Made in the Hills: Inside Our Local Creative Scene

Tiny treats, big charm

Little Clay Bites offers a collection of mini polymer clay creations – think toast, croissants, pancakes, peaches, blueberries, and even burgers topped with tiny sesame seeds. Remarkably realistic these charms adorn necklaces, keychains, bracelets and fridge magnets. Air-dry dishes shaped like pizza, fried eggs or avocados, and mason jar covers that look like pies are some of the other inventive items.

Behind these designs is Orangeville’s Elaine Li, a passionate foodie, photographer and recipe developer whose love of the culinary world inspires her work. (Magnets $12–$20, dishes $28, keychains, $15–$25, Holiday Treasures and Little Clay Bites)

Keep you in stitches

Rebecca Cochrane, the Shelburne maker behind Becca’s Crochet & Craft Corner, jokes that after learning crochet in 2005 she “spent a few years being really bad at it” before getting serious about stitching.

The hard work paid off – her matching baby sets contain wee booties, a toque and cardigan, and there’s a long parade of adorable stuffed animals such as ducks, chubby chickens, foxes, bears, manta rays and bunnies. Cochrane specializes in custom orders and can even make a doll that looks just like someone special in your life. (Stuffed animals $30, Becca’s Crochet & Craft Corner)

Kits for curious kids

GO WILD kits from Melancthon-based Feels N Fields are designed to spark curiosity and invite kids to explore nature through hands-on experience. With six themes – Adventure, Explore, Nature Detectives, Full S.T.E.A.M. Ahead, Nature Journalling and Winter Wonder – each includes tools and challenges for outdoor discovery.

Other items curated by founder Sandra Dutkiewicz include the advent-style 12 Days of Nature and Wellness, and Awaken the Wild, a DIY forest bathing kit for adults. (GO WILD kits $25, Holiday Treasures and Feels N Fields)

Drawn from the earth

Bold blues, warm earth tones, stark black and whites, and splashes of vibrant colour all appear in the porcelain and stoneware made by Annette Hansen of Cobalt Gallery and Clay Studio. At her Hillsburgh studio she crafts cups, vases, carved plates, lidded bird jars, serving bowls and teapots.

Hansen also incorporates materials like stamps and textures to coax interesting patterns from the clay. (Large bowl with salad servers $110, Holiday Treasures, Dragonfly Arts on Broadway and Snowberry Botanicals) 

Elevate your energy

Pink amethyst, citrine, black onyx and blue apatite are just some of the crystals and gemstones in Love & Light Jewels’ handcrafted collections, whether strung as a bracelet, hung on a necklace or prominently positioned on a ring. Orangeville jewelry designer Tia Sutherland says each piece highlights the natural beauty and spiritual energy of these stones.

Her line also features permanent jewelry, customizable designs, home décor and diffuser bracelets. (Evil eye pin $35, 18K gold-plated necklace with zircon stones and enamel heart pendant $60, Holiday Treasures and Love & Light Jewels)

A playful twist

Using materials like stamped faux leather, velvet and cotton, Pinching Pennys offers a range of handmade baby and toddler hair accessories, including bows, headbands and clips. Dundalk’s Laura McLeod, who started the line as a passion project during her maternity leave, is fond of playful patterns and sweet motifs like pencils, bugs, cows and daisies, sometimes with a splash of glitter.

In addition to key fob bracelets, purses and coin bags, new items include AirPod cases, passport covers and lipstick holders. (Bows $8, coin purses and AirPod cases $9, deluxe snap clips $4, Holiday Treasures and Pinching Pennys)

SOURCES

Becca’s Crochet & Craft Corner, Shelburne. FB Becca Crochet Create 
Cobalt Gallery and Clay Studio, Hillsburgh. cobaltgallery.ca  
Dragonfly Arts on Broadway, 189 Broadway, Orangeville. dragonflyarts.ca
Feels N Fields, Melancthon. feeltrips.ca/shop
Holiday Treasures at Museum of Dufferin, 936029 Airport Rd., Mulmur. dufferinmuseum.com
Little Clay Bites, Orangeville. IG Little Clay Bites 
Love & Light Jewels, 14 2nd St., Orangeville. lovelightjewels.com  
Pinching Pennys, Dundalk. pinchingpennys.ca 
Snowberry Botanicals, 92 Main St., Erin. snowberrybotanicals.com