Valentine's Day is just around the corner, and what better way to show your love than by supporting local businesses? This year, skip the generic gifts and opt for something unique and locally made. Not only will you be spreading the love to your special someone, but you'll also be supporting your community. So, let's dive into our locally made Valentine's Day gift guide and find the perfect pick-me-up for your loved one!
It's not a holiday without a sweet treat. Soul Chocolate will bring a little sweetness into your life and you can feel good shopping with this local brand because their ingredients are organic, ethically sourced and fairly compensated. With each chocolate bar you can see on their website where their ingredients come from. They are all about traceability.
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I'll be honest, at times this was a hard listen. Miss Spears has been through it in her life, and hearing in her own words what was done against her, by the people closest to her, was tough. I hope writing this book was a big step in reclaiming her story and self.
I love old literature, but for me, this one didn't stack up the same as Emma or Pride and Prejudice. Those all have strong women who actively know their worth and do something about it. Tess knows her worth but is constantly put in situations where are concerned with themselves first. It was still a beautifully written book, but the male characters left a lot to be desired.
It took the beau and me a minute to finally watch this, but it was worth the wait! It grabs you at ep 1 and never lets you go. The acting, writing, and characters were spectacular, but the set design was impeccable. I love it when the scenery is a whole character in and of itself. Highly recommend this, it has real heart.
Upcycling unwanted materials shows me day after day how our over consumption is destroying our natural environments. Seeing my customers use their own ethical code when shopping gives me hope for the future. This editorial means a lot to Kaja and I. This past year we have watched forests taken down in our area to make way for homes.
I wish our forests were worth more to us.
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December always leads me back to Joni. The second I watch Love Actual I dive right back into my Joni Mitchell records. I love putting her albums on, getting my tea ready and diving into a book, these are the only things on my to-do list when I come back from OOAK.
I This book merges the 60's with theology by posing the question 'Does our literature still matter?' The author is looking to the 'Tower of Babel' story as inspiration. This book was up and down for me, at times it was riveting and had me thinking about the language we use today, at other times it was dry and too analytical. It wasn't my favourite read.
This is by no means a recommendation for this movie, but Chris Burns, @fatcarriebradshaw, gave this such a hilarious review online that the beau and I knew we needed to watch this good-bad movie stat, and it WOW it delivers. If you love a completely unconvincing plot & phoning it in acting, watch this movie for a good laugh.
I'm a big believer in reading the book first but didn't have time before seeing the Scorsese movie, so I opted for the audiobook and it is worth a listen. With any retelling things get changed and for me, David's documentation of these events features Mollie and her family at the forefront and I appreciated that. Plus it dives deeper into how and why this was happening.
I picked up 'The Queen's Man' randomly at a secondhand bookshop and it sent me down a path of reading the entire series. I love books that are both historical and fictional, and this author has perfected that genre. Now that I have burned through this series at my local library, I need to head back and see what other books this author has written.
I am obsessed with this show. I love period pieces; the history, the drama, the clothing, it's beautiful. This season has been dramatic, tear-jerking, and hilarious, each episode leaves me a little mad I am watching this episodically and haven't waited to watch the whole season!
It should be a creative force to help tell our stories.
Five years ago, my Gran asked if I could start finding gifts as it was getting harder for her to do the shopping. It is an honour to help carry on this tradition and I adore showing her the gifts before they get wrapped and placed on our table.
Jump start your holiday shopping by browsing the Under $30 Gift Guide.
MY COUSINS WIFE has the most gorgeous garden, she is a true green thumb. Radical Roots makes nutrient-packed balls of clay with native Canadian wildflower seeds. These flowers have been picked specifically for their benefit to the natural world and their aesthetic looks. Creating a beautiful garden in the palm of your hands.
MY COUSIN, BROTHER IN LAW & BEAU love golfing together. This year I decided to get them a gift certificate {for nine holes} from their favourite local golf course. Our new family tradition is gifting experiences and moments together!
Head to your local indoor or outdoor golf course to gift a certificate and support local.
MY MOM is so hard working and with her job as a nurse, her hands are looking for some nourishment at the end of a shift. Lovefresh makes this gorgeous heavy-duty hand cream, that is enriched with avocado oil and shea butter, perfect for parched hands.
