Day 22 - Downtown Charlottetown

This month flew by so fast, I absolutely loved blogging my #DowntownWishList adventures again this year. I learned so much about Downtown Charlottetown and had the opportunity to meet so many talented, energetic and passionate individuals.

As Islanders, we are extremely lucky to have such a variety of local shops to choose from - there is something magical about visiting a shop and holding the items in your hand before buying them. When you buy local 67% of your dollars stay in Charlottetown, when you buy from a chain store 32% stay local and sadly when you buy online (as convenient as it is) 0% of your money stays in your community.

I am grateful for the outstanding work of Downtown Charlottetown Inc. a non-profit organization with the mandate to work with businesses to create and maintain a vibrant downtown through an established Business Improvement Area. Check out their website to learn about their other fantastic Downtown initiatives.

"Eckhart in the City" is looking very festive in Downtown Charlottetown :)

Wishing you all a wonderful Holiday season and all the best in 2016!

Day 21 - Overman & The Frankie Strange

Overman began as a hobby for owner Matt Bowness back in 2009, and has since grown into a full-time business. In 2010, Overman was named as one of nine "Canadian Jewellery Designers to Know" by ivillage.  In 2012, the company opened a store in Charlottetown on Water Street. That same year Overman was invited to participate in a gifting suite at the Emmy Awards in Los Angeles where many top television stars received their products.

Earlier this year Overman joined forces with the Frankie Strange, an established vintage clothing boutique in Charlottetown, and are now known as “Overman & The Frankie Strange”. They had their Grand opening on February 28^th at their shop located at 52 Great George Street. Their Facebook page descriptor says it all: “a weird little mix of all things strange”.

the beautiful storefront winter mural by the talented Rebecca Ford

My Downtown wish list includes:

a mix of polished and raw gemstones – love these!

Selenite castles with a base that lights up

a variety of fossils and more gemstone castles

Himalayan salt lamps – my favourite!

Blue Bead Lilies 100% beeswax candles - hand made in PEI

fun pillow cases

Vintage candy!

Drop in to see all of their unique products, there are so many wonderful items to choose from – I can’t wait to go back! You can also check out their website, Facebook as well as their Overman Twitter and Instagram and the Frankie Strange Twitter and Instagram. 

It is hard to believe this is the last day of #MyDowntownWishList, there is still one more opportunity to win a $100 pre-paid Mastercard - today could be your lucky day! 

Day 20 - DWN.TWN.FOX

Today I had the pleasure of meeting Island designer Laura Irene Morneau of DWN.TWN.FOX Co. She officially opened her bright third floor studio on December 11^th, located at 126 Richmond Street on Victoria Row between Receiver Coffee Co. and the Anne of Green Gables shop.

Laura opened her Etsy shop in 2012, and decided recently to pursue her dream full-time. She started combining vintage, antique, & modern elements to create beautiful, one of a kind pieces. Next she began designing flower crowns, earrings, necklaces, brooches, scarfs, bridal accessories, t-shirt designs as well as bow ties for men, women and pets.

Laura is a creative self-taught designer, aside from taking home economics classes in grade 7 and 8. She is branching out into silver, and is being mentored by "Happy Glass" through the PEI Arts Council Program. Next summer you will be able to visit her studio and watch while she designs custom pieces.

Laura thrives on customer service; tonight this was a posting on her Facebook page: “I just made a scarf for a customer as she waited because she wanted something specific. It only took 5 minutes and she left with exactly what she was looking for! That's what kind of customer service we offer!”

An action shot of Laura working on her sewing machine
MADE BY LOVE ∆ FOR LOVE

My Downtown Wish List includes:

love these earrings


beautiful necklaces & bracelets

cozy infinity scarves

 headbands for chilly days

DWN.TWN.FOX also showcases the work of many of her talented friends:

 unique wood ornaments by Linda Morrison ND

 hand drawn red foxes on a beach of seaweed portraits 
made by Ashley Anne Clark

 cute little ornaments by Old Shep & Yeller Dolls

 The amazing Kim Roach Design “Let’s Stay in Bed” banners

 "My Little Stash" world watches

 driftwood hooks by Turquoise Trixie

vintage pyrex by milk & amber

 Brennan Michael soy candles (Islander living in Toronto)  - they smell divine!

 "Glow" by Lou La  Belle Skin Care

 “Sara’s Sew Vintage” pillows by Sara Fraser

teacup succulents by Sakurah’s Flower Studio

Drop in to visit the “smallest boutique with the biggest heart” and “support local this holiday season as a present to your community”. You can also visit DWN.TWN.FOX’s website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Etsy.

Tomorrow is your last chance to WIN what you wish for with the #MyDowntownWishList - don’t miss out! http://downtownwishlist.ca/ 

Day 19 - Stage 1 Games

This afternoon I visited Stage 1 Games for the first time, and met the owner and General Manager Shawn (Xiaopeng Chi). Shawn moved to PEI over a year ago through the Provincial Nominee program and opened Stage 1 Games in the Confederation Court Mall in April 2015. Stage 1 Games sells video games, software, accessories, clothing, and toys. 

