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
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.
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.
Blair now lives in Spruce View, AB after many years in Whitehorse, YK. His only formal art education was in grade school giving him an appreciation of young students being exposed to art.
Blair was an Editorial Cartoonist for 6 years with Newspapers throughout the Peace Country, BC. He had over 800 editorials published and compiled select cartoons into a book.
Though Blair’s initial artistic experiences have been painting on maps and cartooning, he has found yet another avenue to express his artistic creativity. He first started Bark Carving since he moved to Spruce View and is thoroughly enjoying the new experience. The wood material is local and he is enjoying foraging for it throughout the year.
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!!
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.
Louise is an award-winning poet and performer, a bestselling author, and poetry course leader originally from the UK, and now living in Red Deer, Alberta.
Her debut book, Plant Your Poetry: 365 Poems and Prompts to Grow Your Writing Habit was published in April 2024, becoming one of Canada’s most gifted poetry writing guides. She has facilitated poetry and creative writing workshops here in Canada and internationally and has words and poems have been published in multiple anthologies, magazines and journals around the world. Louise has been writing one poem a day for around two years now with a loyal following of writers from across the globe where she guides and offers her support to those wishing to share their words. She is also the co-founder of Tandem Poets, a poetry collective elevating artists work through co-authorship and collaboration.
An extract of her poetic memoir, Learning to Fall, has recently been selected by Red Deer Arts Council to feature in their short story vending machine exhibit at the Red Deer Museum and Art Gallery and she was recently invited to perform at Red Deer Arts Council’s 50th Anniversary celebrations.
You can subscribe to her Substack or follow her on Instagram for daily prompts, writing inspiration and insight.
From Heirloom to Art: The 2026 Collection at Big Blue Barn Designs
At Big Blue Barn Designs, we believe every piece of silverware has a story. As the winner of Best Mixed Media Jewelry Atelier (LUXlife Global Excellence Awards 2025), I am thrilled to unveil our 2026 collection!
Alongside our famed Spoon Lady necklaces, snap-button silverware bracelets, and chime ball pendants, you’ll find our newest whimsical additions: silverware snails and fork bugs. These little characters are joining our established lineup of cat and dog necklaces, also uniquely crafted from repurposed silverware. For those who love a bit of sparkle, our new silverware suncatchers feature intricate designs from which cut glass prisms dangle, catching the light to fill your room with gorgeous, refracted color.
Beyond these featured items, a wide variety of handcrafted earrings and jewelry are available, with new pieces being constantly created at the workbench.
Have your own family silverware tucked away? I love meeting clients at my market stalls to discuss personal history! Bring your silverware with you, and I will work with you to identify the perfect commissioned pieces, from custom spoon rings to wind chimes. It is a truly novel way to transform those treasured items into new heirlooms to pass onto your children and grandchildren.
I’m lucky to be able to live in Markerville with my own home studio. This will be our sixth year hosting Artists on the Avenue on the front lawns of our homes on Johnson Avenue.
Since moving here, I’ve finally gotten to offer a wide range of functional work in many different styles of pottery. Using electric kilns, a gas kiln and a raku kiln there is bound to be something that you would like to take home.
There is quite a selection of bowls, cups, plates, trays, mugs, and kitchen utility pieces in both high- and mid-fired clays.
To help you remember your visit to our hamlet, Markerville souvenir mugs are offered in several different designs.
Winter offers a great opportunity for the making of my art pottery creations which are displayed in the gallery and yard. Drop in, you never know what you will find!
Otter Pottery | 74 Johnson Avenue, Markerville, AB 403-638-5177 | otter@otterpottery.com
Thank you to everyone who attended our weekend Art Show and Sale, and thanks to the artists who popped up those tents Saturday morning when the Sun was still playing tag with the rain clouds! The Sun definitely won and we all got to share a wonderful two days in the beautiful little hamlet of Markerville!
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.
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!
I was born and raised in Alberta and have spent the majority of my life surrounded by the enriching beauty that is our natural backyard. I am compelled to venture to the Rocky Mountains whenever I need a spiritual recharge. I enjoy every moment being in the wilderness, especially when I get the opportunity to sit by a flowing body of water.
My desire to be immersed in nature has made me an avid wildlife enthusiast, particularly when it comes to understanding the impacts people have on wildlife populations. I’ve spent hours and hours mesmerized by the behaviors and antics of other living beings on our planet. Painting animals has been one of my most rewarding subjects, as I love showing the expression of their soul through my art, as well as reminding people that they too, exist.
I’ve been painting professionally for a few years now and always pursue greater excellence as my style emerges and my artistic journey continues.
