Artists on the Avenue

Blake and Anu here from Second Nature Studio in Dickson, Alberta! We’re new to the area and very happy to share our craft with everyone!

I’m an electrician from Nova Scotia and she is the kindest accountant from Mumbai, and we’re most often found working on one of many projects at our new home or chasing our dog Sue around!

A little story about how this began:

Candle making came first to help warm up our new very old, very cold home. Started by refilling old candles before we started to really get into making them from scratch. As we dove into the science of candle making we quickly found what we liked and what worked best.
All natural clean burning coconut soy wax, wood wick that burns so beautifully and packaged in a useful cozy mason jar that could be found in any of our homes! Available in 8oz and 16oz.

Then came making our own cold process soap! From the very first batch we knew we had a new passion on our hands! We’ve since refined 12 wonderful hand and body bars that are uniquely captivating with every use!
Every bar is specialized including natural fruit extracts, luscious shea/ cocoa butters, food grade oils, real flower petals, activated charcoal, natural exfoliants and more!!
Guaranteed to enjoy!

Bath bombs are a really great way to get our epsom salt in and baths for all around self care!
Our first batch came at the request of a friend’s child who wanted a little toy pressed into his bath bomb and we were happy to help!

Soap Coasters! Hand made epoxy soap coasters with incredible natural touches throughout every piece! Very eye catching, a beautiful touch for any bathroom!

Custom wood art will also be available in the future as we continue to utilize our CNC router, laser etcher and carpentry skills!

We look forward to continuing to grow our skills, friend circle and lives in this wonderful community of ours! See you in Markerville!!

Second Nature Studio | Dickson, Alberta

Aims Abson

I am excited to bring my new creations to the annual weekend gathering in 2025 of Artists on the Avenue Market!

I’ve spent the time since last year’s market working on some new creations that have been so fun for me I didn’t want to stop working on them!

This year I’m happy to offer light as air earrings I’ve created in my own special designs. From butterflies to flowers, to trailers like my own wonderfully decorated Trillium trailer that I covered in flowers. I’ve created little trailer earrings covered in flowers for those of you who are into camping or just like to dream about being on the go!

I’ve also created some new silverware designs with beautiful patterns I’ve embedded into the metal while rolling a spoon bowl out nice and thin. I discovered the possibilities as I went along and that is how I came up with my next new creations!

Car Windchimes! Created from a spoon bowl and fork tines, these windchimes come with colourful ball chain to dangle them from the arm of the rearview mirror. Get into some scary driving? Just give them a flick and let the sounds of the chimes let you Keep Calm and Drive On! Or – hang them anywhere! Their beautiful little chimes will make you smile every single time!

I look forward to seeing everyone at this year’s market and am eager to share my newer (and older) creations with you!

Big Blue Barn Designs | bigbluebarn@gmail.com

Mike Vine

Based in Olds, Alberta, Mike Vine is a retired electrician and passionate woodworker with over 50 years of experience. Since 2014, he has focused his craft on building high-quality, handcrafted string instruments. Working from his basement workshop, Mike creates two unique models of tenor ukuleles, a baritone ukulele, and more recently, tenor parlor guitars.

Each instrument is made with care, precision, and a deep respect for the wood and the music it brings to life. Mike’s instruments have found homes across Canada and internationally, with satisfied players in the USA, England, Germany, Spain, and Australia.

Mike Vine – Luthier
vinemike@shaw.ca | 403-556-6699

Wendy Meeres

I have always been an artist, from my youngest days to my current life. I now focus on making lampwork beads, jewelry from the beads, and painting. I paint in watercolour, acrylics and mixed media. I also love to teach, what is better than sharing your passion and getting others to enjoy creating art and appreciating the arts.

My work celebrates colour and patterns found in the world around me. I am often inspired by my travels both close to home and around the world.

I hope you find the perfect piece – either for your home or to compliment your wardrobe.

