Artist Profile: Alison Ellett

Fonthill resident Alison Ellett describes herself as "an emerging textile artist on a mission to make getting dressed fun." She launched her custom clothing and accessories business, Alison Ruth Designs, in 2008.

Setting up her own design business was the culmination of a long-held ambition for Alison, who has been sewing and embroidering for as long as she can remember. "Growing up, we were not allowed to watch TV unless we were doing something else at the same time," she says. "I still have my first piece of embroidery – a toaster cover I stitched when I was six. My mum used it for over 20 years."

When she was 12, Alison attended sewing lessons at the local Singer sewing machine store, and after that she was hooked. "By Grade 10, I was accomplished enough to tackle the Grade 12 tailoring project. I made a wool suit, fully lined, pleated skirt, welt pockets, notched lapel and all. When I got to Grade 12, I made my brother a corduroy sports coat. Fine by him until he discovered he had to be in the school fashion show...

"It all just grew from there. I’ve been sewing, knitting, embroidering and generally messing about with fabric and thread for over 35 years now. In the fall of 2008, I decided to throw caution to the wind, leave the corporate world and pursue these creative endeavours full-time."

Highlights of Alison’s artistic career include having her designs featured in Style at Home and Fab Magazine, seeing good friends light up when they put on the wedding dress she created just for them, and selling to celebrities through Etsy.

At Who Knew? on April 29, Alison will be selling a selection of her wearable art pieces, which are intended to have presence but to be lightweight, easy to put on and take off, and to move with the wearer.

"Embroidery and beading are integral elements of my work," she explains. "I'm inspired by the textures and colours I find in the fibres, stone, glass and wood of my raw materials.

"There's a strong graphic element to my work. This is felt as you’ve never seen it before!"

Artist Profile: Liz Heise

Lighting is essential for creating a great atmosphere. Candles can give you an intimate and cosy feeling. Liz Heise uses quality soy wax to make clean-burning candles, adding fragrance or essential oil to create fabulous aromatics. Princess Buttercup Soy Candles are hand-poured with love in small batches at Liz’s workshop in downtown Port Colborne.

"I started making soy candles as a craft project with my son when I was on maternity leave," explains Liz. "I was aware of the difference between soy and paraffin, and I wanted to stay away from soot-producing paraffin candles.

"My friends and family adored my work. Hearing positive feedback from the people around me helps me move forward."

Liz adds that soy candles have a slower burn time, giving you more for your money. They are also environmentally friendly: renewable and biodegradable. Being soot-free, they don't pollute the air. If wax is accidentally spilt, it's easy to clean up with just soap and water.

"Soy is also a sensible choice as it creates economical growth for farmers. So keep on burning!" urges Liz.

Meet Liz and eight other local artisans at the Wildflower Market Restaurant in Fonthill this Thursday, April 29, from 6:30 to 10 pm. Tickets are selling fast, so buy yours today!

Artist Profile: Martha Heise

Ridgeway-based Martha Heise started making her BAGS by Martha three years ago and has sold over 150 at craft shows and open houses.

Describing her product range, Martha says: "I create three sizes of tote BAGS, two sizes of hobo BAGS, and children's BAGS, which are great for taking in the car. My one-of-a-kind BAGS are fully lined, have interior pockets and look just as nice inside as they do outside.

"All creating and sewing is done in my pet-free, smoke-free home. My sewing studio is filled with a large assortment of fabrics, from upholstery fabrics to quilting cottons, bright and bold prints to more subdued prints and solids, and smooth to textured fabrics."

Martha grew up as one of five daughters in a family of seven children, so her mother spent a lot of time making dresses. Martha's interest in sewing started early, and by Grade 8 she had sewn several dresses for herself. Home economics classes in high school further stimulated her interest in dressmaking and fabrics.

"At age 19, when I was engaged to be married, there was no question about my wedding dress," says Martha. "I was making it and that was that. This prompted me to take the little savings I had and purchase my own sewing machine. When our two children were small I sewed many little overalls and dresses."

Martha's passion for sewing was rekindled three years ago when she saw a piece of fabric that intrigued her. Thinking it would make a great BAG, she went back to the store, but the fabric was gone.

"This put me on a search for interesting fabrics. I started creating a few BAGS for my daughter, daughter-in-law, a few friends and myself. These wonderful ladies encouraged me by saying, 'You could sell these BAGS!'

