We have found another bunch of amazing small shop Guelph moms for you! All five of them use their creative talents to make beautiful and unique items. The moms featured today are from Busy Bees Creations, Dunning Essentials, Hofkissed, Little Beady Pretty One, and Lilac Butterfly Boutique.
Name: Brianne Collecchio
Business name: Busy Bees Creations
Where can we find you online? (website, social media, etc): www.facebook.com/busybeescreationsguelph
Why did you start your small shop? What inspired you? I love to craft and I have a hard time sitting still! I’m constantly working on some project or another. I started getting a lot of compliments on the stuff I was making for my family and had people asking to order things from me. Although it’s really just an excuse to buy ridiculous amounts of cute yarn.
How would you describe your products in 5 words or less? Carefully crafted cute creations.
What is your favourite product that you’ve created? I recently made Anna and Elsa hats complete with hair. That was a lot of fun and they turned out really adorable.
Why do you love living in Guelph? I love the amount of trails and green space. I love that we can go for a family walk and not see a single house, yet we can be in the middle of the city. And I cannot say enough about the feeling of community here. It’s the perfect place to raise a family.
Name: Meg Dunning
Business name: Dunning Essentials, “Handcrafted Canadian essential oil diffuser bracelets custom made through collaboration.”
Where can we find you online? (website, social media, etc):
FB http://bit.ly/2jnQ98jj
Instagram: dunning.essentials
dunning.essential@gmail.com
Why did you start your small shop? What inspired you? Dunning Essentials blossomed from my passion for essential oils. I was looking for a present for my dear friend and coach for her birthday and could not find diffuser bracelets locally. I was discussing with a friend and she suggested I make my own. I chuckled but a month later started Dunning Essentials.
How would you describe your products in 5 words or less? Custom, Elegant, Holistic
What is your favourite product that you’ve created? All my products are custom made through customer collaboration which has made each piece special to me. I have loved the mommy and me sets the most.
Why do you love Guelph? Guelph is my hometown and where I currently work. My roots are deeply embedding in this great City that is inclusive, creative and humble. Guelph has a strong sense of pride and our city is simply beautiful inside and out.
Name: Steph VanDorp
Business name: Hofkissed
Where can we find you online? (website, social media, etc): www.facebook.com/hofkissed www.hofkissed.blogspot.com
Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter: @hofkissed
Why did you start your small shop? What inspired you? I’ve been crafty for as long as I can remember and started making cards for people when I was 15. In 2005 I started my business because I wanted to spread the love of handmade and the joy of receiving a handmade card.
How would you describe your products in 5 words or less? Unique, high quality, handmade gifts.
What is your favourite product that you’ve created? I love creating cards especially. There’s something special about receiving a handmade card, and through my classes, seeing the joy people have creating them. I love surprising people with one in the mail too. I often hear it makes their day.
Why do you love living in Guelph? We moved to Guelph about 3-1/2 years ago and have never been happier. The community is so welcoming and it felt like home right away. People say ‘hi’ when you walk passed them on the street and I love that!
Name: Tyler and Mariel
Business name: Little Beady Pretty One
Where can we find you online? (website, social media, etc): https://m.facebook.com/littlebeadyprettyone/
littlebeadypretty1 on instagram
Why did you start your small shop? What inspired you? Our daughter is our inspiration. We love to dress her up with adorable accessories. It is fun to do so we decided to start a shop where we could create lots of lovely things for little ones and adults too.
How would you describe your products in 5 words or less? Custom creations with adorable outcomes
What is your favourite product that you’ve created? Our favorite thing to make is when we get to create an entire smash cake outfit. It’s nice to be part of such a wonderful occasion. It’s even more special when we get to see photos of the little one on their special day. It really makes us smile.
Why do you love living in Guelph? We both grew up in a small town, Guelph may be bigger but we have enjoyed the same feeling of community and closeness here. It is such a beautiful city we feel blessed to grow our family here.
Name: Sarah McCullough
Busines Name: Lilac Butterfly Boutique
Where can we find you online? Facebook.com/lilacbutterflyboutique Instagram @lilacbutterflyboutique
Why did you start your small shop? What inspired you? My family has always been creative, and I’ve always done something artsy. When my first was born, I wanted to be able to stay home with her, but also contribute financially for our family. It had been a long time since I sewed anything, but I thought I’d give it a try. Haven’t stopped since. It’s amazing to me how much I’ve grown since starting.
How would you describe your products in 5 words or less? Adorable, lasting, quality, handmade goodness.
What is your favourite product that you’ve created? Hmmm. That’s a tough one. I do love all the tiny clothes! I think what makes me the happiest is the weighted blankets. Just hearing how much they have helped families, children especially, makes it so worth it.
Why do you love living in Guelph? I’ve lived in Guelph for most of my life. It’s a very comfortable place to call home!
The four of us making up Guelph Kids Guide enjoy supporting and promoting Guelph businesses. Where possible it’s always wonderful to buy local and help someone in the community. Hopefully the next time you’re looking for a special item or gift you’ll consider buying something from one of Guelph’s amazing, creative individuals.