Meet the Westies at the St. Norbert Handmade & Vintage Sale (Three Dates)

Don't miss out on this chance to shop from a number of West Etsy Vendors at the

St. Norbert Handmade & Vintage Sale this summer!

The sale takes place at St. Norbert Arena

3450 Pembina Hwy (right next to the Farmer's Market).

Saturdays, 9am-3pm July 23, July 30, August 13.

Admission $1
FREE PARKING! (just tell the lot attendant you're there for the craft sale).

Shop for Crafts, Refurbished, and Antiques!

July 23rd WESTies:

Atomic Age Vintage Shop

Bitchin'Kitsch Kitchen

Heidi and Seek Boutique

Raiment Resource

Art on a Whimsy
Playful Peanut

July 30 WESTies:

Bitchin'Kitsch Kitchen

Mosaic Pendants Plus

Little Big Ideas

Raiment Resource

Heidis Jewels
Playful Peanut
Peachy Green Eco
The Bearded Lady

August 13 WESTies:

Bitchin'Kitsch Kitchen

Raiment Resource
Playful Peanut
Peachy Green Eco
The Bearded Lady
Nancy Blokland Pottery

Foodie Friday: Use those abundant and yummy Yellow Beans

I am inundated with yellow beans and zucchini, so I am needing to make something quick. I also need to be glazing pottery and making more pottery. Yikes, summer time and the living is busy!

This recipe comes from a friend whose mom has passed away, but we both fondly remember eating these bean pickles at every holiday celebration all through the year. They are bright and yummy!

Yellow Bean Pickles

This is it:
> Cut yellow beans in small pieces.
> Cook in water until tender. (doesn't say how many beans)
Dressing:
> 1 1/2 cups of white sugar
> 1/4 cup flour 
> 2 tbsp dry mustard
> 1 tsp celery seed 
> 1 tsp turmeric
> 1 1/2 cups vinegar
> Boil until thick (in a large pot). Add cooked beans simmer until beans are very hot. And well mixed with sauce. Seal in jars

If you have a lot of beans you could double the dressing recipe.

Recipe by Nancy of Nancy Blokland Pottery

WESTie Wednesday with Nancy Blokland Pottery

Welcome to WESTie Wednesday, where each week we get to know a proud WEST member and their Etsy shop! Learn about Nancy and her Etsy shop Nancy Blokland Pottery!

"I make high fire porcelain and stoneware pottery. I sell online, at shows and markets in Manitoba and Saskatchewan as well as brick and mortar locations." 

"My life has been as a maker: my mother was a master seamstress and my dad was a farmer/gardener, and I have been continuing these traditions my whole life. I started clay making when I was 12, and this wonderful obsession has been part of my story ever since. Etsy allows me to challenge myself to take decent photos of my work, to be part of online commerce and a wonderful community of makers and curators."

( Source )

"I love making and selling, and using leaves and flowers from my garden along with the clay is energizing for me. I like hearing shoppers' comments, and this is how I started making yarn bowls and buttons--some of my best sellers!"

( Source )

"My (shop's) demographic is typically female, but increasingly more men show an interest in handmade work."

( Source )

 We also asked Nancy, "Why Etsy?"

 "To sell to a broader world wide audience and to keep up with current trends."

Want to see more? Be sure to check out Nancy on social media!

Facebook // Instagram // Twitter

Midsummer Night Garden Party

Looking to get out and enjoy the summer while uncovering some stunning local artisan treasures?

Stop by the Midsummer Night Garden Party on Wednesday, July 8 and visit some fabulous local artists including a few of your favourite WESTies:

NancyBloklandPottery - pottery & gifts
Tawny Bee - handmade dolls, crochet & sewn items
Cloverleaf Art and Fibre - fibre creations
Oakhorn Shop - knitted maps, live music
Soga Artisan Soaperie - handcrafted soaps

Details:

Wednesday, July 8 at 5:30pm

Rain date is Wednesday, July 15th

273 Enfield Crescent

For more information make sure you check out the Event on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/events/132478047083674/

WESTie Wednesday - featuring NancyBloklandPottery

WESTie Wednesday is back!