 

 For $5 an hour you can sit on the comfy couch and play video games - a great way to try out a game before you buy it.

 You can play on this TV for free – Super Mario World brings back so many childhood memories :)

My Downtown Wish List includes:

 Lots of great gift ideas for my nephews - Transformers etc.

 The Legend of Zelda – one of my favourite Nintendo games growing up

 look at these old Game Boys in a rainbow of colours

lots of new and used games to choose from

Minecraft – my nephew Ryder’s favourite :)

There are lots of little unique treasures at Stage 1 Games - stop in to see for yourself. You can also visit their website and Facebook page.

Only a couple more days to win what you wish for with #MyDowntownWishList. Check out all the amazing items that have been shared this month: downtownwishlist.ca.

Day 18 - Garnish

Garnish Jewellery's Grand Opening was November 7th at their new shop on 89 Water Street. Garnish is a collection of limited edition and one-of-a-kind jewellery that is hand forged by designer and goldsmith Stacey Leunes. Stacey graduated from the two year Jewellery Methods program at George Brown College in Toronto. She uses unique cuts and shapes of gemstones combined with interesting textures and non-traditional finishes on sterling silver, brass, copper, and gold. She uses many traditional goldsmithing techniques to craft each individual piece, while enjoying the process as much as the end result.

I had the pleasure of meeting Stacey when I visited Garnish and I also got to meet her adorable dog Willow, who spends each day with Stacey while she works. When I asked Stacey why she named her shop “Garnish”, she responded that her jewellery is like an embellishment, a decorative detail to make those wearing it feel more lovely.

Stacey and Willow in her workshop :)

LouLou Magazine featured this Scalloped necklace, that Stacey originally made for her own wedding, in their East Coast Gift Guide!

My Downtown Wish List includes:

available in brass and sterling silver

gorgeous necklaces

love these unique earrings :)

Garnish also showcases the work of many other talented Island designers.

Birdmouse - jewellery and wall hangings

Brodye Chappell Builds - love this table!

Keephouse Studio - kitchen towels, table cloths and trays

Surf Art by Daina Deblette Scarola

Drop by Garnish to watch Stacey hammer, saw and polish as she creates “timeless jewellery with a twist”. You can also check out her website, Facebook, Instagram and on Etsy.

There is still time to WIN what you wish for! Take a photo of an item you really want in a downtown store, post it on social media with the hashtag ‪#‎mydowntownwishlist and the store name for your chance to WIN a $100 prepaid MasterCard. Draws continue every weekday until December 21st.

Day 17 - Dow's Fashions

Dow’s Fashions offers a wide selection of formal, business and casual wear for men and women. I had the pleasure of meeting the father and son team - George and Joseph Dow. They were so kind and welcoming, I learned so much about their business within a few minutes of speaking to them.

Dow’s Men’s Wear has been operating in downtown Charlottetown for 53 years. For the first 20 years they were located at 144 University Avenue (now Great George Street) where Shaddy’s restaurant is located. Then they moved next door for 10 years until a tragic fire. Later Dow’s moved across the street where they are today (145 Great George Street) and have been for the past 20 years. 17 years ago, Dow’s expanded to include Ladies wear on the second floor.

My Downtown Wish List includes: 

Lacoste golf shirts

Mancini leather bags

Men’s colourful socks

Taylor of Old Bond Street Shaving cream and accessories

Saxx underwear

 Michael Kors cozy jacket

Michael Kors shirt

Drop by to see George and Joseph at Dow’s Fashions - you can also visit their website, Twitter and Facebook page.

Last few days to win with #MyDowntownWishList – wow this month flew by so fast!

Day 16 - Details, Past & Present

Today was my first visit to Details, Past & Present. I was grateful to meet Arlene Rice, the studio owner. She was warm and welcoming and the positive energy inside her gallery made me feel very relaxed and at home. Details Past & Present features original work by PEI’s finest artists as well as regional and international artists. The Gallery carries original paintings, etchings, art, pottery, blown and fused glass textiles and designer jewellery. 

My Downtown Wish List includes:

beautiful colourful glass bowl

pottery by Jamie Germaine of Seaclay Pottery

For those that followed #MyDowntownWishList blog from last year, you may remember when I visited ColourBlind Boutique and discovered Heather Millar’s extraordinary artwork. Many of Heather's pieces are showcased at Details, Past & Present. I love the detail and texture of this painting - it looks like a photograph. The crow is a spirit animal associated with life's mysteries and magic. 

Shoreline Series by Carole Malcolm 
I’ve been looking for the perfect piece for over my living room sofa :)

Holly Yashi jewellery

I love these poppy vases – very meaningful

While shopping in downtown Charlottetown, take a moment to visit Details, Past & Present at 166 Richmond Street on Victoria Row. You can also visit their website and Facebook page.

If you are looking for some inspiration for your Christmas list, check out the amazing products people have shared already: http://downtownwishlist.ca/