creative

Michael Kowalski is a Maker from Ontario and a founding member of KWArtzLab, a not for profit Maker society. Located in the Waterloo region, KWArtzLab wishes to provide tools, community connections, and learning opportunities for Makers in the area.

Beginning of KWArtzLab

Michael developed this space for creators lacking the means and proper space to create! KWArtzLab is operated solely by volunteers and there are no hired employees or staff. Therefore, it is not freely open to the public and people must join as a member. Members need to pay a small fee and will then receive a key card with 24-hour access to the shop. To govern the workshop, there is an election that takes place each year. At the annual meeting, seven directors are elected, and are meant to serve for a term of 1 year.

Workshop

The workshop has a variety of tools available such as 3D printers, an electronics workbench, and much more! There is a section available for laser cutting which includes a 2×3 ft. bed which can cut materials such as plywood, acrylic, and fabric. Another section is made for fabric arts which includes heavy duty sewing machines, a serger, and a CNC embroidery machine! Lasty, there is also a ‘heavy lab’ where Makers can work with wood and metal working tools such as lathe, mitre saw, bandsaw, drill press, MIG Welder, and a CNC router.

Events

During normal times, KWArtzLab holds weekly events and meetups for Makers to create and learn from each other. An example of the events held are the robot club meetups, oil/lube/filter workshops, and open nights for the public! Adapting to the times, KWArtzLab now has many virtual events and workshops available. Still, the team is hoping to hold their first post-COVID meetup at the beginning of July!

Community

There have been many interesting projects made at the KWArtzLab workshop with talented Makers from all over Ontario. Projects have included a massive 3D printed statue, hex tile murals, and furniture. This is a place where there is a balanced mixture of science, technology, mechanics, and art! People come to the KWArtzLab full of ideas and inspiration to create, thriving off the enthusiastic environment. People can feel free to create as the please in a positive environment, free of judgement, with the support of their peers!

If you are interested in learning more, check out the KWArtzLab website here!

Crafting is a great way to spend time, especially when stuck inside the house! There are unlimited projects you can work on that don’t need a bunch of new supplies. Enjoy getting creative with your family and spend the afternoon keeping busy! Making crafts not only keeps the hands busy but the mind as well. Sometimes, it is important to just let your mind focus on other, less important things if you’re feeling a bit stressed, anxious, or overwhelmed. Staying creative is important as it can help increase mental health, motivation, and inspiration.

There are plenty of household items you can use for crafting, such as string, old clothing, old frames…etc. Not to mention, many of these projects upcycle old items that might have otherwise gone to waste so it’s also sustainable!

Listed below are a few fun projects to try with items you can find at home!

1. Reusable Bags

Making reusable bags is fun and handy for your trips to the grocery store! You can sew or hand-stitch the bags using a variety of materials, such as an old t-shirt! Instead of choosing paper or plastic, make of few of these and have them handy in your vehicle whenever heading to the store!

2. Vases

Updating vases is a great way to refresh old vases you have in your house. Grab the collection of vases, some paint, chalk, stencils, or anything else to add a creative touch! You can upcycle these vases to add a new and modern aesthetic to your home. Try stenciling new designs or bright paint colours to be bold! Afterwards you can either leave the vases empty as art piece in the house or get creative with what goes into them!

3. Newspaper Plant Pots

A great at-home project that pays off is starting your own herb garden! You can start off by using old newspaper to create plant pots, fill them up with soil, and plant a couple seeds! You can grow a wide variety of plants indoors, including cilantro, green onions, and even avocado!

Check out some Pinterest idea here!

4. Wreaths

Wreaths are a super fun afternoon activity with endless possibilities! You can make a creative wreath out of old clothing and dish cloths or you can go with something more simple. There are unlimited ideas on sites like Pinterest.

5. Bracelets

There are a lot of different bracelet patterns that can be found on the internet and all you really need is some string! There are unlimited possibilities when it comes to making bracelets, or any jewelry for that fact! Try out different tying patterns, string colours, and beads! Bracelets are fun and easy project because they are not too time consuming.

