Artisan Profile: Kerr Pottery

Creations by Kerr Pottery.

"The idea of working with the basic elements in nature - earth, fire, air and water - to make beautiful and useful objects fascinates me," says Carol Holmes-Kerr, owner of Kerr Pottery.

"My work is a combination of functional tableware and sculptural, alternatively-fired pieces.  Pieces include bowls of various sizes, mugs, mixing bowls, casseroles and yarn bowls."

Kerr Pottery will be among the many talented vendors at Goulbourn Museum's Outdoor Artisan Market this Sunday, November 30th. Hope to see you there!

Kerr Pottery: Website

Artisan Profile: Crazy 4 Crafts

Colourful pyjama bag puppets by Crazy 4 Crafts.

Mary Cooke, owner of Crazy for Crafts, started honing her crocheting and cross stitching skills over 30 years ago when her children were small. She immortalizes Sesame Street characters as hand puppets and pyjama bag puppets, and creates an assortment of character hats, as well as teddy bears and blankets.

Mary will have her colourful creations on display at the Goulbourn Museum's Outdoor Artisan Market from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, November 30th. Save the date!

Crazy 4 Crafts: Facebook 

Artisan Profile: Carruthers Cakes and Candy

Carruthers Cakes and Candy

Everything is better with chocolate! 

"I believe that we eat with our eyes," says Cyndie Carruthers, owner of Carruthers Cakes and Candy. "My truffles are piped, dipped and decorated in chocolate."

Look for Cyndie's decadent creations at Goulbourn Museum's Outdoor Artisan Market on November 30th. Buttery peanut brittle, dipped and decorated pretzel sticks, soft sugar cookies traditionally decorated for Christmas – these are just a few of the divine treats you will find at her booth and be proud to give as gifts (or enjoy for yourself!).

Artisan Profile: Jewelry by Barbara

“My mother was an artist and both my parents were award winning craftsmen who made hand wrought agate jewelry,” says Barbara Steacy, owner of Jewelry by Barbara. Despite the early exposure, it wasn't until recently that she returned to her roots and started stringing her own stones.

Barbara's fashion jewelry is designed using semi-precious stones, minerals and fresh water pearls. “I also use Swarovski elements crystals, pewter, silver and gold plate, as well as sterling silver,” she says.

Whether you're looking for a Christmas gift for someone special or a new addition to your own jewelry box, be sure to stop by Barbara's booth at Goulbourn Museum's Outdoor Artisan Market between 10 a.m - 3 p.m. on Sunday, November 30th.

Artisan Profile: Limestone City Pen Turner

Hand turned pens and pencils available in a wide variety of styles and prices. These beautiful writing instruments are made from exotic woods and unique acrylics. Custom designs are available upon request.

Limestone City Pen Turner pens and pencils make great gifts for birthdays, graduations, retirements, weddings, anniversaries, Christmas or any other special occasion. Owner Tim Jamieson can even arrange custom engraving with individual names or a business logo for a gift that's treasured for years to come.

Limestone City Pen Turner will have a vast assortment of custom handmade pens and pencils on display at Goulbourn Museum's Outdoor Artisan Market on November 30th.

Limestone City Pen Turner: Website 

Artisan Profile: Wooly Warmth

Wooly Warmth specializes in handmade knitted and crocheted scarves, cowls and hats.

“I picked up the tools of the trade after my second baby was born and I wanted to be able to make knitted items for my girls, and myself, says owner Julie Kavanagh. "Turns out people liked what I made and the custom requests started to roll in!”

Julie will be peddling her Wooly Warmth wares at Goulbourn Museum's Outdoor Artisan Market on Sunday, November 30th.

Wooly Warmth: Facebook 

Artisan Profile: Button Box Originals

Button Box Originals creates unique, hand-made earrings using upcycled buttons and beads.

“I rarely create the same pair twice," says owner Karen Mitchell. "I find it exhilarating to come up with the designs and then have people of all ages not only excited to buy them but to come back and tell me how much they love them.”

If you're looking for a colourful gift or that perfect stocking stuffer, Button Box Originals will have a booth at Goulbourn Museum's Outdoor Artisan Market on November 30th. Save the date!

Button Box Originals: Facebook

Artisan Profile: Marketa's Creations

Marketa's Creations have whimsy.

Born and raised in Prague, Marketa Stastna has always been surrounded by art and first dabbled in pottery as a wee lass. Although a lot has changed since those early days of oddly shaped clay blobs, what hasn't changed is her child-like passion and enthusiasm for the medium.

Owner of Marketa's Creations, she creates pottery, loosely based on traditional Czech designs, with a playful twist. Her pieces are decorative, usable and fun. Whether it is a whimsical bowl, mug, necklace, wall hanging or even a nativity scene that your home, heart or soul desires, Marketa's Creations will have it.

"I put love, care and unique character into each and every piece. All of my work is handmade, original and will most definitely put a smile on your face. Let's clay!"

Own a Marketa Creations' original by visiting her booth at Goulbourn Museum's Outdoor Artisan Market on Sunday November 30th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Marketa's Creations: Facebook 

Artisan Profile: Touch of Glass

Started as a retirement hobby 20 years ago, Touch of Glass creates one of a kind stained glass pieces including sun catchers, windows, lamps, jewelry boxes, light houses, kaleidoscopes and more.

Owners Paulette and Ed Grassi, residents of Stittsville, say their business is a true labour of love. In fact they often immortalize their favourite places and things as stained glass pictures.

Be sure to visit Touch of Glass at our Outdoor Artisan Market on Sunday, November 30th.

