Based in Olds, Alberta, Mike Vine is a retired electrician and passionate woodworker with over 50 years of experience. Since 2014, he has focused his craft on building high-quality, handcrafted string instruments. Working from his basement workshop, Mike creates two unique models of tenor ukuleles, a baritone ukulele, and more recently, tenor parlor guitars.
Each instrument is made with care, precision, and a deep respect for the wood and the music it brings to life. Mike’s instruments have found homes across Canada and internationally, with satisfied players in the USA, England, Germany, Spain, and Australia.
Mike Vine – Luthier vinemike@shaw.ca | 403-556-6699
Karen Scarlett is an interdisciplinary artist, working in pencil, watercolour, acrylic, mixed media, bas-relief, fibre and sculpture.
Scarlett often works with barnwood found at 100 year old homesteads where the elements have created a finish to the wood that only comes through the passage of time. Karen’s connection to agriculture was embedded in her from a young age. The prairies and flora and fauna have left an imprint on her soul that is often shared on the art mediums chosen to work on.
Karen grew up fifth generation on the family dairy farm west of Innisfail, Alberta. She has made art her entire life.
Creating has been a lifelong adventure and an important part of life for Karen. Art was practiced with Grandma Scarlett where she learned and important lesson – try everything. A love of power tools and creative design were honed with her Dad while hand-craft, sewing and creating with a sense of perfection were inspired by her Mom.
Karen takes her biggest inspiration from her love, Doug.
You can find Karen’s work in private, corporate and commercial collections across North America and in various spots around the globe.
Wood turning has been Robert E. Braun’s passion for the past twenty years. Born and raised in a Northern Ontario lumber town, he developed his love of wood early in life. And, inspired by a craftsman he met in Greece who was turning his olive wood vases out of a store front studio, he was intrigued by the whole process of turning.
He prefers to turn while the wood is wet or “green” to allow it to distort and find its own shape. In addition, Robert has made over 30 of his own cutting knives. As the wood turns on the lathe, the grain patterns emerge and the adventure begins. It piques his interest to see what lies within.
Each piece he turns is chosen for its creative potential, making use of such features as burls, spalt, and bark inclusions. This ensures a unique creative result. One of his greatest pleasures is searching for exotic wood on his travels.
Bowls, vases, wall platters, and urns are examples of his work. Carving caricatures is another one of his passions.
Blair now lives in Spruce View, AB after many years in Whitehorse, YK. His only formal art education was in grade school giving him an appreciation of young students being exposed to art.
Blair was an Editorial Cartoonist for 6 years with Newspapers throughout the Peace Country, BC. He had over 800 editorials published and compiled select cartoons into a book.
Though Blair’s initial artistic experiences have been painting on maps and cartooning, he has found yet another avenue to express his artistic creativity. He first started Bark Carving since he moved to Spruce View and is thoroughly enjoying the new experience. The wood material is local and he is enjoying foraging for it throughout the year.
Our names are Hilda and Kristy Gamble, a mother/daughter duo that has spent many hours taking classes, going to and running quilt retreats, learning and practicing our skills through fun, and now also teaching others. We play with both yarn and fabric.
Our yarn play has us create items such as slippers, mittens, hats, scarves and afghans of different sizes, weights and colors. Our fabric play has us create items such as placemats, hotmats, table runners, centrepieces, children’s books, table cloths and wall hangings.
Then there are the quilts! From small baby quilts to couch throws, twin quilts and sizes on up, there are always several quilts on the go. We create what we are inspired to as well as items we are commissioned to make for those who have specific wishes but perhaps neither the time or the skills to do their own.
We offer our creations for sale to others through markets, word of mouth and the occasional on-line posting. We are also happy to donate items several times a year, on our own, as well as through the two crafting groups in our area that we belong to. We like to think of our donations providing a smile or a warm hug to the recipients from someone in their community who cares.
We run quilt retreats and classes throughout the year, please contact us for details.
Blake and Anu here from Second Nature Studio in Dickson, Alberta! We’re new to the area and very happy to share our craft with everyone!
