It's all about the Kids!

Do you miss the old-fashioned toys of your youth?  Quality hand made toys that didn't make noise, weren't made of plastic, and didn't break a week after you received them.

Rural Creators' Collective has just the thing in store.   Lovely wooden bears and trucks...

  pull toys...

 old fashioned sleds, and teddy bears...

...and cars.

Why not give a child the wonderful gift of a hand made toy this year?

Plus, if you time it just right...your child just might get to meet Mrs. Claus right in the store!  Story

time anyone?

And don't forget...while quantities last, you can choose a hand made pottery gift tag with every purchase.  A lovely hand made gift tag for a lovely hand made gift.  

Thank you for shopping locally this holiday season.

Need a Little Help With Your Holiday Preparations?

The Rural Creators' Collective shop is packed full of great items to make your holidays extra special.

There is a selection of great cutting boards that work so well as a cheese board (or serving board of any kind) for those special get-togethers with family and friends.

 Pot pourris and scented melts to give your home that cozy, welcoming aroma 

(without having to bake all day).

If you still need hostess gifts, thank you gifts, or even party favours, there is a great variety of small gifts to choose from to custom make your own gift packages.

And if all you have left to do is wrap those special gifts, why not pick up a few re-usable sewn gift bags?  They are a great eco-friendly option you can re-use year after year.

Hop in for some inspiration!

And as our thank you gift to you for shopping locally, while quantities last, enjoy a free hand made pottery gift tag with every purchase to make your wrapping extra special.

Thank you to our loyal customers

The Rural Creators' Collective would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of our customers for their continued support.  Whether you buy at the store, from one of the members at an event, stop by to take a look at our work and ask questions, or send a friend --- your encouragement and support mean a lot to the craftsmen/women that pour their heart and soul into every single piece they make. 

As a small token of appreciation, our potter would like to offer a gift with purchase to add a special touch to your gift giving this season.  While supplies last, receive a hand cut, hand stamped, unglazed gift tag with every purchase in the store (address is on the side bar).  Hurry in as quantities are limited.

Thank you for shopping locally!

December's Community Calendar

December is fast approaching!  If you can't make it in to the Rural Creator's Collective in Carlisle, many of our vendors are still out and about doing shows in various locations.

Here is where you can find us this month:

December 4:

Sandi, The Little Truffle Maker(on her own website, and on Facebook) will be at Del-Manor Glen Abbey
1459 Nottinghill Gate, Oakville from 10 - 3

December 6 and 7:

Natalie, of  Remembrances will be at Winter Art Market at Memorable Moments on Front Street in Sarnia.
Friday from 3-9 (as part of the monthly First Friday), and Saturday 10 - 5.

December 7:

Tara, of On A Branch Soaps (on Facebook and on Etsy) , Miriam of MiniMade (on Etsy and
on Facebook), Sandi the Truffle Maker, and  Terra Teas can all be found at Maplehurst Public School Christmas Craft Sale on Plains Road in Burlington from 10 - 3

Roni of Metis Caravan will be at Eliot Community Center on Metcalf Street, Guelph from 1 - 4.

December 12:

Sandi will be in the store with truffle samples.

Dec 14 & 15th
Sandi will be at Jade Gardens 5532 Trafalgar Rd, Milton ( 11 till 3 PM)

December 19:

Sandi will be in the store with truffle samples.

December 20, 21, 22:

Sandi will be sampling truffles at the Rural Creators' Collective in Carlisle.  Stop by to say hi and sample a delicious truffle.

December 23rd and 24th:
The Rural Creators Collective will be open for business for all those busy people who need a last minute gift!!  Open from noon until 6:00.  You can give Julie a big "Thank you" when you see her.

Are you dreaming of a White Christmas?

 ...Just like the ones you used to know...

Miriam of Minimade (on Facebook and on Etsy) has brought these delightful ornaments into the shop.

 Each one is crocheted by hand... 

And just like snowflakes, each one is unique.

And although they are delightfully traditional...

...they would add a touch of winter charm even to modern decor.

And at only $3.00 per ornament, you could build a whole collection.

  Pop on in to see the selection.

And have that White Christmas of your dreams.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Julie has been very hard at work getting the shop ready in time for the "Christmas in the Country" open house this Friday and Saturday...

30% off several artists' work! 

The flower shop downstairs is also offering 30% off .

Make a day of it and grab a "slice" and dessert from the bakery downstairs while you are at it...

Here are a few of the pictures she has taken around the shop:

 I'm told Sandi has a surprise in store for the open house.

I can't promise that everything you see here is included in the 30% off, but many, many items will be.  

They will be clearly marked for sure.  

Hope to see you there!

Winter Whites

In today's age of mass marketing, it's easy to get overwhelmed or over stimulated with all the bright, over the top Christmas decor.  Why not take it easy this year and go for a more relaxing, natural look that can last all winter long?

 Julie, of Rustic Revivals (she's also on Etsy, over here) has this lovely birch branch candle holder in the shop that would be lovely on a fireplace mantle, on a sideboard, on a dresser, or as a centerpiece.  With space for four candles, it can also work for advent.  Oh my, the possibilities!

