Local Buys: Summer 2024

One-of-a-Kind Jewelry

Amid the birthday party fun Tanya Frew oversees at her Pottery Parties Studio in Orangeville, the ceramics pro also offers the Tanya Louise Collection, a bespoke jewelry line featuring silver clay fingerprint charms.

“During your appointment, you press your finger into our silver clay to create the charm,” explains Tanya, who then fires the imprint in a special kiln and carefully attaches it to a sterling silver bracelet or necklace. “This beautiful experience is not just creating jewelry, it is crafting cherished memories to last a lifetime.” (Bracelets from $162. Necklaces from $132, Tanya Louise Collection)

A Lifetime of Leather

At Hides in Hand on Erin’s Main Street, Teresa Paul will tell you crafting leather products has been her passion for nearly three decades. At a facility in Rockwood, Teresa and her team use soft deerskin and moose hide leathers collected from local hunters to create deerskin ballet slippers, handbags and a range of intricately handcrafted moccasins.

The bags feature classic shapes with added touches that are decidedly of the moment, including fringe for a rodeo-chic feel. (Ballet slippers from $99. Moccasins from $125. Handbags from $50, Hides in Hand)

Jewels for the Garden

Kelly Williams of Hockley Designs fashions sparkly suncatchers with Egyptian crystal and semiprecious stones that act as jewelry for your garden.

The Hockley village resident was first inspired by a friend from Arizona who shares her passion for stones and crystal suncatchers. Believing they would thrive in Canada, Kelly staged a pop-up shop at Caledon’s Spirit Tree Estate Cidery in July 2020. The pop-up popped off and Hockley Designs is now Kelly’s full-time business. (Suncatchers from $31, Hockley Designs)

SOURCES

• Hides in Hand, 132 Main St, Erin. hidesinhand.com
• Hockley Designs, Hockley. hockleydesigns.com
• Tanya Louise Collection, Pottery Parties Studio, 121 First St, Orangeville. tanyalouiseart.ca