Customer Service Sundays with SmashKnits!

Ashlee of SmashKnits loves a fun, unique custom order! Whether you're a Winnipegger, or way far out, be sure to shoot Ashlee a message to learn what she can make up just for you!

"This is a customer requested spin on one of my kiddo "I ❤ Mom" beanies. She wanted it transformed into an adult slouch hat, complete with faux fur pom and her kiddos' initials. So sweet and a lot of fun to create :)"

WESTie Wednesday - featuring Smash Knits!

Welcome to WESTie Wednesday, where each week we better get to know a proud WEST member and their Etsy shop! Learn about Ashlee and her Etsy shop Smash Knits!

(source)

"I was introduced at a very young age to knitting, sewing & crochet by my Mum and both Grandmas. I love, love, LOVE the act of making. Whether it's baking, calligraphy, restoring furniture, sewing a new dress or gardening, I get such a kick out of being creative.
Smash Knits evolved from years of making warm & cozy accessories to gift to friends and family. When my gift baskets began to overflow with finished pieces, I knew it was time to take things to the next level. I'm a sucker for "girly" features; bows, lace, and sparkle, but I try to keep my pieces functional and modern at the same time. Inspiration comes from all kinds of different places; mostly the need for warmth on the Canadian Prairies! I create in the comfort of my own home, either in my sewing studio or tucked on my couch surrounded by knitting baskets and cozy blankets."

(source)

"[I carry] hand-knit, crochet, and occasional sewn pieces for any and everyone. Scarves, cowls, toques, mitts, baby booties, headwraps, and in 2015 - select home decor pieces. Pillow covers, crochet storage baskets, and pretty decorative rugs."

(source)

"[Having an etsy shop is a] great way to reach out to the rest of the world, and I love being part of a global handcrafted online community!"

Want to see more? Be sure to check out Smash Knits on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

Shout out : Smash Knits' 14 Days of Love Giveaway!

As a way to celebrate love and the art of handicrafts, Ashlee of Smash Knits has paired up with 13 other artisans to give back to the community that supports us, showcase some new pieces, and have some fun in celebration of all things Valentine's Day.

"For the next 14 days I will be hosting giveaways on my Facebook page; items that have been created and donated by some of Winnipeg's amazing talent!

The lineup is as follows:

1 - Ashlee of Smash Knits 2 - Andrea and Christie of Baby in Stitches 3 - Jody of Creative Authority 4 - Mandy of Over the Rainbow 5 - Wendy of Felt Loved 6 - Andee of Sew Dandee 7 - Courtney of iHooked 8 - Emma of Emma's Doll Party 9 - Melanie of New Fangled 10 - Lisa of The Park River Co. 11 - Marissa of Peridot Designs 12 - Ashley of Country Stitched 13 - Ashley of Chunky Knitz 14 - Kaitlyn & Mark of Wood n Knots 

I am kicking off the giveaway bright and early this morning with an Olive You pillow, and a Mum n Me headwrap and beanie combo. Winners are drawn at random, and will be announced daily."

Head to Ashlee's Facebook page to participate!

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.3

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..

VintageBettyClothing - Skirt
Smash Knits - Headband
Monkeybusinesscardco - Mega Monkey
PeriwinkleDzyns - Necklace
EmmsGems - Recycled Glass Bracelet
Oneplusonedesign - Art Print
Secret Jewelry - Ear Cuff Earrings
SogaSoap - Laundry Stain Stick
HeidiandseekBoutique - Lace Infinity Scarf
ladylikeness - Vintage Boots
weareboundtogether - Duct Tape Journal
marathon1981 - Mini Sloth
Real Swanky - Polka Dot Skirt



Stay tuned for Part 4 of our vendor features in upcoming posts!

RSVP to the WEST Handmade & Vintage Sale III here!

Who will be at the WEST Sale III? pt.2

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..
Heidi and Seek Boutique - Hi-Low Tank Top
Hoshii Designs - Foldover Clutch
Punky and the Bug - Birthday Card
Heartfelt Yarn Wreaths - Wreath
On the Go Designs - Baby Blanket
Toxie Designs - Earrings
aeliosdesign - Armlet
Real Swanky - Magnets
SmashKnits - Fingerless Mittens
We are Bound Together - Leather Journal
BlueStarStudio - Key Fobs
DarlingRing - Candle Skirt
emms Pocket Shop - Change Pouch
ByBlackBirdDesigns - Cuff Links
PrairieThreads - Basket

Stay tuned for Part 3 of our vendor features in upcoming posts!

