Catharine has created a needle felted world of woolly pals. These creations were inspired by the instruction book Wool Buddies, written by Jackie Huang. There is quite a range of creatures that rule the land or swim in the sea. Each creature has been given a name and is loosely based on real animals. Most of the creatures are free of wires but there are a couple, Pinky the Pig, Gerome the Giraffe, and Ellie the Octopus that have wires inside them. Only the wireless creatures are suitable for young children. Come see Cecily the Seal, Shana the Penguin, or Stanley the Frog to see which one is your favourite.
Lidia creates whimsical figures in fine amigurumi crochet.
Author
Kristen's Are You Tame or Are You Wild is a whimsical, rhyming poem about all kinds of creatures and the curious traits that make them who they are. The unusual illustrations were pieced together from vintage dresses, abandoned knitting projects, old books, and flowers.
Phyllis makes bowl drums and two-sided drums that are ideal for kids and even toddlers to play. Bowl drums are made from repurposed wooden salad or nut bowls, modified to resonate like a drum. They can be played without holding them (which is easy for kids) but have a nicer sound when they are held by the strap.
Sock Monkeys
When she’s not writing or thinking about writing or planning her next writing project, Tracy likes to make things with her hands. Lately, she has taken on the challenge of manipulating socks, and the outcome is a motley assortment of sock monkeys.
Stuffed animals, and in particular, monkeys, first became popular in the Victorian era, partly as an extension of the Arts and Crafts Movement but also in response to a growing Victorian fascination with exotic and wild animals, thanks in part to the tales by Rudyard Kipling, like The Jungle Book and The Just So Stories. The evolution to monkeys made from socks came about mainly as a result of the Great Depression, when thrifty households turned the sturdy work sock into a cuddly children’s toy, and stuffed with anything from other old socks to crumpled newsprint. Rest assured that the monkeys you will find hanging out in the Valley Artisans’ Co-op are not made from old socks, nor stuffed with anything but clean, 100% polyester.
Miracle for Children FUndraiser
Toys & accessories for children with profit donated to charity.
Connie creates clothes and toys for children that are both practical and fun.
Glenn creates a fleet of colourful (non-toxic) wooden vehicles. What's not to love?!