A few years ago, I was hanging out in the Old Port with the BF, checking out an exhibit at the Science Center. Low and behold, there's an arts & crafts fair going on IN the Science Center. Well, BF didn't look super excited, but you bet your behind I was absolutely thrilled. Now I was in a phase of my life where I just could not leave any sort of commercial situation empty-handed, so I was taking my sweet time to sift through every item on each vendor's table. I walked around - twice - BF showed signs of antsyness - thrice - and then I stopped.
Beautiful handmade dolls, and the loveliest jewelery pieces: this is how I first came to know Cara Carmina. I bought the necklace I'd been eyeing, and she gave me a business card with her Etsy shop's address. Did I mention that this is also how I first came to discover Etsy?!
Fast forward a year later, I'm browsing Etsy for Frida-inspired artwork within Canada (big fan of shopping local, in case you haven't noticed!) And there she was - again - in the search results. Through a stroke of luck, this girl and her work found its way back into my life - and she had LEGGINGS (aka my daily uniform) with her renditions of Frida on them. I ordered two pairs: they're comfy, super soft, and I get compliments from strangers when I'm out and about all the time. The best part? You can dress them up, dress them down or wear them to work out. These babies are flexible! And uh - they look hella awesome.
Oh, but my story with Cara Carmina isn't over just yet. Last year, I was at Puces Pop and there she was. Obviously I picked up a few sweet postcards and this super awesome Frida shirt. I'm so enamoured with her work - it's so colourful and whimsical. Montrealers - check this girl out! And follow her on Facebook - she's as magical as her artwork!
Getting back to that time I was at Puces Pop, I walked by another vendor whose work I had seen at other craft sales: her jewellery is nothing short of memorable, how could I forget her?! Vuela Vuela is another local Etsy-favourite of mine whose work makes me swoon. Her pieces are super unique, bold and fun - she uses storybook-esque images reminiscent of our childhood in her jewellery pieces as well as decor for her to-die-for terrariums that I have yet to get my hands on (Aren't they AMAZING?!) I recently ordered these adorable red riding hood earrings and this bold owl necklace from her Etsy shop. They're so wonderfully unique: my only warning - if you wear earrings this one-of-a-kind, you'll have people (aka strangers) leaning in awkwardly close to your face to discern the images (that's how intriguing they are!)
Finally, a longtime fave of mine (and no secret to anyone) is Velvet Moustache. I stumbled upon my first VM pillow passing in front of a window display at La Maison Simons. I would walk by it every single day at the crack of dawn on my way to work and think "I love that fox pillow." Well - it was one of the first gifts the BF ever got me and I love the shit out of it till this day. I ended up getting the shark about a year later. Why am I obsessed with these pillows? Not only are they handmade in Montreal, the quality and craftsmanship is out of this world. They're incredibly well-made, the fabrics used are thick, soft and the covers can easily be removed and thrown in the wash. And they add such a unique (and fun!) touch to any room. You can see me show off my Velvet Moustache pillows here.
I'm currently in the process of deciding which I should get next but I'm so torn - I love them all! What do you think?