Local Love: 'Tis the Season!

The thing I love the most about this time of year is all the festive events that roll around, enticing all of us to leave our cozy homes, brave the cold for a second or two, and spend time with the people with love at the places we love. My schedule this week is filled to the brim with fantastic events and I wanted to share a few of them with you!

Flowers Talk Open House
Join the folks at Flowers Talk for an evening of special discounts, festive treats, and holiday styling tips for your home. Flowers Talk & Splendid Events are hooking you up with the most adorable cake pops you've ever seen, thanks to our talented friends at Bake Mob. We'll also have a gourmet hot cocoa station where you can create the perfect cup of hot cocoa, whether your favourite flavour is peppermint chocolate, rich milk chocolate, or even cinnamon. And of course we'll have plenty of marshmallows for the perfect garnish. Browse Flowers Talk's cozy and inviting boutique, mug in hand, and enjoy 15% off all purchases and special orders made during the event.

Cake pops by Bake Mob!

 

 

[the deets]

Cost: Free to all!
What: Flowers Talk Holiday Open House
Where: Flowers Talk, 1305 Wellington West
When: Wednesday December 5, 6pm-8pm
Why: To bring holiday cheer to your home and to give warmth to neighbours in need.




Here We Go Again: Renée Yoxon & Mark Ferguson's CD Release

Talented local jazz singer Renée Yoxon & Mark Ferguson are excited to release their first collaboration together! Join Mark, Renée, Joel Kerr, Jeff Asselin, Craig Pedersen, and Frank Lozano for an unforgettable evening of original music at the NAC's Fourth Stage this Friday!

[the deets]

When: Friday, December 7, 2012, 7:30pm
Where: NAC Fourth Stage, 53 Elgin Street
Tickets: $25. Click here to find out how to get tickets: http://www.reneeyoxon.com/how-to-get-tickets-to-the-here-we-go-again-ottawa-cd-release-december-7/

For more info about the event: http://nac-cna.ca/en/community/event/4538

 

 

Craftalicious Craft Fair!

If you're looking to finish off your holiday shopping, we've got an awesome craft show coming up in the Glebe on Saturday. Craftalicious has been running for four years now, and is a fantastic local show that you must check out! What do they have planned for you?

Gourmet Goodies & Treats + Prints & Cards + Glass Works + Ceramics + Knits + Jewellery
Photography & Art + Baby & Children’s Items + Hockey Art + Magnets & Pins + Ornaments + Bath  & Body Products + Fabric Masterpieces + Tarot Reader & Live Piano Music!

[the deets]
Saturday, December 8th, 2012
10am-4:30pm
St. Matthew’s Church Hall
217 First Avenue
Admission is free!

Locavore Artisan Food Fair
The folks over at Auntie Loo's made a spot on comment this morning. They mentioned that the chilly weather seems to bring out their appetites. I couldn't agree more! If your tummy seems to be rumbling a little extra this time of year, you *must* check out LAFF! This show, which has become a standard on Ottawa's food scene, is full of talented gourmet food makers who will have gifts for your tummy and those on your your Christmas list, too!

[the deets]

Cost: Free!
What: Locavore Artisan Food Fair
Where: Memorial Hall of Crichton Cultural Community Centre, 39 Dufferin Road (at Avon Lane) in New Edinburgh
When: Sunday December 9, 10am-3pm
Why: Yummy yummy food! Need I say more!?
More info: https://www.facebook.com/events/159391614207466

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's First Birthday!

Guess what, guys & gals!? Urban Craft is turning one in September! We are absolutely thrilled to be celebrating our first birthday, and incredibly grateful for how Ottawa has come out and supported our show over the past year.

As we sat down to plan our September 1st show, we decided that we better celebrate in an awesome way. What better excuse to throw a party than a birthday, right!? So we're throwing a big birthday bash in conjunction with Urban Craft on September 1st! Throughout the week we'll be showcasing all the awesome activities we'll have at the show in addition to an extended lineup of vendors for you to shop from this month! Here's just a teeny taste of all the awesomeness we'll have at the show:

• Free gifts for the first 25 attendees through the front door! 
• Free gourmet popcorn bar with tons of delectable toppings and goodies
• Free kids crafts and activities for your little ones
• Multiple door prizes to be won! I'm putting the finishing touches on the gift baskets and they're pretty sweet, folks!
• 25 Vendors to shop from! We've usually got around 20 at the show; this month we've brought in some extra vendors so you'll have a bigger selection!
• Admission is, as always, free!

When & where does it all go down?

Saturday, September 1st
10am-2pm
The GCTC (1233 Wellington Street W, at Holland)

Stay tuned this week for more sneak peeks of all the goodies and activities we have planned! It's going to be grand!

Purple Urchin's Grand Opening!

Last fall, Urban Craft regulars Sarah and Rebecca of Purple Urchin opened their very own shop in Chinatown. It was so fantastic to see such a talented pair of ladies take such a big step, and we couldn't be more happy for them! The opening of their shop happened to coincide with the street improvements on Somerset, so for the first few months of operation, the sidewalks and street around their shop were quite the mess. Now that the street has cleared and the weather has warmed up, the girls are officially christening their store with a grand opening this weekend!

