Meet the Crafters: Lyndsay Hubley

Meet Lyndsay of LouLouBell:

What do you make?

LouLouBell sews handmade clutches, bags, pouches and cases. We also do hairpins and accessories and custom bridal work.

What is your process?

The flower blossoms which embellish many of my pieces are made out of a combination of organza, chiffon, satins and other fabrics and have become a bit of a signature for LouLouBell work. They are created by cutting the fabric into petals, singing them on a flame which makes them crinkle and give them each their unique shape. They are then layered and hand sewn
together and topped with glass and seed beads.

How long have you been a crafter?

I grew up watching generations of women in my family sewing, knitting, embroidering and crocheting. Besides a couple home-ec classes in school, I never did any serious sewing. In 2006 I bought a machine and began to teach myself. It had been a hobby for me until 2009 when I had my first child and decided to leave a full time job to stay home with him and try and grow my hobby into a business.

Why do you do what you do?

I do what I do because it got to the point that I would be daydreaming about creating while trying to pay attention to 'real life' and laying awake at night sewing seams in my head, dreaming up new pieces to try. And creating makes me happy.





When you're not selling at Crafters markets, where can I find your work?

Boutique Joliette in downtown Halifax carries many new pieces, from headbands and hairpins to formal clutches. I also have two online shops at louloubell.etsy.com and louloubellbaby.etsy.com. You can also find me at the following places:
www.louloubell.ca
www.louloubellblog.blogspot.com
Facebook
Twitter

How long have you been involved with Halifax Crafters?

My first show with the Halifax Crafters was Christmas 2009 and it was so much fun! What a great group of folks and talent! Plus I got all my christmas shopping done in one place that weekend :) It continues to be my favorite place for finding gifts.


What makes Halifax Crafters different from other shows?

I think Halifax Crafters markets are different from other shows because you can feel the energy, from the crafters and creators themselves, and from the visitors who come through the market there, it's energizing. I always leave with a renewed sense of community. It's so nice to see folks coming out to support small business and local artists.

What are you excited about seeing at the spring market?

I'm especially excited this year for cupcakes from Gateaux Rose - YUM!

Searching out some one of a kind coffee mugs, new vendors, and new work from returning members. It's always nice to see what everyone's been busy with...



Where do you do your work?

I work from my home studio, in Upper Tantallon, not far from the Peggy's Cove Road.

Three things you need in order to create?

1. Peppermint tea
2. A headband
3. Good lighting (sunlight preferred)

A favourite quote?

In the hopes of reaching the moon men fail to see the flowers that blossom at their feet.
~ Albert Schweitzer

What's your favourite way to procrastinate?

Fabric shopping! (Which I suppose I need to do anyways for my craft, but I could probably do this 99% of the time, but then I wouldn't get much sewing done) I love to see what new collections and colors my favorite fabric designers are coming out with next!

Meet the Crafters: Jerry Walsh

Meet Jerry Walsh of Distinctive Garden Accents:

What do you make?

I make decorative accents for gardens or outdoor spaces - birdhouses, feeders, bathouses, benches, suet feeders, coatracks (for outdoor walls or decks), signs, obelisks, squirrel feeders and weather vanes. The list is unlimited, based on new ideas and customers desires.


What is your process?

I use as much driftwood and old greying wood as possible, so the look and feel of the wood sometimes dictates what gets built that day. Gnarled driftwood, natural knot holes, wood with flaked paint or well worn driftwood boards determine the next piece.


How long have you been a crafter?

As "Distinctive Garden Accents", I have been active for three years. But I have been cutting and shaping wood for the past twenty five.


Why do you do what you do?

It is the perfect combination of my two favourite hobbies - wood working and gardening. I only make pieces that I would put into my own garden.

How did you get started?

In the eighties, my wife owned and operated a craft supply business, operating out of our home. Part of the mix was tole supplies and teaching classes. I cut all of the wood for general sale and for the classes as well. I had all of the tools and when I decided to leave a full time job, I wanted to do something that I would enjoy and would become a small business into the future. Voila!




When you're not selling at Crafters markets, where can I find your work?

It can be found at Jennifer's on Spring Garden Road, Walkers Seed in Cole Harbour, Acadian Maple Products on the Peggy's Cove Road, Crossroads Gifts in Tantallon, Mother Hubbards in Hubbards and One Sky Now in Mahone Bay.


How long have you been involved with Halifax Crafters?

This is my first show.

What makes Halifax Crafters different from other shows?

It seems to work like a cooperative. All hand made items and not the imported commercial products. I really like the idea of keeping the booth/advertising fee low and no admission fee for the public. It has a community feel to it.


What are you excited about seeing at the spring market?

Families out for the day, finding that special treasure. Warm weather after a cold winter brings people out with a great attitude.






Where do you do your work?

I work from home. I have converted our large garage into a workshop.


What kind of music do you listen to while you work?

Mostly jazz. Also rock, world, bluegrass and modern country.


A place you love?

My backyard with large gardens surrounding a large pond with many fish.


Favourite time of the year?

Right now, for the next three months!


Three things you need in order to create?

Wood, screws, power tools.


A favourite quote?

Live today like it is your last. It might be.


What's your favourite way to procrastinate?

Put on a great jazz cd. Pour a glass of red wine. Relax, preferably next to the pond.

Meet the Crafters: Trudi Smith

Meet Trudi Smith of Double Happiness Designs:

What do you make?

I make books and artwork using Japanese Chiyogami papers which are printed with traditional designs in vibrant colours. I take a lot of inspiration from Japan, which is reflected in the form of my books, the subject matter of my artwork, and the attention to detail in my work.

What is your process?

