Silver & Ceramic
There are somedays, when gearing up for the frantic holiday markets in particular, that Lyndsay Henderson must feel like a human typewriter. Perhaps the sayings she stamps by hand, letter by letter, onto antique, silver-plated teaspoons, butter knives, and serving pieces, are her personal mantras, driving her to make more before the season begins. Caffeine-fuelled, cheeky and inspirational sayings, such as Say no to decaf, morning honey and spread love.
Looking for a creative outlet, Henderson was taking an encaustic painting class and used metal letter stamps to imprint inspirational sayings onto her work. Having had a previous obsession making spoon rings, she started experimenting with stamping silverware too. Beyond rings, Henderson now imprints sayings onto his-and-her fork sets, spoon bookmarks, spoon-pendant necklaces and bracelets, as well as functional serving pieces.
While the medium has changed, Henderson's view that you are what you project into the universe hasn't. She'll happily type away, if, in some small way, she can help brighten our day before it has even begun — staring into that morning coffee with the words, I wake up awesome, staring right back.
Infinite Purpose
infinitepurposejewelry.com | infinitepurposejewelry@gmail.com
Find it at: online, Maker House Co., Tin Barn Market (Almonte), Capital Pop-Up (December 17 - Glebe Community Centre)
"Our goal is always to create a beautiful, high-quality product that people want to buy," says Rachel Black, Pottery Lead at Christian Horizon's Grow Studios. "When they find out how it is made or who it is made by — it's a bonus."
For the past seven years, Grow Studios has been creating meaningful work opportunities for people with exceptional needs. As a social entreprise, their training centre houses workshops in pottery, wood-working, repurposing and jewelry-making, where the people they support learn new skills creating products for market, and build their self-esteem, while earning a wage.
"It is great to see the pride they have in their work... There is a lot of pride of workmanship and a genuine excitement knowing they've created something that people value."
The studios display a black walnut, raw-edged table, repurposed clocks and tables overflowing with pottery — hand-painted Christmas ornaments, wine charms and cheese markers, mugs and tea pots, coasters for a custom order, planters and vases. It's clear they're getting ready for the holiday season — kicking it off with their own handmade market, Mistletoe & Ivy, at the Bronson Centre on Saturday, Nov. 26.
Grow Studios
growstudios.org | 613.526.9995
Find it at: Maker House Co., Bloomfields Flowers, Cherry Picked (Merrickville), Capital Pop-Up (December 17)
