Sunday, November 30, 2014

vendor profie: Pirate Polish





Pirate Polish is designed, hand-crafted, and bottled in Saskatoon! All lacquers are produced using a nail lacquer base free of formaldehyde, toluene, and dibutyl phthalate. Among the Pirate Polish collection, you'll find unique colour combinations, holographic shimmers, blindingly-bright neons, and just about any colour and shape of glitter you can imagine. Pirate Polish's handmade nail lacquer also makes a fantastic Christmas gift for the lacquer-lover in your life (be sure to check out our winter collection)! New this year, Pirate Polish is happy to offer a wider selection of miniature-sized nail lacquers for those craving a greater variety of lacquers in a smaller package. We also look forward to offering several combination duos featuring solid shades and glitter overlays designed to be worn together. We hope to see you at the show! 

www.etsy.com/ca/shop/PiratePolish
www.facebook.com/PiratePolish

Saturday, November 29, 2014

vendor profile: The Maker of it All








Stephanie Canning is a graduate from the University of Saskatchewan, where she studied printmaking and sculpture. She creates sewn accessories, home decor, and soft sculptures from colourful cotton fabrics and wool felt. In addition to creating her "Maker of it All" line, Stephanie works part-time at the Saskatchewan Craft Council as an Exhibitions and Education Coordinator. She finds great inspiration in Saskatchewan's growing craft community, and hopes that her handmade and one-of-a-kind works can bring a little bit of enjoyment to someone's day.

Stephabeee.blogspot.ca

vendor profile: Rachael Kroeker Ceramics








Bio:
Rachael Kroeker is an emerging ceramic artist who was born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba.  She completed her BFA with honours in May of 2009 from the University of Manitoba, and after turning down acceptance to Rhode Island School of Design she still hopes to complete an MFA.  Rachael was selected as one of the artists in residence at the Medalta clay centre in Medicine Hat in 2010, and continues to be an active member of the local ceramic community participating in sales, and a recent solo show in 2013. As of 2014, Rachael Kroeker is one of the newest members of the Stoneware Gallery, the long running ceramic artist co-operative. Her work can also be found at the WAG gift shop, David Rice Jewellery and Objects, and The Canadian Museum of Human Rights.

Rachael works with slip cast forms, using a variety of stains to colour her clay bodies which she marbles and/or layers in plaster molds. The raw porcelain has been sanded multiple times to achieve a soft, supple surface.

Statement:
Form and aesthetics are the founding elements in my slip cast functional ware, and for the last several years I have been committed to achieving a harmonious balance between function, comfort and beauty. This style of modern elegance honours both the essence of utilitarian objects, and the idea of beauty in function. The supple surface of raw, unglazed porcelain engages the viewer to become the user, with a new relationship created through the sense of touch. My pieces are both a visual and tactile experience.

Ideas of strata and landscapes can be affiliated to my current work. My tricoloured series explores erosion, a subtractive process which reveals hidden surface layers and reinforces the formal considerations of line movement and colour. While my marbling series explores a more fluid and organic line movement which evokes an ever changing landscape each unique to itself, much as the interpretation made by each individual.


Contact:
rachael_kroeker@hotmail.com
www.rachaelkroeker.com

Friday, November 28, 2014

vendor profile: Van Charles Art







To date my body of work narrates an authentic adventure through the Canadian wilderness. Equipped with a backpack and a camera, I travel to the deepest points of the Canadian backcountry to capture images of nature that will later be digitally collaged, applied to hand crafted wooden supports and detailed with acrylic paint.

@vancharlesart -Instagram
www.vancharlesart.com

vendor profile: burntwood makery








A Saskatchewan-based outfit, burntwood makery currently focuses on crafting wooden utensils for cooking and eating. Burntwood utensils are hand-shaped from reclaimed and found woods of North American origin. The designs and sculptural aspects of each piece are intended to elevate and celebrate these everyday tools.

Find burntwood makery on Facebook.