MY AUNT is always looking for ways to be more eco-conscious. Last year I was gifted a pack beeswax food wrappers and it has stopped me using plastic wrap. This variety pack is perfect for newbies to these + they keep your food looking and tasting fresh. Seal your food sweetly and sustainably.
MY NEPHEWS both got jean jackets for their birthdays and they love adorning them with pins and patches, to help express their personalities. Patch yourself in and join the wolf pack with lots of adorable patch options.
MY GRANDPA loves a cookie in the afternoon, we always make sure he is stocked up with a sweet treat. Aunt Beth's puts an added spin on her cookies by cooking with whiskey! Being a rye man, I opted for the Canadian Club Rye and Ginger Cookies, these gems are packed with tons of fresh ginger then complimented with Canadian Club 100% Rye. An absolute fav!
MY COUSIN is an incredible cook, he loves expressing his love and friendship through food. The smell of this salt is incredible, flavoured from the flower buds that are picked from alder trees and then combined with their regular sea salt. This finishing salt has floral, earthy notes and hints of citrus. Perfect for that foodie in your life!
MY SISTER had the funniest photos of my nieces and nephew and with some fun editing I was able to make a cute custom collage for her. I knew I wanted it on a mug, but also wanted it printed locally, that is when I found this custom print company. They have lots of custom options, but their process was quick, easy and had fast shipping!
MY NIECES adore Cheetos, I mean did you see their Halloween Costumes? When I saw this adorable upcycled accessory bag, featuring their favourite snack, I knew they would cherish storing their treasures in them. This company features all kinds of snack bags turned into real bags, literally funking up your junk!
There are lots of podcasts out there about catfishing, but LOVE, Janessa focuses on why one woman's image is used so much when it comes to these 'love scams.' The host talks to different men who have "fallen" for Janessa, she talks to actual scammers and to Janessa herself. This was a very interesting look at this phenomenon.
My nephew and I have been reading this series for the last couple of years and we are almost done! We have been dragging out the last two books to make it last. This one harkened back to books 1 & 3 and was centered around the Dwarves and their stories which I love. If you are a fantasy fan, this is a good series and is a quick read.
Every October the beau and I want new spooky and psychological movies to watch. He found Ghostwatch, which was very bizarre and I'm not sure why it isn't talked about more. It was complete fiction, but broadcast and promoted as a live and true event. It caused hysteria in 1992 when it aired on Halloween with paranormal events portrayed. It was an interesting pop culture program to watch, if Halloween is your thing, this is a must-watch.
This gem is located in Orleans and is the perfect idea if you are looking to gift an experience. I took my niece and nephews to make a mug in a private ceramics class last year and we had so much fun. Steffi, owner/ceramist, is the perfect teacher; she is patient, clearly lays out the steps and gives her students the space to get creative. You can learn more about her and the two companies she has built in her Femme Stories Blog Post.
Imagine showing up to a Secret Santa or White Elephant Party with this stunning floral vase, it will be the must steal gift. Specifically designed to help propagate your plants, this vase is beautiful all on its own or growing your new plant baby.
I love a clutter free gift. Whether its a hostess gift or someone I don't know their style as well, I like to give something consumable rather than an item that takes up more space in their life. County Bounty offers unique farm-to-glass artisan soda. They are perfect on their own or mixed as a cocktail, plus they bring us a touch of Summer during the holiday season.
You might remember that this brand has been featured in my Thrift Shop Guide & my Maker Chat series. Recently they dropped their custom pet cardigans and the word STUNNING falls short to describe this beautiful wearable ode to our 4 legged friends. You have an option for a cardigan or wall hanging to pay homage to your pet. A truly one-of-a-kind gift and something that will be cherished forever.
Right now this a custom only gift so to inquire about your order email Amanda at pitstop.vintage@gmail.com
This 'Everday Bag' will hold everything in your life. Stylish and functional, it is great for your toiletries, hair products, diapers and wipes and anything else. It makes a chic gift on its own, or stuff it with all the essentials to treat that special someone in your life.
Artwork is such a meaningful gift and this company works exclusively with wood to create mosaics, mountains and landscapes. The texture and colour is striking, making this a perfect gift for someone who loves the outdoors or for a family cottage.
