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Made in Canada holiday gift ideas

Handmade glass ornaments via Brook Drabot on Etsy / Matisse print via Bananastrudel on Etsy / Linen apron via Lost in Linen on Etsy / Miniature landscape painting via Melissa Mary Jenkins Art on Etsy / handcrafted soap via La Marcotterie on Etsy / pretty bracelets via On this Earth on Etsy  / leather journal via Forest Nine on Etsy / handprinted watercolour cards via Pacific Greeting co. on Etsy / pink quartz earrings via Veronique Roy on Etsy / handcrafted flower press via Oake Living on Etsy /



At this time of year we are inundated with ads for Black Friday sales. It's so easy to curl. up on the sofa to scroll and shop.


But did you know that every time you buy something from a small business your dollars are not only supporting that business but also the local economy, even if it’s an item you can buy at a big box store. 

 

According to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, 66 cents of every dollar spent at a small business stays in the local economy, compared to only 11 cents per dollar spent at a multinational. 

 

There are lots of ways that you can support local businesses and still shop online - and many are having sales in the lead up to the holidays and to celebrate Small Business Saturday on November 25th.

 

Etsy is also a go-to for holiday shopping. I like that I’m supporting artisans and small businesses and did you know you can also shop local? Etsy has a feature that lets you filter your search by city, province or country. If you’re looking to shop for something more specific, check out the Etsy Editor’s Picks for gift ideas too.

 

Here are some of my Made in Canada Etsy holiday gift ideas.





Winnipeg, Manitoba based Brooke Drabot Glass creates the most beautiful handmade glass ornaments, straws, vases and incense dishes that are perfect for gifting.




I love this Matisse print from Toronto-based Bananastrudel whom I’ve been a fan of ever since I organized Toronto’s first Etsy Handmade Market back in 2009 at The Gladstone Hotel.




This linen apron from Toronto-based Lost in Linen makes a lovely gift for someone who loves to cook or garden. 





A miniature landscape painting pendant by the lovely and talented Melissa Mary Jenkins whom I had the joy of interviewing several years ago for The Toronto Star. 




You can never go wrong with pretty soaps, and perhaps pair it with a vintage dish. La Marcotterie from Sherbrooke, Quebec makes lovely self-care focused gifts. 




Pretty jewelry like these bracelets from Montreal-based On This Earth.




A personalized leather journal from Calgary-based Forest Nine.



I adore handmade cards. These watercolour prints by Pacific Greeting Co. in Chilliwack, BC are lovely.




Pretty rose quartz earrings by Veronique Roy in Montreal, Quebec.



A flower press from Oake Living in Kentville, Nova Scotia.


For more of my Etsy holiday gifting favourites visit my page at Etsy.


*This blog post contains affiliate links.

Introducing vintage and antique finds from Foraged Home & Garden

petite antique dishes make lovely holiday gifts when paired with special soaps & gourmet salts. 


If you've been following me for awhile you probably know how much I love vintage and antiques.

I adore exploring markets, estate sales and thrift shops looking for treasures. It's not just the hunt, but the stories and history behind vintage items that I'm passionate about.

Many of the objects I love come from a time when they were made by hand, sometimes there are imperfections but that's part of the character and charm.

One of my earliest memories of learning about antiques is from my grandmother. On a hutch in her dining room sat a collection of very old Irish Belleek. I remember her telling me how it was a very special collection that was passed down to the eldest daughter in my Irish family for many generations and that one day it would be mine to care for. It instilled in me a reverence for old things, it was the history and mystery - of who had held this in their hands before me, who made it,  where did it come from?

Over the years, I've acquired many great finds, more than I can keep and display in my home and I continue to collect. I also love to capture old things in photographs and perhaps inspiring a new use for something old. 

I hope you'll spend some time wandering through my online shop Foraged Home & Garden where I share  lovely found objects and timeworn treasures and that these curated finds will encourage you to incorporate the patina and charm of second-loved treasures into your home. 

Shop Foraged Home & Garden https://foragedhomeandgarden.ca/


Beautiful objects gathered on a trip to France
available at Foraged Home & Garden


petite plates make lovely gifts paired with special soap or gourmet salts
from Foraged Home & Garden


a mix of vintage and antique finds from Foraged Home & Garden







Get organized for Fall and make getting back to routines simpler

 

Novo 3 light flushmount via lighthouse co. / French coat rack via Seamax Interiors on Etsy / Schlage Encode Plus Electronic Smart lock Wifi Deadbolt with Apple Home Key, Camelot in Black Matte / Flowerbed cushion via V de V / Rulon white small tote basket via Crate and Barrel / Adama vinyl mat via V de V / Penny ottoman via Rainsford company / Burl Wood Console Table via Rainsford Company / Block Golden Calcutta Marble Table Lamp via CB2 / Rattan bowl

via Wills and Prior / Faux maidenhair fern via Pottery Barn / Ruby Circular Mirror via Rainsford Company




September is a month of fresh starts. Getting back to daily routines can be a welcome change for some but overwhelming for others. It can be a time of transition where flipflops and backpacks often compete for space.