Welcome to WESTie Wednesday, where each week we better get to know a proud WEST member and their Etsy shop! Our first team member we'd like to introduce you to is Nancy, of NancyBloklandPottery, for those of you who appreciate handmade, the perfectly imperfect.

(source)

Nancy Blokland: a functional potter who works in clay and has, with a few interruptions, been doing so for 30 years. Throwing on the wheel and hand-building are a huge part of her life, and give her balance.

(source)

"I love working with leaves and plants and love to incorporate these into my clay work. The leaves come almost exclusively from my garden, so it is something I make from beginning to end. I proudly refer to myself as a MAKER. I have a wheel, studio, and kiln, all at my home, and sell my work on Etsy, Facebook, and in Pop Up shops and other retail venues in Manitoba."

(source)

"I make mostly functional pieces that continue to evolve over my career. Over the past few years I have continued to respond to demands from the fiber community, and make yarn bowls and buttons year round. No end of ideas, just time is in short supply."

Nancy strives to reach out to the worldwide community and be in touch with local teams of handmade folks. What better way to reach back, than to visit her on the following social media websites:

Instagram -- @nancyblokland

Facebook -- NancyBloklandPottery

Twitter -- @nancypottery

Nancy's Blog can be found here

Crafting and Its Wonderful Lessons for Life

I have often been overheard to say that when the pack up time for shows arrives I am jealous of the fibre people. I love all kinds of crafting, but sometimes I bemoan my lot as a potter because my goods are fragile and heavy.

The truth is I likely wouldn't trade my art form for anything else. I have been making and playing in the clay for 30 years this year, and while I have tried to retire a few times, I keep coming back. The physical process of making the clay has allowed me to have exercise without ever going to a gym, and the centering process of being in correct position in the clay is always good for my inner being. Centering is a great metaphor, but it does have a physical effect on the potter, as you cannot make a good pot until you and it are centered.

There are endless great metaphors, and I just saw this great one on lisa b. walker's blog, so I am reusing it: 
The handle of a pot, he writes, “marks the journey from one world to the other; it is the suspension bridge from the world of art to the world of use.” Clay is protean, he suggests, endlessly malleable by human hands, and yet ultimately the potter must consign his works to fate and accident, to the ruthless caprices of the kiln." Adam Goodheart reviews "Red Brick, Black Mountain, White Clay" by Christopher Benfey in his NY Time 2012 article entitled ...The Shape of Things to Come

I will be off on vacation for the next few weeks, with lots of time for reflection--beware.

Thank you Nancy for this inspiration - Enjoy your vacation!
When Nancy isn't soaking up the sun, she can be found in her little pottery studio making beauties for local sales and her Etsy shop.

Where Will WESTies Be - June 15, 2013

Blue Hills Fibre Fest - June 15, 2013 NancyBlokland Pottery

Who will be at the WEST Sale III? pt.4

Who will be at the WEST Sale III? Look forward to meeting the following WESTies with their fantastic handmade & vintage items, come May 4th!

From top left, you may find..Toxie Designs - Earrings
HeartFeltYarnWreaths - Wreath
SmashKnits - Knit Headband
Nancy Blokland Pottery - Mug
Prairie Peasant - Recycled Journal
PeriwinkleDzyns - Resistor Necklace
M-agination - Bath Puff
ladylikeness - Cardigan
maryandmaudestudio - Panda Illustration
Bitchin'Kitsch'n'Kitchen - Antique Tin
BranchesandFeathers - Feather Earrings
AdorablesbyAlisia - New Born Outfit
aeliosdesign - Wrist Cuff
HoshiiDesigns - Infinity Scarf


RSVP to the WEST Handmade & Vintage Sale III here!

