animal collection

I really love animals. When I lived in Calgary I worked at a migratory bird sanctuary as a naturalist, and I spent all day birdwatching, catching bugs, and talking about animals with kids. It was so much fun to explore city parks with them and to see things like baby porcupines, wood ducks, coyotes, and great horned owls and really help open their minds to the fabulousness of the natural world. I definitely miss that life now that I live in Vancouver. I mean, the scenery here is amazing, but my job no longer involves me getting outside every day to just experience the natural world and help other people understand it. Surely you can see how I could miss such a thing.

Anyway, I've gotten a little off topic here, because my real intention is to show some really awesome animal-related gifts that I would personally be more than happy to give or receive this holiday season. First thing's first, we all know that it's a bad idea to give people kittens for Christmas, as many gifted animals are destined to end up in animal shelters when the novelty wears off, but how about these kittens?

meow mitts by TinyOwlsMagicAttic on Etsy

The best part is, this is just a pattern, so you make the kitten mittens (had to go there) yourself. This Etsy shop also has owl mittens, bear sweaters and more, and since it's just a pattern that you buy, no need to wait to get started on your project!

Do undomesticated animals appeal more to you? I've had my eye on the mini deer plaque's by Nice since I first found this shop. How great would the key rack look by anyone's front door? I also really appreciate that the artist cuts the wooden pieces herself, I like that attention to detail and craft. I'm partial to the white plaque, but now I see she's also making a chalkboard version...could be very useful!

mini deer plaque by Nice on Etsy

Now, I think I've saved the weirdest for last, and I don't mean "weird" in a bad way, but "weird" in the best possible way! I really had a hard time picking which item I wanted to show from Wannabes. I chose this one because I think it really captures a lot of the trends that are happening these days: ironic home decorating, taxidermy, floral prints, vintage upcycling, and is that some plaid I see? This piece has it all and, yes, I love it and its craziness. You have to check out this shop!

forever young commemorative plate by Wannabes on Etsy

Of course, these things all add a little more animal awesomeness to your life, but you could also help some real, live animals this holiday season with a donation to an animal rescue organization or conservation group. I recommend adopting a manatee or foregoing those felt antlers for your dog and instead donating to your local SPCA...not that felt antlers aren't pretty cute, it's just, really, how long is the dog gonna keep those on her head?

Here's one of my favourite Panda Bear videos for you:

A bit summery, but I think that's the right way to go in the darkest part of the year! Hope to see you all at Portobello West this weekend! Have a great first day of December!

BLIM Market, Vancouver

This weekend Jeff and I had a table at our first market and it was a great success. We had lots of fun talking to all of the people who stopped by our table, made some new craft fair buddies, and sent some of our handcrafted goods off to wonderful new homes. Our table set up went pretty well. There are a few things that I'm planning to change for next weekend at Portobello West, but all-in-all, I think we achieved a pretty, cohesive look with a colour scheme of white, gold, and red and kraft paper covering our table and some of our props. I also got a lot of compliments on my vintage Hudson's Bay wool jacket. I had to wear it, it matched our table so perfectly!

Jeff's dioramas went over very well! This one was particularly loved. We'll have a couple more available at Portobello West. I think it's great that this diorama is being given as a gift. Imagine getting this for Christmas! You'd never see it coming. This particular creation was called "Around the Bend." Also new at the markets (and now in the Sadie shop) are these glass bead and gold bar necklaces. Inspired by the colours of the Northern Lights, these little necklaces add a bit of delicate colour to any outfit.

Northern Lights in the Sadie shop now

Here's a glimpse of our table. I assure you it was much more lovely in person. It's tough to take good pictures in a poorly lit gym. The venue had a nice vibe, though. Lots of people milling about and great vendors down every aisle. I like that BLIM hosts vintage sellers and handmade crafty things.

Our table neighbours were Sara and Will from Little Finch Handmade. We really scored on who we were seated next to, the tables on either side of us were beautifully put together and both had items I would love to have in my home. In fact, one of those Little Finch gingham pins is in my house right now! I couldn't resist buying one for myself at the end of the day. We had a good time talking about being Etsy sellers, The Wire, and other things we had in common. I definitely want to sit next to Little Finch peeps at a craft fair in the future!

So, thank you to all of our friends who stopped by. It was really awesome of you to come out and support us, give us feedback on the set up, and chat for a bit. It was fun getting to meet my customers face to face for the first time and now I'm really looking forward to Portobello West next weekend. I'll have some more new stuff there, as will Jeff! Hope to see you there! Thank you to everyone who stopped by the first ever Sadie table this weekend! You made our day!

crystal diorama sneak peak

Well, as I've mentioned before, I'm doing a couple of Christmas markets here in Vancouver this weekend and next and I want to have a few things with me that I don't usually sell. So, there will be some new jewelry, but also a little something that Jeff has been working on. Here is a sneak peak photo of the awesome crystal dioramas that will be available at BLIM and Portobello West. These little sculptures were really the inspiration for the crystal cave explorer necklaces. I'm really looking forward to seeing one that has yet to be made, that will feature a grizzly bear and a camper. Looking forward to the weekend and getting out of the house. I've been a prisoner of school work and weather and can't wait to be out enjoying Vancouver. Have a great weekend!

music for a snowy afternoon

I can't believe that it's 3pm, it's been snowing all day in Vancouver (that almost NEVER happens!), and it's getting dark out! We have the Christmas lights on in our studio and took some time out of the day to chuck snowballs and make a snow...donkey. Why not take a few minutes of your afternoon for this little pick me up:

And remember, the weekend is close!

snow is falling and I'm sitting with a pile of sterling silver chain in front of me

What a day! I'm putting together a presentation, doing homework for another class and making a big stack of earrings for the BLIM Market on Sunday. It looks like it's freezing outside, but I can't be sure, because I'm still inside, in my cozy apartment, in my living room/jewelry-making studio listening to episode after episode of This American Life. Here's a little sneak peak of what the Sadie table is going to look like at BLIM this weekend: 

Of course, there's a lot more to it, but I don't want to give it all away before the market happens. I'm also really looking forward to embarking on the Eastside Culture Crawl this weekend. I love the Mergatroid Building on Venebles the most, I think. So many different studios all in one place, and my favourite, Heyday Design is there, too! I think the ceramics are my favourite things to check out. I've tried making ceramics, but I always end up with a ten pound bowl with one side caved in or a hand-built cup that would draw blood if you actually tried to use it. It's not good! I don't know what it is about the pottery wheel, but I just don't get it, so I love looking at things made by local artist who do, totally, get it.

If you are coming to the BLIM Market this weekend, make sure you check out the baking that some of the vendors do. It is so delicious and really beautifully presented, too. I'm going to have some new pieces there, as well as lots of stuff that is in my Etsy shop, like this rutilated quartz crystal necklace, which my friend Carrah calls her "magical pan flute necklace"...we could all use a little more magical pan flute, I think.

I'm especially happy with some of the vintage pieces that I've been able to incorporate in my table set up, and with these embossed paper golden antlers, which I'm going to use as little extras in my packaging. I must get back to all of my work that needs to be done today, including preparing everything for the upcoming Sadie feature on Lune. Regardless of whether you think the holiday season has arrived a little too early, try listening to this classic (1996!) episode of This American Life: Christmas and Commerce. David Sedaris's Santaland Diaries gets me every time. If you haven't heard it, make today the day!