The Handmade Tale

Or∙na∙ment (noun) – something that decorates or adds beauty to something else.

Like anything else, the holidays become more special once you add your unique touch. Whether it’s the way you trim your tree or deck out your mantle, handmade details can make your holiday home truly a thing of beauty.

It’s just that we all need a little help to add that special touch (because even Santa has helpers). For inspiration, we’ve found two special places to help you add that handmade touch to your holiday home. You can take the credit or not…but either way your home will look lovely.

Bluebird Handmade
One of our loyal readers first introduced us to this sweet little spot on Bathurst Street just north of Bloor. It’s where Crystal Silden and Marjorie Campbell have taken their passion for all things handmade and created a haven that is part classroom, part shop and part craft cupboard. Bluebird hosts classes for adults and kids to introduce them to fun, nature-inspired crafts and old-world techniques like felting.

We love their little felt creatures and are excited that they will be hosting classes up until Christmas to help you make your own handmade ornaments to adorn your tree. Some holiday-themed classes for adults include making a felt acorn garland (November 24), and creating a needle felt penguin (December 15). Kids will enjoy making a winter dancer (December 16) and children’s crafts will be running during both of Bluebird’s open houses, which will be held on December 13 and 20. (Register in advance for all classes.)

Pi’lo
If you aren’t the crafty kind, or you just have too much to do before the holidays, don’t stress. Heather Shaw’s Pi’lo will do it for you from her downtown Toronto studio. Her beautiful (and newly online just in time for the holidays—thank you, Heather) treasure trove is full of magical, lovingly made items that rank high on both the charming and stylish scales. We particularly love her Advent calendars ($76), her reusable Christmas crackers ($10) and her sweet winged-bear ornaments ($9). The adorable stick nests with eggs ($9 – 12) will make any garland or wreath the most stylish one on the block.

So take the holidays in hand and have a beautiful handmade holiday.

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