tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63835200168140196692024-03-13T13:10:40.775-07:00TNCProving Canadian artists have what it takes!Northern Collectivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05124630177890512537noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6383520016814019669.post-85901701601352592462015-07-01T06:57:00.003-07:002015-07-01T07:40:36.193-07:00Introducing... #7<i style="color: #373e4d; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; white-space: pre-wrap;">It's the time of year when we invite a few American artists to join us in our upload. This year we've added an element of surprise. Can you guess who our seventh guest vendor is?</i><br />
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<span style="color: #373e4d; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>My name is Melissa and I came to the art of doll making, in many ways, through children. While my formal school education is in Studio Art, after graduating I became intrigued by Montessori Education. Up until just two years ago I have lived life as a teacher, a Head of School, and a Montessori preschool owner! During these years, I was also blessed to have married my partner for life, Rob, travelled extensively, and given birth to two amazing little girls.</i></span></span><br />
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Initially I was drawn to dolls in general, and waldorf-inspired specifically, as playmates for my own girls. Natural materials and handmade energy have always been a passion of mine (ever since throwing my first clay pot in high school!). My childhood was spent on a large farm surrounded by only family, animals, and trees...lots and lots of trees. I had long sought out natural handmade toys, clothing and products for my family. When my girls' eyes landed on their first natural doll I was delighted!</i></span></span><br />
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<i style="color: #373e4d; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; white-space: pre-wrap;">A few years after that first doll (and many more lovelies along the way!) I closed my preschool to be home with my children while they were still young. A magical thing occurred! I had time…lots and lots of time. Time to breathe, time to play, time to let my imagination and thoughts wander. Creative pursuits suddenly seemed quite possible! My grandmother had spent many afternoon hours teaching me to knit as a child, and my hands once again began moving. And then IT happened; I began seeing so much in my girls' every movement and expression. It feels as if it happened overnight, but, here I am, two years later and making love-filled joys for you and your children.</i><br />
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I am a creator by nature; my hands and heart are always happiest when moving and molding. After becoming a stay at home parent, I decided to follow that path to happiness. My degree is in studio arts and I always felt as if somehow I would find my way back. Dolls fulfill a number of my focuses within the art world; I am most inspired by sculpture, and, in particular, the movement of shapes through sculpture. I am also most inspired by natural materials such as clay and textiles. It really is a perfect match!</i></span></span><br />
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I chose my name because my oldest daughter has a nickname for being by far and away, the slowest eater on the planet and my youngest, has a nickname for her appearance. Their movements, personalities, dimensions, proportions all inspire my dolls on a daily basis.</span></i></span><br />
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After closing my preschool to stay home with the girls, the relief in our family was absolutely palpable. Everyone was more relaxed and able to spend time together doing the things we loved. Both my husband and I were adamant that we did not want that to change. However, I still felt as if I needed an outlet for my own creative process and some space for personal growth. Owning a doll making shop was a wonderful way for me to continue to be there physically and emotionally for my family, as well as take some time personally to explore. My studio is in our home and I am able to find bits of time to continue that exploration!</span></i></span><br />
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I think my least favorite thing is also my favorite. I find it difficult to draw boundaries between my home life and my work. It feels as if the work never stops; I always have knitting going or piles of wool around!</span></i></span><br />
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I am a fitness advocate in my off time and enjoying kickboxing at least three times per week and weight lifting when I can fit it in. Fitness is a key to my well-being just as my family and my creative process is. My family enjoys swimming and biking outdoors during the summer months and skiing when the temperature drops (as it does often here in Wisconsin). My husband is Swedish and we also love to visit family there and in Bulgaria; travel has been a huge part of my relationship with hubby!</span></i></span><br />
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While I do subscribe to the belief that there are only so many ways to sculpt with wool and fabric, I do think there are so many makers who have made their own unique work out of these materials. I enjoy simpler faces on my dolls. I really like the focus to be on the long lanky limbs and floppiness of the arms and legs in relation to the torso. My kids are 8 years old and 4 years and at this point, they are both all arms and legs! Watching them throughout the day is the inspiration for the impressionistic feel of my work.
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Good question! I have travelled quite a bit and have seen many things about other countries that I love and also some that I don’t like. I think the same can be said about the US. I enjoy many privileges for having been born in this country, but the same cannot be said for everyone. Living abroad has made me face the good, the bad, and the ugly things that America has said, done, and portrayed worldwide. This kind of thinking has made it more difficult to be absolutely proud to be an American.</i></span></span>Northern Collectivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05124630177890512537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6383520016814019669.post-74059443235493015442015-06-24T17:00:00.000-07:002015-06-25T19:02:12.429-07:00Introducing... #4<div style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17.9400005340576px; margin-top: 10px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<i style="color: #373e4d; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px;">It's the time of year when we invite a few American artists to join us in our upload. This year we've added an element of surprise. Can you guess who our fourth guest vendor is?</i></div>
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<span style="line-height: 17.9400005340576px;">After having my first baby in 2010, I picked up new interests in the form of sewing, knitting, quilting and crocheting in order to make things for my baby. Then at the end of 2013, I discovered the world of handcrafted dolls through a knitting book by Brandy Fortune called "Just Like Me Knits." It was through this book that I discovered the amazing Fabiola Perez of Fig&Me, who would be a pivotal inspiration that launched me. Just like any other thing in life that catches my interest, I like to dive into and try it out for myself. So, I made my daughter her first doll using a kit by Joy Chambers. And the rest is history. I opened in April of 2014. Handcrafted dolls became a means by which I was able to combine all the things I love...fabric, paper, yarn, photography and writing all into one craft that would conglomerate and produce the soulful doll. Now I am hopelessly smitten.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17.9400005340576px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Starting a shop was a way by which I can "run a business" doing something that I love and still be able to stay home with my young children. So far, I have learned so much, not only on the creative side, but on the on-line business side and it is thrilling to constantly be learning something new.</span><br />