RSVP to the WEST Handmade & Vintage Sale III here!

WEST Sale III -- When WESTies Create Together. .

Take 4 creative WESTies, add a huge piece of muslin, fabric scraps, a large board room table and what do you get?

A new WEST banner!

Want to see it? Join us on May 4 for the unveiling!

Special thanks to Caitlin (realswanky), Emily (emmsgems) and Ashlee(smashknits) for making this happen!

Ruth (periwinkledzyns) - WEST captain

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 

WEST Summer Promotion: Smash Knits

Today we look at Smash Knits.

Smash Knits specializes in scrumptious handcrafted accessories for you & yours.

From the Smash Knits profile:

Born and raised on the Canadian Prairies, I became accustomed to bitter cold winters at a very young age. Several years ago I dusted off my childood knitting needles, and my Mum's old crochet hooks, and put to use the skills I was lucky enough to learn from both of my Grandmas as a young girl. I began making winter gifts for friends and family, in an attempt to keep loved ones warm - without forsaking fun and fashion - two of my favorite things!

Knitting soon led me to renew my junior high love affair with my Mum's trusty Kenmore sewing machine, and I have never looked back! The Kenmore has since moved on to greener pastures and now I'm working on my aunt's industrial Viking.

Nothing escapes my creative interest, and I have at least 900 pins on Pinterest waiting to be attacked. I try to focus on creating eco-friendly accessories from renewable or recycled sources as frequently as possible, and apply that attitude to all facets of my life.

Smash Knits evolved as a result of an overflowing amount of items I have created in need of a home. My pieces are influenced by my love of anything vintage, everything feminine, and bright, bold colors that POP! I like creating pieces that pay homage to days gone by, but are still functional and appealing in today's fashion world.

I love every and all crafts; sewing, scrapbooking, knitting, crochet, painting, furniture re-upholstering, as long as it's creating then it's right up my alley! Pottery is next on my hit list.

In my spare moments, I moonlight as a grammar nerd, bookworm, music junky, volleyball addict, and hot yoga fiend.

______

Check out this item:

Make a statement with this bold jersey infinity scarf in vibrant turquoise and off white.

This scarf pays homage to the chevron craze that has recenty swept the fashion world by storm, but is still neutral enough to wear with almost anything!

Scarf is made of 100% cotton jersey, is delightfully soft and lightweight. It measures approximately 8.5" wide, and 42" around.

Can be worn single or double-looped.

Washing instructions: Hand wash and lay flat to dry for best results.

- This item is made in my smoke-free studio!

_________

If you'd like to keep up with Smash Knits please visit the following links:

Smash Knits on Etsy
Smash Knits on Facebook
Smash Knits Website
Smash Knits Twitter

_________



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 critique my grammar with a self-proclaimed grammar nerd in the comments below****

Feature Friday: Smash Knits

Have you ever fallen head over heels for something while browsing on Etsy, and then you get to know more about the person who makes it and you like even more what you already considered a favourite? That happened to me with Ashlee of Smash Knits, one of our newest and most enthusiastic team members. In this interview we learn where her DIY love comes from and why she decided to open an Etsy store after years in the making. She also describes a day in her handmade life, shares her "I'm not cluttered, I'm creative" motto with us and much more! Enjoy...

How did your love for DIY got started? 

I am a "hands-on, hands-dirty" kind of girl, through and through. Ever since I was little, I’ve been surrounded by crafts and DIY hobbies. Growing up, my Mum was constantly making something, be it sewing, knitting, baking, ceramics and beyond. My Dad was handy around the house, doing construction and some small building projects, and those traits have certainly been passed on to me! As I got older, I came to appreciate the sense of accomplishment I'd get after I finished making something. And I won't lie: being a true Winnipegger at heart, saving a few bucks along the way never hurt either! 

Why did you open an Etsy store? 

After a few years of knitting and sewing up a storm, I started to build a little bit of a stash and wasn't sure what to do with everything. I couldn't validate just making a bunch of items without an intended recipient. At the urging of friends and family, I decided to start selling some of my items. I created my shop on Etsy in late 2009, however I didn’t list my first item until November 2011 due to life getting in the way. So it has been a few years in the making! I love everything that Etsy has to offer; the variety & creativity continues to awe me on a daily basis. I'm so happy to be able to be a part of such a fantastic movement!

