Vendor Feature: C Yarn Hut

I love when arts and crafts imitated real life. Take for instance, C Yarn Hut’s dim sum and sushi pieces, they are so detailed!

Who is C Yarn Hut?

1) When and why did you start your business?

C Yarn Hut started out with friends’ encouragements after one-night shopping at Walmart back in 2012. At the beginning, I did mostly special orders from friends and soon I started a website to share my creations.

I received many positive reviews and a seed was planted in my mind to reach out to more people. With the help of my cousin Eva, I have my logo – Clara’s small dream house under the starry sky. I suppose when Eva designed the logo, she was trying to tell me to reach for the sky for there is no limit in creativities. It matched perfectly with my slogan of, “Our hut is filled with Yarn….Our heart is filled with Love.”

We have started our online shop in 2012 and our first craft show in 2013.

2) What was your background?

I am a dental assistant during daytime and crafter at night. I have no background that relates to Art. I actually studied Travel and Tourism in college. But I have huge passion for art, especially knitting and crocheting. Like many others, my first knitting technique was taught by my mom. Gradually I began to explore crocheting and learning about new patterns.

3) What was special about your products?

I usually crochet during the down time at craft shows and was asked several times by customers and other crafters about my technique which is rather different than traditional. I mixed knitting and crocheting technique. This technique uses the crochet hook, but holding the yarn with knitting style. I thought about switching back to traditional crochet method. However, I felt that “My Way” fit me better and became C Yarn Hut’s signature style. Recently, I fell in love with combining this crochet style with other media. For example, 3D printing, puffy paint, wood etc.)

4) What else would you like to share?

I always tell my customers and students that, “if i can do it, you can do it too!”

I learned how to crochet and start my own small business with no Art and Business background, self taught, and without any social media presence.

As long as you have huge passion for it, go for it, start to work on it, try it. No harm to fail, as failure is an experience. Finally, there is no right or wrong in Art.

Check her out!

https://www.cyarnhut.com/

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Vendor Feature: Minori Takagi

Glass jewelry is so magical! I love how the light reflects off the pieces. Thank you, Minori Takagi, for my gift!

Who Is Minori Takagi?

1. Why and when did you start your business?

I came across the glass art in my hometown Shizuoka, Japan about 25 years ago. I enjoyed taking some classes or workshops as a hobby. I started doing my glass work as a business when I came to Vancouver. I was not sure what I wanted to do with my experience with glass, but I was sure I don’t want to give it up. So I started to attend small craft markets to pay off my studio rent. That how I started my business.

2. What was your background

I grew up watching my grandmother using sewing machine to make beautiful dresses. I enjoyed all kinds of craft when I was young. I was crazy about Origami when I was a little, enjoyed sewing and knitting with grandmother, and took some pottery classes in my high school.

3. Interesting facts about your product

I use two kinds of glass rod, soft glass and hard glass. The soft glass melts lower heat and hard glass melts much higher heat. The soft glass I use is made in Osaka, Japan. This company was found in 1927. You can see some Japanese traditional colours they make. I love the gentle and delicate colour of these glass rods.

4. What else do you want to share?

I love designing and creating glass jewelries. Each piece is carefully hand made in my workspace in East Vancouver. I enjoy every process and I hope you enjoy wearing them. I attend some shows and markets. Please stop by and say hello when you see me there!

Check her out!

https://linktr.ee/minoritakagi

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Book Review: Bed & Breakfast & Burglary

Image Courtesy Of Sally Bayless

Summary

Libby lost the job that she loved to her now ex-husband‘s girlfriend. In order to rebuild her life, she packed her bags and moved back to her little hometown. She decided to apply to work in the town’s museum, which was similar to her old job in the big city.

She decided to stay at the local bed and breakfast before she could find a place to stay. During her stay, money from the cash register disappeared from the gift shop. Libby decided to help find the burglar!

Conclusion

This was a sweet short story about how after a betrayal and disappointment, one person literally picked herself up and moved on.

Vendor Feature: Papercrane Co.

I love cute accessories! What about you? Thank you Papercrane Co. for my gift!

Who Is Papercrane Co.?

1) Why and when did you start your business?