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It is the name of an amazing species of mushroom, the sarcocypha coccinea....a not so uncommon, incredibly beautiful red mushroom. I have always had a fascination with the fungus kingdom, just as I obsess over clouds. Perhaps it is because these things are less commonly noticed by most people but their functions play such a paramount role in nature. So, that's all...I just love mushrooms and this one stands out to me more than others because of it's scarlet color.</div>
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I enjoy the connections I make with people from all over the world. It is truly amazing to be a part of such a global community. I guess I can't say that there is anything I don't enjoy. My business is so small right now that I don't face some challenges that some shop owners might face such as having to deal with their designs being copyright infringed upon or having to deal with big financial concerns.</div>
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Prior to motherhood and crafting, I was a mechanical engineer for a number of years, a math and physics teacher for some time and a crime data analyst for a university police department for a short time. When I had my first baby I closed the door to all those things and dived into full time work as a mother. More than anything else in life right now, I am a mother to two sweet toddlers, one aged 2 and one aged 4. I am also an avid and frequent rock climber and I mountaineer in modest amounts. Once a year I leave my children at home with my husband and for several days I take some time away to summit a big mountain with my girlfriends.</div>
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I make the smallest Waldorf style dolls out there that have very fine detail in their clothing and in their facial structure. When I first discovered the art of handcrafted dolls I saw many dollmakers making dolls of the Waldorf style but no one made 6" Waldorf style dolls...with much detail, that is. If they were small dolls, they most likely did not have facial features or facial structures and their bodies were often simple and not detailed like the bigger dolls. More recently I have seen some of the long time dollmakers making smaller dolls, but most still do not produce much detail in the smaller dolls. I don't believe that it's because they are not able or that they don't have the skills (they certainly do...very amazing skills indeed). I just think that no one wants to invest the time in making a small doll with that much detail because the financial benefits are not as gainly as the bigger dolls yet the smaller dolls take just as much, if not more time to create. But, for me, I love detail and I love making small things. So, I don't mind spending the time to craft a detailed small doll that would not necessarily yield as much of a financial benefit as the bigger dolls.</div>
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What inspires me are two things; 1. if they are not custom dolls and just dolls that I create myself, they are certainly inspired by the people, memories, things in my personal life that have had very deep meaning for me...so, they are very very personal. 2. if they are custom dolls, they are certainly inspired by things, people, memories that are of great meaning to the people I do the customs for. So, regardless, of whether they are custom or not, each of my dolls has a deep and meaningful connection in some way to either myself or the person I am making the doll. I cannot make a doll without a personal story that inspires the doll to come to life. And as such, this makes it so that all of the creations I've made are vastly unique and different from each other....no two are ever remotely the same.</div>
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<span style="line-height: 17.9400005340576px;"><i>And this month's favourite question - What is your favourite thing about the US...</i></span></div>
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FREEDOM, opportunity, equality. I am a US citizen. But, I was not born here. I was born in Asia in a poverty and war-stricken country. I was also a Peace Corps volunteer and lived in Africa for over 2 years. I have traveled extensively and mostly in undeveloped worlds such as India, Nepal, Tibet China, Mexico, Thailand, Vietnam, Bhutan, Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya. I know from these experiences that there is no other place like America, where people have choices such as who they get to marry, expressing their political points of view without being oppressed or threatened, a chance a jobs. I am grateful every day for the life I have here in the US and as an American.</div>
Northern Collectivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05124630177890512537noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6383520016814019669.post-15473936409210746532015-06-23T19:37:00.000-07:002015-06-25T16:42:36.532-07:00Introducing... #3<span data-reactid=".p.$mid=11434629503958=2a93d012972be592c92.2:0.0.0.0.0.0.$text0:0:$text0:0" style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #373e4d; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px; white-space: normal;"><span style="background-color: #f6f7f8; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>It's the time of year when we invite a few American artists to join us in our upload. This year we've added an element of surprise. Can you guess who our third guest vendor is?</i></span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #373e4d; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #373e4d; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I have been sewing since I was a small girl. I found this was a skill I could use to be able to work at home and be with my children. Waldorf dolls were one step in a long line of sewing businesses that I've had. I sold my dolls at our local Farmer's Market for years before I began selling them online. I also made other toys, clothes and quilts and home goods. While I have morphed though many incarnations of my business name, it came to be from a dream I had. I was standing on the porch of my shop and I could see the sign. This was 10 years ago.</span><br />
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My favourite part of having a shop is still just being able to make what I love and send it off. Being part of the handmade community is exactly where I imagined myself being when I was a child. I always knew I would be a maker. My least favourite part is the photography and shipping. That's work. </span></span></span><br />
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My life consists mainly of crafting. On the rare occasions that I put that aside I can be found in my community. I live in a very small community. That one where everyone knows everyone. You can park once and do all your errands while also catching up with friends and neighbours. I am also a wife and mother. My children are grown and out on there own and my husband is a merchant mariner and away from home 10 months out of the year. So it is just me and Louie (Boston Terrier) at home full time. </span></span></span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hXL5CK-w0Bk/VYd0AKKEXPI/AAAAAAAAAJg/sKokH3uKenE/s1600/11143627_986994234653237_2606429927819219949_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hXL5CK-w0Bk/VYd0AKKEXPI/AAAAAAAAAJg/sKokH3uKenE/s320/11143627_986994234653237_2606429927819219949_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: #f6f7f8;"><span style="color: #373e4d; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="background-color: #f6f7f8;"><span style="color: #373e4d; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="background-color: #f6f7f8;"><span style="color: #373e4d; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; white-space: pre-wrap;">My favourite thing about the USA is .......oh I'm on the fence there. I have been here for almost 53 years and I can't tell you what my favourite thing is. When I was a child I used to say that I wanted to be a foreigner. My mom would reply that I WAS a foreigner to some people. I don't really have a favourite thing. I am happy to be here though. As for being an American, my father taught me that whether you live at the tip of South America or the top of Canada you are an American. I was an adult when I learned that the world saw only people in the US as Americans. That is pretty selfish of us if you ask me.