And with the removal of just those couple little "Christmas bits", it can add that warm 

cozy feeling to your home all winter long.

Hop on in to see the other simple, natural items the vendors have in store for you.

Christmas in the Country Open House

30% off.

November 22 and 23, 2013 

Keep reading to see who's in on this one.

This is a big deal!

If you haven't been to the Rural Creators' Collective yet...or if you are a regular...this is one you don't want to miss out on.  Many of the vendors, along with the flower and gift shop downstairs, are offering an UNBELIEVABLE 30% OFF their already low prices for these two days only. 

Please note: items under $10.00 are excluded from this discount.

Roger, of Carlisle Canoe Co. is offering the 30% discount even on his large items!

Natalie, of Remembrances will have all of her pottery included in the discount.

Julie of Rustic Revivals (on Facebook and on Etsy) is participating.  

Roni of Metis Caravan is participating. 

Lisa,  of L'immaginaria (find her also on her own website and on Facebook) is participating.

Greg, of Full Circle Woodworks is participating.

Christine, of  Stones of Time  is participating.

Linda, of  Waylin Enterprises 

is offering 30% off the Henley Tea Set (regular price is $75.00, so that's a discount of $22.50!)

And Sandi, The Little Truffle Maker (see her on her own website, and on Facebook) will have a sweet surprise.

 

So if you haven't been over to the shop yet - the 22nd and 23rd would be a GREAT time to check it out. 

A hop, skip and a jump from Burlington, Guelph, Kitchener/Waterloo.

 It's only an hour from Toronto if you "aren't quite local" and it's worth the trip.  

If you are a regular customer - we thank you...

and hope you take advantage of the incredible discounts as well.

Community Calendar - November

Where the artists will be:

November 2:
Sandi, The Little Truffle Maker: @ East Plains United Church  375 Plains Rd E., Burlington from 9:30 - 4:00

Every Thursday in November, she will be at the Rural Creators' Collective (Carlisle) from noon to 4:00 with samples.

November 9:
Sandi @  Jade Gardens Craft Sale 5532 Trafalgar Rd, Milton   from 9 - 4
Tara, of On A Branch Soaps @ Mistletoe Mart Port Nelson United Church, Burlington

Miriam, of MiniMade @ Waterloo Rod and Gun Craft Show  1075 Bo-de Lane, St. Jacobs from 9-4
Wendy Read, of Old on Gold will be part of Christmas in Paris (on the 9th and 10th) as part of the Kindred Spirits Artisans.  see www.christmasinparis.ca.  (I checked it out online...it looks like a very interesting event).

November 15 - 17:
Christine of  Stones of Time  @ the Markham fairgrounds on McGowan Rd
Friday 5-9;  Sat and Sunday 10 - 5  

Here is a coupon for $1.00 off your admission:

November 16:

Natalie, of Remembrances @2nd Annual Christmas Craft Show and Bazaar at King George School, 585 O'Dell  Ave., Sarnia, ON from 9:00 - 1:00

 Sandi, The Little Truffle Maker @ Woodiew School Fundraiser, Wayne Gretzky Sports Center, Brantford, 10-2

November 17:
Miriam, MiniMade @ St. Agatha and District Lion's Club Annual Christmas Arts and Crafts Show at the St. Agatha Community Center from 10:00 - 3:00

November 22 and 23: 
CARLISLE CHRISTMAS IN THE COUNTRY OPEN HOUSE at Rural Creators' Collective, Carlisle, in conjunction with the flower shop downstairs.  30% off several items in both shops.

November 23:

Sandi, The Little Truffle Maker @ India Mission Bazaar, New City Church, Lynden Rd, Brantford 9-2

Tara, On A Branch Soaps @ St Matthew's Church Christmas Craft Show, Burlington

November 24:

Roni, of Metis Caravan @ Arthur Community Center from 9-3 (food served all day).

"Like" Rural Creators' Collective on Facebook for more updates.

Eco-friendly holiday ideas

It's October 25th.  Two months until Christmas.  So - today I have something a little different for you today... a selection of eco-friendly or natural holiday ideas.

Toss a hand knit washcloth and handcrafted bar of soap into an antique mason jar for a super quick last minute gift.  I cut a bar in half to fit in the mouth of my jar, but depending on the container you use, you may be able to add it in whole.  Second hand shops often have great glass containers that would be great for this.

Bake up a giant muffin in an oven safe pottery bowl for a twist on the standard holiday fruit bread.  Gift it with a cutting board and tea towel, or...

...wrap it up with a mug, some tea, and some in-season fruit for a great gift basket with something different and unexpected.  (If you happen to be using one of Remembrances' bowls, the giant muffin serves 4 - and there is still one left in the shop if you like this idea and don't have a bowl that would work).

Chop a log into varying heights, add some candles, pine cones, and if you choose, some greenery or flowers and you have a nearly instant holiday display that can last you from now until the end of winter.  Don't have the time, tools, or inclination to chop up a log?  There happen to be some lovely large wood slices in the shop that would work beautifully for this, and Tara has some great scented candles in jars that could complete the look.