"They were right! A BAG makes a lovely and unique gift for your mother, daughter, sister or friend, for her birthday, Mother’s Day, Christmas or just because."

More recently, Martha has added APRONS to her store. Be among the first to see these lovely additions at our event this Thursday, April 29. Click the button at right to buy your ticket.

Artist Profile: Julie Prescesky

Under the Jules Mae Clothing brand, with its memorable tagline, "Heavenly style, sassy as hell," Julie Prescesky from St. Catharines creates one-of-a-kind handmade apparel using recycled, repurposed and ethically sourced materials.

Julie has been sewing and designing for as long as she can remember. As she explains, "I grew up in the sleepy countryside just outside of Vancouver, BC. My mom was our community seamstress and often made elaborate gowns for proms, weddings, beauty pageants and the like. My love of garment construction and design most certainly comes from her.

"I've spent most of my life in pursuit of creative adventures. I'm a DIYer, which means I think that almost every challenge has a solution. I just need to find it. And with that comes the inevitable challenge of almighty TIME."

Rising to that challenge, Julie is currently working on a project called Moo Moo 100, which, as the name suggests, will see her design and produce 100 moo moo dresses. You can follow her progress on her blog.

Besides working on her clothing line, Julie is in the process of finishing up her "long lost" Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at Nova Scotia College of Art and Design. "I'm pretty excited about that," she says. “I've studied a myriad of techniques and gained a mindset which naturally bubbles into most areas of my life."

Explaining how she manages to balance the multiple roles of artist, student, wife and mother, Julie says: "I do my best to stay focused on the task at hand and see it through, and then move on to the next challenge. I love figuring things out. I was always attracted to puzzles of all sorts as a child, and I think that has helped me find creative solutions to whatever may be facing me and needing attention."

Come out and meet Julie, and eight other talented artisans from the Niagara region, at our exclusive, ticket-only event on Thursday, April 29. The event takes place at the Wildflower Market Restaurant on Hwy 20 in Fonthill from 6:30 to 10 pm. You can buy tickets online (button at right) or by calling Alison at 905-892-6424.

Artist Profile: Nancy Martin

Working with sterling silver, semi-precious beads and Swarovski crystal, Nancy creates jewellery that is high-quality but affordable. "No two pieces ever turn out the same, and that is exactly how I want it to be," she says. "I strive to make pieces that are both elegant and casual, something that can be worn with jeans, to the office or out on the town."

Nancy says she was born with a passion for jewellery, having been raised in a family of creative and talented women. "I knew at an early age that jewellery would figure prominently in my life. Around the age of 10, I was given an old book that showcased Queen Mary's jewellery. I spent many hours studying each picture."

Nancy's first job was in a fine jewellery store, where she spent as much time as possible watching the goldsmith. "I soon learned the correct way of restringing a strand of pearls and then couldn't wait to get started when a strand was brought in for repair."

She began making her own jewellery four years ago when she saw a bracelet that was absolutely gorgeous but way over her budget. "So," says Nancy, "I decided I would make one. I sourced the semi-precious beads and sterling silver wire, purchased a set of tools and set up my own bench. Suddenly I felt complete. This was my destiny!

"I made the bracelet and then someone wanted one like it. Using leftover beads I made earrings. They sold almost immediately."

Nancy now sells her creations under the Gracie Jewellery brand and has many satisfied customers in Canada, the US, Mexico, Australia, France, England, Ireland and Sweden.

Currently taking a metalworking course, Nancy plans to expand her line to include handmade sterling silver components and chains. "I enjoy the whole jewellery making process, from choosing each bead, designing and constructing, to watching someone discover my work for the first time."

Nancy lives in Welland with her husband and son, who, she says, are very supportive but not afraid to offer their opinions.

Join us on Thursday, April 29, at the Wildflower Market Restaurant to meet Nancy and see her latest creations in the Gracie Jewellery line.

Artist Profile: Caroline Stikkelbroeck

Today's featured artist is Caroline, also known as tantecaroline.  Enjoy her unique work with polymer clay, jewelry and her many-layered and antiqued swirly balls and frames in between her wonderful story!

Meet Caroline first-hand and see her amazing creations at the Who Knew show on April 29 at the Wildflower Market and Restaurant. 

Buy your tickets right here!

Says Caroline:

In my home when I was growing up, someone was always making something.

