March 28, 2018
So I've managed to figure out how to at least add a link to some shops for supplies in Canada to my blog. Yay me! I really should say: "Yay Sandi!" Without her pointing me in the right direction, I'd be stuck and this would be a boring blog, indeed!
The four shops I've posted at the right are all located in Canada. Two in Southern Ontario, one in Northern Ontario and one in Nanaimo, BC. If I'm not mistaken, all ship at least Canada-wide if not internationally. I specifically asked their permission to post their name and web page here. I'm hoping to add more names as I go along, but I won't do it until I have contacted the owners of the pages to ask their permission. You just never know, and I want to err on the side of caution.
I will be making a little blurb about each one here. These folks have sent to me what they wish to say about their store, so I'm putting it here. There is contact information and a name to use when reaching out to them. I truly hope to be adding to this list.
I would ask you, please, to support these kind people. If we don't, we won't have resources in Canada to continue our chosen arts and our already dwindling community will wither away simply because we can't find resources for decent materials closer to home.
I will start with Artisanthropy simply because it's the first in alphabetical order:
Artisanthropy is your go-to needlecraft supply shop in Canada. Shipping worldwide from their home bases in Cobourg and Whitby, Ontario, they offer tatting classes, quality threads, popular pattern books, and brand-name supplies for needle and shuttle tatters alike.Shop online at https://www.artisanthropy.ca, or visit their shops at 124 Dundas St West in , Ontario and 79C King St West in Cobourg, Ontario. Questions? Product requests? Need advice? Email Christina at info@artisanthropy.ca.
Sticking with alphabetical order, next up is iBead in Northern Ontario. If you're trying to say the name of the town without hearing it first, you're in for a tongue-twister, but once you know how to say it, it's a rather fun word to say! I am originally from North Bay, ON, and I learned how to say "Wahnapitae" from a young age (try: "wanna p'tie"). It's a First Nations word that describes the shape of the lake on whose shores the community rests (I think).
i-Bead Inc.
819 Highway 17 East
Wahnapitae, ON
P0M 3C0
1-877-22-iBead
tel 705-694-0065
fax 705-694-1594
email info@ibeadcanada.com
Owner: Ingride Mogensen
We are a Canadian distributor of beads and craft supplies based out of Ontario. Specializing in seed beads, Czech glass, gemstone beads, a many other styles of beads. At i-Bead, you will also find a large selection of findings, charms, wire & stringing materials, Native American supplies, tools, kits, books & patterns. Jewelry classes are also available. Visit us online or in store.
Next up is Sew Fancy in Guelph, Ontario. I've shopped here once or twice, and her service was very efficient and reasonably priced. Alma is very approachable with any questions you might have.
I didn't get a lot from Alma in the way of information about her shop, but her website is nicely laid out and easy enough to navigate. You will need to look under "Needle Tatting" to find any references to tatting tools, but many of the tools we use are effective for both shuttle and needle.
Last, but certainly not least at all, is The Stitcher's Muse Needleart in Nanaimo, BC. This is what Dione wrote about her shop:
Next time you're on the West Coast, stop in at The Stitcher's Muse, located in the heart of downtown Nanaimo, BC. Not planning on visiting? No problem – we ship all over the world. We're stocked with a broad variety of needlework and lace making supplies, and we love doing special orders! The owner, Dione van Beynum, and her team Renée and Kathy are passionate about all types of stitching and lace making. Shop with us for all the supplies for your next lace making adventure!
Location: 99 Commercial Street, Nanaimo, BC, V9R 5G3
Telephone: 250-591-MUSE (6873), toll-free: 888-591-MUSE (6873)
email: info@thestitchersmuse.com
I hope to have more shops based in Canada in the near future. My list is nowhere near complete, that's for sure! If you know of any near you, PLEASE let me know!
I'm putting international suppliers on here simply because there are those of us that are close to a border crossing and seem to think shopping across the line is okay, and that's fine too. So, here we go, again in alphabetical order:
Handy Hands Tatting in the United States has all kinds of stuff, but they're big. I mean, they're really big. There's no quick interaction with anyone if you want to ask questions before you make your final purchase while you have it saved in your cart, and while their selection of books and materials is vast, I find it hard to find anything quickly if you don't know specifically for what you're searching. I'm sure if I spent more time at their website I would likely get better at navigation, but I work full time, I have a family, I have more than tatting for a pass time, and I just don't have that "time" luxury. I also have to go into town 20 minutes away to use the Internet, so again, it gets problematic with the time.
The Tatting Corner, however, is quite a different matter. Although Lisa Greenlee Adams is the owner/proprietor of the shop, and her inventory is growing all the time, her shop in Anderson, Indiana is run with a true personal touch. If you want to shop at her establishment, she has an actual store-front as well as a very busy online business and she will work with you to ensure you receive your order in the quickest and most cost-efficient manner. If you want to ask her a question, she is online, or you can call her, or you can email her, or you can go to Anderson and ask her to her face; whatever works for you. She will answer your questions with a friendly and personable efficiency that is lacking with most big-box corporate stores.
The major drawback to shopping online in the 'States, if you're in Canada and don't have quick access to an American postal point near the border, is the currency exchange and duty on what you bring across the border. You're also dealing with Canada Post. 'Nuff said about that, although it seems to really depend on the PostMaster/Mistress where you are located as to how your service is run. For me, I do my utmost to avoid mine. :o(
I need to get this posted or it won't be news and my next post is going to be huge! For now, we will leave it as is and hope the stretch between posts next time won't be as long.
HAPPY TATTING!
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