Side Street Studio Blog | The best art that B.C. can offer
About This Site
Side Street Studio in Oak Bay Village, Victoria, has been selling the work of British Columbia artists for over 26 years. Currently the Studio represents over 320 local B.C. artists and the web site www.sidestreetstudio.com has over 2000 pages of unique and exceptional value local artists work.
Unique and original pottery, jewellery, textiles, glass-art, wood turnings and carvings, sculptures and west coast photography; all unique and one-of-a-kind. There are gifts for every occasion, birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, housewarmings, romantic events, thanks yours, good luck and just for you! more...
1. PLAN IN ADVANCE! So very few people plan their shopping in advance. Yet a few moments spent making a list of who you will be buying for this holiday season and where they live will make your shopping so very stress free. You can identify those friends & relatives to whom you need to post / ship gifts. Planning in advance allows you time to ship at the most economical rates. (Note: small items such as jewellery can be shipped on overnight delivery to anywhere in the US for $16).
GIVERNY BOWL - AMETHYST
2. KNOW WHO YOU ARE BUYING FOR! Spending just a few moments thinking about those who you are buying for allows you to plan for specific, tailor-made gifts. Such as a pottery baker for a keen cook or a glass vase for someone who loves flowers. Given a few days notice, local jewellery artists can custom make a piece for you.
COPPER RED OVAL CASSEROLE
3. SET A BUDGET! In these difficult economic times it is so very important to set yourself a budget and stick to it. Locally made gifts offer exceptional value for money.
Carnival Pearls
4. LOOK FOR LOCALLY MADE GIFTS. Locally made gifts are always appreciated and more thoughtful. The uniqueness and quality of local crafts is outstanding and they cost a lot less than you might think. One stop shopping at your local craft store saves you a great deal of time and stress.
REDWOOD (SEQUOIA) LARGE SALAD BOWL
5. SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL ECONOMY. By shopping locally you are supporting your local economy and helping to keep jobs in North America. The major department stores and shopping malls are full of produce imported from far off countries. Supporting your local artists & crafts people helps keep your $ at home.
STERLING SILVER, AGATE & AVENTURINE NECKLACE
6. TAKE CARE OF YOUR ENVIRONMENT. This is the only planet that we have and we need to take care of it. Your local arts & crafts people leave a small carbon footprint. They use local materials, advertise less and use less packaging – all to the benefit of our planet.
LADIES WOOL SLIPPERS
7. PERSONAL SERVICE. Look for stores that offer a personal service such as gift wrapping and shipping.
Christmas Gift Wrapping
8. LOCAL CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS. Locally made decorations stand out as being unique and original. They also last a lot longer than the mass of cheap imports which you see thrown away after each holiday season. Buy cheap, buy twice is not clever in today’s tough economy.
COBALT GLASS DECORATION
1. Uniqueness – locally crafted work is unique. Unlike items made in a far off factory; local crafts people make work that is individual and one-of-a-kind. This does not just apply to a magnificent vase or a glass bowl. Even with a humble coffee mug, every one has a very slight difference.
Humble Cat Mug - Very Rare!
When just one person or a husband & wife team make an item the numbers are by the nature of the process – small. It’s great to have or give as a gift something that is genuinely unique.
WESTERN MAPLE SALAD BOWL
2. Quality – artists always take a personal pride in their hand-made work. I have yet to meet an artist who was not passionate about their work. From potters to glass artists to textile makers – this is their life and they are justly proud of their work. If treated well much of this work can last a lifetime. How many things can you say that about in our society today?
GIVERNY GLASS BOWL
3. Value for money – Contrary to what many people still believe, buying directly from the artist or their local retailer can most often cost less than buying some mass produced item from a department store. Reduced transportation costs, no middle men and low advertising helps to keep costs down.
4. Excellent after purchase service. The artists really do care about their work! Artists are available to repair, alter, clean or replace your purchase. They are interested to help if there is ever a problem. You never need to speak with some remote Customer Service line.
CARNIVAL PEARL NECKLACE, EARRINGS & BRACELET
5. Personal service – many artists will custom -make work to your specification. If you need a gift for a special occasion then very often, provided that you allow enough time, the artist will make to your requirements.
6. Availability – Most ranges are always available so that you can add to your range or just collect individual pieces over time. Not just for pottery but jewellery or even glass.
COPPER RUBY VASE
7. Help your local economy! Shopping locally helps your local economy, by supporting local artists it keeps money in the community and ensures that hard learned skills are alive for future generations.
BABY WOOL SLIPPERS
8. Help the environment! Local arts & crafts produce a minimal carbon footprint – little transportation is involved. Conservation is important to all of us. Much of what local artists use is recycled – including what little packaging is ever used!
9. Fun and Learning. It really can be a fun shopping experience – you get to meet the artist and find out about their skills, how they make their work, the huge time and effort that goes into a single piece.
CHARLES VAN SANDWYK ANIMAL WISDOM BOOK
10. Support you local Community. A locally handmade gift reflects the community and region in which it was created. It has greater relevance for the person who purchased it or the person to whom the gift is given.
APPLE DESIGN CASSEROLE
Side Street Studio has been supporting local artists for over 26 years. More than 300 local artists from pottery, jewellery, textiles, glass art, wood turnings, aromatherpy, cards, books, and lots more. Shipping is world wide with FedEx and Canada Post. www.sidestreetstudio.com
BRONZE JAPANESE STYLE NEOLITHIC JAR
Glimpse kindly wrote a review of Padraig Wool slippers and we have been granted permission to show the review here. Glimpse is a superb site that reviews Canadian made products for Canadian Moms. It’s well worth a visit!
Side Street Studio recently sent a pair of Padraig New Born Wool Slippers. They are the CUTEST booties. I have always been sold on anything knitted. The quality and detail of these little baby booties are surprising. The picture really doesn’t do them justice. On the inside of the booties, it has the softest – real wool insoles – so fuzzy!
The booties are machine washable but need to be air dried. Side Street Studio only sells Canadian made items, but does ship internationally. Side Street Studio is located in British Columbia.
They are cozy, long lasting and breathable for increased comfort in both summer and winter. They also come in a variety of beautiful colors. I requested the cream color as I don’t know if our baby will be a boy or a girl, but this neutral color I think would be a perfect non-gender color. The bottom is made of a non-skid leather material which is great for increased traction. It is light and flexible allowing the slipper to mould to the individual foot in a non-constrictive way.
Another great option Side Street Studio gives is that these slippers are available in adult sizes too! I can’t remember a time when I never had a pair of my own pair of wool slippers. I can’t live without them. It is great to have something to wear around the house when on your feet all day. The problem I have had with past wool slippers is that they are soooo slippery but with these, you would never have that problem!
Head on over to Side Street Studio and see what selection is available ranging from jewelry, pottery, glass work, art and a LOT more!. They have plenty of variety for yourself, loved ones (young or old) or even if you are looking for some unique Canadian baby shower gift ideas. PURCHASE IT!
Feedburner RSS
