 

Sunday Solitude

Sunday Solitude

Saturday Spotlight: Peanut Parade

Saturday Spotlight

Peanut Parade

1. What is the name of your shop or business and what do you sell?

My shop is Peanut Parade.  

I am the creator behind "You Adulted Today!" Adulting Reward Stickers and various other sarcastic products.

2. Where are you located? or where do you sell?

I design out of my home.  I sell at The Been Garden, LoveLeighBoutique, Ohtera in St. Thomas, Local and Lovely in Mount Brydges and Blooms and Rooms in Seaforth. 

I'm also in several boutiques across the USA, and my online store as well.

3. Do you have your own website/store or online link?

www.etsy.com/shop/peanutparade 

4. How long have you been doing your craft/art and how did you get started?

I've been making crafty stuff forever. Peanut Parade has been around since 2009, but I just started making my 'You Adulted Today!' line in February of 2016. I originally made 6 stickers for a friend who was recovering from surgery and when I put them on FB, they went viral. Within a month, I had hundreds of orders for stickers that I shipped around the world. Since February I've shipped nearly 4000 orders worldwide.

5. Who or what inspires you to create?

Whenever I hear or read or think something sarcastic, I usually think, that would be good on a mug, or a magnet or a sticker. And then I go from there. I seem to have gathered this tribe of fellow smartasses, whether online or in real life, that always keep me writing more sarcastic quips and it definitely helps. 

6. Do you listen to music when you work, and if so what kind?

I'm all over the place. I know, shocking. Lol Country, top 40, Canadian music, etc. 

Whatever my brain feels like that day. 

7. What do you like least/most about your craft?

Least - that I don't have enough time to do it. 

Most - that I get to make all the smartass stuff that I would buy for myself.  

8. Describe your workspace?

I have a studio with all my stuff laid out in tables. 

I need a lot of room to spread out.  Lol

9. What is one of your best moments as a crafter/artist?

I'm living it right now. 

I tried so many different product ideas before this one and none of them caught on, which was disheartening. The fact that my idea is something that makes people laugh and they really like is just amazing. And the people that love my stuff are all just as sarcastic as me, which makes it even more fun.  Who knew I could turn being a smartass into a job? 

10. What advice would you give to anyone thinking about starting their own craft business?

Find the thing you love or that you would buy for yourself and run with that. 

Trying to make something you're not totally passionate about never works. 

Wednesday Wonder

Wednesday Wonder

Sunrise View from Airport Hotel Toronto (October 2016).

Sunday Solitude

Sunday Solitude