Saturday, April 28, 2012

Top Picks at the April Market Collective

Market Collective is undoubtedly my favourite reoccurring event in Calgary.  If you frequent this once a month, boutique style market, then you know it showcases one of the most thriving communities in the city. Market Collective reps local artists of all shapes and sizes, from musicians to cupcake crafters, jewellers to photographers.





























Anytime I'm in town, I make sure to attend, (I was even set up selling the Waves of Fire crystal collection at the February market), and always find an inspiring mix of goodies. This time I decided to narrow it down to my top 6 picks, which I've included for you below.

#1 - Animal Inspired Artwork by Katie Green




























How gorgeous is this display by local artist, and good friend, Katie Green? She's well known for her colourful renditions of owls, lions, and more, but took a different route this time by featuring these tribal-feeling, mouse bone necklaces. Yes, I said mouse bone. I was so entranced by them that I bought one on the spot. Katie says that since we share roughly 85% of the same DNA as mice, they're "a symbol of honour of our connection with this species." I dig it.

#2 Cheese Making Kits by Make Cheese




























How ingenious are these cheese-making kits? My roommate, Kai, bought the Cream Cheese mix, and I can't wait to try what homemade cream cheese tastes like! Although since I don't usually eat dairy, perhaps we can substitute the milk for something a little more exotic like Almond or Coconut milk? Check out the Make Cheese website to get your own kit!

#3 Angel Wing Earrings by Cinder & Sage





















When I saw these turquoise angel wings at Cinder & Sage's booth, I stopped in my tracks instantly. I had just finished writing the Waves of Fire manifesto, which included a homage to turquoise & gold, as well as angels. I've worn these earrings almost every day since the market, and I can't tell you how much I love having a constant reminder that my angels are always with me, in my favourite colour, mimicking my logo, no less.

#4 Global Buckets by Light & Soul and the Leaf Ninjas




Global Buckets are an innovative way to grow food in containers, and they're absolutely fantastic for those of us who don't have a backyard to garden in. These beautiful pieces have a water reservoir at the bottom of the buckets, which allows you to get away with not watering them for days, while simultaneously strengthening the plants root system, by bottom watering. The magicians at Light & Soul Creations and Leaf Ninjas turned each bucket into a work of art, by painting each one differently, and auctioning them off. I took a picture of my favourite piece, by Kai, called Sustainable Starlight. Love these!

#5 Organic skincare by Sapwood


























I haven't seen many skin care booths at Market Collective, so when I saw these treats by Sapwood, I was super excited. I'm a sucker for anything with herbs, pretty packaging, and a purpose, so naturally, I was enchanted by her selection of organic products. My favourites were the Pomegranate & Rose Facial Scrub, and the Wellspring Perfume Solid; both smelled absolutely incredible, and vibrated a completely beautiful energy. Ashley Cooper, the artisan, put a lot of love into this line. Her products are available for purchase here.

#6 Hand-painted leather bracelets by Taryn Hailey

I loved these hand painted, leather bracelets from Taryn Hailey. I'm a big fan of wearing a stack of bangles, and the width of these allows you to just wear one or two pieces, and get that same, eccentric, effect. My favourites in particular were those that combined blues and golds. Gorgeous, no?

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