Notice: the Mozy Rue ECO Collective will be closed Thursday, Dec 30th, 2010 until Tuesday, January 4th, 2011.

We hope you all have a safe and healthy weekend...see you in the new year!

We got stuff(ed)!

So much fun was had at the “Get stuffed!” Mozy Rue ECO Collective Open House last night! Crafters and customers alike mingled, shopped and spread the merry throughout the shop.



In attendance: Emily and Corina from EmmsgEMs and Jake + Cleo, Lisa and Sean from dconstruct, Rebecca from Everything is ticketyboo!, Milena from Just the Goods, Ruth from Periwinkle Designs, Andee from Sew Dandee, Susan from Kiddlebug Kids and, of course, Jody from Mozy Rue. Joining us for the first time: Kami from Marathon 1981, Melanie from Dizzy Dame and the ever-sweet Pam from Cakeology.

Needless to say, with that group in the house, the store was filled with both fabulous handmade goods, delicious treats and many, many giggles. Judging by the smile on everyone’s faces, it was an enjoyable event for all.

If you were not able to make it down last night, but still have stockings to stuff, have no fear; the store is stocked-up and open late all week for your shopping convenience! (See below for our expanded holiday hours.)

Dec 21 – 12-9pm
Dec 22 – 12-9pm
Dec 23 – 12-9pm
Dec 24 – 12-6pm
Dec 25 – closed - Merry Christmas!

Reminder - Get stuffed!

Don't forget - our big, festive holiday open house and sale takes place this Sunday from 3 - 7pm.

In addition to our talented collective members and consigners, we'll be featuring several guest artists/designers! The store will be packed to the rafters with an unprecedented selection of amazing handmade goods. Come out, choose perfect gifts and stocking stuffers, and meet the people who made them!

See you there!!

Fun holiday-break class!

Are you looking for an awesome and crafty activity? We have the perfect answer to your winter-break boredom!

Join Susan on Thursday, December 30th from 1:30 to 3:00 pm and learn how to make a fun and functional felt pouch, perfect for holding all of your little essentials.

The $10 class-fee covers all of the supplies needed to complete the project; all you have to bring us a pair of scissors that will cut felt, and a large-eye hand sewing needle. This is a great class for all skill levels and ages, and makes an excellent parent/child activity.

For more information, or to book your spot(s), please contact Susan at kiddlebug@shaw.ca, or call the shop at 477-1900.

Wanted!

Reminder: drop-off new, warm socks and waterproof gloves to the shop on or before Sunday, Dec 19th. For each pair donated, you can enter our draw to win a handmade sock monkey, courtesy “Everything is ticketyboo!”



Socks and gloves can be brought to the shop during regular business hours, as well as during our “Get stuffed!” open house and holiday shopping event – Dec 19th from 3–7pm.

Thanks for helping to make this winter a little warmer for those in need!

Sock it to me!

In the thirty seconds that it took for me to lock my back door and walk to my garage (ungloved) this morning, I came *this* close to losing a finger or two. (Ok, that might be a tiny exaggeration, but holy Dinah, it is COLD out there today!)

Later, as I was driving to work with my heated seats cranked(and cozy mittens on), I was thinking about how much it would suck to not have proper winter gear, and how lucky I am to have the means to be able to afford the necessities (as well as a few little luxuries).

Unfortunately, there are members of our community who are out there braving the elements without even the most basic winter clothing and suitable accessories, and we can help to make the season a little more tolerable for them. Until December 19th, we will be collecting warm socks and waterproof gloves and mittens, to be distributed to the guests of Agape Table, and we are calling on our customers and friends to help us.

Please bring in your donation of new, warm socks and gloves/mittens on or before Sunday, December 19th. Each pair donated will earn you an entry into a draw for a handmade sock monkey courtesy of “Everything is ticketyboo!”, which will be delivered just in time for Christmas! Although you will receive only one ballot per pair of socks or gloves, there is no limit to the number of times you can enter the draw, so feel free to donate one pair or ten!

Get stuffed.

If you are like me, you woke up this morning and realized that December is in the double-digits and we are now down to our last 2 weeks of shopping before Christmas. You would think that after 38 years, December 25 would stop sneaking up on me, but, alas, it never does.

To make your last-minute shopping a little easier (and a whole lot more unique), we are holding a sale/open house on Sunday, December 19th, from 3 – 7pm. We will be packing the store with loads of great gifts, stocking stuffers and holiday cards, and offering you a chance to meet some of our artists. As well, we’ll have treats and tunes and a few surprises. We hope that you can join us!

