If this year has taught us anything it’s that the arts are essential to our wellbeing. Get creative this festive season and give the gift of local inspiration when buying for the holidays. Art has an incredible ability to connect us even when we’re apart – and even more so when it’s created by local artists.
Here are just a few of the local artists in South Eastern Ontario who have online offerings to help make this year’s festivities unforgettable.
1. Strawberry Snail
Luscious linens, beautiful botanicals on pillow covers, prints, stationery and more! Enter the naturally wonderful world of Strawberry Snail. Thérèse Cilia is the painter and illustrator behind the whimsical and meticulously detailed work, which is also found in children’s books. So many holiday ideas here to behold; hope online to cross some items off your gifting list. Getting lost in the details is a good thing at Strawberry Snail – where you’ll discover something new each time you gaze upon one of Thérèse’s works!
2. Printed And Pink
Put your stamp on the holidays – literally. Printed and Pink creates darling and daring handmade stamp sets and can accommodate custom orders. From funky camp sets to bees and hives, to simple but trendy text on packaging stamps for the business side of life, Printed and Pink is inked up and ready to help you make your mark. Perfect for personal gifting!
3. Chalk And Awe
Handcrafted wood slice ornaments! Peek at the Canadian birch wood rounds in the online shop with beautiful and fun lettering to commemorate the year that was 2020, milestones and even movie quotes. Personalization available! These memorable tokens will be with your friends and families for years to come so get gifting.
4. Stinson Studios
This two-generation family business shines internationally creating bowls and burls and will wow you even from the pictures in their online shop. Look for amazing craftsmanship on the carved burls, oak whiskey tumblers, bowls and boards. These make the ultimate one-of-a-kind and eye-catching present under the tree!
5. Dragonfly Handmade
Bringing nature into everyday life! Creating with wood slices, Dragonfly Handmade brings silhouettes, tables, and signature pieces to life naturally. Here’s a unique Christmas gift idea, too: wood slice kits to create at home!
6. Found And Lost Art
Illustrated treasures and prints full of whimsy and wit featuring bright and playful watercolour illustrations. Great gift ideas and stocking stuffers here for people of all ages – from laptop stickers to cards and everything in between!
7. Ever Lovin’ Press
A printer and stationer of fine letterpress products, contemporary and traditional, business and social, bespoke and ready-made. Take a peek at the work in the shop and appreciate The Canadianist series which features prints from illustrators across the country.
8. YGK3D
If you dream it they can design and print it. YGK3D is a 3D printing and scanning service. High-quality 3D printed products, including purpose-built functional items and those which are purely aesthetic. The products are designed in-house by our 3D design experts. YGK3D also offers 3D modelling, print-on-demand, and 3D scanning services. Non –contact pickup available as well as shipping. Imagine dreaming up something for your bestie and then having it created! Look at their fun ornaments for 2020, too. Talk about a unique gift.
9. Slow Down Photography
Kingston landscape and architecture photos documenting life in the city. From framed prints to cards and even sticky notes, Slow Down Photography even has postcards. A favourite feature are prints and cards including The Tragically Hip Way street signs. Take a look and gift a local view to a friend from afar!
10. Karen Depew Designs
Transitioning from silversmithing to painting, Karen Depew Designs has creativity at its core. See the discounted jewellery perfect for boxing and giving, and dive into the beautiful paintings now coming to life.
11. MP Tully
The energy comes through MP Tully’s Paintings and you feel like you’re right there gazing at the living breathing object. Whether it’s The Tragically Hip or buildings in Kingston’s downtown core, MP Tully’s work has a vibe that’s unmistakable. Browse the online shop for prints, or get in touch with the artist to chat about custom work. Prints make perfect additions to any collection!
12. Upstairs Downstairs
Upstairs Downstairs Studio makes handmade ceramics from Telfer Carpenter. From wavy bowls to eye spy to-go cups and popular face vases, this creative studio is one of a kind. Look at the online shop and be sure to snag something matching for you and a friend – guaranteed to brighten your day knowing you’re both sipping coffee from your wavy mugs.
13. Lzysunday
Bright and unforgettable! The designs by lzysunday from custom illustrations to stationary to earrings – are stand out and happy. Make a statement and live life in colour. Unique holiday cards and daily planner found here, too!
14. Kingston Glass Studio
Yes, there’s a Santa pickle glass ornament here! Alongside other whimsical glass Christmas tree hangers, there are breathtaking glass works made at the studio. Their work is internationally recognized for being sculptural, decorative, functional and ornamental. Marvel at the beautiful colourful bowls, cups, vases, wall décor and much more in the online store and make someone’s holiday sparkle.
