And the Countdown to the Holidays Continues!

Still have some slots to fill on your holiday gift list?  Eight of our WESTies are madly creating more goodies for you--meet them in person at the Under the Mistletoe Market this Sunday, December 4, 2016!

Our eight artisans will be among 80 local vendors at the sale!  Stop by to say "hi!" to our our WESTies who will be selling handmade mosaic artisan jewelry; handmade pottery; personalized gifts; handmade leather baby shoes; fun greeting cards and illustrations; funny handmade cards, handprinted towels, onesies and baby bibs; vintage-inspired and vintage jewelry; and beaded and gemstone jewelry. Check out their wonderful items ahead of time using the links below!

MosaicPendantsPlus

Nancy Blokland Pottery

iEngravedit

Sarah Neville Studios

Sew Dandee

Heidis Jewels

Kristas Jewellery

Little Loves Closet

Sunday, December 4, 2016

11 am to 4 pm

CanadaInns Polo Park

1405 St. Matthews Avenue, Winnipeg

Admission is $2, children under 12 free

Stroller-friendly

lots of free parking!

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

WESTie Wednesday : ft hellopandacrafts

WESTie Wednesday with Chanda Lee of hellopandacrafts!

Welcome to WESTie Wednesday, where each week we get to know a proud WEST member and their Etsy shop! Learn about Chanda Lee and her shop hellopandacrafts

I sell original art, crystals, jewellery, and various crafts. I would say my demographic is mainly teen to adult females. One of the main thing I am focused on is spreading love and light and I would love to think my shop is an extension of that.
 

 I am a self taught artist and creator/crafter. The process of creating varies for each item I make. Art pieces can take 1-9 hours depending on the size and style.

Everything I put on my shop has been through a lot of love and care before I even consider listing it. I try to only choose high quality supplies to work with to ensure my buyers will get what they pay for. I would love to have my own studio one day but I currently just create in my home.

We asked Chanda Lee “Why Etsy?”

"One thing I love more than creating is sharing! I love that I am able to create for people that love what I do and support me. Each order is so special to me and I treat them as they are gifts to my friends. Gift wrap is always complimentary."

Want to see more? Be sure to check out hellopandacrafts on Instagram!

WESTie Wednesday : ft LisaWhitehouseArt!

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

(listing)

"I started painting in Spring of 2015 and I realized I truly loved painting with watercolours. I have been addicted ever since! I paint wildlife as well as commissioned pet portraits. I am still so new to the art world and I am learning as I go. I started by putting everything I paint on Etsy, but as I paint every day I have come to realize that would be too many to manage. Now I pick the pieces that translate best to prints and that people who follow me on facebook like best."

(listing)

"I sell prints of my original watercolours. I hope to some day sell originals as well but so far I haven't held onto them long enough for them to make it to Etsy :) My demographic is anyone who loves art and appreciates the beauty and loose style of watercolours."

(listing)

"Etsy is so easy to use and I love that it connects artists in all categories. It is truly a one stop shop for all things handmade and I am so proud to be a part of it!"

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

Facebook | Instagram

WESTie Wednesday with Sashira

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

“I'm not out to make a big profound statement with my work. Being creative makes me happy, and I want to share bright, happy things with those around me!”

 “I'm a former junior high art teacher and now stay at home full time with my children. I sell mainly paintings and drawings, but I have a few cards and prints. Eventually I'd like to have more cards and prints available to people. I love watercolour, pen, and marker. When I work big, I like acrylic paint.”

 

 “I'm inspired by many things, most recently the trees of my childhood neighborhood and the Bosnian art work that I grew up around. I also love patterns and repetition, so citrus fruits are really fun for me to draw. I'm attracted to imperfect symmetry, so citrus and kilims are perfect for me to use in my work."

 

"When I paint with acrylics, I usually am drawn to dots and drips. Metallics are pleasing to me, so I'll often use gold and silver in my paintings and drawings. I'm very fortunate to have an art space in my home. It's a bright, sunny room where I can have my supplies out and work at the ready without fear of my kids getting into it.”

We also asked Sashira, "Why Etsy?" 

  

“Finding time to be creative is difficult when you have two small children, so my Etsy shop is a way to keep me motivated to put pen and paint to paper.”

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

Facebook | Instagram

Out of the earth, and into the fire

This expression as I read it, was making a reference to the pottery process, but I think it applies to all those who feel the desire and compulsion to create something from raw materials and make it their own. Sometimes they are willing to take the risk to venture into the marketplace and face the slings of arrows of public critique which can be very harsh at times. 

It is endlessly rewarding when a person sees something we make and it resonates with them enough for them to  make a purchase for themselves or someone in their circle.  It is also equally painful when people look at our work, and say "my aunt took a class once" and "she made those".  That's fine, but you have no idea how many hours or revisions of each piece we have done before bringing it to market.  We are showing our expressions of creativity not to be measured against anyone else's.

I have a standard story that I tell about doing craft fairs where people come up to my booth of handmade pottery and say "did you make that yourself?".  I have come to tell that them that I do, I do not have "staff".  I think they sometimes just don't know what else to say.  I love watching when people have an appreciation for the time and devotion it takes to make handmade, so to all of you, thanks, You keep me doing this after more than 25 years.  Bravo to all those who are brave enough to venture into the marketplace, courage and determination as we go into the fall sale season.  We know why we do this, and what keeps us at it.  One piece at a time.

I would love to paint your portrait!

Hi Winnipeg Etsy Teamers!

I would love to paint your portraits!

These portraits are 5" x 7": small but exquisite. They fit perfectly into any store bought frame and add a touch of elegance to any room.

I just can't get enough of painting them. People are so beautiful, and I would love to capture your own unique beauty in watercolor. Or, the beauty of one of your loved ones. Portraits make perfect gifts: they last a lifetime and eventually become heirlooms.

I'm offering the portraits for a very low price of $75 CDN for W.E.S.T. members (I usually charge $150 CDN). That also includes packaging and posting. Just send me an email with a good digital picture of yourself to: jane.heinrichs@gmail.com

Affiliate Program:
In addition, if you recommend someone to me and they commission a portrait, you will get a 10% commission as a big thank-you from me. I send payments via PayPal within 15 days of the completed order. All W.E.S.T. recommendations will also get the low $75 price.

Come check out portraits on my website or blog.

Much love!

Jane Heinrichs