Nice 'stache!

No matter your reasons, even if you haven't been cultivating your own moustache, there is still time to do your part to help change the face of man's health by participating in the global phenomenon that is Movember.



Movember was started in Australia by a group of friends who thought it would be fun to grow moustaches during the month of November to raise awareness for prostate cancer. They didn't collect funds that first year, but since then the mo-vement has grown to include thousands of participants, supporters and donors around the world; growing 'staches and raising both awareness AND funds for local cancer charities.

To do our part, the Mozy Rue ECO Collective is selling upcycled rubber faux-mos for your wearing pleasure. Stop by the store before Nov 30th to purchase your stylish and collectible moustache for $5 - all proceeds will go directly to Cancer Care Manitoba.

For more information on Movember, please visit: http://ca.movember.com/

This Ain't Your Grandma's Craft Sale

Mozy Rue is proud to be a sponsor of this year's This Ain't Your Grandma's Craft Sale, one of Winnipeg's premier craft events (and the coolest, IMO)!

Mark your calendars and plan to come out and support your local crafters, including a few of our very own ECO collective members and consigners, at either (or both!) show.

It's gonna be awesome times two!!

Lest We Forget

In honour of our veterans, the shop will be closed on Rememberance Day, Thursday, November 11th.

Armchair Travelers

Or, should I say "desk-chair travelers"?

I have been having a great time playing the "Around the World in 6 Photos" contest on the jake + cleo blog. It's kinda like taking a vacation without going through the hassle of forwarding the mail and having to pack! Of course, you don't get the fruity drinks...but there are souvenirs!

Yup, not only do we get to see some of Corina's photos from amazing, far-flung locales; guessing correctly earns us entries into a draw for a piece of jake + cleo jewelry! I don’t know about you, but that beats a “My mom went to Cambodia…” t-shirt hands-down.

I have already made my guess for this week, but you have until today at noon to stop by the jake + cleo blog to make yours! And, to see jake + cleo’s line of eco-friendly silver jewelry, stop by the Mozy Rue ECO Collective. No passport required.

Oil on Canvas, Thread on Denim.

Andrew Lennard Taylor Bickford is a painter and designer who creates clothing pieces that transcend fashion and become pieces of wearable art. Even something as seemingly utilitarian as a pair of jeans, a jacket or a cardigan becomes a statement of individuality at the hands of this talented designer/artist. What makes the pieces particularly appealing, besides their uniqueness, is their inherent functionality. These items are meant to be worn and enjoyed!

We have just added several pieces from the Lennard Taylor collection to our ever-expanding mix of fabulous and funky fashions at the shop. If you are not familiar with this local talent, then you should definitely come in and check out his work.

And, on behalf of the artist himself, I am happy to extend this invitation (below) to a show at the Lennard Taylor studio at 89 Princess Street, on Friday evening from 5pm until “late”. Not only will you have a chance to view Andrew Lennard Taylor Bickford’s wonderful and powerful oil paintings, you will get to see his latest collection of garments, in the very space in which they are created.

The C Word

No, not that one.

Nope. Not that one, either.

Christmas.

There. I said it.

With Thanksgiving and Halloween finally behind us, I figure it's ok to start talking about "the festive season" without feeling like I'm jumping the gun.

Can you believe that we only have 53 sleeps until we can watch our family members gleefully empty their stockings and tear into packages (wrapped with recycled paper and bows, of course), revealing their carefully-chosen gifts? Fifty-three! That's it!


Have you started making your list yet?



*Ok, I lie. I love opening perfect presents, too!

Hey, it's Tijit!

Last night, I arrived at the shop to work my shift and I saw 3 things that made me very happy. The first was the pair of smiling faces that greeted me at the door (although, truth be told, I *was* holding a box of cupcakes), the second was seeing that the Bruce Lee pillow from the window had gone to a good home (possibly adding to one of the aforementioned smiles, as well), and the third was the new rack of t-shirts by Tijit that has take up residence on our north wall!

Tijit is (according to their Etsy profile): “a boy/girl duo who've been silk-screening our designs on to clothing since 2002 in cities like Peterborough, Montreal, and currently Winnipeg. All of the proceeds from Tijit go towards our groceries!”



