Locally inspired accessible Art.

Bird on a Wire is a mecca for all things local, but most specifically locally produced art.  From their website, “We are the ‘Yes’ store for artisans and those looking for locally made arts and crafts”.  Besides Bird on a Wire being amazing in itself, why are we interested?  Art is accessible, art is affordable and for the couple who has everything art can purchased as part of your wedding registry.

Karen opened Bird on a Wire in October of 2010 with 42 artists.  Now the store boasts 150 artists and acts also as a community meeting place for knitters and crafters alike.   Karen’s mandate is to change starving artists into thriving artists and she is doing a very fine job indeed.

When Karen was first inspired to open her business it was to answer a calling to build community through creativity; to create a space where “dreams can flower, where one can stir the imagination and feed the soul”.  What I also love about her vision is that she wishes to keep alive traditions and techniques from the past.  The store contains upcycled, recycled and handcrafted wares from a wide range of artists and artisans.

For couples, Karen will set up a wedding registry and that beautiful piece of art that you have spied on Bird’s wall can be yours.  Art can move quickly though so keep abreast of the “spotlight on artists” series through the store’s blog and website.  Karen keeps on top of local artists and is always visiting local galleries and artist’s own studios so the store’s walls will have something to match anyone’s tastes.  I currently am impressed with Lori Bagneres’ crow paintings such as the large one pictured above. 

It is not just art that should entice you to visit.  The store supports many diverse artisans from fabric artists, jewellers, soap makers, ceramic artists ( Grace Lee of eikcam is also shown above), wood workers and so much more.  I personally always search for locally produced goods when purchasing gifts.  Ask your family and friends to do the same.  Why register at Home Sense or The Bay when you can choose to support your local community and receive one of a kind creations.

Karen’s suggestion for your art choice, “buy it because it moves you” and not simply as an investment. With the criteria for the art work present being produced within a 100m radius of Vancouver and of good quality, you are sure to be investing instead in your local community.  With all the cutbacks to the local art scene it is up to the community around to support our local artists and artisans. 

The store is constantly growing and in the long term we may see more Bird on a Wire creations popping up in the city.  That can only be a good thing. 

I would like to thank Karen for sharing her story and the inspiration behind Bird on a Wire.

article by Shona Dion, sweet earth photographics

 

 

 

 

The Home Grow-In, part I

The Home Grow-In sits at 3010 Cambie Street and is a lovely new collaboration of 12 co-op vendors and owners bringing fresh seasonal produce, baked goods, gourmet chocolates, locally and sustainably raised meats and dairy and so much more to the Cambie Street corridor.  This co-operative store opened in December 2010 and brings with it a very welcoming and community based market experience.  Already over 300 personal community produce boxes are picked up weekly.

Weddings with many products sourced locally are the best way to be sustainable.  The Home Grow-In is a great location to find products produced in BC that can add a certain westcoast flavour to the celebration. 

Consumable wedding favours are the best wedding favours and jam, honey, soap and chocolates are great examples that guests will love.

Urban Sweet Honey is a Vancouver produced honey and the creation of Russel Godwin.  With beehives established from Kitsilano along the railway line out to Surrey they are a true reflection of the Lower Mainland’s community gardens and of course, local weeds.  The bees don’t care and Russell likes the idea of food produced from weeds. This honey  comes in 250 and 500 gram size at present.

Jolene’s Natural Handmade Soap.

And of course, a most delectable wedding favour is chocolate.  Wendy Boys of Cocolico is a pastry chef who creates award winning chocolates and is a part owner of The Home Grow-In.  More information on Cocolico will follow in Part II of this post.  Cocolico does create amazing wedding favours and will be on hand at The Grassroots Wedding Fair with samples and information on custom ordering.

These lovely chocolates were named by Vancouver Magazine in 2008, as one of the “101 Things to taste before you die”.

The Home Grow-In supports social enterprise groups such as Tradeworks and has a host of beautiful wood work on hand in the store.  The Book Nook brings sustainable gardening to the forefront and celebrates a local diet.

Wild Coast Edibles features Edible Landscapes, and treats from around the province from teas, cedar smudge sticks, skin care products and jewelry from the First Nations and other communities in the north. 

Cedar smudge sticks are not always easy to find.  The are a great tool to add an element of nature to a wedding ceremony or handfasting. 

The Home Grow-In will be a welcome spot to visit when the weather improves with a garden oasis out back.  With custom roasted coffee and yummy baked goods this new store will be the place to come, pick up your locally grown veggies, and relax.  It is a link to where our food comes from and a celebration of the bounty we can find in BC. 

The Market is open 7 days a week and offers a wide selection of food, books and gift products.  It is a completely different business model and I  highly recommend a visit to check it out.

written by Shona Dion

photos by sweet earth photographics

To Market to Market

With sustainability on the mind, farmers markets are a great place to find many vendors to green  your wedding.  Sourcing products from cakes, wedding favours to flowers can all be found at the markets.  The chance to meet the individual in person who will help bring your special day to life is a unique opportunity and fosters a sense of community. 

 The Vancouver Farmers Market is a staple in many Vancouver neighbourhoods and even in the dead of winter the market at Nat Bailey Stadium is bustling with vendors and customers alike. For going on 16 years the Farmers Markets have brought local farmers, bakers and crafters to our neighbourhoods.

Sweet Naturally Bakery is now a regular sight at the market.  With a focus on organic ingredients and simply amazing yumminess (wait until you try the maple oat scone), they are a welcome addition to the market fare. 

The delectable items they have on hand for those chilly Saturday mornings are only half of their business.  They are also amazing wedding cake creators and I have seen these lovely creations first hand. 

Frances and Dickson are committed to creating products that are not only beautiful in their presentation and taste, but that are sustainably made with locally sourced ingredients.  This past year has seen them at the Baker’s Market to The Grassroots Wedding Fair, EP!C and now to the Farmers Market.  We will also see them again in three weeks at The Grassroots Wedding Fair where Frances assures me they will have lots of samples on hand to taste!

One of my favourite tie-ins to weddings from the Farmers Market is the treats available for wedding favours.  Consumable wedding favours are the most eco-friendly and appreciated gifts to give guests.  Many couples make their own jams, bundle their own flower seeds, baked sweet treats, but not everyone is so talented or has the time.  This is when the market is ripe with ideas.  From preserves, honeys and handmade soaps, wedding favours can be found at the market that will make your guests appreciate taking a piece of the local community with them.

Sunshine Coast Natural Care Co. provides soaps for wedding favours and are expanding this year to include personalized lip balms.

Shona Dion

photos by sweet earth photographics