I think my father could do anything. Seriously, if he couldn’t, he would learn. Woodworking, mechanics, rug hooking, electronics, plumbing, and on and on. He made my first stereo, his first computer, and even built a car -- made the fiberglass body from moulds he constructed, built the engine from bought and salvaged parts, and even designed and sewed his own tonneau cover for the sporty convertible.

My mother operated her own successful business out of our home, sewing, and quite often, designing clothing for women. In between meals, our kitchen table was her worktable. I don’t think we ever watched an episode of Walt Disney that wasn’t accompanied by the sound of her snipping scissors. Our Barbie dolls were the best dressed in the neighbourhood.

I drew a lot as a child, but once I was out of school, and no longer had ready access to free materials, I put it aside. I produced some stellar doodles during my 20s, but my interest in creating really began to revive when I started renting homes almost too ugly to live in. Painting, plastering and tile laying, soon led to decorative painting and plastering, antiquing and craquelure. These techniques all re-surface in my current work.

I think it’s no coincidence that I re-approached art at the same time that I re-entered school. I believe the cranial tune-up sparked a creative need that didn’t require rational thinking. In addition, just as I didn’t leave academics after graduating, staying on at Brock as a Teaching Assistant, and then pursuing and completing a Master’s Degree in Popular Culture, likewise, my interest in creating has not only stuck with me, but grown.

My work is largely about transformation and texture, regardless of the medium I’m working with. I have a strong practical side that is revealed in my creation of usable pieces of art, whether it’s frames, boxes, holiday ornaments, or jewellery.

I enjoy mixing it up. I move between decorative techniques, such as antiquing, craquelure, stamping, decoupage and stencilling, to jewellery making, and polymer exploration. To each of these mediums, though, I bring the same commitment to creating unique, well-made and usable art.

More of her work here!

Artist Profile: Stephanie Rehkopf

Stephanie Rehkopf is a jewellery artist who designs and hand-beads romance-inspired jewellery, combining vintage flair with fine art influences and a unique colour sense.

"I create with beads, paint, fabric, wire, wood and whatever else I can fashion into jewellery," says Stephanie, explaining that the artistic seed was planted in Grade 6 when she found students and teachers crowding around her desk to oooh and ahhh over her painting. "I had created something from nothing – the blank page – that evoked a response in others."

An eternal student, Stephanie has taken many classes over the years: woodcarving, pottery, stained glass, photography, jewellery and, most recently, encaustic painting. She draws on characteristics from each medium she has studied to add details to her work.

"I'm inspired by my materials, creating designs that show their natural beauty to best effect. Hand-drawn or hand-beaded pendants add a distinctive touch. Colour and design generate a feeling of romance. Viewers of my work remark on my ability to create a brand new piece and give it the look of an antique," explains Stephanie.

"I believe art should have a function: to embellish and complement the wearer."

Stephanie lives in old Fonthill with her "rock star" husband, Bryan, and their two hilarious kids aged seven and three. She steals time when she can, day-to-day responsibilities permitting, to lose herself in the process of creating something beautiful.

Who Knew? on TVCogeco

With just over two weeks to go before our event on April 29, the Who Knew? publicity machine is moving into top gear.

Alison Ellett of Alison Ruth Designs, one of the artisans behind the event, was interviewed today by Don Pierson for TVCogeco's Keep in Touch. The interview will air on TV in the Niagara region during the week starting Sunday, April 18, but is already available on YouTube:

Who Knew?

Who knew there's a whole bunch of talented women in Niagara who make and sell beautiful handmade things you wouldn't find in an ordinary store?

Well, now you have the chance to find out!

We are a group with diverse abilities coming together to provide a whole spectrum of lovely, earth-friendly, hand-made goodness to all of Niagara.

Art, jewellery, clothing, home accessories and personal products

- we have them all!

As Nancy Martin, the jewellery designer who, along with Alison Ellett, a felt artist, started this group says:
This whole shebang got started when Alison and I met for coffee to discuss how we could promote our businesses. We decided the best way was to have a ladies night in the trunk show format. We know there are alot of very talented artisans in the Niagara area that just aren't able to get themselves known because there is a lack of quality shows. We decided a cosy intimate setting such as the Wildflower Market Restaurant was the perfect venue to introduce ourselves and the artisans we have invited to join us.

And so it all began...

Join our blog and discover what we have to offer.

Support local talent; support hand-made!

We do hope to see you around!