I have been fans of their clever t-shirt designs for quite a while, but I have recently become hooked on their blog, which features Devon’s bittersweet (but mostly sweet) drawings based on her experiences working at a nursing home.

I wonder how I can get my hands on a "Mildred" t-shirt...

Making a Statement

Wanda June, one of the wonderful designers who we feature at the shop, had a fantastic quote on her Facebook page today; “To buy locally and think globally is a statement of cultural revolution, of sustainability and a lifestyle choice that is making changes for the future.”




I see it as a win-win-win-win situation that benefits the artist, the retailer (who, in some cases, is also the artist), the community and the consumer...and you can add an extra win to that if you’re giving the item as a gift!

So, what do you think?
What statement are you making when you choose to shop local and/or buy handmade?
A fashion statement, a political statement…or both?

Putting the Ag in B-L-O-G.

Hot on the heels of the exciting launch of their line of eco-friendly silver jewelry, the gals from jake + cleo have taken pen to paper fingers to keyboard and created a blog.

To celebrate, Em and Corina are giving away a fabulous, upcycled bag by none other than the lovely and talented Andee of Sew Dandee!

For full details on the giveaway, and a fun-filled peek into the triumphs, challenges and giggles that are all part and parcel of being in the handmade jewelry business, please visit the jake + cleo blog.

Wishing Out Loud

The other day, I was at the store, mindlessly sifting through the giant basket of buttons on the counter, when I came across the cutest little checkerboard button. "This would make a great ring," I remarked. Jody, one of our talented designers and resident "bead girl", wandered over, took the button from me and asked me my ring size. "6 1/2," I answered, "Why?" She just shrugged and went back to her cozy spot on the daybed. 15 minutes later, I had this:



Isn't it fantastic? It fits like a charm and I know that it is the only one in the world.

When was the last time you had a one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry created just for you? If your answer is "never" or "so long ago that I don't remember" or "yesterday, but you can never have too much bling", then you'd better come in and have Jody wrap-up some magic for you, with either your own special button or one from the big basket where I found mine!

Contact the store for more details on custom orders from JLP Designs.

Sweets and beats at the Jake + Cleo launch!

Judging from the response of the evening's attendees, and the glowing smiles on the faces of the designers, last week's Jake + Cleo launch party at the store was a HUGE success.



In addition to pretty, shiny things to look at, touch, and buy, there were tasty treats and awesome tunes, thanks to popular local DJ, Cyclist.



For those who missed the launch, there are still plenty of pieces to be had in the Jake + Cleo shop-within-a-shop at the Mozy Rue Eco Collective, and in their Etsy shop!

A Warm Welcome

Tonight we are honoured and excited to welcome visting delegates from The Canadian Crafts Federation and Manitoba Crafts Council to the store. In addition to noshing on treats, they will be touring the shop and checking out the work of our talented collective members and consigners.

I, for one, am looking forward to meeting our special guests and getting a chance to learn more about the Crafts Federation and the work they are doing on behalf of crafters and artists across Canada. (Ok, ok, I’ll fess up; I am *really* looking forward to the opportunity to show-off the shop! And, ok...the treats, too!)

Up, up and away!

Alison Moyet said it best when she sang “The only way is up, baby!”

Our feet may be firmly planted in our upcycled boots, but our heads are in the clouds thanks to this article in Westjet’s online magazine, “Up!”

Shel Zolkewich put together such a lovely piece about us that I literally blushed when I first read it. Your reaction might not be as pink-cheeked as mine, but I guarantee that it’ll make you want to stop in and see what’s new!

You can read Shel’s article here: Westjet Up!

MREC in the Press!

With all of the excitement of the past couple weeks, I completely forgot to post a link to our shout-out in Connie Tamoto's Free Press column!

In case you missed seeing us in print, here is the digital version:
So long, Summer.



Those with an eagle-eye might notice a couple errors/omissions, but we are absolutely thrilled to be mentioned in Connie's column. Hopefully she'll stay in touch and come back soon to feature all of our amazing designers!

It's party time!

Yesterday I introduced you to a shiny-new line of eco-friendly silver by Winnipeg’s own jake + cleo. Well, if that wasn’t exciting enough, today I would like to invite you to the official launch party for the collection!

The event takes place this Thursday, from 7 – 9pm, at the shop.

There will be food, music, and an opportunity to get a first-look at the collection and meet its talented designers!

We hope to see you there!

Welcome jake + cleo!