</span></span></span>Northern Collectivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05124630177890512537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6383520016814019669.post-89344882888609092932015-06-21T19:21:00.001-07:002015-06-21T19:21:51.946-07:00Introducing... #2<span data-reactid=".p.$mid=11434629503958=2a93d012972be592c92.2:0.0.0.0.0.0.$text0:0:$text0:0" style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #373e4d; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px; white-space: normal;"><span style="background-color: #f6f7f8; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>It's the time of year when we invite a few American artists to join us in our upload. This year we've added an element of surprise. Can you guess who our second guest vendor is?</i></span></span></span><br />
<span data-reactid=".p.$mid=11434629503958=2a93d012972be592c92.2:0.0.0.0.0.0.$text0:0:$text0:0" style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #373e4d; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span data-reactid=".p.$mid=11434629503958=2a93d012972be592c92.2:0.0.0.0.0.0.$text0:0:$text4:0" style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #373e4d; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; white-space: pre-wrap;">My involvement in the fiber arts has evolved over many decades. My mom taught me how to knit in my teens, and I designed and knit colorful bulky sweaters all through my school years. After a 15 year break during which I was very busy with career and children, I resumed knitting with crazy passion, until one day I picked up a skein of handspun yarn in my local yarn shop. My universe shifted. I had never felt such texture, nor seen such delightful color play. I was hooked. A few months later while shyly watching a spinner at our state fiber festival I decided to take spinning lessons. As my spinning techniques evolved I started washing and dyeing raw fiber in order to better control the quality and color of my finished work. Now I love to start with raw wool and create a piece, whether woven or knitted, made completely from my own hands.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pzp8i1nzwBo/VYdvghWScrI/AAAAAAAAAIc/mgZnggUUqy4/s1600/11303594_790436264409862_812286369_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pzp8i1nzwBo/VYdvghWScrI/AAAAAAAAAIc/mgZnggUUqy4/s320/11303594_790436264409862_812286369_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br data-reactid=".p.$mid=11434629503958=2a93d012972be592c92.2:0.0.0.0.0.0.$text0:0:$text5:0" style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #373e4d; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br data-reactid=".p.$mid=11434629503958=2a93d012972be592c92.2:0.0.0.0.0.0.$text0:0:$text7:0" style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #373e4d; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span data-reactid=".p.$mid=11434629503958=2a93d012972be592c92.2:0.0.0.0.0.0.$text0:0:$text8:0" style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #373e4d; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I started spinning so much yarn and I could not use it all! I was in a spinning group which met at our (now closed) local yarn shop. The owner generously offered to sell my yarns there with no commission- she told me they brought people into the store and could be combined with yarns she sold for projects. She was instrumental giving me the confidence boost I needed to open a shop on Etsy.</span><span data-reactid=".p.$mid=11434629503958=2a93d012972be592c92.2:0.0.0.0.0.0.$text1:0:$text0:0" style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #373e4d; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> I had never run a business so it was all new, but Etsy made it easy. My shop name was an inspiration combining my love of color and yarn.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kfjXff08SUM/VYdvvfXTW2I/AAAAAAAAAIk/-48gK3nD-ig/s1600/11354933_790436664409822_107730040_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="314" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kfjXff08SUM/VYdvvfXTW2I/AAAAAAAAAIk/-48gK3nD-ig/s320/11354933_790436664409822_107730040_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br data-reactid=".p.$mid=11434629503958=2a93d012972be592c92.2:0.0.0.0.0.0.$text1:0:$text1:0" style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #373e4d; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br data-reactid=".p.$mid=11434629503958=2a93d012972be592c92.2:0.0.0.0.0.0.$text1:0:$text3:0" style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #373e4d; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span data-reactid=".p.$mid=11434629503958=2a93d012972be592c92.2:0.0.0.0.0.0.$text1:0:$text4:0" style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #373e4d; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I love being able to help people reach their crafting dreams while using my creations! Working with a dollmaker on custom yarn or wool for a doll, seeing my yarn become someone's beautiful sweater gives me such satisfaction! A completely unexpected reward from having my online business is all the wonderful friends I’ve made through working with talented artists and crafters. I have learned so much from how these artists use fiber and yarn. It has really opened up my world. My only dislike is not having enough time for it!</span><br data-reactid=".p.$mid=11434629503958=2a93d012972be592c92.2:0.0.0.0.0.0.$text1:0:$text5:0" style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #373e4d; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br data-reactid=".p.$mid=11434629503958=2a93d012972be592c92.2:0.0.0.0.0.0.$text1:0:$text7:0" style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #373e4d; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span data-reactid=".p.$mid=11434629503958=2a93d012972be592c92.2:0.0.0.0.0.0.$text1:0:$text8:0" style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #373e4d; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I am a paediatrician working in a wonderful practice, and I feel I derive a lot of energy from being around children all day! My husband and I live in New Jersey and we have 2 children- one a high school senior and the other in college. We also have 5 sweet cats adopted from shelters.</span><br />
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<span data-reactid=".p.$mid=11434629503958=2a93d012972be592c92.2:0.0.0.0.0.0.$text1:0:$text12:0" style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #373e4d; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; text-align: start; white-space: pre-wrap;">I decided early on that I would practice my fiber art from the heart and use only the best materials I could find. Since fiber art is my passion I never want it to become routine and stale. So I make what I am inspired to make, with love and pleasure, using high quality ingredients, one at a time.</span><br data-reactid=".p.$mid=11434629503958=2a93d012972be592c92.2:0.0.0.0.0.0.$text1:0:$text13:0" style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #373e4d; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; text-align: start; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br data-reactid=".p.$mid=11434629503958=2a93d012972be592c92.2:0.0.0.0.0.0.$text1:0:$text15:0" style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #373e4d; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; text-align: start; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span data-reactid=".p.$mid=11434629503958=2a93d012972be592c92.2:0.0.0.0.0.0.$text1:0:$text16:0" style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #373e4d; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; text-align: start; white-space: pre-wrap;">I am motivated by an artist's desire to create beauty, and inspired by many routine events in daily life. The colors on a child's sneakers or a delivery truck. Beautiful wool on the sheep. Once I opened my eyes to color inspiration I found it really is everywhere!