Easter is just over a week away and we almost missed sharing some amazing handmade items that can be purchased right through the Handmade Canada Marketplace. There are so many fun items being added daily, and we’re rounding up a few to help you get those Easter baskets filled for the big day. Shopping local in Canada has never been easier, we're breaking it down by for the littles and the bigs to make shopping easiest.

Handmade Easter Baskets for Babies + Tots

Who says those little ones are too young for Easter? We've found the perfect combination of items for those little hands and Easter morning. Whether it's clothing, teethers or fun little learning toys, the makers on Handmade Canada have you covered! Let's take a peek at just a few of the fun items:

WhiskeyRoseStudio

Mother + Nature

Handmade Scarf

Blackbird + Company

Precious Package

Artsyarn

Wool Food EMH

Easter Basket Items that Aren't Just Chocolate for Kids

Thinking of giving something other than chocolate and candy? We hear ya. We've found some pretty fun handmade items that we know will make those baskets extra exciting this year. Whether it's custom designed coloring tshirts, nail polish, dress-up crowns or one of the many other items. Handmade Canada is the place to fill those baskets, here's just a few of our favourites:

Hello Jane

Journals of Discovery

Saki Cosmetics

Kate's Custom Vinyl

PLAY.FULL.GOODS

ashbury BLOOM

Live Love Craft

Taste of Creativity Co.

A Fun Easter Gift for Friends and Family

Lastly, if you want to do something special for someone this Easter, why not grab them a gift card to shop handmade? We offer increments starting at $10, and there are so many items being added daily, we know they’ll find something they love.

Click Here to Buy

If you haven't stopped by Handmade Canada, we think you're missing out. There are so many fun and unique items being added all of the time. We just love being able to share and support the many makers from across Canada, and we hope you do too!

HC ♡

Imagine walking into a room and suddenly being taken straight back to your childhood fair with cotton candy in arm, just waiting to catch the next trip around the ferris wheel. Well, you may feel complete nostalgia as memories like that pop up when you shop from this next maker. Today's maker feature is Jenna from Prairie Candle Co. She has the sweetest interview - up there as one of our favourites to date. We feel like we're in the room with her experiencing all of the emotions and she takes us down memory lane and shares so much about herself and her business. We hope you enjoy this interview as much as we did... it's time to dig in.

 

The business side of the interview...

Tell us more about your company - what's your business' story or something unique that we'd love to hear?

There is something so comforting about lighting your favorite, scented candle. I love how a scent can trigger a memory, (like the smell of the cake my Mom bakes every year for my birthday) or a feeling like comfort, excitement and inspiration. 

 

When I started this candle business in 2016, It was a creative outlet for me and a start to having my own company (girl power?). Being asthmatic, I also wanted to create a beautiful, clean burning candle, free of phthalates and cheap wax. I fell in love with the hunt of finding the perfect scent, the perfect wick, high quality wax and the cutest jars. Shortly after, Prairie Candle Co came to be! I soon realized that candle making was a science with so, so much trial and error. It really has been a journey! I truly hope my customers enjoy their new candles as much as I have enjoyed making them.

 

 

 

What time of day do you feel most creative? How do you get past the lulls?

 

I find my most creative time is late at night, when the house is quiet and my family is safe in their beds. I get an arrangement of ideas and I can't stop thinking about it until I created it. I've had some pretty late nights trying to source the materials I see in my head or concoct a new fragrance.

 

What does your dream storefront look like? Is it online or brick and mortar, do you work all week long, do you have employees, etc?

 

I'd love to one day have my own brick and mortar shop. Big glass windows, a parlour, a more muted decor with pops of colour. My shop would be filled with the inspiring fragrance of my candles. I have kind, confidant staff but also work the floor myself part time to build customer relations and grass roots marketing.....oh and plants! My store would have an array of rich, green plants.

 

 

 

Now the fun personal side...

 

What is your favorite colour? Why?

 

My favourite colour is black. In school, I remember my art teacher telling us that black was not a colour, it was a neutral. But recently one of my favourite artists (Amanda Cook) put it this way when asked why she wore black alot of the time. She said, and I quote loosely, that black wasn't void of colour, it is actually a mixture of all the colours together. So I think I'll go with that.

 

If you could only choose one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?

 

Favourite food? Mexican/Central American...I can't stand Pasta.

 

 

Would you rather spend your vacation at the beach or sight-seeing?