Who will be at the WEST Sale III? pt.1

Who will be at the WEST Sale III? Look forward to meeting the following WESTies with their fantastic handmade & vintage items, come May 4th!

From top left, you may find..
HeavensEarth - 8"x16" Mixed Media Painting on Canvas
CloverLeafFibreArt - Pocket Purse Frogs and Flies 
BranchesandFeathers - Feather Earrings with Wood Bead
AdorablesbyAlisia - Emerald Green Textured Mug Cozy
maryandmaudestudio - Illustration Print: Things in the Attic
KristasJewellery - Glass Pearl Earrings
BitchinKitschKitchen - Green Panther Planter
FlatlandersSoapCo - Handmade Felted Soap
NancyBloklandPottery - Mossy Green Candle Holder
DragonNerd - Fractal Earrings
Magination - Frog Slippers
HEMdesign - Bunting 

Stay tuned for Part 2 of our vendor features in upcoming posts!

RSVP to the WEST Handmade & Vintage Sale III here!

There is no such thing as a simple cup of tea!

One of the first questions we hand-made-people get from folks at shows is...."how long does it take to make a mug?"...

Well, now my answer is 29 years. This is how long I have been doing pottery. There is no speeding up and no shortcuts in making craft or art. I thought you might be interested to know a little about the steps in making a teapot, which is significantly more complicated than you might think.

You need to make a body, a spout, a lid and a handle. Within that there are many variations on how complicated you want to get. Here are a few photos of some of my most recent teapots in process from start to finish.

 

Each element  of the teapot is made separately, dried and trimmed.

 

 

Spouts are a personal thing: length, angles, how to cut them...

 

 

The handle needs to be in line with the spout to pour properly, be aesthetically pleasing, and strong enough to support the weight of a full teapot.

 

 Lids need to be not too big and not too small, but in good proportion to the body (this one is not).

Then you bisque fire, glaze, and fire again! If it doesn't crack, warp, twist or have a glaze run, you may have a sale-able teapot!

Who's New Tuesday: Nancy Blokland

This week's new member intro is Nancy Blokland! Let's welcome Nancy and learn a little bit about her!  

Where are you from?
I was born and raised in Winnipeg, and I have also lived in South America

What is your Etsy shop called?
Nancy Blokland Pottery

When did you start your etsy shop?
I started my Etsy shop in November of 2011

Why did you decide to start an Etsy shop?
I started my Etsy shop because I wanted to be part of online commerce, broaden my customer base, and also to have a platform into the social network world.

What do you sell?
I sell functional pottery largely for foodies! Cups, bowls, plates, platters, butter keepers, honey pots, teapots, and yarn bowls.

What is your favorite item to make?
Fun and funky handbuilt trays and vases

What are your long-term Etsy goals? 
I have lots of goals with Etsy, but one is to reduce my reliance for sales on attending shows, and perhaps increasing my wholesale business through the world wide presence of Etsy.

So make sure to check out Nancy's shop, and follow along with her Etsy happenings on her Facebook page and Blog!

What's on Sale in WEST Shops?

Go to NancyBloklandPottery to see details on her 20% off sale till January 13 

Browse WildWoodRoseVintage for awesome deals including this Mad Men style coat. 

VoilaAndreanne for a beautiful locally designed dress.

What's New Wednesday

Shop Local for WEST This Holiday Season

Looking to find WESTies at local shops this holiday season?

Here's your one stop holiday shopping list!

1) Sew Dandee

105 Osborne Street, Winnipeg MB
M-Th 10-6; F 10-9; Sa 10-6; Su 12-5

Shops featured at Sew Dandee:
Just the Goods - handmade, natural skin care (largest selection including gift sets)
Periwinkle Designs - ever changing assortment of recycled jewellery
Nancy Blokland Pottery - Yarn Bowls only
Marathon 1981 - cards, creatures

2) Generation Green

 #155-1 Forks Market Road, Winnipeg MB
M-Th 9-6:30; F 9-9:30; S-S 9-6:30

Shops featured at Generation Green:
 Just the Goods - handmade, natural skin care (next selection including gift sets)

