Turkey Day Prize Giveaways!

Gorgeous goodies up for grabs from Ellie and Len!

Two sleeps until Urban Craft, kids! Are you as excited as we are!? We're always so blown away by how talented our awesome vendors are. They're so full of creativity, ingenuity and create the most beautiful, useful and unique things. It's impossible not to enjoy working with such a talented group of folks. As it turns out, these group of folks also happen to be incredibly generous, and this month a whole slew of fantastic vendors has stepped up to donate prizes that you can win simply for coming to the show! Woo! Here's the lineup of the awesome vendors that will be donating prizes:

• N Product
• My Stow N Tow
• Kiersten Eagan Illustration
• Strut Jewelry 
• Alyssa Spaxman Design
• Koko Chocolates
• Ellie and Len
• West End Chiles
• VersaTile Design

From gourmet gift packs to lovely jewelry, gorgeous prints to delicious treats--you're going to want to get your hands on these goodies, guys! Just fill out an Urban Craft survey when you come through the door on Saturday and you'll be entered to win!

Urban Craft's October Edition
Saturday, October 6, 2012
10am-2pm
The Great Canadian Theatre Company (1233 Wellington Street West - At Holland)

Urban Craft: The Thanksgiving Edition!

Happy fall, folks! We love this time of year at Urban Craft headquarters. A slight chill in the air, pumpkin-flavored everything, warm scarves and gloves & the changing of the leaves in Gatineau Park. What's not to love!? The turn in the weather also signals that one of our favorite holidays is near: Thanksgiving!

If you've got friends and family coming to town this holiday weekend, bring them down to Urban Craft this Saturday! In addition to our awesome usual lineup of vendors, we have 5 new vendors who will be at Urban Craft for the first time! Plus DAVIDsTEA will be on hand with free tastings of their awesome tea -and- we'll have gifts for the first 25 people through the door! What's not to love?

Now: a sneak peek of those brand new vendors. We think you're going to love them!

Kiersten Eagans illustrations are just so charming & intriguing. I love her illustration style & can't wait to see her work in person!

 

Ellie and Len create darling vintage-inspired jewelry with a modern twist. 

 

N-Product makes this awesome ring, which is made from cardboard! Can you believe that? I can't wait to check their work out in person!

West End Chiles creates unique jellies, spice mixes & other tasty treats. With flavors like Mango Habanero and Port Wine Serrano, I can't wait to pick up a jar to pair with some cheese for Thanksgiving on Monday!

If you're looking for some treats to take to your Thanksgiving celebrations, Morsel Desserts will be at Urban Craft for the first time with awesome cupcakes, bars & delectable loaves to take to your Turkey Day dinner! Yum!

The Full Lineup:

Purple Urchin

Strut Jewelry

Urbanite Jewelry

VersaTile

Kokobaru

Bake Mob

Jasmine Virani

Heart Meets Paper

Flo Glassblowing

Koko Chocolates

Salvage Jewelry

Magneties

Morsel Desserts

Red Door Provisions

Kiersten Eagan Illustration

N-Product

My Stow N Tow

West End Chiles

Ellie & Len

We can't wait to see you all there!

Urban Craft's October Edition
Saturday, October 6, 2012
10am-2pm
The GCTC (1233 Wellington Street West - At Holland)

Urban Craft's Birthday Recap!

One year. One whole year of shows! Guys--we are so proud of Ottawa and so happy to be a part of this community (as always). You showed up in droves to support us and made our birthday show a smashing success! If we could give you all kisses and hugs, we would. A recap of the festivities in pictures:

Our outdoor signs, all dressed up for our birthday!

Our crazy long lineup out the door! You guys are fantastic!

Our ever-awesome producer and front door gal, Amy of Splendid Events!

