The Votes are in, the winners are....

 Hurray hurray OhCanada Team! We've got our winners! We put in some fantastic entries for this blitz, and I'm so proud of us all.

So, without further ado, your top three winners are ..... Drum roll.....

1) Well Red  by Caroline at DarkRide

2) Pure, white, Simple by Leigh-Anne of OceanPearlJewellery

3) Sunshine in Canada by Norma at Junquete

Caroline will be receiving a fantastic little something-or-other from Brazen!
Leigh-Anne will receive some awesome do-hicky from Cari!
Norma will receive a super-dooper what-cha-meh-callit from Laura!

I'm SO happy with the amazing turn out we had for this blitz, in the treasuries and in the voting! I hope everyone had fun,  and come on out for the next one!


Copyright 2013 Oh Canada Team

Pinterest Board- Earth Day

Thank you all for contributing your lovely items to this week's board! We have our first Pinboard ready for repinning. Someone on the team mentioned that she got an enquiry as a result of the pin/repin activity! Way to go team.

pinterest.com/ohcanadateam/earth-day/

Please follow the board above and repin ALL the items to your own boards, and maybe even use some of the 20 items in an Etsy treasury.

Happy Pinning!     

             

Copyright 2011 Oh Canada Team

Friday Finds: Antique Hand Knotted Persian Carpet Pillow Cover by TheCottageWorkroom

Dianne of TheCottageWorkroom obviously has a great eye for spotting materials that can be upcycled into fantastic covers! She saw an antique persian rug that was heavily damaged at an auction, but knew that she could turn it into a gem. After painstakingly cleaning it and using the undamaged bit, this is what she came up with- a striking cushion cover with rich reds, yellow, green and brown. Check out her shop for more interesting designs that include modern pieces as well.

Copyright 2011 Oh Canada Team and theCottageWorkroom

Friday Finds: Recycled Chocolate Brown Winter mitts by RecycledandResewn

Looking at this stylish pair of mitts you would never guess that they have been recycled and repurposed from an old brown and turquoise sweater! Teresa of RecycledandResewn started experimenting with upcycling old sweaters into warm cozy mitts by lining them with polar fleece, way back in 2005 and successfully sold more than 130 pairs last year alone. She has now branched out into pillows and totes as well. More of her amazing talent can be viewed in her fab shop!

Copyright 2011 Oh Canada Team and Recycledandresewn

Shop Spotlight: Junquete's 5 & 10 Variety

What if you suddenly woke up one morning and decided you just had to have a shoe purse, or a pair of Betty Boop earrings, or even a few vintage finds? Where would you find all of that? What if I told you that you could find it all in one place. Well, you most certainly can. At Junquete's 5 & 10 Variety you'll find all that and more.

Norma is a wonderfully creative gal who runs her shop out of Alberta, Canada. Here's a little bit about Norma and her creations.

Oh Canada: Of all the things that you sell, which item or style is your favorite?

Norma: That’s a tough question for me- -I flit like a bird from one spot to another all the time. I think that would be making earrings. That’s what got me through a very rough battle with a virus a few years ago. I love the challenge of turning anything I see into an earring. A friend once said when she looks at an item she sees it for what it is. When I look at that same item I see it as earrings.

I also love doing my shoe purses. They are something that I figured out for myself. I entered a contest to make a purse out of recycled items for under $5.00. I saw a manufactured shoe purse years ago and really wanted one but didn’t have the money to buy it. So because of the contest I took on the challenge. The finished purse came in at 3.95 so it was well under the five bucks. I used a shoe that was a friend’s already wrecked shoe, a belt, and a pair of black vinyl pants with a hole in them and broken chain and conchos. Funny enough it was purchased as a gift for a cross dressing comedian. He loved it.

Oh Canada: Where did you learn your skills?

Norma: I’d have to say self taught. I’ve been sewing since I was a little girl. My mother had a treadle sewing machine (not sure why though, she never used it ever). I wasn’t allowed to touch it but that didn’t stop me. I had to get down and pump like mad and crawl back up to sew. Sewed my thumb. Got a tetanus shot and spanking for that. I’ve never taken a formal lesson in anything I’ve done. It’s been one look at it and see if I can adapt it into something I’d like to wear.

Oh Canada: Everyone has different motivations for making their unique wares. What drives you to create?

Norma: I think what has driven me to do what I do has to be blamed on not having a lot of money to purchase whatever I liked. I’ve seen jewellery I’ve absolutely loved but could never have afforded. I figured making it myself would be the next best thing. So that’s what makes me do it. But for some reason I can’t just make one of something. I have this bad ailment that makes me go overboard! If I am going to make something I might as well make several. That’s my husband’s take on it.

Oh Canada: If you could learn to use any new technique or material, what would it be?

Norma: Silversmith - glass blowing - but I’m afraid of fire!

Oh Canada: Any plans to incorporate a new product into your shop this year?

Norma: I’ve had a few ideas pop into my head. The one thing I’ve wanted to do for so long is make my own greeting cards. They’ve been on my mind for so long now and I can’t wait to get started on some. I’ve been making them for family for some time now. I like to mix it up with some sarcasm at times too.

Oh Canada: What is your favorite thing about selling on Etsy?

Norma: It has to be the thrill of the sale. When someone likes my work enough to buy it, it really gets my heart pumping.

Oh Canada: Do you have a number one tip for new sellers?

Norma: Don’t listen to naysayers! If you want to do it just do it! As well as join this team(Oh Canada Team). The caring and encouragement here is wonderful.

Oh Canada: What is your favorite thing to buy on Etsy?

Norma: Beads- supplies -beads -supplies- bead….

Oh Canada: What is the number one best item in your shop right now?

Norma: That’s a tough one! My shoe purses are pretty darn unique, though.
I also think my Betty Boop collection is an area I haven't expanded yet and need to.










You can always drop by at Junquete's 5 & 10 Variety to see what new creations Norma is working on. You can also keep up with Norma via Facebook, or see some more item photos on Flickr.




Copyright 2011 Oh Canada Team

Friday Finds: Blackbear Stocking

Charming, is the word I thought of when I saw The Backyard Bear's stocking on the fireplace mantle. When you visit her shop you will find all kinds of delightful items that she has re-claimed and created something completely new with them! Often she has used her artist skills to paint norhern creatures - birds, ducks, bears, and even a porcupine grace her work.

If you are looking for something truly unique please take the time to visit The Backyard Bear.

Copyright 2010 Oh Canada Team and The Backyard Bear