3) Mondragon

1A - 91 Albert St, Winnipeg MB
Hours vary - generally M 11-2, T-Sa 11 - 9 (sometimes 7) Not usually Sundays, some exceptions. All depends on staffing. Call ahead if concerned (204.946.5241)

Shops featured at Mondragon:

Just the Goods - handmade, natural skin care (facial care, toothpaste, deodorant, shaving products, hand/body lotion)

4) The Nature Doctors

1200 Waverley Street, Winnipeg MB
M 9-5, T-W 9-6, Th-F 9-5

Shops featured at The Nature Doctors:
Just the Goods - handmade, natural skin care (facial care, deodorant, hand/body lotion, + a few other items)

 5) Millenium Library - Best of Friends Gift Shop

251 Donald Street, Winnipeg MB
M-F 11-4, Sat noon-3

Shops featured at Best of Friends Gift Shop:
Periwinkle Designs - earrings, bracelets and necklaces, word buttons Shops

6) Freshair Boutique

Suite A, 542 Academy Road –Winnipeg, Manitoba
TEL:204 414 9023 FAX:204 414 9024
Email: salon@freshairboutique.ca
Tuesday, Wednesday + Friday from 10-7 Thursday from 12 – 9 Saturday from 10 – 3:30


Shops featured at Freshair Boutique:
Smash Knits; cushy cowls, bowtie headbands, turban wraps

7) Tara Davis Studio Boutique

246 McDermot St. Winnipeg MB
Open Mon-Sat 11-6

566 Baker St
Nelson BC
Open Mon-Sat 10-5

Shops featured at Tara Davis Studio Boutique:
 Hoshii Designs


8) McNally Robinson Bookstore 


Grant Park Shopping Mall 

Shops featured at McNally Robinson Bookstore :

Nancy Blokland Pottery 

9) Red River General Store

5700 Henderson Highway
Wed-Sun 10:00-5:30 

Shops featured at Red River General Store:
Nancy Blokland Pottery 

10) Lady of the Lake

135-B 17th St North.
Brandon, Manitoba
Mon - Wed, Sat 9:00 - 6:00 Th-Fri 9:00 - 9:00 Sun 12:00 - 4:00

Shops featured at the Lady of the Lake
Nancy Blokland Pottery


11) Wolseley Wool
 
162 Lipton St.
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Mon - Sat 10:00 - 6:00 Sun 12:00 - 5:00

Shops featured at Wolseley Wool
Nancy Blokland Pottery - Yarn Bowls 

12) Pembina Hills Arts Council 

352 STEPHEN St.
Morden, Manitoba 
Tuesday- Friday: 10 am - 5 pm
Saturday - 12pm - 5pm

Shops featured at Pembina Hills Arts Council
Nancy Blokland Pottery

13) Keepsakes Gallery
the Forks Main Building

Winnipeg, Manitoba
7 days a week


Shops featured at Keepsakes Gallery:

Nancy Blokland Pottery 

Art in the ... Garden

Fun event planned for tonight - August 21
stop by and check out the following WESTies
Cloverleaf Fibre Arts
Birdie and Dot
Tawny Bee
Nancy Blokland Pottery

Check out their blog for full features on all of the above talented WESTies and other talent that will be in attendence!

WEST Summer Promotion: Nancy Blokland Pottery

Today I'm going to introduce you to Nancy from Nancy Blokland Pottery.

Nancy Blokland Pottery specializes in: "Functional work or utilitarian is likely what I will always enjoy making. Pottery made in my home studio and fired in both gas and electric, my work is meant to add beauty to the daily tasks of life in your home and office."

From the Nancy Blokland Pottery profile:
I am a potter living in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada with my little son. I continue to look for balance in our life through making handmade pottery, organic gardening and being right with the world.
In pottery all pieces thrown on the wheel must be "centered". This has been a good metaphor for life.