I started Paper Crane Co. in 2019 as a side hustle / passion project. It was initially a stationery and gift store with a focus on supporting other small business and artists. During the Covid-19 pandemic that ensued shortly after launching, I was spending more time at home, and started to dabble in small DIY projects. I tried resin art for the first time and loved it immediately! I also tried decoden, badge making and even crochet.

The name is inspired by the legend of the 1000 paper cranes which I started to fold in 7th grade when my both my Grandpas were battling cancer. I folded over 600 paper cranes during that time period, but unfortunately did not make it to 1000 before they both passed away when I was 15.

The paper crane symbolizes peace, good health and longevity. I wish to spread this positive energy through my handmade creations and hope that they bring joy and happiness to those who cherish them.

2) Next, what was your background
I graduated from UBC in 2017 and I’m currently working towards becoming a CFP (certified financial planner).

3) Some interesting facts about your product?

Everything is done in small batches and most items are one of a kind!
Resin items usually take about 3 days to make with multiple layers / pours in between to create the cool effects.

4) Finally, anything else you would like to share?

You can find Paper Crane Co. in Nooks at Gastown at 38 Water St., Vancouver.

Check her out!

https://instagram.com/papercraneco.studio

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Vendor Feature: Draffiti

Fashion help promote ideas. I love how Draffiti is working to promote awareness for different issues with their designs! Thank you for my hoodie!

Who is Draffiti?

1) Why and when did you start your business?

I have always been passionate about art, but was not great at it. I always wanted to make people more aware about art and its importance.

The idea of Drafitti came to being when my childhood friend, Sultan, who’s a great artist pitched me with his interest of opening a clothing brand which would be centered around street fashion, art and different mediums. Being a college drop out, Sultan had plenty of time to practice his art and explore digital art. He discussed his idea of selling printed clothing with his digital art to create an impact on people’s lives. Being passionate about art and environment, I loved his idea and we decided to execute it.

2) What is our background?

I have always been a business student with the passion of an artist and digital expert. Since I was not really good at art, I decided to become a business mastermind and collaborate with other artists to help them monetize their work. I wanted to help artists build an opportunity for them that would encourage them to practice more art.

Due to my interest in being a digital expert, I explored and acquired various digital skills like digital marketing, designing, etc. So, there are two masterminds behind Drafitti, an artist and a digital expert, trying to make an impact in this world that we live in.

3) Interesting facts about Drafitti

Alright, so I always wanted to get into art, and my friend always wanted to have a clothing brand. Drafitti is about awareness about the society we live in. You might have noticed that things aren’t normal these days.

We live in an era of identity crisis and an age of lost souls that I believe is one of the main reasons for world terror. If we knew who we were and our responsibilities as human beings a-lot of things can be improved such as human behavior towards one another, our climate situation, knowing what to do and what not.

So, hence the paper bag concept represents identity and awareness. The paper bag is about helping people struggling with an identity crisis. We recently started so our main goal is to bring opportunity towards the awareness we create.

Check them out!

https://instagram.com/drafitti

https://drafitti.com/products/llama-unisex-hoodie

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Book Review: A Whyte Christmas

Image Courtesy of Amazon

Summary

Nothing was going Kate’s way. Her fiancé had cheated and left her before the wedding. Her boss didn’t appreciate her work and even forced her to demote herself. Life was not good at all.

Then, one day, as she fell off the ladder and landed on her back right in front of a very important client, she knew it was over. She truly embarrassed herself and the company. Little did she know, it was her constant chaos that sparked something inside of him.

Conclusion

Kate was definitely a character many could relate to….How many times had you felt that life was disaster and that nothing was going your way? This romance story also mentioned about being overlooked and taken advantage of in one’s career.

This was a sweet story about how one turned their life around by being themselves and not the society norm.

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Vendor Feature: Jocelyn Eloise Designs

Valentine’s Day is coming up! A lovely shirt by Jocelyn Eloise Designs is what I needed! Thank you!

Who is Jocelyn Eloise Designs?

1) Why and when did you start your business?

I started my small craft business while I was on maternity leave with my second daughter (started thinking about it in February 2022 and actually got all my marketing materials ready/started my IG & FB in May). Being so much more isolated during this past maternity leave than I was in my first, I felt I needed a creative outlet. I also noticed that my eldest (3.5 years old) took an interest in my crafting and wanted to help. I decided that the business could be something my daughter’s could grow into helping with, so I centered the foundation around them—naming it Jocelyn Eloise Designs after each of their middle names.