We are so excited to announce the arrival of a new line of locally-made, earth-conscious silver jewelry to the shop!

jake + cleo is a merging of clean lines and whimsy; organization and free thinking; squares and circles. The result is fine and sterling silver jewelry that is modern, eco-friendly and will have everyone asking, "Where did you get that??"



jake + cleo fine and sterling silver jewelry is organically designed and handcrafted to fit your lifestyle and feed your passion for unique, eco-chic adornments.

But, how is it GREEN?

~ jake + cleo .999 fine silver starts with a pat of precious metal clay, which contains 100% RECLAIMED silver.
~ all scraps, filings and dust are captured to be used in future designs: RECYCLING creates zero production waste.
~ your jewelry is wrapped in 100% recycled tissue and placed in a handmade ORGANIC cotton pouch.



jake + cleo is designed and created in Winnipeg, Canada and available at the Mozy Rue ECO Collective and online in the jake + cleo Etsy shop.

The New Kids in the Shop

Have you met the Kiddlebug Kids?

Kiddlebug Kids are one-of-a-kind dolls; made with love, imagination and humour right here in Winnipeg. Each one has its own personality and are as unique as the real-life kids who inspire them.

We are so happy to have Kiddlebug Kids at the Mozy Rue ECO Collective! You can pick up your own Kid here at the store, or through their Etsy shop.

...I wonder what they get up to when we're closed...

So sweet!

The other day, one of Winnipeg's fave cakeologists stopped by the shop to check things out. Being the sweetie that she is, she arrived with treats! I wasn't there to partake (boo!), but by way of a couple sticky-fingered text messages that I received that night (sure, rub it in), I heard the cupcakes were absolutely delish.

Thanks, Pam!!!



PS...next time someone says they are stopping by the store with baked-goods, I am going to drop what I am doing, pull the fire alarm, and high-tail it over there...stopping only to pick up Em on the way, of course!

~ Rebecca

100

100 days until Christmas?? What? I didn't believe it, so I counted; and, yup, it's true!

I better start making my lists! Things I want...things I need...things I gotta have...oh, and things to buy for family and friends, of course.

~ Rebecca

The Blustery Day

Yesterday, a few of us from the Collective set-up shop on Broadway for Winnipeg’s first annual Ciclovia. We arrived early to set up our booth and had it looking *perfect*…and then the winds came.

Holy cow! Words cannot describe the intense, swirling gusts that would pick up out of nowhere, blow our carefully arranged goods around (and onto the ground), and then die-off as fast and randomly as they came. Even the flags in front of the Law Courts were confused!

Of course, once we had everything back in place it would happen again. And again. And again. I spent so much time bending over to pick stuff up, that was beginning to wonder how we were going to be able to talk to people at all! But, I am happy to say, we managed AND nothing was broken or damaged.

At the height of the chaos, it was pretty tempting to throw in the towel, but I am glad we stuck it out. And, on that note...greetings to everyone who stopped by our booth and took a flyer. It was so great to get a chance to meet people and big-up the shop. We hope you will all pay us a visit in the near-future. See you soon!

~ Rebecca

Green and the City

With "green" events taking place all over the city, this coming weekend is going to be eco-hectic.

For those keeping track, there's the Winnipeg Green Lifestyle & Organic Living Show, Ciclovia, "Winnipeg Free Weekend" (aka put your junk out on the curb and let your neighbours rummage through it), and a growing handful of events too numerous to mention. With a line-up like that, there is literally no reason for everyone to get out of the house and join the fun. (Rumour has it, the weather might cooperate, too!)

As I mentioned in my previous post, we will be setting up a booth during Sunday's Ciclovia event on Broadway. In the spirit of promoting all things eco, we are also giving away 3 pairs of tickets to the Winnipeg Green Lifestyle & Organic Living Show at the Convention Centre. For your chance to win a pair, please leave a comment below and tell us one "green" habit that you have picked up in the last year (or one you are thinking about starting).

~ Rebecca

Ciclovia Winnipeg 2010

Broadway will be closed to motorized traffic on Sunday, Sept 12 for Winnipeg's first-annual Ciclovia street festival!



Cycle, walk, run, rollerblade, or teleport yourself to Broadway between 11am and 7pm and take part in all of the people-powered fun. There will be a farmers market, fitness demos, food vendors, music and, of course, an eco-friendly crafters marketplace. Look for the Mozy Rue ECO Collective tables on the north side of Broadway between Memorial Blvd and Kennedy Street.