I get inspiration from the things I’ve seen, books I’ve read, places I’ve travelled to...when I go into my studio, I’m thinking of all these things when I make my work. Sometimes, it takes me a little while to get warmed up and start making things, but once the ideas and work start flowing, it’s really just the best thing.

How long have you been a crafter?

When I was five, I won a father’s day craft competition with a portrait of my dad made using a paper plate and dry macaroni. I’ve been hooked ever since.

Why do you do what you do?

I get a lot of satisfaction from working with my hands and making things. I really like designing new books and thinking of things I’d like to make in the future. The end result is great too – getting to display my work and hearing the reaction from my customers is very fulfilling.


What is your background/How did you get started?

My two big loves are reading and collecting books, and making things. When I discovered Japanese paper, I just knew that I wanted to start making books with it. I took some bookbinding classes, and started giving my books to family and friends as gifts. They encouraged me to start selling my work, and happily – other people like my books too!



When you're not selling at Crafters markets, where can I find your work?

I sell my work here in Halifax at Henhouse in the Hydrostone Market, Duly Noted on Brenton Street and Love, Me on Birmingham Street. I also have my own etsy shop.

How long have you been involved with Halifax Crafters?

This will be my third Crafters show.

What makes Halifax Crafters different from other shows?

I think that Halifax Crafters is different from other shows because it’s all about community. We have a community of great crafters who are very supportive of each other, and the Halifax community is very supportive of our work. I have a number of return customers who visit me at each show – it’s great to see those familiar faces and have a chat.

What are you excited about seeing at the spring market?

I love selling at Halifax Crafters, but I might love shopping there even more! Everything is great, but if I had to pick favourites, I would choose the artwork by Anna Stowe of Good Day Studio, the sweetest accessories by Lyndsay Hubley from LouLouBell and pretty feather jewellery and cute party favours by Amanda Fullerton. Oh, and I have to mention the food – the cupcakes are amazing, and I heard that there are going to be waffles this year too!


Where do you do your work?

I have a studio in my home in Dartmouth. I work surrounded by my favourite things – Japanese paper lanterns, white painted wood floors, treasured childhood toys, and my little dog Milo.

What kind of music do you listen to while you work?

I don’t really listen to music while I work very often. I’m a big fan of podcasts – the Slate Culture Gabfest is a favourite – and books on tape. And – guilty confession – sometimes if I have some really repetitive tasks to do, I watch very bad romantic comedies on my laptop. Lately, when I do listen to music, I love Vampire Weekend.

A place you love?

I have visited Vienna a number of times, and I really love it there. It’s a beautiful city with a lot of history, wonderful art museums, a thriving cafe culture – and just an all around great lifestyle. When I am there, I have the feeling that people really know how to relax and appreciate all the things their city has to offer.

Favourite time of the year?

I really like autumn in Nova Scotia. The weather can be really lovely, and we have beautiful fall colours. I also like to cook, and we have lots of great local produce to buy at the farmer’s markets at that time of year.

Three things you need in order to create?

1 – A dedicated space of my own,
2 – Lots and lots of paper,
3 – Tea and sweets always help the creative process.

A favourite quote?

"Irrational thoughts should be followed absolutely and logically" – Sol LeWitt

What's your favourite way to procrastinate?

Playing fetch with my dog in the park.

Meet the Crafters: Colleen MacIsaac

One of the things we love about the show is having a different poster by a different artist every time. There's so much talent in the Halifax Crafters Society that we have a lot of fun choosing themes and posters.

The poster for the Spring Flight show was designed and screenprinted by Colleen MacIsaac of Little Foible (with screenprinting help from Joanna and Kat). We decided to ask Colleen to tell us a bit about her design.



My poster design came about when I started brainstorming about things that remind me of spring in Halifax -- I live near Citadel Hill and often walk around and across it, and seeing people getting out to fly kites there more often is a sure sign of spring for me.

I also have a fondness for kites in general (though I'm pretty bad at flying them myself), and my 2009 OMF animation Kate and Bradbury featured a kite and a bicycle -- kites pop up in my work fairly often.

kate and bradbury from Colleen MacIsaac on Vimeo.

I'm an interdisciplinary artist -- I make comics, animated films, paintings, screenprints, and theatre.



I've been lucky enough to be at every Halifax Crafter's show since December 2007, and it's been so incredible to see the range of work that is presented....I've never been at a Halifax Crafter's fair where I haven't bought some sort of amazing cards, jewellery, food, zines, pins, clothing, or artwork.

More details about the show

Spring is in the air and the Halifax Crafters Society is set to take flight into spring with 70 different crafters. Our annual spring market is being held on April 30 and May 1, from 11a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Olympic Centre in Halifax. Located at the corner of Hunter and Cunard streets, the Olympic Centre will be in bloom with unique handmade items.

“It’s a chance to buy something unique for mom,” says organizing committee member and artist Anne Pryde. “This is a fantastic opportunity to break away from the winter blahs, enjoy the bright warming atmosphere and support local businesses.”

Follow the screen-printed posters by Colleen MacIsaac of Little Foible to a gathering of craft and art.

You’ll find crafts in bloom upstairs and downstairs throughout the market. Flowers make books by Double Happiness and hair accessories by LouLouBell blossom, while driftwood birdhouses by Distinctive Garden Accents will make the birds sing. There are aprons by Schoolyard Studio to hold tools while breaking ground in the garden, and mugs by Bread and Butter Pottery for tea.

New food vendors Soup You Like and the Waffle Experience join returning favourites to provide tasty treats for shoppers.

Ta-da!

It is crafty-time once again! Come see us at the Olympic Centre, 2304 Hunter Street for our annual spring market, just in time for mother's day!

Thanks to Colleen MacIsaac of Little Foible for designing this lovely poster.