These handmade ceramic Christmas/Friendship balls from Blackbird Studios in Victoria sure made our window decorating easier!  Hang one on your tree, in a window, or just give one to someone special!  They are one-of-a-kind and feature handpainted designs and vintage decals.

Erika Lauren Jewellery is also handmade on Vancouver Island and Erika's focus is on clean, contemporary, sustainable design.  We have some pieces from her Noir Collection featuring porcupine quill bundles encased in sleek end caps.  Don't worry, no porcupines were harmed in the making of this jewellery!  The quills were naturally shed and collected in the prairies. 

It's true!  be turns 4 this month and couldn't have done it without you!  Since first opening in 2007 there have been some changes - like branching out into 30+ independent Canadian designers over 2 years ago now! - but the commitment to solely Canadian made clothing and accessories remains the same. 

There are so many great reasons to support independent local designers and Canadian made clothing, not to mention small locally owned businesses.  So THANK YOU for doing just that!  Hmmmm......how to thank you?  How about........

There are lots of festivities happening in downtown Courtenay this weekend and many of your favourite small local businesses will be open late on Saturday so come join in the fun! 

It's always exciting to get a package from Allison Wonderland in Vancouver - especially  when that package contains a gorgeous dress like this one....

The fit is incredible and the dress is actually knee length on us non-six foot model types.  Here are a few other Allison Wonderland pieces we have in the store.....

We are supposed to have the store windows all holidayed up before Downtown Courtenay's Christmas Magic weekend (November 26th and 27th) but I must admit, it seems too early to even be thinking of holiday decorating.  Maybe a vibrant red wool Allison Wonderland jacket or skirt will be the perfect starting point.....hmmm.

Recently a few different customers at the store have picked out an item and said something like..... "Hey, this wasn't on your website or facebook page!!".  It's true, there are many things in the store that never show up here or on facebook. Sometimes because they fly out the door before a photo can be taken and often just because there's not enough time in the day.  Plus we like to have some surprises here for you because how would we hear about your interesting lives and laugh at your hilarious stories if you just browse online?? 

That being said, here are some new arrivals from Floating Gold Iceberg in Victoria that you should definitely come in and see in person.....

We also got a package this week from Tabitha and Jenny - the two talented Vancouver based designers of no less than 4 different lines that we carry:  Two of Hearts, Togs, Cici, and their newest line Savvie.  Here are a couple of the pieces we received......

Lots more in the store........see you soon!

Toodlebunny is a unique handcrafted jewellery collection by Vancouver based designer Trudy Wynans. These beautiful Toodlebunny lockets have just arrived at the store....

The teeny tiny baby spider below was so determined to be in this photo that I thought she deserved a spot on the blog.....especially since I'm afraid it will be a much colder night outside for her tonight.  Sorry adorable spider but I think most of us would prefer to have pictures inside our lockets than spider webs!

Trudy also designs a fun, cheerful line of earrings and necklaces called Toodles and we just received a great selection of Toodles jewellery as well......

Fleet Objects in Vancouver has sent us some new jewellery that combines braided leather and sterling silver.  I love the simplicity of this necklace.....

The braided leather necklace above is available in brown, mint, blue or black leather.