My blogging community is brimming with ultra-creative people.
They’re remarkable. They make beautiful things with their hands, hearts and minds.
Or support projects that help talented artisans to make a living.
So today I’m celebrating these creative types and highlighting some of their products/projects that would make great gifts for loved ones.
- LOTUS WONDERS, made by women in a Cambodian village, in partnership with other women in Canada. Order products and read their story at: http://www.lotuswonders.com/collections/all
Thanks to consultant Stephanie MacKendrick, former head of Canadian Women in Communications, for bringing Lotus Wonders to my attention.
2. MICHAEL’S WOODCRAFT. Michael lives on a mountainside in S. Carolina. He carefully chooses the wood and makes each beautiful object himself: cutting boards, ice cream scoops, and other useful items.
Visit his blog and online shop at: http://michaelswoodcraft.wordpress.com/shop/
3. JEAN LONG AND JESSICA CHARNOCK’S CREATIONS. In their gorgeous log cabin east of Toronto, this couple is always creating beautiful objects.
Jessica hooks original wall-hangings using recycled wool, and makes large teddy bears using recycled fur.
Jean works with wood. He creates large pieces of furniture and unusual birdhouses and feeders.
See: https://cynthiasreyes.com/2014/01/11/youve-never-seen-birdhouses-like-jean-longs/ – or email: jenjes@mac.com
4. SIMPLY SPLENDID VICTORIAN AFTERNOON TEAS by Marilyn Mirabelli. Check out the gift packages including the Tea and Cookie of the Month Club.
http://www.splendidafternoonteas.com/services/TeaAndCookie.html
5. SARAH VERNON’S FIRST NIGHT DESIGN. Blogger Sarah produces beautiful art prints.
See Sarah’s website at: http://www.firstnightdesign.co.uk/
6. BOOKS BY GIFTED AUTHORS:
- MT McGUIRE’s award-winning K’Barthan Trilogy series isn’t just for young people. She’s a very good writer, with a wicked sense of humour. Who else would write a trilogy made up four books? For more about her new release and the series, visit her blog: http://mtmcguire.co.uk/
You can also read about MT at: https://cynthiasreyes.com/2014/04/02/author-mt-mcguire-at-home/
- SK NICHOLLS’ writing has also been highly praised. Her new novel, a roman-a-clef, is titled Red Clay and Roses.
Visit her blog for more: http://redclayandroses1.wordpress.com/redclayandrose/
- WHEN CONCHI BLOWS, by Omar Sheriffe Vernon El Halawani. It’s an interesting book, based on the author’s own interracial family history in Jamaica. He died before the book was published, and asked that proceeds from it be used for a worthy cause. His cousin Robert Vernon carried out his wishes.
7. And, finally, from New Zealand, Quarter Acre Lifestyle has just launched their online store of handmade soaps and other products. I know this couple is still setting up some payment options, but thought I’d give their products a mention now. Visit: http://www.tumbledowns.co.nz/for-sale
As my blogger friend Gallivanta (whom I’ve never met in person) did for my book, A Good Home, I’m shining a little light on the good work of others.
**Dedicated to everyone who creates something, hoping that someone else will value it.**
Cynthia Reyes 
Wow! All these clever, talented and entepreneurial people! Thank-you so much for bringing them to my attention, Cynthia.
You are welcome, Clare.
Very talented and creative!!
For sure, Levi!
So many artists and wonderfully creative people. Thanks for the shout out and including me and my book among them. Every day, I see so many talented people writing and sharing their true genius. 🙂
That’s why I decided to create a “collection” of these talented people and their products, including you, of course. You’re welcome.
Wonderful people and creativity. Thanks for sharing Cynthia..
You’re welcome, Brad. ( I actually typed “bard”. And you are a bard indeed.)
I’ll take bard, and muse. XD
Christmas bells are a ringing:-) Thank you for sharing- I am so glad you included Wendy-she is amazing! I will check out the others:-) what talent:-)
Thanks to you, Robbie.
Thank you for including us in this list Cynthia, that was very thoughtful. What a talented selection of artists here….their work is beautiful!
Well, you’re doing something special there, Kiddo. all my best.
Thank you x
You little sweetie! I’m delighted to be included amongst such talented crafters.
First time in decades anyone has called me a little sweetie. I will take a bow. It’s my pleasure to include you.
Lovely and thanks for sharing 🙂
You’re welcome.
We feel very priviledged to be among your choice of creative people. Thanks Cynthia.
You’re most welcome, Jessica and Jean. Are you cold up there in the hills?
Thank you so much Cynthia for including my work in your post! There are so many talented artists with beautiful work, thank you!! 🙂 Enjoy your weekend!!
Yourself included. Those bird’eye maple cheeseboards/cutting boards are beautiful.
Cynthia, what a lovely post. It has both a farmer’s market and an art gallery ambiance to it–quality and earthy warmth.
Blessings ~ Wendy ❀
Wendy: I never thought of it that way. How lovely of you to figure that out.
Blessings,
Cynthia.
Really great blogging sites – going back to spend more time. Thanks for passing along their names.
You are welcome, Mary. Wishing you a good week with your painting.
Thanks Cynthia – hope to start in the next hour or so. Have a great week too!
Reblogged this on First Night Design and commented:
Thank you, Cynthia for including my work. It was a lovely surprise.
You’re most welcome.
Reblogged this on Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life and commented:
Some wonderful gifts for Christmas or all year around via Cynthia Reyes and her Blogshop
Thanks for reblogging this post. I appreciate it.
AWE–s-o-m-e. Really varied but so gorgeous. Christmas is not far away…
Thank you for visiting. Such great products, for sure.
❤ ❤
What a wonderful collection. And you are right, that IS one gorgeous log cabin.
I love log cabins, Kay.
Gosh, such marvellous creativity in all corners. It’s wonderful. And when I have finished my small piece of craftwork, (maybe by the end of the year), and let you see it, we will all be thankful that others more than make up for my lack of crafting expertise. 😀 I am happy to share the good things in my life, Cynthia, as you are, too. It was a pleasure to write about your book.
Well, I can hardly wait to see your craftwork, Gallivanta.
And thanks once again for sharing the good things in your life.
I must get busy then.
So many creative peeps!… So nice of you to spotlight them here dear Cynthia. I wish you a great weekend. All the best!.Aquileana 😀
Thank you, Aquileana. I’ve been speeding as fast as molasses, these days, and am only just reading your comment.