Pop Up – Coming Soon!

Posted on March 6, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 150/365

In exactly one week Sprouts Press will have a 3 day pop up shop at Freedom Clothing Collective!

If you haven’t been to this gem of a shop you need to go and check it out. They carry a gorgeous collection of work by local designers, artists and artisans. You can find things like: unique jewellery, greeting cards, amazing clothing, body care, and the list goes on.

Where: Freedom Clothing Collective, 939 Bloor Street West, Toronto
When: Friday March 13 – Sunday March 15, 2015

I will be there in person on friday March 13, so stop by to chat books and say Hello. Otherwise the lovely ladies of Freedom Clothing Collective will be there, check it out if you’re in the area!

Tea Festival

Posted on February 3, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 119/365

If you’ve been following my blog for a while, you’ll know by now that I like tea. I really like tea. I’m not a coffee drinker, just a tea drinker. So, you won’t be surprised that today’s post is a re-cap of last weekend’s Tea Festival here in Toronto! It was, of course, held at the Toronto Reference Library, proving that the link between books and tea is constant and true!!

Just some of my favourite things from the show. A tea cookbook by Raelene Gannon, Tea and all it’s Splendour. I heard her speak last year but her book wasn’t complete. It just came out last thursday – and I already have a signed copy!! (Be prepared for a post or two about earl grey infused scones or sencha pesto with walnuts!!)
And of course I picked up a few packs of Tao leaf tea; coconut oolong and tangerine ginger. It’s that time of year for ginger based tea – no flu for me!! And lastly, Pekoe fermented kombucha tea! I haven’t tried it yet so not sure what to expect exactly. I’m sure you can figure out my favourites by now: oolong and ginger!

Tell me about how much you love tea!!!

Show Posters

Posted on January 6, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 91/365

As I look to possible shows for 2015, I found my folder of show posters from 2014.

I thought a collage of some of the best were in order, as a tip to new sellers for great shows/markets to participate in. But it’s also a shameless display of the poster-making talent found in Toronto! I especially like the hand-lettered poster for the Toronto Etsy Street Team’s Springtime Marketplace. (I know, I know, I’m on a hand-lettering and calligraphy kick lately). I also love the letterpress printed poster for the Wayzgoose in Grimsby!

While I missed the OCAD Book Arts Fair this year, the student-produced, hand-printed poster is usually a showstopper. Check out the previous years posters below.

Poster from 2012:
Poster from 2013:

Things I Like!

Posted on December 22, 2014 by sproutspress

Day 76/365

It’s been two weeks today, since the end of the One of a Kind Show. I’m finally getting around to tidying up and organizing and in the process I re-discovered all these amazing items from the show! While this isn’t the full collection of all the things I purchased, these are the items that aren’t being given away. So if I share them online I won’t ruin Christmas, you get the point.

The roundup:

On the left is a gorgeous stationery set and gift tags by Gotamago, you know I love putting pen to paper and sending real mail, these cards fit the bill perfectly. To the right of that is a beautiful and ingenious spoon/spatula/tasting utensil by Elzner Originals, I cannot wait to make my famous noodle soup with it! Then a super moisturizing spearmint-eucalyptus lip balm by From the Blue House with Love, honestly it smells soooo good! Below that are a pair of sweet wooden earrings by Ugly Bunny, the geometric patterns and pop of colour had me at hello. Below that is another wood piece; a hair barette by The Woodlot, using only Ontario wood. Right of that is the cute, well-crafted and totally appropriate (for me) ‘book nerd’ banner by Embroiderwee. And last but not least, a super sweet, cutie-patootie dachshund brooch by Leikey Designs.

Shopping handmade in Toronto the weekend before Christmas is waaayyy better than the mall!

Posted on December 20, 2014 by sproutspress

Day 74/365

As you know, I participated in my final craft show of the year last weekend. Naturally, people are asking me if I’m relaxing now and decompressing after a busy holiday show season, you know, taking it easy.
Nope.
I’m the type of person that cannot just sit and do nothing, cold turkey, after so much creative activity. So instead I decided to take the day to go scope out a few shows. Some I was considering participating in, others were unexpected surprises! I just wanted to see what they’re like from the customer’s point of view. Let me tell you, it was great! Buying handmade really is fun!!

