Work of Our Hands Christmas Showcase 2023

Friday November 3rd: 1:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Saturday November 4th: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Sunday November 5th: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

Location:

Pottery By Heather
4740 - 50 Street, Bon Accord, AB, Canada, T0A 0K0 - Directions ->

Advanced Booking Required:

Notes:
- Please book your staggered entry on the website.
- Please finish the entire booking process by checking out and completing the booking form!

BOOK ONLINE TODAY >

Please ensure to book your time slot on the website booking app. It is similar to purchasing an item online. Make sure and go to your cart and check out to complete the booking!

The leaves are changing colour, the cranes and geese are heading south, and we are starting the preparations for our showcase event. It is such a ritual for me. Making glazes, throwing pots, firing kilns…all in anticipation of your arrival!

So many of you commented on how nice it was that the studio was not overcrowded, and you were able to easily see all the amazing work created by the artisans, so as with the past few showcase events, you will be able to go the website and pick a preferred entry time. So civilized….lol. It makes me smile, as it gives me time to visit with people and grab a hug when I can.

Our shelves will be overflowing. The one of a kind mugs in all shapes and colours are always a hit, so I am sure you will find the perfect one to fit your hand. Bowls, casseroles, teapots and way too many items to list will be available to purchase for that perfect gift for that someone special. I will be doing a primitive firing this fall, so will have some small ‘art’ pieces to show off. Each piece gave me such joy to make.

As well as all our many pottery items, the studio will be filled with fine handcrafted work from all our talented artisan friends. We are excited to say that we have four new artisans joining us this showcase. All Mixed Up from Morinville will have a variety of packaged dry dip mixes and BBQ spices and rubs. So perfect for a stocking stuffer or paired with a lovely little bowl for a hostess gift. Token Bitters creates bottled mixes for serving the perfect mocktails. Liquor can also be added to spice up these mixes, but they are so fine all on their own. Ritchie Velthuis, visual artist, will be bringing some of his clay sculptures from his latest show, The Beach. You are probably already familiar with his Bob and Doug McKenzie sculpture that graces the Ice District in downtown Edmonton. These will definitely be a bit smaller, and his funky little bugs will make you smile. Jolioli Design is an exceptionally creative sewer. Finely crafted hand towels and remembrance bears are just two of the quality items she will be showcasing. Be sure to check out her custom order Christmas decorations.

Also in our ongoing consideration for the environment....please bring your own reusable shopping bag.

2023 Christmas Showcase Participants

Sundogs and Northern Lights Studio – An eclectic collection of willow and found item weavings and sculptures from the brilliant and creative mind of Rae Hunter
Coronado Saskatoon Farm – A taste of summer in a jar. Jams made with care from local grown saskatoons and berries
Peeter’s Pride Alpacas – Beautiful soft alpaca yarns and products from a local alpaca farm. Socks, felted dryer balls, yarns for knitting your own creations and lovely knitted pieces from the talented hands of Laurie Peeters
Carol’s Creations – Silver wire earrings and bracelets in a myriad of styles. Hoops and stud earrings and chain mail bracelets to gift to others or spoil yourself.
Rosa Pinzauti Artist – Each year Rosa surprises us with a new selection of paintings and beautiful greeting cards. Both water colours and acrylics. We can’t wait to see what she will bring us this time!
Prairie Gardens and Adventure Farm – Prairie Gardens renowned fudge will be back! Everyone’s stocking will need at least one piece….and santa should be rewarded as well.
Toula’s House of Clay – Haven’t got a green thumb….then Toula’s stunning clay flowers are for you. She has also created clay houses and fridge magnets. And an amazing selection of Christmas ornaments to grace your tree.
Westmount Soap Co. – So many amazing scents to choose from. Well crafted handmade soaps. Clean never smelled so good.
Tilted Barn Pet Co.- These dog treats are the talk of the town. All the local dogs are waiting for the showcase weekend to restock their supplies.
Jewelry by Aafke – A stunning collection of semi-precious stone bead earrings. No matter what your outfit you will find a pair to complement. And all on non allergenic findings. One pair is never enough!
MC Murt - 100% cotton bowl buddies to help keep your hands cool while snuggling with a warm bowl of yummy. The fabric selections are endless!
Stain Glass Artisan– Sparkling festive stain glass to grace your tree and windows. Add some sparkle to yours or someone elses life.
Reg Prins – Long handled shoehorns created from recycled oak wine barrels. Upcycling at its best.
Creatures of Creativity –Small felt and bead birds that will not only grace your Christmas tree but are delightful enough to hang year round. Chickadees, blue jays, robins, hummingbirds and even more of our locals to choose from. Christmas themed birds will round out the flock.
S&J Candle Candle Co. – These small batch, hand poured candles are scented with 100% essential oils. The clean burning, natural soy wax base is lightly scented and ideal for small spaces. Sit back, breath deep and relax. Burn time is approximately 40-50 hours.
Tabitha Hanson Art - Our very talented Bon Accord artist, Tabitha, has transformed the local countryside and flora into beautiful paintings. You will smile with the familiarity of the subject matter and be awed by the talent.

