Local Buys: Spring 2022

Felted treasures, pink hoodies and handcrafted pottery.

March 29, 2022 | Janice Quirt | Made in the Hills

Felting groovy

Erin artist Kelly Kingdon’s The Power of K – Felted Art gives off warm and fuzzy vibes. Kelly specializes in needle felting – she compresses wool fibres onto fabric or into shapes with a barbed needle. Kelly is inspired by nature, both flora and fauna, including ladybugs, mushrooms and leaves. Hooped art (made on a linen slub frame) and her Open Air series (felted directly into a thick felt pad) dominate her collection. Adorable, frizzy wool animals, DIY kits and custom commissions are available too. (Mushroom, $95, The Power of K)

Making waves

Shelburne teen Tyrell James-Harris is making a name for himself with his streetwear brand OOFII, worn by celebs including Brampton musician Haviah Mighty. Tyrell, 18, started by selling headbands and quickly expanded to T-shirts, crewnecks, hoodies and now the superpopular tracksuits. The pink hoodie with red rose emblem is perfect for spring. We can’t wait to see what Tyrell will offer next. (Premium Dusty Rose Hoodie $45, OOFII)

All creatures great and small

Mono’s Jane Whitaker came to pottery late in life, but uses the medium to express a lifelong passion for animals and nature that began during her childhood in the English countryside. Puddleduck Pottery showcases her particular interest in the balance of nature and how magically it works without human interference. “I like to theme my pottery around that balance,” Jane says. “My favourite pieces feature animals, birds and plants that depend on each other.” (From $25, Puddleduck Pottery)