</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Fw1d72QiLSc/VYdwIEcOrGI/AAAAAAAAAI4/bmtwxPVWYbk/s1600/11350025_790436644409824_353284765_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="279" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Fw1d72QiLSc/VYdwIEcOrGI/AAAAAAAAAI4/bmtwxPVWYbk/s320/11350025_790436644409824_353284765_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br data-reactid=".p.$mid=11434629503958=2a93d012972be592c92.2:0.0.0.0.0.0.$text1:0:$text9:0" style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #373e4d; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br data-reactid=".p.$mid=11434629503958=2a93d012972be592c92.2:0.0.0.0.0.0.$text1:0:$text11:0" style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #373e4d; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br /><span data-reactid=".p.$mid=11434629503958=2a93d012972be592c92.2:0.0.0.0.0.0.$text4:0:$text6:0" style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #373e4d; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; white-space: pre-wrap;">My favorite thing about the US is the <a href="http://www.nps.gov/index.htm">National Park System</a></span><span data-reactid=".p.$mid=11434629503958=2a93d012972be592c92.2:0.0.0.0.0.0.$end:0:$text0:0" style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #373e4d; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and all the beautiful places preserved. Our family did a lot of camping all across the country in these parks!</span><br data-reactid=".p.$mid=11434629503958=2a93d012972be592c92.2:0.0.0.0.0.0.$end:0:$text1:0" style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #373e4d; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br data-reactid=".p.$mid=11434629503958=2a93d012972be592c92.2:0.0.0.0.0.0.$end:0:$text3:0" style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #373e4d; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span data-reactid=".p.$mid=11434629503958=2a93d012972be592c92.2:0.0.0.0.0.0.$end:0:$text4:0" style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #373e4d; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; white-space: pre-wrap;">My favorite thing about being American... especially with our 239th birthday coming up... is our potential to be a caring and generous people to those who need help all over the world.</span><br />
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<span data-reactid=".p.$mid=11434629503958=2a93d012972be592c92.2:0.0.0.0.0.0.$end:0:$text4:0" style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #373e4d; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>Northern Collectivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05124630177890512537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6383520016814019669.post-16766925854007753132015-06-20T19:00:00.000-07:002015-06-25T19:01:50.977-07:00Introducing... #6<ul aria-atomic="false" aria-live="polite" aria-relevant="additions" class="uiList _2ne _4kg" id="webMessengerRecentMessages" style="background-color: white; color: #141823; line-height: 16.0799999237061px; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
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<i style="color: #373e4d; line-height: 15.3599996566772px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's the time of year when we invite a few American artists to join us in our upload. This year we've added an element of surprise. Can you guess who our sixth guest vendor is?</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I started crocheting about 10 years ago because I had a job where I had a lot of time on my hands. A few years later I taught myself to knit, and since then I've written patterns and knit up a storm. Last summer I tried dyeing yarn for fun, and I was impressed with how well it turned out. A friend of mine suggested I do it professionally, and I took the leap. This spring my sister and mom joined the team, and we are a family owned and operated yarn company.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was easy picking a shop name, since we love being from Milwaukee. A little blue collar, but lots of color and fun.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My least favorite thing about owning a shop is doing the taxes. Yuck! Its a lot more complicated than personal taxes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I'm not crafting I spend time with my husband and 3 kids. Our oldest is autistic, so owning my own business enables me to set my own schedule and give the kids the attention they need.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I also love to read, write, and my guilty pleasure is physics documentaries. I can't get enough of them!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One special thing that sets our product apart from the rest of the pack is that we find inspiration for our yarns in our everyday lives. Places we have travelled, people we have met, things our kids enjoy, etc. We have a motto that "it can never be too vibrant". I'd rather be known as the yarn company that embraces and plays with colors than plays it safe.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.38;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Personally, I'm inspired to support my family. Brew City Yarns has really taken off in the past year, and we've invested a lot of time and money into it. It'd be fabulous to have a return equal to the efforts we've put into the company!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.38;">My favorite thing about the U.S.A. is that we have such a wonderful tradition of free speech. No matter what you believe in, you can express your opinion on matters without fear.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My favorite thing about being an American is the wonderful opportunities that I've been given in life. I was raised in a military family, and spent my entire childhood on the road. It was so exciting to see different parts of the country and world. Its also been a huge influence on my work, the travelling that I was able to experience.</span></div>
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Northern Collectivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05124630177890512537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6383520016814019669.post-13165678960860137322015-06-18T17:13:00.000-07:002015-06-25T17:21:03.365-07:00Introducing... #5<div style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17.9400005340576px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<i style="color: #373e4d; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px;">t's the time of year when we invite a few American artists to join us in our upload. This year we've added an element of surprise. Can you guess who our fifth guest vendor is?</i></div>
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After searching for boy dolls for my son and nephew I stumbled upon Waldorf dolls and fell in love. I researched making them online and ordered enough supplies to make dolls for all of the boys I know. </div>
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I started to get a lot of requests from acquaintances for dolls and thought I would try selling, without the kind words, support and encouragement of my first few customers I don't think I would have kept going. A few months later my dolls started turning into animals. The little boys in my life literally were animals. My son and nephew were most often birds and likewise the first Napling animal was an owl. </div>
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<span style="line-height: 17.9400005340576px;">When I'm not making dolls, I call myself a painter first. My art studio is packed up for the time being but I hope to get back to painting full time once my youngest is in school. </span></div>