 

For Vacations, I'm a beach girl all the way. I love playing in the warm sand and the cooling waves. Hawaii is my favourite. I do like seeing the sights and in Hawaii, those sights are almost always accompanied by water, sand, roadside bbq and fresh coconut. I also collect sea shells. Maybe that could be my job when I grow up.

 

What is your biggest fear?

 

My biggest fear? Being pantsed. This may seem irrational. maybe it's a little bit of ptsd from 5th grade when a kid named Alex, pantsed me in front of the entire class....fun fact...I later went on to be friends with his Mom. I was managing a small business and his Mom was a regular. She was just great. There was such a light in her and I was so fond of her. When I found out she was Alex's Mom, I remember thinking 'but she's so sweet'. 

 

You can eliminate one world problem, which would you choose? Why?

 It's hard to believe today is already February 1. Valentine's Day is just around the corner, and while we aren't so fancy on the corporate push to buy something random for someone special - we are definitely all game for buying something unique and special that is handmade. Not only because it supports the many small handmade businesses, but also, because buying handmade is 100% unique and thoughtful. It's not just another box of chocolates off the shelf (sorry to those who love that). So, while we think of Valentine's Day this year, we have pulled some fun Valentine's themed items for all the ages, that will definitely put a smile on the special one's face.

Adorn Handcrafted Co creates small batch, thoughtfully crafted, sweetly soft bows, and other adornments - like these cute Valentine's Day print hair clips. Grab a pack to put inside a sweet Valentine's card.

Adorn Handcrafted Co.

Looking for the perfectly most thoughtfully crafted dog accessories? Look no further. The Bossy Pupper has you covered with the sweetest little accessories for your furry friends too. Valentine's themed or not - they'll be looking extra special.

Bossy Pupper

These little hair bows are just too cute to pass up. We're loving all the different fabrics. Want to buy some for that special little one, just pop by Dawn & Ruby Designs. And maybe get something for yourself- because they're making hair accessories for all ages.

Dawn & Ruby Designs

Looking for some simply handcrafted clay jewelry, Delo & Co has the perfect pairs. We're loving these cute Valentine's Day sets, but there are soooo many amazing styles to choose from as well.

Delo & Co

How cute is this bow? The colours are so pretty and precious. If you love this, you'll definitely love Mama Whimsy Shop's whole line of hair accessories for mama and mini. So many adorable options.

Mama Whimsy Shop

Another beautiful pair of earrings. NIDU Designs is behind the mixed media statement accessories. These stunning heart dangles just had to be shared. Be sure to pop over for so many other options that would be perfect to gift to her. 

NIDU Designs

We love when something Valentine's isn't red. We mean red is great - but it's nice to see something different too - like this cute little black heart headband from PinkPeony by Kirsten. So simple yet so fun to add to any outfit.

PinkPeony by Kirsten

If food is the way to the heart - than these cake pops from Pretty Witty Sweets are the perfect gift. So many fun sayings. They're all about slightly inappropriate, occasionally offensive, anti-prude custom cookies... and we're loving everyone of them.

Pretty Witty Sweets

Okay, food on a card. Perfection. And if you know the Hong Kong street food bubble waffles - then you'll love this card even more. Actually, Shop Ting and Things has so many fun and playful cards to gift - we wish you luck choosing just one.

Shop Ting and Things

YODA one for me. And this pattern listing from Spontaneous Stitches is the perfect purchase to make this cute little embroidery for that special fan. A win win - you get to make something and support the handmade community. Now that's a whole lot of love going around. 

Spontaneous Stitches

There are so many amazing Valentine's ideas, but these are definitely at the top of our list. How cute are these Dino-mite pendant necklaces? Tiny Threaded Mouse makes one-of-a-kind hand embroideries... and these have to be our absolutely favourite.

Tiny Threaded Mouse

When your love language is puns, Yuenique Cards has you covered. I've been shaving all my love for you, too fun not to buy. Check them out for other fun cards and framed art - there's something for everyone.

Yuenique Cards

The Rustic Home Farmhouse Decor has the cutest little signs and tags for your Valentine. Making handmade rustic decor to give your home those farmhouse vibes - we know they'll have something to gift that special someone. Our favourite is definitely the Pucker Up tag. 

Rustic Home Farmhouse Decor

We love Valentine's Day, but we hate the pressure of having to support the big box stores with flower, chocolate and diamond purchases. It seems so "ordinary" to us and that why we encourage shopping small and local. It just adds an extra special touch of thought. Plus, who doesn't like something unique that you can't just run into town and get? 

For some more Valentine's ideas, be sure to check out last year's Valentine's Day Features. 

HC ♡