Determined to give a fun gift, this is it! These elaborately hand painted press on nails are gorgeous. Such a cute and glamourous gift, plus there are lots of colour options. Everything from mix and match, to solid colours, and patterns that will make it look like you spent hours at the nail salon, plus you can choose your nail shape option.
The Doodle Hoodie is my latest upcycling project, and a must have for any Copious fan. Surprise them with my hand embroidered doodles and feel good about gifting sustainable fashion.
This is not your average jewellery. Each piece mixes the beauty of jewellery making and ceramics. Gorgeous shapes, designs and colours shine brightly in each piece. Any of these designs would make a phenomenal gift that would be cherished.
The holidays can be hard if you are away from the people you love. Sending them a piece of Canadiana, especially in this mod pop up style would be a piece of home. Each Damn Fine Print pays tribute to our beautiful country, from our national parks, institutions and favourite foods, all done in a modern style with a touch of vintage.
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Last week I got to see the Red Hot Chili Peppers live, which was an EXPERIENCE! Their songs are some of my favourites, and each time I listen to them I discover new lyrics or notes in the songs, but live, they are beyond amazing. Flea (bassist) & John (guitarist) did so many solos. They took the crowd on a journey and blew all of our minds!
I love looking at both sides of any story, this book does just that. Focused on a character who is Vietnamese, British, and a Communist with an American education. Because of all these things he is never really accepted anywhere, all because people want him to be all one thing or don't want him at all. Set at the end of the Vietnam War, as America is leaving, his life is once again put into a tailspin as he tries to be all things to all people.
This was the best show I have watched all year! Incredibly heartwarming and hilarious, this show got me right from the jump. It documents the rise of the Lakers dynasty, and it is filmed documentary-style. John C. Riley gives a dynamic performance as the owner, Dr. Jerry Buss, and shows off how he implemented what we now consider the norm during NBA games.
This podcast had me hooked. Your Copious gal has needed 100% focus on sewing, and a good podcast majorly helps keep that focus. Each season of this podcast is really good and had me hooked and ready to jump into listening each day. I like that it focuses on crimes that aren't normally covered in this genre.
I love old literature. It takes me to a different time, it always has hidden meanings and I love old English. Oliver Twist at times was beautiful, at other times was painful to read. You just wanted him to have a happy ending. If you are a fan of Jane Austen or Louisa May Alcott, I would recommend giving Dickens a try!
This was hilarious. It tells a side of the Watergate scandal I didn't know about and this depiction of these men and their need to have power and "do good" for the president was comedy gold! Both actors are perfect in their roles, plus it happened in 1972, so amazing wardrobe & music.
My focus has waxed and waned over the last month. This always happens when a project is very repetitive. A good podcast can help keep me focused and not stray. Season 3 was intriguing and helped me keep stitching scrap fabric together. It focuses on a narcissist and what a storm they create in the people around them.
My cousin got me hooked on Joe Abercrombie and was excited for me to read this book in particular because it is a female lead. I loved her drive and determination, and that she was a little salty! Female characters in the fantasy world are often only there to be sexualized and Monza Murcatto was a well-rounded person who was fighting to get to her goal, I couldn't put this book down and enjoyed that it brought in characters from the First Law Trilogy.
Christopher Nolan is an epic storyteller, and Oppenheimer is his next great film. It is a poignant story to gain traction right now with the rise of AI, it poses many questions. Do the creators of the product have control over it? Do they get to decide when and if it is used? Do we trust our lawmakers to know when and if it should be used? How do we know when we have gone too far? As always Nolan's film has you walking out looking at the world differently and asking the questions that should be considered.
I love secondhand resellers because you can narrow down to businesses that thrift your style and they do the sourcing for us. It is a great way to add unique clothing to your wardrobe. You can shop a lot of these thrifters at local markets, or follow them online to stay up to date with their new drops.
All month I have been bingeing all the acts I will be seeing at Bluesfest and I can't wait to see Shania on stage! Her albums were played a lot in my house and even loved by my grandpa. I have the cutest outfit ready for the concert and I'll be testing out a spring 2024 item.