Thursday, November 27, 2014

vendor profile: Uncle Mike's All Natural Products





Uncle Mike’s All Natural Products began in 2009 when, as a climber, I needed a salve to strengthen and repair my dry and damaged hands. I started researching natural oils and the healing powers of essential oils. As I read and learned about their powerful natural properties, I wanted to experiment and create other products. This led to numerous experiments in the kitchen and a collection of products. As word spread, I began to hand out samples to friends and family. It didn’t take long before my friends and family were spreading the word and I was receiving requests for a natural replacement for other everyday products. After salve came deodorant, then toothpaste and soap, shampoo, laundry soap, aftershave, muscle mud, perfumes, room deodorizers, incense, and the list keeps growing!

While I feel I have perfected many of my products, I continue to enjoy the artistic and scientific aspect of creating new products and new blends and will always be in the process of creating the next new natural alternative. All of my products are hand made in small batches using only steam distilled essential oils and cold pressed vegetable oils. No synthetic colours, fragrances or additives so that you get the purest most natural product.

You can always find a full selection of products at unclemikesnatural.com and stay up to date with my adventures and new products by following me on Instagram (unclemikesnatural) Twitter (@umnatural), and my Facebook (Uncle Mike's All Natural Products).

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

pre-sale tickets today at noon!!!




For the first time ever, Flock and Gather is hosting a one hour shopping pre-sale! 
Taking place from 3-4pm before the opening of our Winter Wonders market, 
the pre-sale is a chance to shop for handmade goods 
(and more importantly meet the amazing vendors who created them)
all in a relaxed atmosphere. 
The pre-sale will only be open to 50 people, and is a ticketed event. 
The tickets, at only $10, help to fund the Flock and Gather markets and community events that we host. Flock and Gather loves the handmade community and is run on volunteer hours, so we'd like to say a big thank you for the support!
 

vendor profile: Lori Degenstien Designs











Since leaving city life behind four years ago and settling into the blissful calm of rural Saskatchewan, I've finally created the space I need to be able to explore my creativity while raising my three children.

I'm deeply inspired by nature and the beauty of the Saskatchewan prairies. I love spending quiet summer mornings outside with my coffee and crocheting. I'll certainly never get enough of exploring the many back country roads with my camera and three noisy kids piled into the backseat.

I'm usually up late at night after the kids have been put to bed working on various projects. I always feel like there are never quite enough hours in a day...

I currently maintain an Etsy shop as well as supply several boutiques across Canada with my items. I love doing local farmer's markets and local craft shows too.

www.loridegenstien.com
http://instagram.com/loridegenstien
www.etsy.com/shop/thecharmlady

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

vendor profile: Made By Andi









As a full-time business educator over at The Dream Job Shop, one of my favourite passions is to be able to create jewelry and accessories with my own two hands.

Originally I started my creative journey making handbags full-time from vintage leather jackets. But after sewing over 2,000 bags, my motivation level decided that it might be time to try something new.

At that point, I began to play with jewelry and instantly fell in love. I love the idea of creating pieces that delicately enhance the wearer, versus take all the attention away from them - for that reason my designs focus on simplicity. I'm also really inspired by the colour turquoise and how it compliments brass so nicely - I'm ever exploring new ways that this pairing can help me express my ideas.

I don't think I'll ever fully get away from sewing and textiles. I like to think it's in my blood at this point and makes up the core of who I am. I really love to create simple clutches with bold pattern choices and leather accents. These are easy for women to carry as an accent at parties, or throw in a bigger bag to help organize their stuff.

Having the ability to create jewelry and accessories helps me to explore my passion and balance everything out. And although I now spend my days over at The Dream Job shop helping other creative business owners learn the business side of things, I'll never be able to put away the creative side of my own journey.

:)


www.thedreamjobshop.com

Monday, November 24, 2014

vendor profile: Andrei Feheregyhazi







I paint Eggs and robots. Well, I paint, paintings of Eggs, and Tragic Robots powered by steam. I work mainly in watercolour, and if there isn't a good/terrible pun for my painting there is likely a story.

I received my BFA in 2004 and have continued making art ever since. I've also been working in film and animation for the past 7 years, and have collaborated with people from around the world. Working in film might help explain why almost all my work has some sort of narrative to it. I hope I get the chance to share some of my stories with you.

fajigajiga.com
http://instagram.com/fajigajiga
https://twitter.com/fajigajiga