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I am inspired by all of the amazing Dollmakers who have the courage to put their work out in the public eye and keep developing their craft to be even greater. I feel lucky to be part of Doll World, all of the encouragement and kind words I get from people who appreciate my work motivate me to work harder and keep going. I would say my boys motivate me, but they want to keep all of the dolls that I make and if I worked for them today I would be making a real life air conditioned just like Tony Spark Ironman suit and a Sloth that wraps around your waist like a belt. </div>
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<span style="line-height: 17.9400005340576px;"><i>What is your favourite thing about the USA and being American?</i></span></div>
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I have to admit I love french fries. I like that c<span style="line-height: 17.9400005340576px;">hange feels possible, the freedom that we are granted truly gives me and I believe many other American's the hope and ambition to make our Country a greater place. Being an American means to me that we will fight to change the wrongs that have happened in the past to make our country a better place for everyone who lives here.</span></div>
Northern Collectivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05124630177890512537noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6383520016814019669.post-18694524662920304042015-06-16T16:57:00.001-07:002015-06-21T19:22:03.089-07:00Introducing... #1<span style="color: #373e4d; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #f6f7f8; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Today's interview is going to be a little different. You see it's the time of year when we invite a few American artists to join us in our upload. But, this year we've added an element of surprise. Can you guess who our first guest vendor is?</i></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #373e4d; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #f6f7f8; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: #f6f7f8;"><span style="color: #373e4d; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I learned to sew at an early age and always loved the arts. I had made dolls for my sister and myself when I was young but truly entered the craft when my daughter was born. I researched all things natural because I wanted to raise my daughter in a healthy way and came across Waldorf dolls and became hooked.</span></span></span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_7FiaBE6LpU/VYC3i15slOI/AAAAAAAAAIE/9bZwxHTuqpo/s1600/farrah%252Bborrowed%252Bsunglasses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_7FiaBE6LpU/VYC3i15slOI/AAAAAAAAAIE/9bZwxHTuqpo/s1600/farrah%252Bborrowed%252Bsunglasses.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span data-reactid=".1n.$mid=11434492059329=27838a5f26aa6f31194.2:0.0.0.0.0.0.$text0:0:$text4:0" style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #373e4d; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; white-space: pre-wrap;">People began asking for my dolls and on a whim I started selling. Now that I look back I was pretty naïve about doll making as a business. But I absolutely love it and will never give it up. </span><br />
<br data-reactid=".1n.$mid=11434492059329=27838a5f26aa6f31194.2:0.0.0.0.0.0.$text0:0:$text7:0" style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #373e4d; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; white-space: pre-wrap;" />
<span data-reactid=".1n.$mid=11434492059329=27838a5f26aa6f31194.2:0.0.0.0.0.0.$text0:0:$text8:0" style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #373e4d; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; white-space: pre-wrap;">With Italian in the family blood and a honeymoon in Italy, I fell in love with all things Italian so I chose to name my shop after the Italian words for the principles by which my dolls are made...Play and Love.</span><br />
<br data-reactid=".1n.$mid=11434492059329=27838a5f26aa6f31194.2:0.0.0.0.0.0.$text0:0:$text11:0" style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #373e4d; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; white-space: pre-wrap;" />
<span data-reactid=".1n.$mid=11434492059329=27838a5f26aa6f31194.2:0.0.0.0.0.0.$text0:0:$text12:0" style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #373e4d; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; white-space: pre-wrap;">My favourite part of owning a shop is creating a personality and designing everything around that. My least favourite part is showing off about my work but that is a necessary part of any successful business so I do it.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wbFtlSieqPQ/VYC3i0ve4II/AAAAAAAAAIM/-HqF7xXhTNI/s1600/Nieve%252Bin%252Bpants.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wbFtlSieqPQ/VYC3i0ve4II/AAAAAAAAAIM/-HqF7xXhTNI/s1600/Nieve%252Bin%252Bpants.jpg" /></a></div>
<span data-reactid=".1n.$mid=11434492059329=27838a5f26aa6f31194.2:0.0.0.0.0.0.$text0:0:$text2:0" style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #373e4d; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br />
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<span data-reactid=".1n.$mid=11434492059329=27838a5f26aa6f31194.2:0.0.0.0.0.0.$text0:0:$text16:0" style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #373e4d; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; white-space: pre-wrap;">When I'm not working in my shop, I'm a mom, a wife, a preschool director/teacher, and a dreamer. The dreamer in me is going on 24-7 behind the scenes always imaging dolls, clothes, stories, pictures to paint, you name it. It's a wonder I ever get any doll work done. </span><br />
<br data-reactid=".1n.$mid=11434492059329=27838a5f26aa6f31194.2:0.0.0.0.0.0.$text0:0:$text19:0" style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #373e4d; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; white-space: pre-wrap;" />
<span data-reactid=".1n.$mid=11434492059329=27838a5f26aa6f31194.2:0.0.0.0.0.0.$text0:0:$text20:0" style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #373e4d; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; white-space: pre-wrap;">What sets me apart from similar artists is my schooling and background in the arts and I've always been drawn to fashion design, sculpture, texture and colour so I feel these are what have infiltrated into my doll making the most. I love the beauty of contrast in textures and colours, I love the mix of modern and romantic, and simple yet bold and I try to use these in the design my dolls and clothes.</span><br />
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<span data-reactid=".1n.$mid=11434492059329=27838a5f26aa6f31194.2:0.0.0.0.0.0.$text0:0:$text24:0" style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #373e4d; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I'm motivated and inspired by art, the act of creating, making something for someone else to enjoy. Literature and literary ideas inspire me greatly too. </span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IituyI35rVo/VYC3i3bTmeI/AAAAAAAAAII/6oYNSfA2zic/s1600/Snow%252Bin%252Bwedding%252Bregalia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IituyI35rVo/VYC3i3bTmeI/AAAAAAAAAII/6oYNSfA2zic/s1600/Snow%252Bin%252Bwedding%252Bregalia.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span data-reactid=".1n.$mid=11434492059329=27838a5f26aa6f31194.2:0.0.0.0.0.0.$end:0:$text4:0" style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #373e4d; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; white-space: pre-wrap;">While we obviously couldn't ask this talented lady her favourite thing about Canada, we did the next best thing and asked her, her favourite thing about the States. She says, "I love the vastness of the United States, the blend of cultures, the variety of landscapes. "</span><br />