This book is perfect, I couldn't put it down. From beginning to end it tells a powerful and emotional story. Starr Carter is our main character and with every page turn, you are rooting for her. I don't want to give anything away but this is a must-read and is written for young adults so it would make a gift for that book reader in your life.
This film was amazing, one of the best I have watched in a long time. Highly inspired by Hitchcock and Tarantino, this is a suspenseful horror film that will leave you screaming. You don't know what is happening until the end and when it's over you are happy because you can breathe, but also a little sad because it is one of those movies that you can't ever watch again.
The bridal industry is always pushing trends, just like fast fashion. May and I talked a lot about which details we could push creatively and which we should keep classic. May wanted to look back in 20 years and see a timeless gown that reflected her cool girl status, not a trend of the moment. With this in mind she opted for a classic white gown, fitted with a slight mermaid flare, a slit to give her height and to bring in a touch of her personal style, pleated sleeves.
To make sure our modern aspect stayed ageless we opted for a crinoline sleeve to allow the silhouette to be more graceful. Plus, I draped each sleeve on May to make sure it was full where we wanted and slimmer along her forearm to create an elegant silhouette. Ultimately this gown turned out just like May, a classic beauty that is unique and timeless.
"I always knew it was Carissa who would be making my wedding dress, I have been in love with her gown styles since the day I met her! Making my dress with Carissa was better than I could have ever imagined. We had a vision that started one way and shifted through our process - she was patient, honest and so helpful in guiding me to make the best decision for ME. Any time I was doubtful about my choice, she let me see different styles etc, so that I was 100% sure with what I wanted and could walk down the aisle with no regrets. She shifted with the changes so gracefully and told me when I was teetering away from our vision because of outside influence (we all know this feeling!) The process was so much fun and so natural for us, I wish I could make every gown in my closet with her!"
I started the First Law Series by Joe Abercrombie 5 years ago, but for some reason never went onto Book 3. Wanting to dive back in, I listened to Books 1 and 2 to refresh myself on events. I remember now why I stopped, this series moves slowly, but I can attest Book 3 is amazing, so I'm happy to be finishing off this story on a high note.
Keeping with my Joe Abercrombie reading, I dove into this stand-alone book. It is set in the same world and features characters from The First Law Trilogy. It is a lovely read and explores these characters years after the original Trilogy events. If you are a fan of picking up easter eggs, this is a great read, with little hints and nods to the original books.
This is going to be up there as one of the best shows I have watched all year. The writing, acting, set design, clothing & music is perfect. With the abundance of content, it is rare to find a show that has such attention to detail. It is profoundly human and forces these characters to confront their deep sadness, it is beautiful.
For as long as I can remember, secondhand clothing has influenced my style. It helped me learn that menswear is sewn WAY better than womenswear and can last longer. Every time I step into a thrift store I head right to the men’s section. It taught me that jackets made before the 2000’s are impeccable and helped me realize that no outfit is complete without a stunning jacket. It also helped me grow as a designer. It allowed me to find designs (cheaply) and open them up to see how they designed and sewed that style. Most importantly it has showed me how much clothing exists, truly gorgeous and well made pieces just waiting to be discovered. Not everyone enjoys the hunt though, and I get that, so I have compiled 10 thrifters that are doing the hunting to bring you the best of the best secondhand clothing.
Each one has their own unique style and brand, so you need to find which one best suits your style and follow them. The other thing that I love about thrifting is that it is all about timing. That moment you walk into the store, or check your Instagram and your favourite shop has listed an epic piece, getting it is the best feeling, like it was destined to be with me, making that piece extra special.
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This was an ok listen, but it could have gone a lot deeper, it really is surface-level. It is centred in the Phoenix Goddess Temple. where “seekers” are offered healing sessions through sensual touch with a goddess. Some see it as a church, some a brothel, but ultimately I think this could have gone a lot deeper on how society views female sexuality and how we never look to empower women but need to paint them in one of two roles, victims or villains.
I don't read a lot of biographies, I prefer a fictional world built for me, but this was a lovely read. My favourite part was learning how she took her unique experiences throughout her life, often being the only female in board rooms, and more often only woman of colour, and recognizing that it was her confidence that let her speak up. She used that as a guiding force for her mentorship program at the White House, which saw young women coming in and building their own confidence in a safe space. Her legacy is long-lasting and made for a beautiful read.