New Artisans for this show

Ritchie Velthuis Visual Artist – Ritchie is the very talented creator of the ‘Bob and Doug Mackenzie’ sculpture in the Edmonton Ice District. He will be bringing some of his small clay sculptures and delightfully fun ‘bugs’.
Token Bitters – Looking for a grown-up alcohol-free option to drink or serve during the holiday season. Token Bitters will have a variety of bottled mixes to delight your taste buds, whether you are the designated driver or not.
Jolioli Designs – Creativity abounds from this talented lady. Finely sewn hand towels to grace your kitchen, remembrance bears and custom Christmas decorations will provide many a choice to help with that Christmas list.

Our two jewelry artisans will be back, Aafke with unique bead and precious stone earring and Carols Creations with silver wire earrings and bracelets. One for a gift and one for you….fairs fair. If you are thinking warm for the upcoming season, alpaca mitts, socks, scarves and hats will tempt you. And the DIYers will always find that perfect skein of yarn for their next project. Jams by Coronado Farms are a definite long running favourite and the fudge from Prairie Gardens is so tempting. PG will also have a selection of honey and condiments made from their own local grown produce. Westmount Soap Co. will ensure that we are clean and smelling great for all the holiday events coming up. And a soap is a perfect stocking stuffer. Each showcase, Toulas House of Clay shows off something new to delight us. This showcase will be no different. As always, her clay trees, wee houses and Christmas decorations will make your holiday decorating magical. Our two painters will be joining us again. Rosa Pinzauti will have original paintings ranging from small bookmarks and cards to large canvases that will grace your living room walls. Tabitha Hanson is our Bon Accord treasure. Her acrylics will touch your heart with familiarity as she takes her inspiration from the surrounding countryside. Our stain glass artisan is creating glass works to sparkle on your tree or brighten up your windows. Creatures of Creativity will once again thrill the bird lover in your life with her small beaded felt ornaments, and other animal lovers have not been forgotten. The ever creative Rae, from Sundogs and Northern Lights Studio, will delight with woven willow angels, wreaths and decorations for that country cozy feel. Looking to fill the room with a gentle scent. S&J Candles have just what you are needing. Their holiday scents go fast, so come early for the best selection. Got someone hard to buy for… how about a long handled oak stave shoehorn by the creative hands of Reg Prins. Upcycling at its finest. Or a snuggle up cozy bowl buddy sewn by McMurt Creations. The perfect way to keep your hands cool while eating a bowl of something warm in front of your favourite movie. And last, but absolutely not least, we always cater to our furry friends, and ensure there is a fine selection of tasty treats from Tilted Barn Pet Co.

As always, we will be collecting for our local food bank. Please bring along a non perishable food item or cash donation, and we will put your name into a draw for a gift bag of items from our talented exhibitors. I would like to say, that our food bank is so very grateful for your generosity. Bring along your own reusable bag to carry your purchases home in and your name will be entered to win two mugs.

We are delighted to put on the showcase for you this year. Please ensure to book your preferred time slot on the website booking app. It is similar to purchasing an item online. Make sure and go to your cart and check out to complete the booking!