It’s hard enough to source locally crafted gifts and goods when there isn’t a global pandemic forcing shoppers to stay home and shop online. We thought it would make things easier if we dedicated some space to connect you with local makers. Each hyperlinked shop belongs to a unique, locally-based maker, so you can be mindful of where your money goes over the holidays and beyond.
Want your shop added to the list? Email inquiries to ads@wlusp.com.
“Konifer Design is a design studio company based in Elora, featuring handcrafted furniture, décor and artwork. Products are made by hand and designed for people seeking a deeper relationship with the objects they surround themselves with. Furniture and décor items are influenced by minimalistic styles, and core products include coffee tables and vinyl record cabinets. Artwork is minimalistic and expressive and is mainly line and abstract artwork influenced by nature. Konifer Design is dedicated to reflective craftsmanship, functional design and sustainability. Custom and commercial requests are available. koniferdesign.com / studio@koniferdesign.com / instagram.com/koniferdesign.”
“Jushmu is a warm and silly shop offering enamel pins, stickers, prints, apparel, and other odds and ends. Through bright colours and whimsical ideas, Jushmu is here to bring a little bit of happiness and inspire self-love to anyone who needs it. Everything within Jushmu is designed and illustrated by Julie Campbell, a Canadian artist located in Kitchener, Ontario.”
“At Onset & Rime, we make premium scented soy candles for people whose love of books goes beyond the final pages. Each scent is thoughtfully designed to evoke scenes, characters, places and themes from your favourite stories. We want you to find yourself as lost in our scents as you are in the books you read. To help alleviate that feeling of slight (or deep) despair when a book you love is over. Transport yourself to Green Gables in October, sit with Alice under the tree at the March Hare’s house, or walk through the back of a wardrobe into a wintery kingdom. Our candles are hand-poured using locally sourced, biodegradable soy wax, and our fragrance oils are paraben and phthalate free. For local purchases, we offer free delivery – see our website for more details!”
“Ad Astra Boutique makes elegant-yet-quirky STEM-inspired jewellery. We believe that jewellery should tell a story and reflect our passions and values. Now more than ever our world needs to celebrate knowledge and all its pursuits. $1 from each item sold is donated to Save the Children, an international charity with a mission to help children grow up healthy, learning and safe. Ad Astra Boutique is Kitchener-based and ships worldwide. Follow us on Instagram @adastraboutique for giveaways and special discounts!”
“Jacqueline started Butterpot Designs after searching for a unique travel map and not finding a customizable option that also looked nice. The maps she makes are ‘functional art’. They look like a piece of art and can tell the story of your adventures around the world, the provincial parks that you have visited, or where you’ve seen your favourite sports team play. The tiny handmade pins match the theme of your map with airplanes and the camping pins being most popular. They are sized to work with our maps, and the fabric the maps are printed on is durable and has a different look than paper. Butterpot Designs also has prints of popular trail maps, embroidery kits with maps of Canada and Christmas ornaments of Canadian provinces and territories.”
MacLellan Books is a book bindery based in Elmira, Ontario which manufactures custom stationery and prints and binds books for indie authors. Besides a beautiful line of bespoke notebooks, calendars and cookbooks, MB specializes in the archival and reproduction of old books. Using a mix of modern technology and traditional techniques, your grandmothers recipes can find a new home between the covers of a brand new book, preserved for the next generation.
Kovclay is a small batch minimalist polymer clay earrings and accessories side hustle made for any and all folks. Each piece is uniquely designed and slow made by myself, Brit Kovacs, with the core values of providing accessible, sustainable, and locally made craftsmanship. I take inspiration from architectural spaces, organic colour swatches and natural textures. With each piece being carved, baked, sanded and assembled by hand. Local to Downtown Kitchener, I offer local porch pick up or drop off and complimentary Canada-wide shipping.
“Extrasoft.co is your source for simple and cheeky enamel pins, keychains, cards and more. Katie, the designer behind Extrasoft.co, is inspired by things that make her laugh or smile in real life and uses these as inspiration for her merch. Hopefully, this merch makes you laugh or smile too! Whether it’s a swearing dolphin pin or simple metal lemon keychain, you’re sure to find the perfect stocking stuffer in her shop.Check out the Extrasoft.co Etsy shop at Extrasoft.co and use the code “Take18″ for 18 per cent off when you spend $20 or more until Dec. 30.”