<br data-reactid=".1n.$mid=11434492059329=27838a5f26aa6f31194.2:0.0.0.0.0.0.$end:0:$text7:0" style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #373e4d; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; white-space: pre-wrap;" />
<span data-reactid=".1n.$mid=11434492059329=27838a5f26aa6f31194.2:0.0.0.0.0.0.$end:0:$text8:0" style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #373e4d; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; white-space: pre-wrap;">"America is a young nation compared to Europe, Asia and Africa. And like all things young, there is the adventure of discovery, of learning, of growing into maturity and truth and learning from mistakes. This is what I value most about being American. We may make mistakes along the way but so has everyone else, but it's the journey that matters, what you learn, and what you become. I try to make the best of my journey."</span><br />
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<span data-reactid=".1n.$mid=11434492059329=27838a5f26aa6f31194.2:0.0.0.0.0.0.$end:0:$text8:0" style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #373e4d; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Can you guess who this amazing lady is?</i></span>Northern Collectivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05124630177890512537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6383520016814019669.post-5333236387597912712015-05-29T21:08:00.002-07:002015-05-29T21:08:29.928-07:00Introducing... Reece's Pieces!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">We have a full line up of guest members this month at </span><a href="http://hyenacart.com/stores/TheNorthernCollective/" style="line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Northern Collective</a><span style="line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">, and we are delighted to include </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/reecespiecesart?fref=ts" style="line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">Reece's Pieces</a><span style="line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;"> with the June group.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 17.9400005340576px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Shortly after the birth of Reece's second child an amazing new webpage came out called Pinterest. Gazing at all the beautiful images, she decided to give it a try. This involved learning how to sew and a whole lot of trial and error! The idea for her shop sprouted after she posted a shot of cup cozies she'd made for her children's daycare providers. Mass emails containing pleas for more cozies set everything into action. Reece wasn't particularly drawn to clothing, but when she stumbled on bag making she decided to expand and today continues to make cozies and glasses cases to match her bags.</span></span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ODlPmz3h_04/VWk3JrYdgKI/AAAAAAAAAHg/NoSupfWvSU8/s1600/11273703_10153206963835240_1568165902_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ODlPmz3h_04/VWk3JrYdgKI/AAAAAAAAAHg/NoSupfWvSU8/s320/11273703_10153206963835240_1568165902_n.jpg" width="186" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="line-height: 17.9400005340576px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 17.9400005340576px; white-space: pre-wrap;">One of our favourite things about </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/reecespiecesart?__mref=message" style="line-height: 17.9400005340576px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Reece's Peices</a><span style="line-height: 17.9400005340576px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> is that, even when it costs a little more, she always tries to source products that are truly Canadian. Paired with a unique style and top quality materials, it's no wonder her shop has taken off.</span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 17.9400005340576px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 17.9400005340576px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Creating functional artwork is therapeutic to Reece. She says she finds it incredibly satisfying to finish an item after many hours of work. Some of them take up to 15 solid hours, but when they are done, Reece loves the feeling she gets as she spreads her beauty out in the world.</span></span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HjJZfq_7PTU/VWk3JsiOpJI/AAAAAAAAAHc/Mx24-QhLWHI/s1600/11225940_10153206963830240_2072662782_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HjJZfq_7PTU/VWk3JsiOpJI/AAAAAAAAAHc/Mx24-QhLWHI/s320/11225940_10153206963830240_2072662782_n.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="line-height: 17.9400005340576px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="line-height: 17.9400005340576px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our favourite question was of course posed. What does <a href="https://www.facebook.com/reecespiecesart?__mref=message">Reece's Peices</a> love about this country we call home?</span></span><span style="line-height: 17.9400005340576px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="line-height: 17.9400005340576px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 17.9400005340576px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>I love the diversity in Canada, and the acceptance of differences here. Not to mention all the beauty to be seen in this vast country!</i> </span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 17.9400005340576px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Her love for Canada is one of the reasons she started <a href="http://www.happyokapi.ca/">Happy Okapi</a>. A site for people buying fabric and supplies, where they can easily buy from the amazing Canadian retailers she's found, with the theory that if we continue to support Canadian retailers, it helps improve availability and price for all.</span></span></div>
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Northern Collectivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05124630177890512537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6383520016814019669.post-52394804933617533412015-05-28T17:48:00.000-07:002015-06-16T17:32:50.469-07:00Introducing... Tonic and Lime Designs!<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today we are delighted to share with you <a href="http://hyenacart.com/stores/TheNorthernCollective/">one</a> of our guest vendors this month.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ashley grew up with great examples of that old saying 'Follow Your Bliss'. With an entrepreneur mother and crafting grandparents, she quickly learned an appreciation for handmade. Ashley's home is now decorated with items her grandparents created with passion. When she and her husband decided to move from British Columbia, all the way to Quebec, Ashley decided it was time to follow in her mother's footsteps and take the leap into selling her craft <a href="https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/TonicAndLimeDesigns">online</a>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While Ashely is full of sugar and spice, she loves nothing more then bitter and sour. Since you'll <span style="background-color: white;">find her in the summertime with an icy glass of tonic water, made a milky hue from all the lime juice squeezed into it, her shop name, <a href="http://www.tonicandlimedesigns.com/">Tonic and Lime Designs</a> came quite naturally. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Ashley loves to brainstorm <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TonicAndLimeDesigns">new ideas</a> and even keeps a notebook by the side of the bed, incase inspiration strikes. When she isn't crafting, she's out biking, gardening or tucked away in a corning reading a good book. It's probably how her awesome bookmarks got designed; all of her designs are created by her, with top notch customer service.