15. Christmas In The County
Hear the Christmas in the County Album presented by Zunior.com, on behalf of County Pop and Sandbanks Music Festival! A total of 100% of the retail price goes directly to supporting adult learning at the Prince Edward Learning Centre!
16. Carolyn M. Barnett Designs
Knit artwear and felt wearable! Carolyn M. Barnett specializes in hand loomed knit cardigans, jackets and wraps using wool and cotton. Combining classic simplicity and funkiness she has knit for all ages, as well as various theatre and commercial productions. Don’t forget to shop the unique and colourful buttons and bright handknit cowls online. A great practical gift for cooler days!
17. Millside Ceramics
Millside Ceramics is proudly located on Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory and was established by Marleen Murphy in 1998. Each ceramic piece is handcrafted from earthenware clay and molds before being kiln fired and hand-painted by Marleen in her home studio. Be inspired for holiday gifting by the beautiful works Millside Ceramics has created and send Marleen a note personally to order.
18. Adele Webster
The joy found in colour is evident in Adele Webster’s pieces! Her peaceful art inspired by nature creates soul-soothing contemporary abstract paintings. See the current online gallery and picture a painting hanging in your own space.
19. Same Sisters Studio
These are three sisters who share the same love of creating and collecting art! Their mediums include acrylic on wood, woven fibre and macrame.
20. Art By Holly Ryan
A prolific resin artist, the colourful collections are fun, funky and even celestial. Whether it’s motivational pendants, ashtrays, jewellery, trays, coasters or more, it’s one of a kind and beautiful. Watch for giveaways and dates for accepting custom orders.
21. Studio Peta Books
Gorgeous eco-printed handmade books celebrate plants and the beautiful places they grow. An extensive online shop shows the journals created from paper which is thoughtfully printed with flowers and leaves. A sincere and unique gift for the scribbler on your list: the combination of natural dyes and pigments make each journal one of a kind and a treat to write in. Psst! We also love the paper heart bunting here!
22. Lakeside Studio Gallery
This new gallery space showcases local artists. Original artwork is accented on the website by a special holiday shop in which there are delightful works available as notecards, notebooks, prints and more – all for under $100.
23. Michelle Hutchinson Art
Eye-catching art in rich colour, making you gaze a little longer and be aware of your emotions. That’s Michelle Hutchinson’s art. As it evokes such feelings it’s neatly organized into collections in her online gallery, from Joyful Collections to Fun and Quirky, to the Hope Collection and Love Collection. Enjoy browsing the unique works and find one that speaks to you or your family. Sure to be treasured.
24. Art on Main Gallery
Now solely an online presence, Art on Main is a cooperative of local artists committed to working together to showcase and sell local art. Look for a virtual gallery and e-commerce showcasing the exciting, diverse and collectable artwork from leading artists, most of whom reside in ‘The County.’ So much talent and creativity on one site!
Art & Craft Supplies
25. Art Noise –Kingston
The home of the perfect gift to inspire creativity! From art supplies to fine writing, books to music, Art Noise is the place to shop online for those artsy people in your life. There are even online exclusives to order so have fun browsing and dreaming of the projects your friends and family could unwrap on Christmas morning!
26. Purlin’ J’s Rovin Yarn Company
This might be the best thing on wheels. Purlin’ J’s is a mobile yarn shop featuring sumptuous yarn, unique notions, quality needles, books, and other fascinating fibre paraphernalia. With a focus on products from Ontario, plus a few hard-to-find luxury yarns, it’s also an amazing online shop featuring yarn (of course…), gifts, needles, kits and much more.
27. Birds Eye Hue Boutique
Get a bird’s eye view of your project – and expert advice. Birds Eye Hue sells Fusion Mineral Paint as well as various DIY project essentials and home décor, such as stencils, decals, wallpaper, knobs, brushes, and soap. On site and virtual workshops for those who want to be inspired and share creativity! Shop online with shipping now available to get the tools to make the best Christmas gifts ever.
Find local inspiration from artists and creatives in our community and give the most unique gifts this holiday season from South Eastern Ontario!
#ShopLocalSEO
Topsy Farms, Mackinninon Brothers, Enright Cattle Co. have launched a Campaign to Spotlight Local Businesses and will be using their social media profiles to highlight local shops using #ShopLocalSEO. Vendors will not only be provided with space at real-life events, such as the Enright’s and Mackinnons Christmas Holiday Markets but vendors will have their stories shared online. Shoppers are encouraged to use the hashtag on social after their latest purchase or to feature some of their favourite locally-owned shops. Any business with a website can be part of this campaign. Follow along and use the hashtag #ShopLocalSEO.