With help from Amy of Splendid Events (small business event planner extraordinaire -and- Urban Craft sponsor), the girls will open their shop on Sunday for a grand 'ole party. There will be drinks, snacks, music, and hand massages with Purple Urchin body butters! Plus, the first 25 people in the store will get an awesome swag bag featuring samples from other local businesses and, of course, Purple Urchin!

Pop by their shop (882 Somerset Street W) on Sunday, June 10th from 1-4pm to get in on all the goodness (and make sure you show up early to snag some swag)! More details can be found on their Facebook event page here.

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

Foodie Finds for your Valentine!

It just so happened that for the sweet month of February, we had a ton of awesome local food producers apply to be a part of Urban Craft. Local favorites Pascale's All Natural Ice Cream, Michael's Dolce as well as some new-to-us companies like Hello, There and Kinburn Coffee all put their hats in the ring, and we were more than happy to oblige. What does this mean? We have got some seriously good gifts for your foodie Valentine this February. Observe:

Ottawa's reigning queen of ice cream, Pascale, will be on hand for this month's show with her half pints of ice cream, t-shirts and--most importantly--ice cream sandwiches. Why is that the most important? We took a poll and decided that Pascale's ice cream, sandwiched between two thin layers of brownie (!) are the most delicious anyone has ever tasted. You can decide whether or not we're right by coming down and snatching up one before they sell out on Saturday!

Love jam? Love deliciously unique flavors? If so, then you're probably familiar with Michael's Dolce. And if not--well, we'll be happy to introduce you to him this weekend. Michael makes seriously delicious jams with mouth watering flavors like Peach & Cardamom, Kiwi & Lime, Blueberry & Lavender and more. These aren't your typical jams, and they're seriously crave-worthy!

We're also super excited to be welcoming an out-of-town coffee roastery, Kinburn Coffee, this month! The folks at Kinburn own a farm in a small town, which has left a soft spot in their heart for small farms that grow coffee elsewhere. So they purposely source their coffee from small farms where they can ensure the quality of their coffee and also ensure that the that the men and women who produce your coffee were paid the Fair Trade price (which doesn't always happen when coffee is purchased from large Fair Trade cooperatives). We're incredibly excited to welcome them to Ottawa and to see and smell their coffee in person!

Hello, There is a new baked goods company that we're also excited to welcome to the show this month. Owner Kaitlin has been baking and blogging for a long time, but has decided to take the leap and offer her yummy goods out to the public. With goodies like homemade oreos, and earl grey sandwich cookies--you really can't go wrong!

What can we say about koko chocolates that hasn't already been said? Their flavors are delicious and inventive, the quality of their product is top notch and owner Jenn is one of the nicest people you'll ever meet. If you want to buy your Valentine a box of chocolate this February, why not treat them to some of koko's chocolates and really knock their socks off? You're going to get chocolate that's 100 times better than what you'll find in the typical heart-shaped box, and you'll also be supporting a wonderful local business. Win win!

Photo from foodiePrints!

Auntie Loo's will also be on hand this month with their ridiculously good vegan baked goods. If you've got a sweetie who is holdin' it down vegan style, you will definitely want to pick up some of their cupcakes, bars or whoopie pies for Valentine's Day. I promise that if you hand over a big box of these goodies, your Valetine's will be as sweet as theirs, if yaknowhatimean!

We really love Urban Baking Co., with all their cookie and macaron goodness! Their lovely goodies make me sigh just thinking about them. Urban Baking Co. recently started making cake pops and I can't wait to sink my teeth into the delicious new flavors they've told me they'll have at the show: raspberry white chocolate and salted caramel!

We'll also have handmade cards to go with all these sweet treats, gorgeous sewn goodies for your little one, lovely jewels for the gal to wear on your Valentine's Day Out

Urban Craft February
February 4
10am-2pm
The Great Canadian Theatre Company (Holland & Wellington)
20+ independent, modern vendors!

Purple Urchin: Watching Ottawa's Indie Businesses Grow Up!

 As organizers of craft shows here in Ottawa, one of the coolest things we get to do is see the amazing range of talent that resides in this city as it comes across our desktops each month. We're introduced to the coolest, most creative people and things and it's sincerely so inspiring to see what people are creating with their own two hands.

The second coolest thing is to watch these companies that we work with grow from month to month and year to year. And every once in a while, we get to see a company grow leaps and bounds and exceed our expectations.

In July of 2010 we ran a show in the Byward Market called Capital Craft Market. It was our first proper craft show (even though we had run Wed By Hand, our handmade & DIY wedding show earlier that year). One of our very first vendors that signed on was Purple Urchin--and boy are we so glad that they did! Purple Urchin has participated in nearly every craft show that we've put on, and they are one of our lovely permanent Urban Craft vendors, too!

Run by two lovely ladies named Sarah and Rebecca, Purple Urchin is a handmade bath & body company that has literally made me a convert when it comes to handmade soaps. I bought one of Purple Urchin's soaps a couple years back and haven't gone back since. Their products are inventive, fun, smell great and work even better.

So when Sarah told me in the fall of last year that they were opening a shop in Chinatown, I was both excited and surprised. You see, it takes a lot for a small handmade company to grow to the point where they can open a shop--but Sarah and Rebecca have completely pulled it off. Not only is their brand new store at the corner of Preston & Somerset warm and inviting, but it also smells damn good (of course).

We are so proud of them and how their company has grown. They were also gracious enough to donate a gift package (above) for Urban Craft January door prize--which a lovely lady named Michelle has won!