Local Buys: Summer 2022

Once in a Blue MoonFlower

“When I created MoonFlowerDesignsCo in February 2021, the world was turned upside down and as a creative I felt unmotivated,” says Vanessa Tetlock, a 19-year-old design student who lives in Amaranth. “During the creative process I feel most myself, and I knew I needed to push myself to create something that I could share with others.” Vanessa found that outlet in resin art. She started creating letter key chains and coasters, which are now her most popular designs. Clients can personalize their key chains by choosing colours and add-ons such as charms, pompoms or tassels. Coasters go pastoral with a floral motif or glam with metallic flakes. (Keychain, from $10. Coasters $15 for 1, $65 for a set of four with holder, MoonFlowerDesignsCo)

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Botanical Beauty

Caledon-based Artist Approved products are the opposite of complicated. “We wanted to keep things simple with really natural ingredients,” says Mercedes Gubert, who founded the company in 2018. “Our botanical-based skincare line is gentle, uncomplicated and extremely effective.” Ingredients include Japanese green tea, aloe vera, shea butter, jojoba oil, avocado oil, cucumber extract, chamomile extract, almond oil and grape seed extract. The Skincare Travel Bundle allows customers to sample the line’s rejuvenating serum, anti-aging moisturizer and botanical face cream. (Skincare Travel Bundle, $50, Artist Approved)

Rub-a-Dub-Dub

When Covid hit, hand washing was more important than ever. So Mulmur’s Cathy Priest of Farm Girl Goodies decided to have some fun with the increased demand for soap with her whimsical sheep and chicken versions. She found the molds online and then sourced a Canadian supplier of melt-and-pour goat milk soap base. (The grey colour contains activated charcoal.) “Soon everyone wanted the soaps. Everyone local thought they were great and got such a kick out of them,” says Cathy. “I’m glad they provided a smile while dealing with Covid and cleaning all the time.” Find barnyard-inspired soaps at Mulmur’s Maple Grove Farm & Market, Sheldon Creek Dairy in Adjala and Creemore’s pop-up 2DA Market. (Small chicken and sheep soaps, $7. Large hen soap, $20, Farm Girl Goodies)

Sources

• MoonFlowerDesigns Co, Amaranth. @MoonFlowerDesignsCo on Instagram
• Artist Approved, Caledon. artistapproved.ca
• Farm Girl Goodies, Mulmur. @_farmgirlgoodies on Instagram
• Maple Grove Farm & Market, 936215 Airport Rd, Mulmur. 705-435-5386. maplegrovefarm.ca
• Sheldon Creek Dairy, 4300 Conc Rd 5, Adjala. 705-434-0404. sheldoncreekdairy.ca
• 2DA Market, Creemore. 2dirtyaprons.com