To give you a sense of what I mean, here’s what my day looked like.

1. The Christmas Craft Beer Carnival 10418905_782575241812311_1390269032052293587_n

I didn’t actually have any beer, in the name of enjoying the rest of my day with a clear head. Instead I visited the booth of the lovely Nathalie Roze and purchased one of her warm and beautiful sweater toques!!

2. The LocalTOMarket Pop Up

Although it’s inside a large event tent, it was still pretty cozy at this show. Not everything was handmade, but the things that were had a nice variety and were well-made.

3. The Collective Show

making-pottery-300x300

It is the fifth year for this holiday show, which I found out also happens in the summer! Located in the beautiful new Artscape Youngplace, the level of craftsmanship and quality at this pop up was amazing! And it runs till the 22, still time to check it out and shop handmade!!

The Studio on a Sunday

Posted on December 14, 2014 by sproutspress

Day 68/365

Just kidding, I’m not in the studio today at all!

Today you can find me at my last show for 2014, the Wychwood Barns Holiday Arts Market! Just south of St.Clair on Christie here in Toronto.

I’ll be here till 6pm, there’s live music, drinks and a talented selection of other artists and artisans.

See you at the Annex Flea

Posted on December 13, 2014 by sproutspress

Day 67/365

Today I’m at the Annex Flea! Come by and get some holiday shopping done and avoid the mall.

CSI, 720 Bathurst St. (Just south of Bloor)
11am – 6pm

Top 5 Things I Learned at the One of a Kind Show

Posted on December 9, 2014 by sproutspress

Day 63/365

Top 5 Things I Learned at the One of a Kind Show:

1. Wear comfortable shoes, no one really looks at your feet anyways. Worst case scenario: kinda-comfy shoes with inserts or orthotics.

2. Eat healthy, eat often. Lots of tasty, healthy snacks saved me from becoming Cranky Carolyn!! (and, yes I’ll admit it, the occasional handmade almond toffee, or organic chocolate covered nougat)

3. Stay hydrated. In a place as large as the Direct Energy Centre, it gets dry fast! Luckily they had a huge drinking water station with several bottle-filling taps to rehydrate throughout the day. And with so many awesome body care makers at the show, it was impossible to have dry cracked skin! (yay new organic spearmint-eucalyptus lip balm!)

4. Listen. I learned so much from both customers and other makers by listening to their stories, advice and thoughts. So much has developed from these insights: I’ve already got new projects mulling for the new year, new booth design ideas for next Christmas and I learned some painful yet necessary lessons about when to speak up and when to stay quiet.

5. Enjoy it! I worked so hard to get this far, to design items I felt my customers would appreciate and get excited about, and to hand craft each book carefully to the best of my abilities. So why not share this and let my enthusiasm shine through?! It was so affirming to watch people search my display looking for just the right journal, asking questions and holding the books. Even more so when they found the right book, clutching it and then deciding to give it a new home either as the perfect gift for someone else or for themselves.

The End

Posted on December 7, 2014 by sproutspress

Day 61/365

It’s official: the One of a Kind Show is done! My booth is packed up and my house is a total disaster, but I had a blast!!

A huge Thank You to everyone who helped out!! It’s so very much appreciated! (You know who you are).

For now, I’m too exhausted to write anything insightful so I’m signing off and putting my feet up.

Second Last

Posted on December 6, 2014 by sproutspress

Day 60/365

The second last day of the One of a Kind Show is wrapping up, and I’ve had a blast!

It’s been so affirming to see my journals going to their new homes and people’s eagerness to give them to the perfect recipient. Buying a good journal really is a lot like shoe shopping. When the right one is in your hands you just know it.

Sprouts Press is here for one last day of fun, come out and say Hi and find your perfect journal!