The wonderful Andrea of Yelp! hands out free bags to attendees

Salvage Jewelry's awesome vintage jewelry & table display

Red Door Provision's gourmet preseves

heart meets paper's lovely paper goods

Vibrant cake pops from Bake Mob

Purple Urchin's line of handmade bath & body goodies

The lovely Kate of Flights of Fancy

Monsters never looked so adorable (from Kokobaru)

Sapling // Seedling's adorably awesome mini book pendants!

Funky screen-printed ties from Magneties!

Eufemia Bella's vintage-inspired home goods

Flo Glass Blowing's gorgeous hand-blown garden stix!

Tribal inspired jewelry from Jasmine Virani

A huge huge thanks to all the vendors, volunteers and especially to all of you from the public who came out to support the show! We love you to pieces!

Urban Craft's 1st Birthday: The Swag!

Earrings up for grabs from urbanite jewelry!

Things are really gearing up here at Urban Craft headquarters! We just finished packing up the mini swag bags and they are almost ready to go! If you're lucky enough to be one of the first 25 people through the door at our birthday bash on Saturday, you'll snag a free pair of urbanite jewelry earrings! Up for grabs are their Los Angeles, Cordova & Portland earrings. You'll also receive a coupon & pack of earring backs (those little plastic guys that go on the back of your earrings that we're all always losing!). You'll also receive goodies from the awesome folks at VersaTile Design and Morsel Desserts!

Mini swag, all packed up!

I'd sort of really like to keep one of these for myself! Be sure you're there bright and early on Saturday to line up and snag a bag!

Urban Craft's First Birthday Bash!
Saturday, September 1st
10am-2pm
The GCTC (1233 Wellington Street W, at Holland)

Beat the July Heat at Urban Craft this Saturday!

Urban Craft's July edition is this Saturday! We've got a snazzy group of vendors lined up for you, including a few friends joining us from out of town! What's new this month, you ask? Observe:

 

The folks from Salvage Jewelry will join us all the way from Montreal! I was blown away by the uniqueness of their jewelry the instant that I saw it and knew we had to have them in Urban Craft. The necklace above is made from vintage sequins. Awesome, right?

 Creations Corteza will also join us from Montreal, bringing their fantastic preserved leaf and flower jewelry along with them. We're sure you've seen these beauties over at Flock and Workshop; each piece of jewelry is a true little gem and distinct from the next. Love them!

 

The lovely Meeka of Meeka's Creations will join us with her ever-popular fun & funky stuffed creatures! Aren't they just dripping with adorableness?

The ladies of Flo Glassblowing will also be on hand with their gorgeous works of glass. As the owners of Ottawa's very own glassblowing studio, you know these gals know their stuff. I can't wait to see their creations in person!

And this is just a fraction of the talent that will be on hand. Cake pops, boutique vanilla extracts, handmade tiles, a whole range of awesome jewelry, vegan baked goods, gorgeous home goods. Check out the full list of vendors:

Auntie Loo's
Urbanite Jewelry
Purple Urchin
VersaTile Design
Kokobaru Creations
Liv Well Toys
Strut
Silver Hand Studios
Salvage Jewelry
Really Horrible Enterprises
Sarah's Card Company
Jasmine Virani
Meeka's Creations
Creations Corteza
Flo Glassblowing
Eufemia Bella
Om Nom Cupcake
Petits Plaisirs Chocolata Treats
Bake Mob
Chic Bean

It's going to be good, folks! Don't forget; we're indoors--so come inside for a break from the heat, shop from some awesome vendors and enjoy the weekend!

Saturday, July 7th, 2012
10am-2pm
The GCTC, Holland & Wellington

Urban Craft's June Sneak Peek!

Awesome bath & body goodies from Purple Urchin

Awesome gourmet goodies? Adorable home decor? Cute things for your kiddo? Urban Craft's got them all this month! Just two days until our June show. A preview:

 

This month we'll welcome Emma Dilemma Designs for the first time. Emma makes really unique vintage inspired home decor that's unlike anything I've seen in Ottawa before--including the really awesomely unique family tree you see above! 