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And of course we couldn't let Ashley get away without asking her, her thoughts on Canada. Here's what she said...</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>I love how diverse our country is. Not only how diverse we are but how proud we are to celebrate that fact.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">(While travelling) </span><i>I would meet people for the time and tell them I was from Canada I was always greeted with a huge smile and compliments about our beautiful country and Canadians in general. It made me feel really fortunate to be Canadian.</i></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DpXePUtHjAA/VWewpKxr3tI/AAAAAAAAAHM/ykz58BqhjDQ/s1600/unnamed%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DpXePUtHjAA/VWewpKxr3tI/AAAAAAAAAHM/ykz58BqhjDQ/s320/unnamed%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you would like to see more of Ashley's designs, you can check out her <a href="http://www.tonicandlimedesigns.com/">shop</a>, her <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TonicAndLimeDesigns">facebook</a>, on Twitter (@TonicLimeDesign) and instagram (@tonicandlimedesigns).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You will also find her in the June stocking at <a href="http://hyenacart.com/stores/TheNorthernCollective/">The Northern Collective</a>.</span></div>
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Northern Collectivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05124630177890512537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6383520016814019669.post-21199185754539147142015-05-22T14:30:00.000-07:002015-05-22T14:30:00.246-07:00Top 10 Canadian Father's Day Gifts for 2015<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is nothing we like more then supporting Canadian and supporting handmade. With Father's Day right around the corner we thought we'd showcase some of our favourite items that fit the bill.</span><br />
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<b>#1 For the Bearded Dad</b></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.6520004272461px; orphans: 3; widows: 3;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">'This solid walnut beard comb is a great addition to the beard styling arsenal. Handle is textured with a classic deep wood pattern and features your custom text.'</span></i></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.6520004272461px; orphans: 3; widows: 3;">They take 2-3 weeks to produce since each is custom. To find out how to order head <a href="https://brickbubble.ca/store/solid-walnut-beard-comb/">here</a>.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.6520004272461px; orphans: 3; widows: 3;"><b>#2 For the Clean Shaven Dad</b></span></span><br />
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<span id="product_description" itemprop="description"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>This set is just for the well-groomed male. Included are one shaving brush, one body soap in Barbershop fragrance, one Shave & A Haircut shaving soap and one Bay Rum shaving soap.</i></span></span></div>
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<span itemprop="description"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Not only does this set look lovely, the shipping is <a href="http://www.suessoaps.com/product-p/boxedsetmanly.htm">FREE</a>!</span></span></div>
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<span itemprop="description"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>#3 For the Nerd Dad</b></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1iAKyz3jwmM/VVLH6PODIEI/AAAAAAAAACI/n1AMvV5Ysp0/s1600/17127_464933547004018_3486991256595836436_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1iAKyz3jwmM/VVLH6PODIEI/AAAAAAAAACI/n1AMvV5Ysp0/s320/17127_464933547004018_3486991256595836436_n.jpg" width="180" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>Nothing like the smell of Fresh Cut Grass cooking in one of our Chem Lab Melters, to freshen up the room on a beautiful spring day!</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">You had better get <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Rockpaperscissorsco?fref=ts">here</a> soon though since they've sold out twice in the last two weeks!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>#4 For the Caveman Dad</b></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ahBmQO5ZzrI/VVLJp3mTgBI/AAAAAAAAACQ/HIEgKbloeQE/s1600/1506857_10150741773929945_7188688558210795535_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ahBmQO5ZzrI/VVLJp3mTgBI/AAAAAAAAACQ/HIEgKbloeQE/s320/1506857_10150741773929945_7188688558210795535_n.jpg" width="202" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Made with something called 'Reloved Vintage Paint' there is more then one sign at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/thespeckledfreckle">The Speckled Freckle</a> we think the men in our life would enjoy.</span></div>
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<span itemprop="description"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>#5 For the Sophisticated Dad</b></span></span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g7Hl5KL4wNc/VVP0bRXhnDI/AAAAAAAAACg/LcX3BtSDrhs/s1600/11139781_854570031264783_6359087622998055978_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g7Hl5KL4wNc/VVP0bRXhnDI/AAAAAAAAACg/LcX3BtSDrhs/s320/11139781_854570031264783_6359087622998055978_n.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A soft and cuddly rayon chenille woven scarf, or black or brown or whatever your dad's favourite colour is from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/fraggletops?fref=photo">Fraggle Tops</a>.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>#6 For the Hunter Dad</b></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_dmJ-lxxgd8/VVP15Oj1mGI/AAAAAAAAACo/gCdmdSSPX7w/s1600/il_570xN.744081896_nol8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_dmJ-lxxgd8/VVP15Oj1mGI/AAAAAAAAACo/gCdmdSSPX7w/s320/il_570xN.744081896_nol8.jpg" width="239" /></span></a></div>
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<span itemprop="description"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 25px;"><i>An ordinary tea towel is practical for everyday use so when it's made of 100% eco-friendly linen it becomes the perfect towel for living well. </i></span></span><br />
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<span itemprop="description"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 25px;">Linen holds up to 15 times it's weight in liquid, so with <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/GandTDesign?ref=l2-shopheader-name">these</a> classy designs, it's practical and good looking!</span></span></span><br />
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<span itemprop="description"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 25px;"><b>#7 For the Superhero Dad</b></span></span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GPrsVIReE_g/VVQBtePQGII/AAAAAAAAAC4/HniKspGSvQo/s1600/il_570xN.607461690_44iq.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GPrsVIReE_g/VVQBtePQGII/AAAAAAAAAC4/HniKspGSvQo/s320/il_570xN.607461690_44iq.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lazar cut from Walnut, these <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/190980873/batman-laser-cut-cuff-links-in-walnut?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=batman&ref=sr_gallery_23">cuff links</a> keep the fun in dressing up!</span></div>