Hugo Jamain is a talented jeweler, making handmade pieces in his shop out of sustainable materials that would otherwise end up in the landfill. Check out our blog from a few weeks ago on his brand, STYX. For this week’s blog, Hugo decided to get a little more involved in the details on the jewelry making process for a 101-tutorial guide for anyone that wants to try their hand at making their own jewelry.

Step 1: Finding the Materials

Firstly, Hugo goes through boxes of scrap metals and searches for materials that he can use, such as stainless steel and brass. He mainly uses stainless steel because it’s high-quality and is one of the strongest metals.

Stainless steel is a very common metal used to make products like sink faucets, home appliances, and furniture. For this reason, there is a lot of stainless-steel pieces that end up in the garbage as scrap metal.

Step 2: Analyzing the Materials

Once Hugo chooses the good pieces of scrap metal, he brings them back to his shop to be transformed. He first cleans each piece by hand and then analyzes the best way to move forward with each piece. He tries to maintain the true shape so that there is as little waste as possible. Since the jewelry turnout depends on the shape of the material at hand, each piece ends up unique. For example, rings are generally made with tubing and earrings are usually made with thick sheet metal.

Step 3: Designing

This is where it gets fun! Hugo sits down with his pen and paper and gets creative with some design ideas. He tries to make pieces that are bold and unique, stepping away from concepts that are too mainstream. He wants to create timeless pieces that can last a lifetime. Each piece is created to be one of a kind as he doesn’t follow any specific pattern.

Step 4: Getting to Work

Hugo uses four main tools – a hammer, saw, sander, and polisher. Once the materials are cleaned and the concepts and designs have been thought through, he gets to work in his shop. Firstly, Hugo uses an electric saw to cut the steel into the shapes he wants. Since jewelry is very small, he then uses pliers to cut the specific shape and go into more detail with the design. He will then add some texture using a hammer which creates ripples on the metal. Afterwards, Hugo uses three different types of electric sanding disks to sand down any imperfections. Lastly, he makes holes in pieces such as necklace pendants and earrings before attaching the chain or earring hooks. The last step is to polish and add a protective spray for the perfect shine!

If you’re interested in getting into the art of jewelry making, Hugo suggests starting simple and moving to more complex projects as you learn. This blog includes the steps Hugo takes to design jewelry with metals but there are many videos and tutorials out there as well to get you started! Along with metal jewelry, there are plenty of other types of jewelry you can make if you don’t have a shop or equipment!

Now more than ever, it is important to pay attention to the impact you have as an individual. Your own ecological footprint may seem insignificant but when adding all the individual footprints, even in just one city, the impact grows immensely. Put simply, an ecological footprint is a measure of human impact on nature which considers aspects such as housing, transportation, and energy consumption. The ecological footprint of Canada is approximately 8.17 hectares, one of the highest countries in the world. This means that if everyone lived like us, we would need over 8 more planets to sustain us.

It is important to think of the individual impact you have in all areas of your life, even with your creative endeavours! Whatever kind of creative projects you are working on, try to keep in mind the impact you are making within your activity, the materials you use, and the measures you take for your creations.

Obtaining Sustainability

Sustainability encompasses three main categories: economy, environment, and society. Each of these categories is crucial to obtaining a balanced and healthy network of interconnecting pieces. In the past, they were seen as three separate ‘pillars’ but it is now known that they are all encompassing. Environment encompasses both economy and society as without a healthy and livable environment, the other two simply cannot exist. Society it next, because without healthy social aspects, economies would collapse. Lastly, economy is in the center as the other two do not necessarily need economy to survive and have proven so in the past.

Whether you are cooking, painting, composing music, or designing – always keep in mind this encompassing vision of sustainability into your own lifestyle and creativity. Whatever the size of your project, sustainability can play a role. With the knowledge of this circled around our community, it is fairly easy to live and create in a sustainable way. Listed below are some tips to help you on your way.

Tips for Sustainability:

Buy ethically made products

Pay close attention to where products are made and do research on companies and businesses before hand. It is easy to find information on the sustainability of a company on the internet. Check out the factory and workplace information, ethical recognized certifications such as fair trade and B-Corp, as well as material sourcing information.

Ecological Footprint

Paying attention to your ecological footprint encompasses many things as a means to become more sustainable. Try to focus on things such as how you get your products, where they come from, and what ingredients are inside. When considering your energy consumption, try to always unplug anything from power sockets and turn off lights to conserve energy.

When considering your carbon footprint, remember that driving spends more carbon than taking public transportation. Also note that buying good from overseas also spends more carbon than purchasing from your own country.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

There are plenty of products out there that end up in second-hand stores. Why not browse the aisles here for items and material that can be repurposed for your own projects? Not only are you taking a step towards environmental consciousness, but the items are generally going to be a lot cheaper than buying brand new!

Go Eco Friendly

When creating something, try to think of the future for the product. Is it biodegradable or will it end up in the landfill? Is it organic or full of toxic matter? When making the decision to step away from environmentally harmful products and materials, you are not only making the decision to care for the planet but also care for the people wearing/purchasing your products.

Shop local

Shopping local is a perfect example to encompass all sustainable categories. By purchasing local products, you are helping the environment by means of reducing carbon outputs from shipping. Socially, you are helping your local community and small businesses that will be grateful for your service rather than big box stores. Economically, you are putting money back into your own community and therefore helping the local economy.

Sustainable Future

Whether small changes or big changes, taking the steps to become more sustainable is an important piece to caring for the future of our planet and our communities. There are plenty more ways to reduce your impact and step towards sustainable creativity. All it takes is a little extra research and mindfulness to create something that is low impact and environmentally friendly!

If you are looking for a little extra inspiration, we have some amazing sustainable creatives here with Maker Faire Saskatoon! So far on the blog, we have spotlighted a couple Makers who are setting the stage for sustainable creativity. Amanda Bosiak makes handmade soaps in her house focusing on natural products such as essential oils. Hugo Jamain makes handmade jewelry from recycled materials in his shop that would otherwise end up in the landfill!

If you are interested in learning what your ecological footprint is, take the test here!

Saskatoon Maker, Nicole Boczula, is a passionate creative, interested in a variety of artistic fields. She grew up in Calgary, studied in Toronto, and later moved to Saskatoon where she has become a local Maker! After finishing her bachelor’s degree in science, she realized that she was always turning to creative outlets and decided to follow her passion as an artist instead.

Nicole currently works at Painfully Pretty Tattoo Studio in Saskatoon as a Tattoo Apprentice. She is happy to have the freedom with this job and to have the ability to create every day! In Nicole’s free time she explores other creative activities, taking a special interest in cosplay. Other than cosplay, Nicole keeps busy with aerial hoop classes, music, and crafting. Being a Maker has allowed Nicole to hone in on her artistic passions and talent for creating new things. She believes that “everyone has the ability to create and show the world what they can do – whether you are a makeup artist, cake decorator, or engineer”!

Nicole’s Designs

For those of you are new to this term, cosplay is a portmanteau of the words costume and play. Cosplay originated in Japan but has since become a globally recognized community. Not only does cosplay offer a new imaginative space but it has also created an amazing sense of belonging for those interested in this area. There are conventions and expos held around the world, whether they are small local gatherings or massive events in major cities. If cosplay attendees feel up for a friendly competition, some of the conventions and expos allow for costumes to be judged based on construction and presentation – and the opportunity to win a prize!

Nicole loves the cosplay world and creating her own costumes for events, photoshoots, and online. Local cosplayers might recognize her online name as ‘Simply Devious Cosplay’. She has been a cosplayer for approximately 8 years now and designs all of her own costumes! Nicole feels inspired by the cosplay scene because she loves to be able to transform into characters that she admires. She also loves to attend in-person events as it is a great opportunity to connect with other cosplayers and fans within the community. The events are a great way to “interact with others and gives cosplayers the opportunity to talk about their favorite characters from the same show/videogame.” Nicole states that she has made many lifelong friends that she met through conventions and expos.

Nicole currently has a few different projects on the go, focusing on props and armor, including the Cloud Buster Sword from Final Fantasy 7! When creating new things, she gathers a collection of photos for inspiration. She then cuts out the design she wants from EVA foam or insulation foam. From here, she begins sanding and priming in order to prep for finishing. The last step is where she gets creative with paints, colours, looks, and designs!

Cosplay Community in Saskatoon

Saskatchewan has a great cosplay community, with events held every year in Saskatoon! Anyone interested in cosplay is accepted into this space where artists get to show their talents for costume design. Those in this community are very passionate about the art and design that goes into creating the costumes. Hours, days, or even weeks are spent in the process to create an amazing final costume. The events are a great way to showcase the hard-work and passion that goes into making the costume. With in-person events being put on pause, there are now many virtual events being held around the globe! If you’re interested in cosplay, take a look at some of the expos offered and get back into your creative sphere!

If you’re new to cosplay but are interested in the scene, take a look online for countless workshops available to get you started! Youtube, Instagram, and other social platforms are also a great way to connect with this community as well as showcasing your own creations! A friendly tip from Nicole is to get inspiration from pictures/videos of other cosplayers in the community. She also recommends starting small, stating “I know when I first got into cosplay, I would be super ambitious (which is great!), but I would get overwhelmed with the sizes of the projects I took on. Do not feel like you need to craft every individual piece of your costume or prop.”

In past years, the Maker Faire Saskatoon has had a ‘Cosplay Corner’ that shows off the thriving cosplay scene in Saskatchewan! With workshops ran by passionate, local cosplayers, guests are invited to try their hand at making capes, masks, armor, and more! It’s a great way for newcomers that are interested to see how they like it! Let’s cross our fingers for a booming ‘Cosplay Corner’ at future Maker Faire events in Saskatoon!

If you want to take a look at more designs from cosplayer, Nicole Boczula, take a look at her Instagram here!

If you are interested in Nicole’s tattoo designs, check out her other page here!

In the past few weeks, we have showcased a variety of new Makers. This week we are introducing local musician, John Demchenko. John is passionate about music and has been making electronic music out of his home studio, under the name of ‘Allegorical Shadows’. He has always been interested in the musical world and has been learning and creating his own music for approximately ten years! John is a Maker because he loves creating things and having the ability to connect with other Makers within the community. He states that “being able to express one’s creativity is something you can’t really measure, but it is a very satisfying experience”.

Other than electronic music, John has taken an interest in a wide variety of other music genres. With his music education and skills, he now has a deeper appreciation for all music industries as he now knows the effort it takes to bring a piece to life.

Workshops

Along with creating his own music, John is also interested in helping other along their musical journeys. He mainly focuses on helping people beginning into the electronic music sector. John will be showcasing an online workshop “Getting Started with Electronic Music”, posted on our page at a later date. John believes that electronic music is a great start for people who are musically interested but may not have the space or the budget to afford expensive instruments.

Getting Started

John has a few helpful tips for those of you interested in getting started with electronic music. Firstly, you will need to have access to a computer or smartphone and able to download a free software. John suggests not to fret if you have never learned an instrument before as “with technology today you can pretty much create any kind of music you like using virtual instruments”. In the beginning, you’ll want to start off with the basics and to allow yourself time to learn and develop skills at your own pace. The internet is a great place to learn, especially with platforms such as YouTube. You can look up any lessons you are keen to learn and at any level as well! If you are more serious about the art of electronic music, there are plenty of online course available which will allow you to learn more technique and allow you to expand your skills. Most of the softwares allow you to change and edit along the way as part of the learning process.

If you want to see more from John, check out his Facebook page here and his SoundCloud channel here!

After spending most of this past year indoors, your eyes may have become a bit bored with your interior design at home. With spring around the corner, now is the perfect time to think about getting creative and changing things up inside with some home improvements! Any changes, big or small, can make a huge difference and help bring a fresh atmosphere to your house! New colours, furniture, or decorations can be added without spending a fortune. There are many updates you can do while on a tight budget, by even just painting over something with a new colour!

Whatever the project size, this can be a great way to get creative again and feel a new sense of accomplishment. Whether you want to do a whole home renovation or just a couple of updates, this blog can be your tool to give you a few ideas and get your creative juices flowing!

1. Fresh Walls

Give your walls a makeover with some fresh paint! This is an easy way to change the look of a room while sticking to a budget. Get the whole family involved and work together on this project all together. Lighter colours are a great way to open up and give the appearance of more space. If you’re feeling even a bit more artsy, try stenciling on some wall art after the paint dries! Also, try adding some new decoration and paintings to the walls or touching up the old frames of pictures.

2. Kitchen Cabinets

Along with painting the walls, why not add a fresh colour to the kitchen cabinets while you’re at it? If the cabinets are looking a bit old, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they need to be replaced. You can go through and scrub them down then brush on some new paint! This is a great way to stay on budget instead of replacing all the cabinets!

3. Kitchen Backsplash

Another easy and budget friendly way to update your kitchen is to add a fun backsplash to brighten things up! There are a lot of colours and patterns to choose from in most home stores. Go out and pick one to go along with your freshly painted kitchen cabinets and walls!

4. Plants!

Another way to freshen up the house is to bring the outdoors inside! Go out and buy some of your favourite plants and add them around the house, freshening up the atmosphere. Or, if you want to get more creative, you can start your own plants with cuttings or seeds from produce in your fridge, such as green onion and avocado! Along with the plants, why not decorate your old planters with some new designs and colours!

5. Revive your patio

With patio season around the corner, it’s a great time to update your patio deck with a new wood stain and maybe splurge for a new patio set! If you already have an old patio set, it may be a better budget option to clean and add fresh paint as well as new cushion for an update!

6. Refresh the Front Door

The front door is one of the first things people notice when they see your house, so why not make it something bold and beautiful! If your front door is looking a little dull, go for a bright and modern colour like maroon! You can also add decorations like a beautiful handmade wreath to make it pop!

7. Fabric Facelift

If the patterns or colours of your furniture are a bit our of date, why not get creative and add new fabric to couches, chairs, and bedframes! This is a great project to work on rather than going out and buying brand new things and it gives you the chance to add any kind of design you want! Reupholstering an old sofa can be a fun weekend project and there are plenty of videos and blogs out there taking you through the step-by-step process.

8. Highlight the Space

Light fixtures don’t have to be only for convenience but can be beautiful art piece that highlight the room. There are many chandeliers, pendants, and other piece that can change the whole look of a room. Opt-in for a softer light tone to create a warmer atmosphere rather than a harsh fluorescent bulb. If your space doesn’t get a lot of light, you can also invest in some stylish lamps to add in the corner or on a side table.

Although listed here are only a few ideas to get you started, there are unlimited things you can do to update your house! Check out ideas on Pinterest and maybe even create a mood board for the new look you wish to achieve. It is easy to stay within budget by getting creative and upgrading old pieces.

Pithy and Practical

Pithy and Practical is a handmade, hot process soap brand created by talented local, Amanda Bosiak. Amanda has always been crafty, learning skills such as cross stitching, drawing, painting, knitting, and sewing! She has spent her life delving into creative projects and taking part in creative organizations. To Amanda, being a Maker is kind of a lifestyle, stating that she is happiest when she is making things. She believes that being a Maker gives freedom to be creative and self-sufficient.

Inspiration

Amanda’s inspiration for Pithy and Practical came from creating a solution for her own skin concerns, trying to step away from harsh and drying ingredients. Most products found in stores are known to have many harsh and drying ingredients, such as alcohols, parabens, and other chemical additives. Using products with toxic fillers too frequently and over a long period of time can cause skin irritation, acne, and other skin problems. With this in mind, Amanda decided to create her own product, knowing exactly what ingredients are going into the soaps.

“I wanted a soap that I could really lather up and would leave me feeling squeaky clean but not dry. If it also had some extra ingredients with known benefits for skin, even better!”

Philosophy

Amanda’s philosophy is rooted to creating a multi-beneficial product that is not harmful for the skin. She went through trials, testing many different ingredients until she came up with the perfect combination. Her products are gently cleansing with a rich and creamy lather. With the oils and butters used, the soaps have deep moisturizing properties.

Process

Amanda makes her hot process soap in a slow cooker at home, using a mixture of lye, water, oils, and butters. Using this technique allows for a quicker saponification process, which is a reaction that causes the conversion of the fats and oils to create soap! Amanda believes that handmade soaps are the way to go for cleansing rather than purchasing mass produced cleansers. It is a whole different experience when you purchase something local, made by someone passionate about what they are creating.

Other than the cleansing and moisturizing components, Amanda likes to play around with a variety of scents! Some of the unique scents include green tea and peppermint, tomato citrus, lilac, and apple mango. The collection in Pithy and Practical are not only soaps, but there are also lotions, balms, and face masks available!

If you would like to read more or shop online, head over to the Pithy and Practical website here!

STYX the Label.

Styx is a sustainable jewelry brand, handcrafted in the French alps in the small mountain village of Annecy. Annecy is recognized as the ‘Venice of the Alps’, known for the small cobblestone streets, winding canals, and charming French bakeries. Up-and-coming designer, Hugo Jamain, has a workshop in Annecy where he transforms materials that would otherwise end up in a landfill.

“Styx is a modern brand made to inspire the creatives, the explorers, and the adventurers of the world. It is for the bold, the people who push boundaries and aren’t scared to step outside of their comfort zones”

Philosophy

Hugo’s philosophy is deep rooted to his connection to nature, having always taken an interest in the preservation of the environment and ecosystems as well as the protection of the animals around him. He noticed a problem in his village and decided to create something positive from it that can also inspire people to care more about sustainability.

It all began when he noticed the amount of scrap metal and materials leftover from local businesses around the city. These materials would get loaded up in the back of a dump truck and taken to the landfill. Seeing this sparked the idea to make a second life for these materials and to create something much longer-lasting. Getting creative in his workshop, he made several prototypes before finalizing his first collection of jewelry.

With two parents that have inspired him to work with his hands in the realm of design – his mother has a background in architecture and his father is a craftsman, working for many top-level brands in France. When not in school, Hugo spent most of his childhood in a workshop by his father’s side, learning from and eventually making his own products. Watching his dad work, he grew up with the idea that everything was manufacturable or transformable.

Hugo has always taken an interest in learning and reading about ancient cultures and mythologies from around the world, taking a special interest in ancient Greece. As the Greek mythology states, ‘Styx’ is the connection of worlds, the continuation of life from one world to the other. With this in mind, the idea of transforming used materials into new jewelry is giving another life to something that would otherwise end up discarded.

Process

Hugo is happy to spend hours on end in his workshop, using his hands to craft beautiful, polished, one-of-a-kind pieces. It began as a pastime to keep busy during the times of Covid and turned into a passion that he wishes to share with the world. He uses both stainless steel and brass to create different collections of bracelets, rings, necklaces, earrings, cufflinks, as well as a variety of other things. He mainly uses stainless steel because it is one of the strongest metals and will not change, rust, or weather over the years.

Along with creating his jewelry brand, Hugo shapes surfboards. He buys the stock board and has all the materials to cut, shape, and design new boards. He also has a background in marketing and business, obtaining a diploma over the course of three years. An entrepreneur at heart, he has a lot of ideas for art, design, and creative endeavors.

From beginning to end, Hugo wishes to keep the entire process as sustainable and low impact as possible. For shipping, he uses biodegradable materials, such as bamboo packaging. He hopes to always keep the production process small and give as much attention to detail as possible. He wants the brand to remain artisanal, with the belief that it provides the best quality and uniqueness to each piece.

Inspiration

His travels around the world have inspired him to create collections based on the landscapes and cultures he visits. Being a surfer has connected him to the ocean and has inspired his first collection to mirror the ripples of the water. Along with this, the materials he uses are not harmful to the ocean and vice versa. He wears his pieces surfing with the knowledge that they will not rust or be affected from the saltwater.

He has begun working on collections based on different countries, including Canada! Based on his travels and friendships in Canada, he has grown to love the country and hopes to be able to move to Canada once restrictions are lifted. He observes and uses features that resemble the landscapes in his art and creations. His Canadian collection takes the vast differences of provinces and territories from prairies to mountains to forests to the ocean coast. For Saskatchewan and the prairies, he is working on belt buckles as well as a variety of other pieces. He is thrilled to be a part of Maker Faire and wants to share within this supportive and uplifting community.

To see more designs, check out the STYX Instagram page here!

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