Which are your favourite tools to work with? 

I tend to have a little bit of crafting ADD, so my favourite tools vary from week to week. One thing that is constant: I LOVE working with bold, jewel-toned hues, no matter the textile. I recently said farewell to my trusty, vintage industrial Viking sewing machine which has been a dream to sew on... in order to make way for a brand new machine as a result of a fantastic Christmas gift (aaaaah!). I'm certain it will soon become a new favorite :)

Describe a day in your handmade life... 

I tend to get a bit cranky if I don't have a little time carved out on a near daily basis to create something. Winter weather is perfect for curling up for an hour (or three!) in front of the TV with one of many needle projects. I'm fortunate enough to have a great room entirely dedicated to sewing & crafting, so I like to spend time in there often, even if it’s just flipping through pattern books … though right now it's a bit of an organizational disaster, shhhh! Without question, I need to have some form of creativity in my day to day life.

What is your favourite item in your shop and why? 

Ooooh, what a tough decision. Currently, I love these gigantic & bulky crochet cowls and I'll always love my big bow headbands, especially in yellow.

Long term aspirations for your shop? 

I hope to continue to develop a distinct style as I create more pieces for my shop. I plan on adding several knit/crochet accessories specifically for the summer months, so I'm excited to see how those will be received. I'd love to get involved in more local craft markets, and continue to broaden my horizons online. Not to mention, I'm so looking forward to connecting with all of the other local talent on Etsy.

I like crafting because: It's therapeutic - and a lot cheaper than therapy ... well, most of the time :) It allows for so much individuality and self-expression. It's nice to have something to come home to after a day at the office, and I love being able to "get back to the basics" in this high tech, fast paced, go go go go world we live in. It's also an awesome feeling to be able to make things for myself and not have to rely on buying them at a store. As a newer homeowner, my DIY attitude is coming in VERY handy! 

Some of the crafts that I make aside from knit/crochet accessories are: I sew clothing, shoulder bags and home decor pieces, knit/crochet any and everything, embroider, dabble with jewelry design, scrapbook, re-upholster and refinish furniture (LOVE Kijiji for this!). I have a pair of leather mukluks that I have been working on with a girlfriend for two winters – sewing leather is tough, but I can’t wait to finish those puppies! My friends like to tease me that my answer to almost everything is "that's so easy, you could make it." While this is certainly an exaggeration, I do like to try to make something before dropping the cash for it. I am plotting a veggie garden for the very first time this spring/summer, so I'm very excited to try my hand at canning in the fall. Also on my list: pottery and screen-printing. 

I choose handmade because: Simply put, it's amazing. It’s great being able to make the perfect gift for the special people in my life. There are so many talented artisans out there, and I love the idea of a handmade community, so I try to buy handmade when I can. Why settle for something that millions have when you can find or create something unique and personalized? I also believe in the importance of recycling and upcycling where applicable instead of buying new, and try to incorporate eco-friendly practices into my life. Always room for improvement!

I am currently reading: The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom. After reading The Help by Kathryn Stockett when it first came out, I was hungry for more books about this part of history. This book absolutely fits the bill, and I definitely recommend it!

I am currently listening to: King by O.A.R (Of A Revolution). I don’t know what it is, but I really dig the lead singer’s voice and have for years. I always wish for summer when I listen to them. Five more months to go!

I combat creative blocks by: Creative blocks are not an issue for me (knock on wood). Usually, it's quite the opposite: too many projects on my list and not NEARLY enough time!! My hope for 2012 is to work at a more tidy studio; my motto of "I'm not cluttered, I'm creative" is wearing thin with my main man, hehe. Hopefully an organized space will inspire me even more! I do cruise other Etsy shops, Ravelry, Pinterest and Craft Gossip on an almost daily basis to drool over everyone else's creative prowress. Being active or just getting outside for some fresh air is always a nice breather, too.

Thanks so much for the opportunity to share a little bit of myself with everyone! It's so wondeful to be welcomed to the W.E.S.T. with such open arms. I love how many doors the handmade community has opened, and all the new and talented folks I've met and continue to meet. Here's wishing everyone a very creative 2012!