WESTie Wednesday : ft Metamorphosis Glass Works!

WESTie Wednesday with Michelle of Metamorphosis Glass Works!

Welcome to WESTie Wednesday, where each week we get to know a proud WEST member and their Etsy shop! Learn about Michelle and her shop Metamorphosis Glass Works.

"At Metamorphosis Glass Works, I create stained glass and mosaic art, everything from stained glass sun-catchers and large window panels to mosaic key holders, wall art and house numbers.

What is nice about my work is that it appeals to a wide audience: seagulls on driftwood appeals for a 20-year-old in France, stained glass feathers at a cabin in BC, Birds on a Wire mosaic art for a 30 something professional from Regina. My client base is so varied and unique, it never gets boring!

Several years ago my universe as I knew it completely changed and it made me stop and take stock of my life and what I wanted out of it. After taking some yoga, reiki and photography classes I ended up doing an introductory stained glass class and fell absolutely in love. Since then I've taken several classes in Winnipeg as well as in Chicago and can't seem to get enough of the learning and evolving that comes with glass art.

About a year ago, after much encouragement from friends and family, I started to explore the idea of selling my glass art. Based out of Winnipeg MB, I have a lovely little boutique glass studio in my backyard that allows me to create anytime inspiration strikes.

My work tends to be a combination of natural themed pieces using driftwood from some of Manitoba's most beautiful lakes as well as modern interpretations of a traditional handcraft. I like to think of my work as fitting into the category of 'not your grandma's stained glass'!

We asked Michelle “Why Etsy?”

"The Etsy community is incredibly rich and diverse: including its events programming, celebrating milestones or helping each other out. These are just some of things I love about being part of a community of vintage curators and handmade artisans who support and encourage each other."

Want to see more? Be sure to check out Metamorphosis Glass Works on social media:

Facebook | Instagram

Find Local Etsy Vintage Vendors at the Manitoba Antique Association Spring Sale on Sunday, March 13, 2016!

You do not want to miss out on the fantastic antiques and treasures Lisa Boland from Bitchin' Kitsch 'n' Kitchen and Kali Martin from Atomic Age Vintage Shop will be bringing to the Manitoba Antique Association Spring Sale this Sunday, March 13!

The sale runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Viscount Gort, 1670 Portage Avenue in Winnipeg. Admission is $5, with no charge for children under 12.

There will be free parking and door prizes drawn every hour! See you there!

Do You Want to Learn How to Sell Online?

Interested in selling online but don't know where to start? Have a great idea but don't know how to market it? Boggled by the many options for shipping?

Then consider signing up for one of two upcoming workshops on Selling Online, hosted by the Women's Enterprise Centre and Local Etsy Entrepreneurs.  Choose from two dates: February 9 in Morris, Manitoba and February 10 in Morden.  At only $10 per workshop, this is a fantastic opportunity!


Sell the poster below for more information.

Panelists  from WEST will include:
Ashley of Country Stitched
Amanda of Silvermoosearts
Kari-Ann and Amanda of Playful Peanut
and Heidi of Heidiandseekboutique

WESTie Wednesday : ft Ink, Naturally

WESTie Wednesday with Samyra of Ink, Naturally!

Welcome to WESTie Wednesday, where each week we get to know a proud WEST member and their Etsy shop! Learn about Samyra and her shop Ink, Naturally.

I'd like to invite you to see your world in ink, naturally.

I have always joked that I am an artist stuck in a scientist's body. Painting and drawing have been my go-to activities to relax and explore the right side of my brain. As I became more involved in my schooling to become a veterinarian, I found myself allowing for less and less time to explore my creative side. After graduating, there was even less time. Over the past year however, I have started a collection of loose line drawings of my patients and various other animals I encounter. I explore inspiration daily as my profession takes me across the country-side. From routine farm calls, to the sled dog trails of the northern Manitoba, I find the beauty in my patients and their natural surroundings.

Usually I am drawing while I am on call for my clinic. The nice thing about this style and type of ink that I use is that I can leave in flash when I get called to a veterinary emergency. It may be hours later that I return, but I can pick up exactly where I left off. Usually I can be found drawing at the dining room table, or in my little home studio. Of course all of my drawings occur under the watchful eye of at least one of my cats.