See you there!

~ Rebecca

Mozy Rue on Shaw TV

The other day, Jody and I did an interview with Shaw TV. The reporter who did the piece managed to whittle down our rambling into a very nice (almost) 3 minute piece about the Collective. Click here to watch the video.


I am still getting over the whole "omg...do I sound like that??", but I think the segment turned out really well. And, daaaamn, does that store look good, or what?!?

~ Rebecca

New class - T-shirt Shopping Bag

Do you have a T-shirt, but wish you had a shopping bag? Well, lucky you! This is your chance to learn how to make an awesome shopping bag from a plain ol’ T.

Our resident diva-of-the-dominoes, Rebecca Hadfield, is thrilled to present the first in her series of eco-friendly DIY classes. In this fun 90 minute class, Rebecca will guide you through the steps that it takes to create an expandable “faux mesh” tote that will amaze and delight cashiers everywhere. (Well, that might be a stretch, pun intended; but we guarantee that once you’ve made one bag, you’ll want to make more!) And, for those who skipped home-ec class, we’ve got a no-sew version, too. If you can hold a pair of scissors, you can make this project!

By popular demand, the class will be offered twice in September; Thursday the 9th at 7:30pm and Sunday the 26th at 1:30pm.

The $12 fee includes 90 mins of class-time and a take-home instruction booklet with bonus project (You’ve gotta use those sleeves for something, right?).

Please bring a t-shirt and sharp scissors. Note: shirts without side-seams and/or heavy embellishments work best.

Contact Rebecca at zenbecca@gmail.com or call the shop at 477-1900 to register or for more info.

Tell me something good(s)!

Hooray! After much goading and threatening (I kid!), Just the Goods’ goods have arrived at the Mozy Rue ECO Collective!



I first met Milena, the gorgeous curator/activist/purveyor-of-goodness behind Just the Goods, at a craft show last November. Although we were set up in different rooms, I could literally feel the buzz that she and her products were generating. It seemed like everyone who stopped by my table was applying (and raving about) the amazing lip balm that they had just purchased. By the time I made it over to introduce myself to Milena, however, she was sold out! Good news for her, but bad for me. ;-)

In the time since that show, I have continued to hear nothing but great things about Just the Goods shaving creams, toothpastes, body butters and, yes, lip balms. You just have to scroll through the reviews on their site to see the coast-to-coast fan-base that they have generated by selling locally and through their Etsy shop.



So, what are “the Goods”? Just the Goods is a locally-made line of skin care products that contain the best quality, natural, vegan* ingredients. True to their name, their products contain “just the goods…and nothing else”. All JTG products are produced without parabens, sulfates, petro-chemicals, artificial preservatives, synthetic fragrances and dyes or colourants. Everything is made under the credo that everyone should be able to enjoy every day indulgences, but not at the cost of our Earth or our health. Affordable and accountable? What’s not to love?

We are so excited to be carrying the Just the Goods line of handmade, vegan skin and body-care products in the shop; and, according to Milena’s blog, they couldn’t have arrived at a better time. With a temporary slow-down in production and shipping, local fans can stop by Mozy Rue to get their fix of “the Goods”. And, this time I know better than to wait; my toes will never forgive me if I don’t snap up some of the foot butter before it’s all gone!


* Beeswax and Lanolin are non-vegan ingredients that are used to make JTG’s lip balm; however, both are harvested without causing harm.

~ Rebecca

Voila by Andreanne

Voila: From vois (“see!, look!”), second-person singular imperative of voir (“to see, to look”) and là (“there”), literally meaning "look there!".

Voilà par/by Andréanne: One of Canada's up and coming Aboriginal clothing design companies that offers eco-friendly, fair trade clothing made in Canada. From the initial sketch to pattern making, cutting and sewing, everything is produced in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

When I first saw the Voila by Andreanne line in the shop, I was immediately drawn to it. From across the room, the fluid-looking dresses and tops were practically begging me to cross the room for a closer look (and touch). I knew at a glance that this was no ordinary collection; and, once I had the fabric in my hand, I knew I was holding on to something special.



While the garments themselves have an easy, elegant look, the feel of the fabrics is what sold me. Using blends of bamboo viscose, organic cotton and lycra, designer Andreanne has managed to fuse environmentally-friendly with pure luxury. These are pieces for eco-conscious comfort-creatures with a keen sense of style (and humour).