2) Next, what was your background?

My background is in disability consulting, but I’ve always had an artistic side that I never did anything with career-wise.

3) Some interesting facts about your product?

While I can make just about anything requested, I prefer to make apparel. I like the idea of making something that lasts and has a longer use than something like paper products. I’m also very environmentally conscious, so I try to use products that are made from recycled materials and prefer heat transfer vinyls over adhesive (PVC) vinyls.

4) Finally, anything else you would like to share?

I offer unique, thoughtful, but also affordable personalized or custom products. I put my heart into each of my designs and pride myself on a great customer experience.

Check her out!

https://instagram.com/jocelyneloisedesigns

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Vendor Feature: Desi Turka

Have you had any Indian cuisine lately? I was fortunate to receive an invitation to Desi Turka to try out their extensive menu.

Who Is Desi Turka?

1- When and why did you start your business?

We opened in November 2017. Burnaby had many great multicultural and ethnic cuisine. However, we decided to bring something unique to introduce Indian cuisine with many regional dishes of multi regions of India.

2- What was your background?

I was born and raised in India in province called Haryana, where the main profession was farming. So we carried the knowledge of root spices and herbs and how we can use them in different cuisines. Then, in 2013, I moved to Canada and studied my Hotel and Resturant management in Toronto.

3- What is special about your products?

We bring many dishes that are unique in flavour and we have curated them with touch of western and traditional touch.

4- What else do you want to share?

We always like to honor our guests and committed to serve them with best quality food.

Check them out!

https://instagram.com/desiturka?

https://desiturka.ca

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Vendor Feature: P3 Products

Sore muscles are a constant reminder that I need to take a break. Thank you P3 Products for your gift!

Who is P3 Products?

1) Why and when did you start your business?

I have been an RMT and Sports medical practitioner since 1992 and after years of only having topical products that were potentially harmful to use in practice I was able to come up with a natural product that wouldn’t contraindicate with other medications or contain harmful drugs like methyl salicylate. Hence P3 was born! I created this company in 2007 but it was only for use in my own clinics. Popularity grew and the demand forced us to start selling wholesale and now retail across North America.

2) Next, what was your background?

I have been an international athlete myself and progressed to becoming a sports therapist (a Vancouver Canucks trainer in 1993, and Olympic athlete therapist for many athletes from 1992- 2018). Afterwards, the producer and owner of P3 Products and clinic owner to two large medical clinics in the Fraser Valley.

3) Any interesting facts about your product?

P3 Cream is a water based cream that does not stain clothes or sheets, it has a pleasant scent, it absorbs within 2 minutes and feels dry to the touch yet the effects are felt for up to an hour and it is made with all natural active ingredients.

4) Finally, anything else you would like to share?

Mike, here. I came on board a couple of years ago to run the day-to-day operations of P3. I’ve known John for over 20 years as he was my therapist after a neck injury in high school. I’ve been using P3 since 2007 when John was first starting with it, so I’m a big fan. Working somewhere local, and knowing that we help people with what we do, is what brought me to P3. Now the goal is to help people all over North America remove barriers to living their life how they want to.

Discount Code: P3CHOCOVIV

Check them out!

https://www.p3cream.com/

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Movie Review: Everything Everywhere All At Once

Image Courtesy of Wikipedia

Summary

Evelyn felt like she was just living a life that she didn’t enjoy. It was all because she married the man that her father objected and moved to the States away from China. It began as a dream where she and Waymond, her husband bought a laundromat and had a baby girl. Life became tedious and very unpleasant. The culture shock and generation gap along with misunderstandings with her daughter, Joy, slowly broke down their relationship.

Then, one day, as she was overwhelmed and stressed out at the IRS office, Waymond was taken over by someone called Alpha-Waymond from another parallel universe. Apparently, the world and all the parallel universes were under attack. The only person who could save everyone was Evelyn!

But, how and why? She was so insignificant and was a nobody….. Or was she?

Conclusion

The storyline was very interesting! There were so many twists and I had to pay attention. It kind of reminded me of the “Matrix”…. I could relate to all the misunderstandings and culture differences growing up Asian in Western culture. Definitely loved it!

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