In the spring and summer the leaves, foliage and flowers from my garden will become a physical part of my pottery, and my focus will be on my garden, both raising food for our family and friends , but also to sell along with the pottery in our local Farmer's Market.
Just as drinking out of a handmade mug is special , so is picking my organic peas and raspberries and eating them while we stand in the garden and watch the bees , caterpillars and butterflies.
My work has been sold in and around Manitoba for 25 years and continues to evolve and change with me. The creative process is addictive and healing.
Here is some feedback I received from an Etsy customer.
awesome. just what i was looking for. bright color and great craftsmanship. fast shipping, well packed, from Canada to the States and i LOVE it! cheers!

________

And check out this item:

This beautiful hand built soap dish, candle holder comes from a leaf harvested in a tropical location we love to visit in the depths of Canadian winter. I brought them home and tenderly transferred them into the clay.
The turquoise colour is my way of making them more magical for your soap, candles, candies or as a catch all.

_______

To keep up with Nancy Blokland Pottery please visit the links below:
Nancy Blokland Pottery on Etsy
Nancy Blokland Pottery Blog
Nancy Blokland Pottery on Facebook

_________

And if you'd like a chance to win the item featured above along with 15 other fabulous WEST creations, please visit this treasury link and leave a thoughtful comment on the treasury page.  Simple!


*** Only comments on the treasury itself count for entry into the giveaway.  But you're more than welcome to introduce yourself, ask questions or talk about pottery making with Nancy in the comments below****

May Design Challenge Results

The W.E.S.T. May Design Challenge was "Cool Stuff for Dudes!" Members were invited to create something for the men in their lives, whether significant other, dads, brothers, friends....

Our first entry was from Nancy, of Nancy Blokland Pottery:

Red, white and blue pottery mug for the serious coffee drinker by Nancy Blokland Pottery

Nancy notes: large mugs are always my best seller with men. This one is long and lean and holds a lot of liquid (coffee, beer, chai): the choice is theirs.

Andrea, from We Are Bound Together, submitted this entry:

Rustic leather blank journal with tie closure by WeAreBoundTogether

This rustic leather journal is fitting for the whatever kind of man you have (or are trying to get!), from the cowboy to the scholar. As if duct tape wasn't manly enough (editor's note: check out Andrea's shop to understand this comment!). Leather is very diverse, and fits the masculine side perfectly. 

A big Thank You to the participants in this month's challenge!

We'd love to hear from you--what comes to mind when you think of "Cool Stuff for Dudes?"

We'll be taking the summer off from the Design Challenges, and our next one will be for the month of September. Stay tuned!

What's New Wednesday

New WEST Items for Spring!

Owl stuffie from BirdieAndDot

Flakes of gold faux cashmere from WWNaturals

Duct tape book from weareboundtogether

Bracelet from SageandOlivia

Pi necklace from DragonNerd

Berry bowl from NancyBloklandPottery

Green door wreath from HeartfeltYarnWreaths

Hot off the press - New WEST Team Treasury

'More Gifts Under $20 ' by deannewatsonjewelry

From cute to cool, this treasury has something for everyone. Gotta love the prices! All items are from the WEST team in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

Recycled Map Star Book ... PrairiePeasant $7.00	Simple Eco-Friendly Ste... ToxieDesigns $15.00	Turquoise and Blues Por... NancyBloklandP... $20.00	Ocean Sunset artisan so... SoGaSoap $6.00
SALE - Notepad/Passport... elliven $14.00	Simple everyday modern ... waterleliejewe... $16.00	Brace Face - Computer P... PeriwinkleDzyn... $15.00	Buddy Holly light switc... dandee $10.00
Card Suit Hearts Earrin... Jynxx $10.00	Fortune Cookie Change P... hoshiidesigns $9.75	VALENTINES SALE Beach B... jakecleo $17.00	Crocheted Hat - Raspber... MonCherieCreat... $17.00
Fizzing Vegan Bath Melt... JustTheGoods $5.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio