Canadian Design: Handwoven Textiles by Dani Ortman

Dani Ortman designs and weaves her gorgeous handwoven textiles on a loom. She is involved in all parts of the process, including dying, spinning, and weaving to produce these scarves. Dani also started experimenting with home grown dyes and planted a dye garden this past summer, successfully growing her own indigo plants.

DIY: Super Cozy Striped Cowl and Free Pattern

I designed this super cozy knit striped cowl for Donatello’s first Canadian winter last year. You see, he is from Colombia, a beautiful country with beautiful weather. I had to create something so warm that he wouldn’t feel the cold. I didn’t expect the polar vortex, but at least I created the most toasty winter warmer out there.   […]

DIY: Lacy Grey Crocheted Cowl and Free Pattern

DIY: Lacy Grey Crocheted Cowl and Free Pattern, Kiku Corner

Our mom taught Tomiko and me to crochet way back when we were kids. I was just seven or so and I wanted to crochet a blanket for one of my dolls. I was just trying to make a rectangle in single crochet stitches, but I was having issues – what I made instead was […]

Canadian Design: Azure Design Jewelry by Anastassia Selezneva

wire wrapped Persian and Tibetan Turquoise and Quartz necklace, Azure Design, Kiku Corner

Azure Design is a jewelry line by Anastassia Selezneva. A self-taught jewelry designer, Anastassia Selezneva creates stunning pieces of jewelry including rings, pendants and statement necklaces. She incorporates beautiful stones like pink topaz, dreamy moonstones, or shimmering Labradorite in gold or silver wire to fashion statement jewelry pieces. I’m not one for super sparkly pieces […]

DIY: Make Your Own Powdered Laundry Soap

DIY Powdered Laundry Soap, Kiku Corner

This is a great basic laundry soap that gets my clothes as clean as the storebought variety. I also made an unscented batch for my mom, so she can wash our dad’s shirts for the office. The washing soda is, chemically, sodium carbonate (versus baking soda, which is sodium bicarbonate). It is included in homemade laundry soap […]