Wendy Meeres Art | 403-318-8638
raku_wm@telus.net

SASART

SASART was created with a vision in mind: do what you love and love what you do!

The artist, Savannah, does exactly that! Based in Lacombe Alberta, she focuses on selling original creations, working at home or on site for hired commissions, and inbetween it all: teaching art classes & lessons (offered locally in Lacombe, booked privately, or with travel in Central Alberta). That’s as specific as it gets, as beyond that the artist loves to dabble in anything and everything art! You name it!

Completely freehand and self taught, with a background that all started with bic pen illustrations from a young age. You will rarely – if ever – see any drafting or use of pencil unless requested! From there, branching out into as many other mediums, styles, subjects, and areas of art. You will often see in many of the personal works a theme: nature and scenic inspired creations! When working on commissions and teaching all aspects of what will be created for or with the client/student are completely their choice: medium, size, style, theme, subject, and more! One day you may see an abstract splat creation and another day a realistic pen and ink portrait, you just never know! On other days it could be a work made completely of paper. All ages and skill levels welcome!

“Add some SAS to your life!”

SASART | 403-741-7360
savannahseverin@gmail.com

Browse Classes: https://sasart.squarespace.com
Browse social media by typing in SASART on: Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Google, & more!

Robert Braun

Wood turning has been Robert E. Braun’s passion for the past twenty years. Born and raised in a Northern Ontario lumber town, he developed his love of wood early in life. And, inspired by a craftsman he met in Greece who was turning his olive wood vases out of a store front studio, he was intrigued by the whole process of turning.

He prefers to turn while the wood is wet or “green” to allow it to distort and find its own shape. In addition, Robert has made over 30 of his own cutting knives. As the wood turns on the lathe, the grain patterns emerge and the adventure begins. It piques his interest to see what lies within.

Each piece he turns is chosen for its creative potential, making use of such features as burls, spalt, and bark inclusions. This ensures a unique creative result. One of his greatest pleasures is searching for exotic wood on his travels.

Bowls, vases, wall platters, and urns are examples of his work. Carving caricatures is another one of his passions.

Bob’s Woodturning
abbraun55@gmail.com | bobsworld53@gmail.com

Darrell Franke

I have always envisioned beauty in nature and our wonderful surroundings and love recreating them in a different light by painting on a canvass and bringing the scenery to a new life. My inspiration and motivation stems from the passion and creativity that I feel once that brush strokes the canvass. I choose to paint through my vision, sitting in front of a blank canvass to enable me to bring it to life as I see it through my eyes. My preferences are landscapes.

Many of us are currently in the work force and have little time to really enjoy and appreciate the beauty in nature. I am inspired to think that people can visit all of these destinations through my paintings and live within them. I enjoy the sense of noble serenity that you can see and feel in my paintings.

Envision and enjoy!

Bowden, AB | 780-904-0330
darell.frankee@gmail.com

Karen Scarlett

Karen Scarlett is an interdisciplinary artist, working in pencil, watercolour, acrylic, mixed media, bas-relief, fibre and sculpture.

Scarlett often works with barnwood found at 100 year old homesteads where the elements have created a finish to the wood that only comes through the passage of time. Karen’s connection to agriculture was embedded in her from a young age. The prairies and flora and fauna have left an imprint on her soul that is often shared on the art mediums chosen to work on.

Karen grew up fifth generation on the family dairy farm west of Innisfail, Alberta. She has made art her entire life.

Creating has been a lifelong adventure and an important part of life for Karen. Art was practiced with Grandma Scarlett where she learned and important lesson – try everything. A love of power tools and creative design were honed with her Dad while hand-craft, sewing and creating with a sense of perfection were inspired by her Mom.

Karen takes her biggest inspiration from her love, Doug.

You can find Karen’s work in private, corporate and commercial collections across North America and in various spots around the globe.

Karen Scarlett Art | 403-803-0085
k@karenscarlett.com