Artisan Profile: Sheila Cain-Sample Pencil Artist

I am a pencil artist who loves detail. The contrast between black and white is the most appealing. I am drawn to intricate patterns that appear in nature and life. I work in graphite and coloured pencil depending how the day presents itself.

I began my artistic journey at a very young age creating pastel drawings for classmates. I continued to experiment with medium, keeping many art/sketch books and filling them with portraits, patterns and colours. After art school I found my way to graphite and coloured pencil and began refining my passion...and here I am.

Sheila Cain-Sample will be selling her art cards, prints, journals and much more at our Outdoor Artisan Market on November 30th.

Sheila Cain-Sample Pencil Artist: Blog  |  Facebook  |  Etsy  |  Twitter 

Artisan Profile: Clare's Old Farmhouse Soap

Clare's Old Farmhouse Soap

Clare began making soap in 2006 in order to provide her family with a more natural alternative to conventional soaps. Her passion for soapmaking was instant and soon grew to other products such as body butter, lip balm, lotion and sugar scrubs.

Today, Clare's Old Farmhouse Soap boasts over 25 different soaps and body products made entirely with natural ingredients. Her products are offered for sale throughout the Ottawa Valley and featured in local Bed & Breakfast Inns but you can get your hands on them at our Outdoor Artisan Market on November 30th.

Clare's Old Farmhouse Soap: Website

Artisan Profile: Kobbit

Whimsical creation by Kobbit.

Kobbit specializes in small clay sculptures affectionately known as “Toppers”. These whimsical creations are made to sit atop a picture frame, window sill, mantelpiece, or computer monitor.  The artist also handcrafts zipper pulls, candle holders, and garlands and has completed many custom orders including cake toppers.

You can see Kobbit's one-of-a-kind creations at Goulbourn Museum's Outdoor Artisan Market on Sunday, November 30th.

Kobbit: Website

Artisan Profile: Tracy Kerr Elements Photography

The Red Chair Project

Tracy Kerr Elements Photography specializes in wildlife and landscape photography in both colour and black-and-white. Travel photography from North America and abroad are also featured as well as whimsical personal ventures such as The Red Chair Project and The Wanderlost Project.

Tracy Kerr Elements Photography

Tracy first ventured into film photography nearly 25 years ago. This hobby exploded into obsession with the transition to digital imaging 10 years ago and became a a serious venture in the last two years with the launch of Elements Photography.

Tracy will be bringing her exquisite art to the Goulbourn Museum's Outdoor Artisan Market on Sunday, November 30th. She will be selling matted prints, fine art cards and calendars.

Tracey Kerr Elements Photography: Website  | Blog | Facebook 

Artisan Profile: Dragonfly Dreamers

Dragonfly Dreamers

Dragonfly Dreamers’ main focus is jewelry created using a combination of metal smithing techniques. Anything from sawing, stamping, and hammering, to riveting and patinas may be used on a single creation.  Artist Wendy Southin also creates altered art pieces on canvas, mirrors, and other interesting objects with a vintage, grungy look and feel.

“I’m inspired by texture and layers in everyday life and nature itself and this is reflected in my work. I use a variety of elements and techniques in both my jewelry and altered art creations. Although my favourite metal to use in jewelry is copper, you will also find other metals, semi-precious beads, found objects and resin.  My altered art projects are created with anything from paper to paint and ink, to metal embossing and found objects.”

Dragonfly Dreamers will be at the Goulbourn Museum's Old-Fashioned Christmas & Outdoor Artisan Market from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, November 30th.

Dragonfly Dreamers: Facebook | Etsy | Website | Pinterest

Artisan Profile: Sandee's Country Kitchen

Quality comfort food, made from scratch

The Goulbourn Museum's Old-Fashioned Christmas & Outdoor Artisan Market takes place Sunday, November 30th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. In the weeks leading up to the big day we will be introducing each of the the talented artisans.

Our first profile is of Sandee's Country Kitchen. Owner Sandee Rosien makes all of her baked goods from scratch ensuring they are preservative free. She specializes in homemade bread, pies, tarts, cheesecake, handmade pasta, handmade ravioli, and dinners for busy families.

After 30 years in real estate, Sandee decided to completely change careers.

"Old-fashioned comfort food became my thing. I live, breathe, and dream quality preservative free scratch cooking. We need to eat the way our grandparents ate, making food from scratch without the junk ingredients that are on the labels of the food we buy in grocery stores today.  People are busy and don't have time to cook everyday and that is where I can help - making great meals and desserts for the busy professional."

Website |  Facebook

Old-Fashioned Christmas & Artisan Market

Scenes from last year's Old-Fashioned Christmas

Goulbourn Museum will be hosting an Old-Fashioned Christmas & Outdoor Artisan Market on Sunday, November 30th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Take an old-fashioned photo with Santa and get a head-start on your Christmas shopping at this holiday celebration featuring local artisans, baked goodies, old world entertainment and festive crafts.

There will be oodles of free activities for all ages. Children can write letters to Santa with expert help from The Calligraphy Society of Ottawa, play with old-fashioned games and wooden toys, and watch rope making demonstrations by Tom Stephenson of The Kettle Boys. Each child will get their very own handmade skipping rope to take home.

Families can pose for a photo with Santa in our Village Store, enjoy free hot chocolate and hot apple cider compliments of the Walmart Kanata South Supercentre, roast marshmallows by the fire, and buy an authentic Neapolitan wood fired pizza from Pizza All’Antica for lunch.

This year's list of handmade vendors features something for everyone including jewelry, wood turned pens, pottery, knitwear, stained glass art, photography, chocolates, baked goodies, natural soaps, and more!

There will be indoor and outdoor activities so be sure to wear warm boots and a jacket so you can enjoy all the fun. For regular updates, join our Facebook Event.