Each Monday I am running home from work to get my fill of Succession. For me, season 3 fell off and became really repetitive, so I am thrilled that for the final season, they are pulling out all the stops. No spoilers, but this season has been deliciously awkward, and emotionally uncomfortable, all made possible because of incredible acting.
This is a great listen, it kept me gripped and focused while sewing. It takes you to different aspects of the ocean, how unpoliced it truly is, and how outlaws have been allowed to do whatever they want. It was very educational and opened my eyes to how committed with have to be to buying local.
If you follow Copious on Instagram, you will have seen me raving about this book. Olivia Laing pulls together a career's worth of writing about art and culture, examining their role in our political and emotional lives. It truly inspires us to push forward and instills how important art is to not only consume but to make.
I haven't watched this since college, where we studied costumery and set design in this film. With Part 2 coming out, I wanted to do a rewatch and it did not disappoint. This holds up 10-plus years later as a true comedic gem. Highly recommend watching this to bring a little jovial joy into your life.
My focus this past month has been putting the finishing touches on threaded | edition 13. New no labels, just vibes t-shirts are now available to shop to help put you in that spring vibe.
My grandmother has upcycled items her whole life, within her family it was necessary because there was not enough money to go around. She continued these habits in her own family home to help save money, and even though her focus wasn’t about saving the environment, her generation was better at this than the generations that followed. She turned old sheets into cloth for my grandpa to varnish with, old towels became rags for cleaning, milk bags became “baggies” to freeze fresh fruit and vegetables, she saved the water she boiled potatoes in to use as stock for future soups. When she made clothes for my mom and aunt, she saved scrap fabric for future projects, be it quilts, or making doll clothes, she saved everything because she knew it had value.
Trends are cyclical, and upcycling has become trendy again, but we need to start looking past these things as “trends”, and more as a lifestyle and necessary choice we need to make as a society. With the rise of fast fashion in the early 2000’s my generation was set up to start consuming at a rate our parents and grandparents never had. We unwittingly started to buy inexpensive clothing that started to become throw away to us. We had trends and products pushed on us faster and faster, which has only been accelerated within all industries. This equation has sky rocketed the amount of "stuff" donated in the last two decades, leading us to our current situation, where there is more secondhand products than we know what to do with. As creatives it is our job to start looking at what already exists and put our creativity to the maximum test by repurposing discarded materials to create a product of higher quality.
Our future is dependent on recognizing our power as consumers. Most of the products that are pushed on us are designed with planned obsolescence in mind, putting us in an endless cycle of buying new, poorly made products, to replace our old poorly made products from companies that have no recycling or upcycling plan for their damaged products. This is why my mantra before buying is; BUY LOCAL, BUY SECONDHAND, BUY LESS. With this mantra in mind we can start to avoid the endless traps and targeted ads of useless, deficiently made products and while upcycling isn't directly in this mantra, upcycling is ever present in most local companies and shopping secondhand is in and of itself an act of upcycling.
By BUYING LOCAL, you are supporting a business that is designing their products to last. We stand by our products and will fix, alter or replace any item that doesn't meet our standards of longevity. Local designers see their waste every day because we are our production team, upcycling becomes necessary because we care where our waste goes. Local businesses like With Nini, Goodfarken, Diana Coatsworth, Ardent Earth, Wyatt House & Roncy Packs are upcycling to create products with better designs than the original. Whether they work with secondhand materials or their own scrap fabric, they are a part of the solution by upcycling materials that are not biodegradable.
BUY LESS. This is the one that is the hardest for me to write about, being a business that depends on your support of buying my designs, I never want to come across as hypocritical, but it is an important action we can implement in our lives. When I started seeing the cycle of myself buying big box store products that had no thought, care, or design integrity, then ultimately they didn't suit my needs and ended up being donated. It became clear to me that the only responsible way to shop was local, secondhand and the first option should be buying less.