Whether you have a tiny entryway or a spacious mudroom, this hardworking space can easily become a dumping ground for everyday items. With a little planning you can create an orderly and stylish entryway as well as comfortable and stylish spot that's easy to come home to.

I’ve partnered with Schlage Canada to create an inspiration board, and share some tips on how to create an entryway that that will ease you into the seasons to come.

Some tips for how to create an orderly and stylish entryway…

Add a multipurpose table.

When you walk through the door, it's useful to have a spot to safely place a phone, the mail or a coffee cup. If you have the space, a console table is a nice addition to an entryway. Add a catchall dish for loose change, sunglasses or keys, and perhaps a basket for mail. If space is tight, a small table or a shelf hung on the wall, placed just below a mirror, can serve the same purpose.

Include hanging storage.

Storage solutions are key for an organized entry. Not everyone has space for built-ins or a bulky armoire to hold coats. That’s where a wall mounted coat rack can work well. This French inspired brass coat rack with mirror would look fabulous. Get creative and DIY your own with brass hooks (vintage hooks would look great) secured to a 1x6 wood board or moulding cut to size - to create a spot to hang coats, hats and totes. Hooks are great for kids too, making it easy for them to hang coats and backpacks.

Make everyday life easier. Update your entry door with a keyless entry system.

Make running out the door easy with a keyless entry system. Schlage has launched the Encode Plus. Their latest smart WIFI deadbolt lock works with Apple® home keys. You can easily lock and unlock your door using your Apple Watch, iPhone and HomeKit, plus seamlessly manage codes and more with the complete Schlage Home experience, right at your fingertips.

Simply tap to unlock the door - instead of searching your pockets for keys. Works with Apple HomeKit and Apple home keys; with home keys you can simply tap to lock or unlock using your iPhone or Apple Watch for easy and secure access to your home.

The Encode Plus also lets you use voice control using Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for hands-free convenience when paired with the Schlage Home app and a voice enabled device, or use Siri when paired with the Apple HomeKit.

The Schlage Encode Plus gives you anywhere access – meaning you can control access to and monitor your home from anywhere using the Schlage app.

You can share access with trusted friends and family - so there is no more keeping track of spare keys. Lock and unlock from anywhere, mange up to 100 access codes, view lock history, receive customizable notifications and easily manage multiple locks at once - all when paired to the Schlage Home app and connected to a secure WiFi network.

It’s easy to install with just a screwdriver, no hardwiring required.

The Schlage Encode Plus Electronic Smart Lock Wifi Deadbolt with Apple Home Key can be purchased at Home Depot Canada and is available in aged bronze, matte black and satin nickel finishes.

Include a place to sit.

A comfy spot to sit and put on shoes is great to include in this space. You can find benches that include built-in storage like drawers and bins, or just add a basket underneath to maximize storage. If space is tight, a chair does the trick and can easily be used in another room when extra seating is needed.

Add extra storage.

You can never have enough storage in this hard-working space. Baskets that slide a console table or bench can corral everyday objects like hats, shopping bags or kids’ stuff. If you can, give everyone in the family a bin or basket so they have a separate space for their gear. Add a small tray or decorative bowl on a tabletop to keep things contained and from feeling cluttered. Add a shelf above hooks that can hold pretty bins or baskets that can help disguise clutter but also look stylish.

Add something soft.

An accent pillow added to a bench or chair adds pattern, a pop of colour and a little something comfy to a room.

Mirror

A mirror is essential in an entry. After all, doesn’t everyone do one last check before you run out the door?
It also helps to reflect light in a room, especially in a darker space helping to create the illusion of a room being larger.

Add something personal.

While the entryway is a utilitarian space, you also want it to reflect the style of your home. So, add extra touches such as photos, art, plants and interesting objects to personalize the space.

Look for vintage or antique pieces that serve a practical purpose.

Look for wicker baskets at thrift stores. An antique crock or jar can serve as an umbrella stand. Vintage hooks can be found at antique markets and shops like The Door Store. Think outside the box when it comes to vintage pieces you might be able to give a new life.

Don’t forget the lighting.

Good quality lighting is important for an entryway. You want to be practical but welcoming. Use a combination of overhead and accent lighting. A semi-flush ceiling fixture adds much needed light. A table lamp or wall sconces can add more task lighting or be used as a softer accent.

…. and include a mat or rug to wipe your feet.

It’s not only a place to wipe wet or dirty shoes but it also helps to define the space. Choose a material that works well for a high traffic area. Sisal works well, as does any flat-weaves and vinyl is easy to clean.


Disclosure: I’ve partnered with Schlage Canada in this sponsored post. All opinions and text are my own.