3 Makers You Won’t Want to Miss at Craftadian
On August 26th from 10am to 4pm at the McMaster Innovation Park, a special outdoor Summer celebration of all things handmade in Hamilton will take place. Formerly the Made by Hand show, Craftadian will feature more that 50 jury selected makers during their Summer market.
On top of delicious food trucks to choose from, music by DJ Aerlie Wild and an interactive photo booth, Hamiltonians will be able to peruse a variety of Hamilton makers who focus on slow crafting – such as Jewellery, accessories, art, fashion, ceramics, illustration, stationary, home décor, cookware, apothecary and more.
Here are three of the slow-craft movement makers that you won’t want to miss at this year’s Craftadian show:
Wild Blue Yonder by Amber Aasman
www.wildbluewood.com
Amber Aasman creates beautiful resin jewellery that inspire the wearer through a love of nature. She uses wood, lichen and epoxy to craft pieces that are flying off the shelves at local shops, and craft shows.
What made you choose this craft/what got you into this medium? -Inlet
I had been looking for wood jewelry for myself – and couldn’t find anything I liked. So I started making a few pieces, which friends noticed and began requesting them. Over a couple of years, my practice and craft was refined, and early in 2016 I decided to take the plunge to start the business full time. -Amber
Could you provide a quick step by step of your process? -I
First I obtain the wood and natural materials (bark, lichens, moss, etc). I make sure that they are thoroughly dried, which sometimes means I have to leave wood to dry for over a year in the shop. Then I cut the wood into small segments, beginning with the most interesting parts (based on colouring, wood grain, and textures). The wood and natural items get placed in a mold, and are covered in epoxy resin, which then dries for several days. Once hardened, I cut and shape these blocks down into smaller pieces – necklace pendants, earrings, rings, and so on. The longest part of the process is sanding each surface to about 3000 grit. Lastly I apply a durable and natural finish to the whole piece, and assemble it into its final form. -A
Where do you find your inspiration? -I
Most of my wood and natural fragments are foraged from the Canadian wild, while on hiking or camping trips throughout the region. Every single piece has a story to tell, and I love sharing this info with customers. I also use reclaimed lumber or off-cuts from wood-working friends who save their scraps for me, and I enjoy using these bits in interesting ways. Little details, often unnoticed in nature, are readily on display in my pieces. My jewelry is designed to inspire its wearer with a love for nature, and all the intricacies that lie therein. -A
Are you from Hamilton or what made you choose Hamilton to settle into with your business? -I
I do most of my work from my home studio, in Hamilton near Gage Park. It’s the attic floor of an old century home, with a big skylight, creaky wood floors, and I absolutely love it. I also sublet woodshop space off friends who run a carpentry business (Circle A Carpentry) where I do most of the rough cutting and sanding. The thing that I love most about Hamilton is the small-town feel, with big-city amenities. Particular in the arts scene, it really seems like everyone knows one another, while also being really receptive to new faces. It’s a unique blend actually – and I have really been lucky to find a place in that community, despite being at the outset of my creative career. -A
Extra tidbits Relying on an arts or craft practice as a full-time job IS possible – you just have to hustle! Learning some business skills was one of the most helpful things I did in order to turn my creative work into a sustainable practice – as well as accepting any help that came my way. Take what’s offered, and give a whole lot back. -A
Terrarium House by Burcin YILMAZ
www.terrariumhouse.com
Maker Burcin creates tiny, magical worlds that fit into your living space in a big way. These handmade universes are one-of-a-kind gems that will keep house-guests intrigued.
What made you choose this craft/what got you into this medium? -Inlet
I am a diorama and floral designer. I make custom miniatures, dioramas and floral designs with miniature models. When I was a child I used to make miniature models with my father and dream that they become real. Time passed and I’ve studied music for 12 years and worked as a violin teacher. I’ve always been close to arts, to design and to create with my hands. After some exhausting years of working in a big city, Istanbul, I have found some piece in plants and creating some miniatures. After a while everything was going better than my expectations. I was on tv shows and magazines in a short time. So I quit my job and I have started my own business. -Burcin
Could you provide a quick step by step of your process? -I
In a diorama making, first, I make a plan. Then I built the ground, it’s shapes, covers and colours. After that I make the vertical things on the ground. Like people, trees, buildings, etc. I paint them and put them in a real form. At last, I make the realistic effects like water and the final touches. That is the most challenging part for me. -B
Where do you find your inspiration? -I
As I work with plants, natural materials and miniatures, my biggest inspiration is nature and people. While I am designing a project, I am trying to imitate the nature, real people and the real life. -B
Are you from Hamilton or what made you choose Hamilton to settle into with your business? -I
I am a designer who moved to Hamilton from İstanbul, Turkey in 2016. I am new to Canada and Canadians. Now this is the right time for me to let people know about me and my business. Hamilton has a peaceful atmosphere to do your own business. -B
Red Head Weaver by Stephanie Ablett
www.etsy.com/shop/stephaniescarves
With macrame and weaving making a big comeback, it’s no doubt that crafter Stephanie Ablett has some fans. Her beautiful take on traditional weaving makes for exquisite art pieces that will fit into any home.
What made you choose this craft/what got you into this medium? -Inlet
I started weaving in about 2005 while I was studying at NSCAD in Nova Scotia. It was an introductory weaving course with the most talented Sandra Brownlee and I was hooked for life. Weaving came very natural to me and the possibilities with the craft still remain endless. -Stephanie
Could you provide a quick step by step of your process? -I
I weave on a variety of looms and am able to explore many possibilities with each. I like to keep my materials natural and eco friendly whenever possible as well as local whenever possible. My woven brass rings are made right on the ring and can be made anywhere. It’s a way to bring the craft anywhere with me 🙂 Tapestries are made on frame looms which I’ve made and my woven rugs are made on a table loom. It’s wonderful having a variety of ways to create woven goods and I cannot wait to get my hand on a floor loom to create an even wider variety of goods! -S
Where do you find your inspiration? -I
Inspiration I find, comes in waves. Sometimes it’s photographs that stimulate ideas, sometimes it’s nature; sometimes it’s the materials you find that speak to you and inspire you to use them in new ways. I find with weaving that the more I create, the more I want to create so I try to keep that going as long as I can 🙂 -S
Are you from Hamilton or what made you choose Hamilton to settle into with your business? -I
I am very new to Hamilton and very glad to have settled here. I just moved from Toronto and am very excited to become a part of the wonderful arts and crafts community here. I am also so happy to have nature that much closer here. It’s fantastic! -S
Extra tidbits Weaving is such a wonderful craft and is one that is engrained very deeply in our roots as humans on this planet. Communities have been weaving for 20 000+ years and it used to be one of the major factors that brought community together, especially for women. I love being a part of the craft and teaching others how to do it as well. It’s a sort of meditation that can soothe the soul of any participant. -S
These are only three of the many fabulous makers you’ll find at the Craftadian show this weekend. Find out the nitty gritty details below.
Where: McMaster Innovation Park
175 Longwood Rd S, Hamilton, ON L8P 0A1
When: Saturday, August 26, 10 AM – 4 PM
Cost: Admission: $3 (Under 16 years of age free)
*Free Swag bags to the first 50 families in line at 10 a.m. and special giveaways at 2 PM
Free Parking