Through my Candid Copious blog posts, I want to bring you on the journey I have gone through to become a more responsible consumer and business owner. I have always been a thrifter and upcycler and bringing these aspects into my brand just made sense to my aesthetic. Diving further into the secondhand world I see how many items are donated, whether stained, ripped, stretched, bought on a whim, or just not wanted anymore. Clothing, fabric and so many of the products donated are not garbage, they will not decompose. As consumers, we know supporting local is essential, but we also need to see how hard these businesses are working to create circular ecosystems. Whether through their initial design integrity or through upcycling materials that have been donated. You have the power to shop with creatives that are putting in the work to make products slowly. This year lets recognize how important it is to support makers who upcycle.
Check out my Canadian Upcyclers Guide to find more upcyclers to support. Plus check out my LIVE with Jenn from With Nini, we will dive deeper into what it is to be an upcycler, why it costs more and the BTS work. PLUS throughout the month of May I will be showcasing upcycling tips for you to do at home!
Upcycling is a new buzzword that is kicking around our ethos, but it is not a new term. I love when I see creatives make this a part of their brand. I met Paul from Goodfarken at OOAK last year and with a quick pass by his booth, I knew instantly he was using existing items to make his bags. It is such a smart idea that produces truly unique products. In the case of Goodfarken, Paul is taking T-shirts and turning them into Tee Bags.
Goodfarken is a brand that makes Tee Bags, but my vision for the future is much bigger. For right now this is a big enough category that I can focus on. I love taking things that already exist and turning them into something else, it's a passion I've had forever. I think it goes back to going to auctions when I was a kid with my dad and he would buy furniture and refinish it. I loved seeing that transformation of something becoming new, better, and cool again.
Yes, sustainability has been with me for my adult life. When I went off to university in the early 90s, I wanted to save the world, so I got my degree in Environment and Resource Management. I was very conscious of the movement, that we are still currently in and fighting for. Long story short, yes, it’s been a part of me and my values for as long as I can remember.
The outside of each Goodfarken bag is made from a t-shirt. The inside is double layered, one is a cotton canvas, this isn’t upcycled, but helps me create consistency throughout my products. The other inside layer, the one you see, is salvaged materials, it could be bed sheets or off-cut fabric. The pockets are all upcycled from jeans, and then I use a karate belt for the strap, 30% of these are second-hand, but the rest I have to buy.
Honestly, I'm really just sourcing here, in Ontario. I do get people sending me their old t-shirts as well though. They ship them to me from the states and all over Canada. I try and keep the word out to my customers because they are always looking to donate their clothing responsibly and I can offer them a way to do that with select items.
I started that in 2019. I'm really conscious of the fact that if I'm buying band tees and turning them into bags, then I want to give back, you know? With the Unison Benevolent Fund, I donate Music Tee Bags to them for their fundraising. I do have an agreement with The Tragically Hip where I buy their old shirts and excess stock that they have and they get royalties’ from the bags of theirs I sell. I always want to get more awareness out there and help the Canadian Music Industry.
I am reading Harry Potter with my kids & for myself, The Time Machine by H.G Wells
Being an upcycler takes a certain kind of creativity. You use a different part of your creative brain to look at existing items and see new life for them. It is something we all need to start doing and when I see makers implementing this into their companies I want to shine a light on them. What is more sustainable than making a unique, well-made product from something that someone doesn’t want anymore? Goodfarken literally has SO many options, they have a bag for everyone. Whether you are into music, movies, sports, or a pop culture junkie, these bags are cool, sustainable, and useful, they are goodfarken!
Check out Goodfarken at the One of a Kind Show March 28th - April 1st, get your tickets here, plus make sure to follow Paul's journey on instagram.
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Dr. Dante is Season 5 of this podcast series and each season features a con artist and their origin story, cons, and the fallout of their choices. This isn't my favourite season but has been good entertainment and kept me focused while sewing Hunter Jean Jackets.
I love Farely Mowat. Reading his literature is full-on Canadiana and so pure, he writes from his heart. This book was about his love for being on the water and about a particular boat that literally wouldn't float. After a rush purchase, just to be a boat owner, Farley, and his friends spend time learning its intricacies and trusting her enough to sail from the east coast to Montreal for Expo 67'.
After the success of Interview of a Vampire, I was very excited about the adaptation of Mayfair Witches but it has left a little to be desired. It just doesn't hit the same way and the main character isn't compelling enough to keep me coming back. Let me know what you think.