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<span itemprop="description"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 25px;"><b>#8 For the Golfer Dad</b></span></span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0xjr62lGuo8/VVfdHYsS4aI/AAAAAAAAADI/HWo5ajLYE9o/s1600/11169804_373196546204726_6412996380794569956_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0xjr62lGuo8/VVfdHYsS4aI/AAAAAAAAADI/HWo5ajLYE9o/s320/11169804_373196546204726_6412996380794569956_n.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span itemprop="description"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">Custom Father's Day Golf Ball Markers Hand Stamped and Personalized by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/coreytreacydesigns?fref=photo">Corey Treacy Designs</a></span></span><br />
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<span itemprop="description"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 25px;"><b>#9 For the Sharp Dad</b></span></span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2ZtUdqJNTtY/VV6M7HSiJsI/AAAAAAAAAGU/fJXn4b4ORuc/s1600/1265342_201134316731180_744312125_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2ZtUdqJNTtY/VV6M7HSiJsI/AAAAAAAAAGU/fJXn4b4ORuc/s320/1265342_201134316731180_744312125_o.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span itemprop="description"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 25px;">A vintage straight blade from the early 1900's refurbished to perfection by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/VintageEdge/info?tab=overview">The Vintage Edge</a></span></span><br />
<span itemprop="description"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 25px;"><b><br /></b></span></span><span itemprop="description"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 25px;"><b>#10 For the Young at Heart Dad</b></span></span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_HCfaeRRQLg/VV6cIBvohAI/AAAAAAAAAGk/R0rn9eOww9s/s1600/11196337_1426224601018722_3289113444082256448_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_HCfaeRRQLg/VV6cIBvohAI/AAAAAAAAAGk/R0rn9eOww9s/s320/11196337_1426224601018722_3289113444082256448_n.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span itemprop="description"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 25px;"><b><br /></b></span></span><span itemprop="description"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 25px;">White chocolate soap? Yum! Made by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Squeaky-Clean-Boyz/1413937918914057?fref=ts">Squeaky Clean Boyz</a> who are 5 young boys trying to raise $5000 for MS research. </span></span>
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Northern Collectivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05124630177890512537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6383520016814019669.post-9085551343208098112015-05-11T21:03:00.000-07:002015-05-20T09:23:48.447-07:00Introducing... BBG Knits!<span style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #373e4d; font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We are delighted to start our core member introductions with the lovely Jamie from BBG Knits.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--qLS0RQFb1c/VVF2zN3SDMI/AAAAAAAAABM/y00QUnI1mm4/s1600/11263736_10152988566052737_1945716976_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--qLS0RQFb1c/VVF2zN3SDMI/AAAAAAAAABM/y00QUnI1mm4/s320/11263736_10152988566052737_1945716976_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #373e4d; font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Having learned to knit and crochet from her grandmother at a very young age, Jamie started her fiber shop while on maternity leave in 2011. The all important choice of a company name was discussed with her family and BBG was chosen from a suggestion of <b>B</b>eautiful <b>B</b>rave <b>G</b>irl. It's cute and catchy for sure.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #373e4d; font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #373e4d; font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; white-space: pre-wrap;">A busy single mom to two sons, Jamie's time is stretched to the limits with a full-time job outside of the house, university courses,<a href="mailto:bbgknits@gmail.com"> BBG Knits</a> and her boys. While time spent on <a href="mailto:bbgknits@gmail.com">BBG Knits</a> is time away from her boys, it does give her an opportunity to meet amazing people. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #373e4d; font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #373e4d; font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jamie says '</span><span style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #373e4d; font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>I'm very lucky to be surrounded by so many other talented artists, great friends and super fans!' </i></span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YgYPQJaaiZU/VVF4S8fLP5I/AAAAAAAAABc/ZQE1NoOuHJI/s1600/11258596_10152988566007737_165399235_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YgYPQJaaiZU/VVF4S8fLP5I/AAAAAAAAABc/ZQE1NoOuHJI/s320/11258596_10152988566007737_165399235_n.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
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To stand out from other fiber artists, Jamie strives to create unique designs. When she's recreating a popular pattern she always makes sure that her quality of work and choice of natural supplies is top notch.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #373e4d; font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #373e4d; font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We were so excited to hear Jamie say that she is so motivated because she wants her boys to know they can follow their dreams and do the things they love. What a great lesson to learn from your mom!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #373e4d; font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #373e4d; font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jamie decided to tie <a href="mailto:bbgknits@gmail.com">BBG Knits</a> to<a href="https://www.facebook.com/Northern.Collective?fref=ts"> The Northern Collective</a> when she saw the passion and support other Canadian artists wanted to share. With crazy shipping and exchange rates it's always good to stay in country when possible!</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3x63r8En55s/VVF5mRseOXI/AAAAAAAAABo/AGzErrOtpNk/s1600/11267277_10152988565957737_1131584971_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3x63r8En55s/VVF5mRseOXI/AAAAAAAAABo/AGzErrOtpNk/s320/11267277_10152988565957737_1131584971_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Of course, being a Canadian collective, we couldn't let Jamie get away without telling us what she loves about the Great White North, and here is what she had to say;</span><br />
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<i><span style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #373e4d; font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; white-space: pre-wrap;">'</span><span style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #373e4d; font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I am a big fan of Canadian diversity and the sense of community even in a large country. I always feel a sense of Canadian brotherhood anywhere I travel.</span></i><br />
<span style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #373e4d; font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>
I feel so lucky to be Canadian, this country is so amazing and beautiful. There is a lot of scary stuff happening in the world right now and I'm grateful to have the freedoms I do here.'</i>
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<span style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #373e4d; font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.3599996566772px; white-space: pre-wrap;">If you'd like to see the latest BBG Knits is you to, you can follow Jamie <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BBGKnits?fref=ts">here</a>.
</span>Northern Collectivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05124630177890512537noreply@blogger.com3