 

Sapling // Seedling will also join us for the first time! How adorable are those tiny book necklaces above? Owner Saara is a trained book binder and makes the most beautiful handmade books and unique accessories!

 

Blush Beads will join us again for the first time since the fall! Owner Sandy is such a lovely person to work with and she makes equally lovely jewelry. We're excited to have her back at the show!

 

 

 Kokobaru will join us with seriously adorable kids goodies including the hats above, which are so cute that I think I'd have a hard time keeping them off my kids even during the hot summer months. She'll also be bringing a whole slew of adorable sewn toys!

 

Bake Mob will join us again with their adorably delicious cake pops in a range of styles and flavors! I'd be remiss if I didn't mention how much the kids at last month's Urban Craft went *crazy* over Bake Mob's pops. Their parents couldn't keep them away from the table!

 

 Lisa of Heart Meets Paper will join us again this month with her gorgeous and modern paper goods. I plan to stock up on her goodies--they make the perfect thank you, birthday and every occasion cards!

 VersaTile will join us again this month with their awesome tile goodies. From magnets to coasters to custom artwork, owners Dan and Kelly are truly making a splash in Ottawa's craft scene even though they've only been around for a few months!

And that's just a teeny taste of all the awesomeness we'll have at the show on Saturday! A full list of the vendors:

Auntie Loo’s Treats
Bake Mob
Purple Urchin
Mains de Mariposa
urbanite jewelry
Strut Jewelry
Blush Beads
Magneties
Sapling // Seedling
VersaTile Design
Emma Dilemma Designs

Kokobaru
Couture Kids
Barnyard Bummz
Liv Well Toys
Buttons n’ Pins
Heart Meets Paper
Carabara
Lillipad

Urban Craft - June Edition
Saturday, April 7, 2012
10am-2pm
The GCTC (Holland & Wellington)

June 2nd Sneak Peek!

A quick peek at all the fantastic vendors we’ll have for you will have for you at Urban Craft’s June 2nd edition!

Foodie Finds:
Auntie Loo’s Treats
Bake Mob
Carabara
Lillipad

Bath & Body:
Purple Urchin
Mains de Mariposa

Jewelry & Accesssories:
urbanite jewelry
Strut Jewelry
Blush Beads
Magneties

Paper Goods:
Sapling//Seedling
Heart Meets Paper

Home Décor:
VersaTile Design
Emma Dilemma Designs

Kids Goodies:
Kokobaru
Couture Kids
Barnyard Bummz
Liv Well Toys
Buttons n’ Pins

Sneak Peek At Urban Craft's May Edition!

I've said it before and I'll say it again: one of the coolest parts of my job as the head of Urban Craft is to be witness to all of the incredible talent we have here in Ottawa. Day after day the most amazing crafters and food makers submit applications to us, and I get tickled every time we come across someone new! There is so much talent in this city of ours, and I get so excited that we get to show it off to you each month.

There will be no lack of talent and awesomeness at Urban Craft May--I can attest to that. With everything from boutique vanilla extracts to organic candy to really fantastic art, picking up a gift for your mom (Mother's Day is May 13th) will be a cinch!

Bake Mob is making their first appearance at Urban Craft. They'll be offering cake pops like the adorable ones above as well as other delicious goodies.With a name like Bake Mob, how can you go wrong!?

The Organic Heretic makes organic candies. Did you hear that!? Handmade organic candies made right here in Ottawa! Talk about the perfect gift for a sweet mom on Mother's Day!

 

Rainbow Nest makes the most adorable little accessories that are sure to brighten up any corner of your home!

Really Horrible Enterprises will be on hand with handmade, boutique vanilla extracts! With flavors like Rum Vanilla and Brandy Vanilla, I know I will definitely be picking up a bottle or two (or three)!

When I saw Jen Lytle's work, I was immediately drawn to how crisp and clean her work was--yet how it was still so soft. I love how she has captured these simple homes and buildings in detail. I can't wait to see her work in person!