My specialty is loose-line drawing animal portraits. All of my drawings are done in ink. I make prints form my originals and typically sell them as standard 5 x 7 and 8 x 10 sizes. My subjects are usually animals that I have personally encountered, or animals that I hope to one day encounter. I find that arctic creatures are particularly amenable to my style of drawing….something about the stark simplicity of their surroundings allows for a more forgiving portrait amidst an unforgiving habitat. I have also dabbled in the realm of custom pet portraits for a number of clients, and I am considering exploring this realm further over the next year. I find that everyone can relate to an animal. I always find it interesting to discover which one of my drawings will call out to a particular individual. And for this reason, I would say that the demographic of my clientele is widespread, though it ranges from animal and nature enthusiasts, veterinary professionals, sled dog aficionados, and modern day explorers!

We asked Samyra “Why Etsy?”

Etsy is more than a shop - it's a nurturing community of supportive artists. It was the natural choice to showcase and share my work with others.

Want to see more? Be sure to check out Ink,Naturally on Instagram

Last Minute Holiday Gift Ideas from WEST!

Still have a few items on your shopping list?

WEST is here to help!

RealSwanky is doing custom subversive embroidery orders until the 23!

Urbanwool59 has items ready to go.

Dryers balls are a wonderful unscented and enviro friendly way to fluff your laundry.

And for your furry family members (no not Uncle George!) the four legged ones..

LewisandClarkCollars

has items ready to go too!

Its not too late to order a custom word or map button from PeriwinkleDzyns.

And the talented gals over at TBLBoutique have everything in their shop ready for pick up, yay! Warm and cuddly for that special little in your life.

All items are available for local Winnipeg and surrounding areas pick up! Just send the shop a conversation on Etsy to make arrangements before purchasing.

Happy Holidays from WEST to you!

WESTie Wednesday with Eighty8Eighty9

Welcome to WESTie Wednesday, where each week we get to know a proud WEST member and their Etsy shop! Learn about Andrea along with her husband Graham and their shop Eighty8 Eighty9!

"It all began one Christmas when I wished for a custom peace sign bracelet from my husband Graham, who works with metal in his 9-5."

"He created and gifted me a beautiful peace sign bracelet and earring set and so began our interest in creating jewelry. We opened our Etsy shop in the spring of 2014 and we have been creating jewelry and evolving our brand ever since. We strive to create jewelry that has meaning and that reflects beloved aspects of a woman's life. 

"Lake Winnipeg is a particular inspiration for us and we have created a number of pieces that reflect the peace and joy that the lake brings to so many. We also want our shop to raise awareness to the water quality issues that Lake Winnipeg and many other lakes face. We source our metal from scrap pieces at Graham's workplace and our chain and other notions are sourced from Etsy."

"We sell stainless steel necklaces and earrings. We design and cut all necklace and earring pendants from stainless steel. Our earrings are made from 100% stainless steel and we are transitioning our necklaces to 100% stainless steel also. Stainless steel is good for people with metal sensitivities and it will not tarnish or fade over time. Our product is targeted to women who are looking for timeless and meaningful pieces of jewelry."

We asked Courtney “Why Etsy?”
 
We run our Etsy shop as a creative outlet. We enjoy having something that we can work together on as a team, both bringing our skills and abilities to create a product and brand.

"Thank you for letting us share about our shop and we hope you check us out on Etsy and on social media! Our jewelry can also be found at Savior Faire, a lovely locally run gift shop located at the corner of Henderson Hwy and Johnson Ave in Winnipeg."

Want to see more? Be sure to check out Eighty8Eighty9 on social media!

  Twitter | Instagram

 

Etsy Made in Canada Market - Manitoba!

WEST, Compendium Artist Market and Etsy Canada are joining forces to bring Manitoba an Etsy Made in Canada event!
September 27
10am to 4pm
St James Civic Center
2055 Ness Avenue
Winnipeg Manitoba
Over 40 Manitoba Etsians from vintage curators to handmade mavens!
Free admission, Free Parking
Free activity room
Michaels Polo Park activities 11am to 2pm
Wire wrapping make and take 2-3pm

Join us!

Etsy Made in Canada Market - Manitoba Edition

WEST, Compendium Artist Market and Etsy Canada are joining forces to bring Manitoba an Etsy Made in Canada event!
September 27
10am to 4pm
St James Civic Center
2055 Ness Avenue
Winnipeg Manitoba

Over 40 Manitoba Etsians from vintage curators to handmade mavens!

Free admission

Free activity room with demonstrations and more!

Events will be happening across Canada! Check it out!