As stated above, this copious gal has stated very focused on 'no labels, just vibes.' There are so many new styles coming your way and you won't have to wait much longer to see them. The One of a Kind Spring Show is coming up quickly, March 29th - April 2nd. Make sure to grab tickets because this year marks the return of the fashion show and the competition at centre stage.
As creatives we are at the forefront of showing clients what can be done with upcycling. Often, materials that are damaged, stained or seen as garbage have negative vibes, but we also have reached a point where we are not looking to fix our products. This is where upcyclers can step in and can bring new life to materials and save them from the landfill.
This guide will introduce you to upcyclers, who are actively working with materials that are on secondhand or discarded and are giving them new value.
This brand is one of my favourites, they are a pop culture junkies dream! From resin wall art and trays, to coasters, to placements, they cut and upcycle from original vintage sources. Their art is colourful, retro & taking something old and making it new again.
If you have ever walked through a secondhand store you will see racks of t-shirts. It is a popular clothing item for all types of brands to promote themselves, but this also leads to this beloved item being donated, a lot. Goodfarken has found a way to take these tees and turn them into Tee Bags. A perfect cross body bag that helps you carry all your things + show off your favourite brand.
Diane's talent for couture takes her upcycling to the next level. Her stunning blouses, cashmere sweaters, blanket and chenille jackets are all created from existing products. She has an eye for beautiful prints and patterns, her upcycled clothing is a showstopper, literally I've done shows with Diane, her booth makes me stop every time! Clothing should have a story, be special and in turn make you feel special, with Diane's Coatsworth's clothing you will be special.
This is your one stop shop for all products that are environmentally friendly and zero waste. The product that caught my eye were their tote bags and laundry hampers that are upcycled from coffee bags. They are such a stand out product that people will instantly recognize the original product for what it is and see the value in recycling these coffee bags into daily use bags.
For the little ones in my life I am looking to give experiences over presents, unless it is as something as special as this upcycled jewellery boxes. These one of a kind treasure keepers are perfect for someone to hold all their special jewels and charms. By upcycling these vintage jewellery boxes, this maker is creating future heirlooms for a whole new generation to love.
You might recognize this company from my Holiday Gift Guide, but they deserve a second mention because of their upcycling skills and work to build their own eco-system. I adore a company that thinks not only of where their original fabric comes from, but where the scrap fabric they create will go. Roncy Packs has built awesome connections with local designers, cutters, upholstery shops and drapery stores, plus they source materials in like-new condition from thrift shops. They use these off-cuts to sew their solid fanny pack. Their scrap fabric is pieced together to make one-of-a-kind patchwork fanny packs, mini wallets and cardholders. Remaining teeny unusable bits are brought to Viking, a company that properly recycles fabric. Their craftsman ship is only rivaled by their upcycling skills and I whole-heartedly appreciate their eco-conscious values.
I have and will continue to say; upcycling has to be apart of our future. There are so many products, materials, just stuff that exists and we need to look for opportunities to create new products with higher quality and value than the original.
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Over the holiday break, I decided to reorganize my records and put them in order of date. It has me diving into all my favourite albums, but specifically, The Beatles.
This has become one of my favourite books I have ever read. It was beautifully written and completely pulls you into the world of Michelangelo, sculpture, and the political nature of Italy during the Renaissance. Especially after just visiting Italy and seeing so many of his works in person and traveling in the cities he made art in, this was a special read.
This movie was put on my radar by miss Kaja and wow if you have ever worked in the service industry this is a must-watch. This movie hilariously compares and contrasts the class system. It also comments on today's influencer and reality tv celebrities, they brilliantly speak to our obsession with the depiction of our lives on the screen versus real life.
I met Vanessa when we were both living in Toronto, I was just starting Copious and she was a fashion blogger who was hugely supportive of the local design community. She was always at FAT Runway Shows & coming to local markets to support designers like myself, Birds of North America and Dessert and Skirts, just to name a few. I instantly loved how genuine she was, Vanessa wasn’t in this for the free clothes, in fact she bought from me, she worked to get our names out there because she was passionate about Canadian Made clothing. Vanessa has brought that same passion to her new brand, Raised by Hippies, where she is bringing us all the music history from the 20th century.