Caroline Villamarin makes the most adorable dresses! These would be completely perfect for a wife who's celebrating her first Mother's Day! Caroline will also have other sewn accessories and goodies on hand!

Need some other Mother's Day ideas? Koko Chocolates will be on hand with her delicious truffles and goodies. Urban Baking Co. will have gorgeous and delicious macarons. Purple Urchin will have bath & body products to pamper your mom. Chelsy Anne, Jasmine Virani, Strut Jewelry, Emily's Trees, Water Willow -and- urbanite jewelry will all have gorgeous jewels for your mom--all in different styles and prices. Auntie Loo's will have their delicious treats  for the vegan mom in your life, and Apartment 613 will be on hand with their awesome buttons and shirts!

Urban Craft - May 2012 Edition

Saturday, May 5th

10am-2pm

The GCTC, Holland & Wellington

Transit: OC Transpo Buses 2, 16, 86, and 176

A Sneak Peek At Urban Craft's May Lineup!

Fused Glass Jewelry from Water Willow

We're excited to announce a stunning lineup of fantastic crafters & gourmet food makers for the month of May! We'll have tons of your favorite people on hand and a slew of brand new crafters that we're excited to welcome to the show for the first time! A little birdie tells me that several of the vendors below are working on special gift packs just in time for Mother's Day! The lineup:

Indie Clothing:
Winged Beast
Caroline Villamarin
Apt. 613

Gourmet Food:
Koko Chocolates
Auntie Loo's Treats
Life of Pie
Urban Baking Co.
Bake Mob
The Organic Heretic
Really Horrible Enterprises

Bath & Body Goodies:
Purple Urchin

Gorgeous Jewelry:
Flights of Fancy
Chelsy Anne
Strut Jewelry
Urbanite Jewelry
Jasmine Virani
Emily's Trees
Water Willow

Kid's Goodies:
Rainbow Nest
Baby's Breath

Beautiful Art:
Jennifer Lytle

Home Decor:
Eufemia Bella

Urban Craft: The Windy Edition!

Gorgeous coasters from VersaTile Designs

Every month, as we get closer and closer to Urban Craft, we begin to watch the weather closely to see if Mother Nature is going to give us some awesome weather for the day of the show. We are always so excited to see temperatures in the plus side of things, and are even more excited when there's a chance of sunshine on the day. This has especially been the case since we launched our monthly market in the fall, and temperatures have only gotten colder and colder as the months have progressed (boy are we looking forward to Spring)! As we watched the weather in advance of the March show this past weekend, we became pretty excited as the 90% chance of rain we were supposed to get turned into a 20% chance and the projected temperatures began to rise. Total score!

Golden Triangle T-Shirt From Apt. 613

It seems as though Mother Nature had something completely different in mind for us on Saturday. As we began to set up the event on the day of the show, blustery winds blew in and began gusting up to 90 kilometers per hour! Balloons were ripped off strings; we lost a few sandwich boards to damage, and every vendor who entered looked a little more than windblown.

But should you ever question whether or not Ottawans are a tough and resilient folk, we have an easy answer for that: hundreds of people came out to the show. They were certainly windblown but happy to be inside and shop! And we were more than happy to see them, too!

Gorgeous glass pendants from Water Willow Designs

We expanded the number of crafters selling at Urban Craft for the first time this Saturday. Because of overwhelming demand from vendors and requests from the public for more vendors to shop from, we introduced half tables in order to add some new vendors to the mix. It was an experiment of sorts and seemed to work very well; we are still working on tweaking the setup and figuring things out as we go! We are so excited about how this show continues to grow in vendors and people. We are a lucky bunch!

Sewn goodies from Winged Beast Outfitters

Colorful cases from My Stow -n- Tow

Gorgeous modern pouches from Prairie Girl Creations

Our next show is coming up on April 7th! Here's hoping Mother Nature will bestow a gorgeous, sunny spring day on us then!