I’m an electrician from Nova Scotia and she is the kindest accountant from Mumbai, and we’re most often found working on one of many projects at our new home or chasing our dog Sue around!
A little story about how this began:
Candle making came first to help warm up our new very old, very cold home. Started by refilling old candles before we started to really get into making them from scratch. As we dove into the science of candle making we quickly found what we liked and what worked best. All natural clean burning coconut soy wax, wood wick that burns so beautifully and packaged in a useful cozy mason jar that could be found in any of our homes! Available in 8oz and 16oz.
Then came making our own cold process soap! From the very first batch we knew we had a new passion on our hands! We’ve since refined 12 wonderful hand and body bars that are uniquely captivating with every use! Every bar is specialized including natural fruit extracts, luscious shea/ cocoa butters, food grade oils, real flower petals, activated charcoal, natural exfoliants and more!! Guaranteed to enjoy!
Bath bombs are a really great way to get our epsom salt in and baths for all around self care! Our first batch came at the request of a friend’s child who wanted a little toy pressed into his bath bomb and we were happy to help!
Soap Coasters! Hand made epoxy soap coasters with incredible natural touches throughout every piece! Very eye catching, a beautiful touch for any bathroom!
Custom wood art will also be available in the future as we continue to utilize our CNC router, laser etcher and carpentry skills!
We look forward to continuing to grow our skills, friend circle and lives in this wonderful community of ours! See you in Markerville!!
I have always envisioned beauty in nature and our wonderful surroundings and love recreating them in a different light by painting on a canvass and bringing the scenery to a new life. My inspiration and motivation stems from the passion and creativity that I feel once that brush strokes the canvass. I choose to paint through my vision, sitting in front of a blank canvass to enable me to bring it to life as I see it through my eyes. My preferences are landscapes.
Many of us are currently in the work force and have little time to really enjoy and appreciate the beauty in nature. I am inspired to think that people can visit all of these destinations through my paintings and live within them. I enjoy the sense of noble serenity that you can see and feel in my paintings.
Louise is an award-winning poet and performer, a bestselling author, and poetry course leader originally from the UK, and now living in Red Deer, Alberta.
Her debut book, Plant Your Poetry: 365 Poems and Prompts to Grow Your Writing Habit was published in April 2024, becoming one of Canada’s most gifted poetry writing guides. She has facilitated poetry and creative writing workshops here in Canada and internationally and has words and poems have been published in multiple anthologies, magazines and journals around the world. Louise has been writing one poem a day for around two years now with a loyal following of writers from across the globe where she guides and offers her support to those wishing to share their words. She is also the co-founder of Tandem Poets, a poetry collective elevating artists work through co-authorship and collaboration.
An extract of her poetic memoir, Learning to Fall, has recently been selected by Red Deer Arts Council to feature in their short story vending machine exhibit at the Red Deer Museum and Art Gallery and she was recently invited to perform at Red Deer Arts Council’s 50th Anniversary celebrations.
You can subscribe to her Substack or follow her on Instagram for daily prompts, writing inspiration and insight.
From Heirloom to Art: The 2026 Collection at Big Blue Barn Designs
At Big Blue Barn Designs, we believe every piece of silverware has a story. As the winner of Best Mixed Media Jewelry Atelier (LUXlife Global Excellence Awards 2025), I am thrilled to unveil our 2026 collection!
Alongside our famed Spoon Lady necklaces, snap-button silverware bracelets, and chime ball pendants, you’ll find our newest whimsical additions: silverware snails and fork bugs. These little characters are joining our established lineup of cat and dog necklaces, also uniquely crafted from repurposed silverware. For those who love a bit of sparkle, our new silverware suncatchers feature intricate designs from which cut glass prisms dangle, catching the light to fill your room with gorgeous, refracted color.
Beyond these featured items, a wide variety of handcrafted earrings and jewelry are available, with new pieces being constantly created at the workbench.
Have your own family silverware tucked away? I love meeting clients at my market stalls to discuss personal history! Bring your silverware with you, and I will work with you to identify the perfect commissioned pieces, from custom spoon rings to wind chimes. It is a truly novel way to transform those treasured items into new heirlooms to pass onto your children and grandchildren.