Raised by Hippies is an educational media brand. I am giving you historical knowledge about music, but it is also entertainment, it’s sort of fun! This is honestly my personality since I was a kid. I remember in the sixth grade, kids used to call me hippie because I was giving the peace sign all the time.
I’ve been working with social media in various ways for a long time and I have always found it to be fascinating, and unique to our generation. With the pandemic, I was stuck at home with my kid and I was living far away from most of the people I knew, so I needed a new project and it was my partner who told me about Tik Tok. He was the one who said, this is more interesting than how the media is portraying it.
At the time, Instagram and the algorithm, as we know was very oppressive, making it hard to start anything new. I was frustrated with the whole thing and thought why not try a different app and see where it goes? One day I posted one of my videos and it got 1000 views, this had not happened on Instagram I was sort of baffled, but I kept posting to Tik Tok and before I knew it I was getting 5000, then 20 000, then 100 000 views on videos!
Glitter Up the Dark: How Pop Music Broke the Binary by Sasha Geffe & Face it by Debbie Harry
I love stickers! Like love them, I have an entire bookcase covered in them, so why not gift that funky friend with a sticker to bring a little joy into their life.
The Conscious Heart Sweater is always a great gift for Valentine's Day, plus this edition is all about upcycling as much waste as possible. Each heart is made from scrap denim that would normally be thrown away.
A mug is such a great gift. February is all about getting cozy with tea, coffee or hot cocoa, so why not do it with a gorgeous mug. If I got this gift, I would instantly be on the couch with a good book and this mug full of tea!
A reason I have come around to Valentine's Day is that in February who couldn't use a gift that helps you with your self care. Bath bombs are the perfect gift and such a lovely way to make sure your special someone is taking their 'me time.'
Want to learn more about these brands? Check my Maker Chats with each of these local businesses.
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In the end Kaja followed her heart and opted for a golden netted and sequin fabric that we lined with gold Peau de Soie. This fabric helped give us the structure we needed to create her fitted mermaid gown. Kaja envisioned both aspects, a gown that was fitted, with geometric details to highlight her waist, but she also wanted ethereal, so we did a flowing chiffon train and gathered skirt to fit her beachside ceremony.
When it came to her bridesmaids, Kaja pictured a colourful wedding party. With her bridesmaids choosing the colour they wanted, they were able to pick any style and 4 of them asked me make their bridesmaid dresses.
Working on this gown was so special. There are three women who helped me grow my company, Kaja, Kay & May and I have had the privilege of making each of their gowns and being with them on their wedding days. I have such a beautiful bond with each of my Copious Bride's, but with Kaja I got to watch the gown go from an idea, to a sample, to her wedding gown, to seeing it walk down the aisle. It is a moment I will cherish and remember vividly.
"From day one I knew I wanted a dress that was truly me. I wanted modern details, however I couldn't figure out how to incorporate them without it getting out of hand. Carissa helped me with all of these aspects. She patiently explained patterns, shapes, cuts and lines, helping me to understand what would work with my body and my vision. I LOVE my dress, and I thoroughly enjoyed the process of designing it."
-- Kaja Tirrul
My favourite videos to watch online are made by Raised by Hippies where she gives us the history of different musicians, bands & songs and she created this awesome playlist. I have had it on repeat all month long. I was lucky enough to talk with Vanessa for a future Femme Stories edition.
This is my favourite series. I read it for the first time when I was 12 and recently gifted the first half of the series to my nephew. He is burning through them, so I had to quickly reread book 4 to catch up to him. I adore that he is falling in love with reading.
This year we wanted to add a new holiday movie to our watching list. This looked like Home Alone, but for adults, it fell a little short but was still good for a laugh.
I've been on a major grunge binge lately. I can't claim credit for making this playlist, but it is pretty perfect. There is not a single song I skip.
I am obsessed with reading Jane Austen. I love the will they, won't they romantic drama, and I also really love how beautifully books from this era were written. Highly recommend this read.
The books and original movies are some of my favourites, so there were high standards for this new interpretation, and it did not disappoint. I loved the casting, the changes they made were necessary and done beautifully to update this classic.