Monday 15 December 2014

Last Minute Gift Ideas

 Well, it's official: my craft sale season is over for 2014. No more formal shows or events until 2015.

Of course, that doesn't mean that you've finished all of your Christmas shopping!
Here are a few ideas for gifts. This is not an extensive list and I've not shown any puzzles or toys since I've posted lots about them in the past.

Please keep in mind that if you're not local to the Madoc area, shipping will take some time, so please order promptly so we can get it to you in time for Christmas.

I will not be writing much about any of these things, just showing a price. For more information on a specific product, or for shipping information or special orders, please contact me at mapleridgecreations@gmail.com.


Outdoor Cedar Bench $115

Classic bench (price based on size)

Spiral Candle Holders $15/pair

Guitar Wall Clock $35

Walnut Mantle Clock $45

Spalted Birch Bowl (sold)

Maple 3 Candle Holder (sold)

Maple Bowl (sold)

Stepped Candle Holder $15

Mahogany Broken Heart Candle Holder $15

 Butterfly Book Ends $25

Fish Bowl $15

Word Art Coat Hook $30

Hummingbirds $15

Horseshoes $15 each

Hummingbird Pedestal $20

Dachshund Bookend $15

Men Book Ends $15

Horse Napkin holder $15

Wolf Mini Clock $45

Rearing Stallion $30

Most items are available in custom colours and finishes. Obviously this is not an exhaustive list, but it might give some ideas. 

I am not doing regular production until after Christmas, but I will work on custom orders. I cannot guarantee shipping arrival times for any items, but I can arrange priority shipping which should make North American deliveries (in most places) before Christmas. 

Wednesday 10 December 2014

Wild Horses

I posted one of these a long time ago, but I think it's time for a revisit. 

People, as a rule, like horses. Not everyone is an aficionado or zealot (though I can think of a few people I know), but there is something about the strength, grace and beauty of a horse, as well as the sense of freedom they exude (and impart) that we tend to gravitate towards them naturally. Even if someone doesn't like to ride them, almost everyone likes to look at them. Speaking of which...

Wild Horse $30 each (discounts or orders of 3 or more)

Isn't that better? Now that you've had a look? 

These ornamental horses (no, you can't ride them) stand just under a foot tall. Made of high quality baltic birch plywood, they are stained and available in a wide selection of colours with a matching solid pine base. 

How many colours? Too many to have in stock at once. Multiple shades of brown, black, reds and lighter wood tones. Made to order, with discounts on bulk purchases (beginning at 3 or more). Inquire to get more specific pricing info. 


A quick heads up for this coming weekend. I will be in Oshawa at the Shriners Club at 1626 Simcoe St. North, Oshawa, from 10am to 4pm. I'll be there a lot longer than that, but those are the hours of the bazaar. The event is hosted by Milestones Christian Center. 

I'd also like to give my thanks to Maggie and the staff and volunteers of Dawn House in Kingston for their show this past weekend at the Kingston airport. My apologies for not getting the show advertised on the blog, but thanks ladies, for a great event. Dawn house if South Eastern Ontario's only homeless women's shelter and it was great to be a part of their annual fundraising efforts. 

Monday 8 December 2014

Custom Bathroom Stool

A couple weeks ago I was asked if I could make a bathroom stool. I assured the inquirer that  I had in fact, made many stools of various sizes and for various purposes and that since I had children of my own, a child's bathroom stool wouldn't pose a problem. 


She then asked if I would be able to burn a name in the top. Again, I answered in the affirmative. Within a little while we had the whole thing straightened out. 


These pictures were taken prior to finish being added in order to avoid glare. 


The customer was very happy with the results. 


Available in a wide variety of colours, either with a name burned in or without. They are also available as blank stools, which would be great for the application of folk art or other custom decoration.

Sunday 7 December 2014

Custom Name Puzzles

Custom puzzles have been popular lately. I've already shared a couple of customized dog puzzles, but custom staining is only one way of customizing a puzzle.

I've had several orders for puzzles with children's names burned on them and below I've attached images for two of those.


While most puzzles I do can be made to have between 3 and 15 pieces, typically a name puzzle will have fewer, depending on how many letters are in the child's name and the shape of the puzzle. Generally these end up as more of a keepsake toy than a regular play toy. 


All of the animal shape puzzles in my regular inventory are available for custom lettering. If there is an animal (or other shape) you think would suit better then please feel free to ask, and if possible, I'll make that shape. The honeybee, hippo and a few others have come about as requests from customers. 


With Christmas coming up fast, it's not too early to order something special for the children in your life. You won't find these on the shelves at Wal-Mart!

Thursday 4 December 2014

Nativity Scenes

So apparently, it's December. I'm sure that means the other eleven months of the year have already gone by, but I'm sure there's been an abridgement somewhere. 

The bafflement of my sense of season notwithstanding, December usually gets us thinking about Christmas and all the various things related thereto. Someday I might decide to carve a turkey out of wood, but until then I'll leave Christmas dinner to the professionals. However, there are some areas I might be able to help out with. 

For most of us, the thought of Christmas conjures images of Christmas decorations, and of course one of the most traditional (and for some, essential) decorations is the nativity scene. 


Unfortunately, I don't have pictures of all of my nativity scenes available, but hopefully I can remedy that shortly. I also have a set with 17 pieces which can be arranged however you like. I should also mention that the scenes shown here have been photographed before finish was applied to reduce glare in the pictures.


The top scene is of shepherds kneeling in worship. The text below reads "Good will to men". There is an accompanying scene featuring wise men approaching from the left which reads "Peace on earth". Both can be displayed independently or with others are part of a set.

The middle scene shows Mary and Joseph kneeling over the infant Christ in a manger. There is another Mary and Joseph scene showing the three of them travelling with Mary holding Jesus while riding a donkey.


All told I've done five different scenes as well as the larger moveable set. As pictures become available of the others I will try to update, but I wanted to show some of the scenes I've done before we got too far into the festive season.

All are available for order in a variety of colours. Prices shown are for individual scenes. Bundled scenes will receive discounts. For more info contact me at mapleridgecreations@gmail.com. You can also see some of my work on the St. John's Anglican Church Facebook page here. I thought about donating but since one of my customers told me he was going to, I opted not to.