The dress pictured above is just one of the beautiful and unique items in the Voila by Andreanne collection. It features a stunning freehand painting by local Aboriginal artist David Albert on the skirt. Come in to the shop to see more from Andreanne and add a piece of locally-made wearable art to your wardrobe today!

~ Rebecca

Everything is ticketyboo at Mozy Rue!

Goodness, I've barely had my morning pail of coffee and I'm already starting in on the bad rhymes. I'm a poet and I...oh, nevermind. ;-)

Seeing as I will be working in the shop tonight, I thought I would make today's post about me, myself and me. And, seeing as I am the only one with the password to this blog, no one can stop me! I'll keep it brief, though, and just share with you a couple of the things that I have in my little section.

The two things I want to share with you have a couple of common threads (pardon the pun)...can you spot them? First of all, they both share a bit of an Asian influence; a style that I am always drawn to, which is no doubt due to my 8+ years living on the West Coast. Secondly, they are both "upcycled"; the pillow spent the first part of its life as a t-shirt, and the wood and silver pendant once graced a Scrabble board. Thanks to a little stitching, stuffing and stamping they are ready to decorate your couch or your cleaveage (I'll let you dedide which is which).



David Bowie "Serious Moonlight tour" t-shirt Pillow - $25



Cherry Blossom Scrabble pendant (with black cord necklace) - $12

~ Rebecca

Half-pipe Heaven

Ever wonder where skateboards go when they've done their last ollie?
Mozy Rue upcycled skateboard jewelry and accessories, available now at the shop!

Mmmm...emmsgEMs

emmsgEMs are colourful, timeless, funky and fun. Always on-trend, the collection is constantly growing with casually-elegant, easy-to-wear earrings, necklaces and bracelets.



What gives emmsgEMs their distinctive look? "I like to put elements together that you wouldn’t normally expect to be paired – like paper and glass – and I don’t like to over-do a piece," says the designer. "The bead is the star – second to the person wearing the jewelry."



emmsgEMs are available in Winnipeg at the Mozy Rue ECO Collective and online in the emmsGEms Etsy shop.

~ Rebecca

What's in store - Paua Shell Jewelry by JLP Designs

Considered a good luck charm giving peace, prosperity, good luck and good health, the vibrantly coloured and brilliantly iridescent Paua shells are a natural for jewelry. Taking its name from the Maori word for abalone, Paua is only found in the sea surrounding the shores of New Zealand, where it is fished according to sustainable and environmentally sound practices.

Fancy Paua Shell Necklace by JLP Designs - $45
This one-of-a-kind necklace, pictured below, features 15 pieces of Paua shell from New Zealand. Each shell is hand drilled by the artist and mounted onto a handmade wire base. All metals and findings are silver plated (brass & copper).



Want to learn to make your own? It’s not too late to sign up for Thursday night’s class. $40 includes all materials and Jody’s expert instruction.

For more details on this class and others, comment here or contact the store!

Can I help you?

Did you know that the friendly and oh-so-helpful staff at the Mozy Rue ECO Collective are actually artists and crafters masquerading as clerks? Yup...the very people who sell you the goods are the ones who made them, too. (No wonder they look so cool!) It's just one of the things that makes our shop so unique.

Personally, I love getting the chance to talk to the person who built/grew/sewed the item that I am about to buy. If they are passionate about their craft, then it's impossible not to get caught up in their excitement. I always find that knowing the back-story or hearing a little about the process really makes me appreciate the item even more. And, speaking as an artist, I love talking about my art AND hearing about where it's going. (Sometimes I get a little attached to things...it's good to get some closure. *wink*)

So, the next time you're in the shop picking up a gift or a "little something" for yourself, be sure to strike up a conversation with "the girl behind the counter". Chances are, you'll come out of there with more than just a necklace or a notebook.

~ Rebecca

Handmade in Manitoba? Why, yes!

Look who's been featured on the Handmade in Manitoba blog:
Winnipeg's Eco Craft Collective Shop

~ Rebecca

Check us out on Try Handmade!

As a columnist at the Try Handmade website, I try to seek out the best in eco-friendly handmade goods for my “going green” column. In the 11 months that I have been writing my articles, I have featured sellers from all over the globe, but it always makes me a little extra happy to big-up my local peeps.

Of course, I don’t want my readers to think I’m biased, so I try to keep the Winnipegcentric content to a minimum. I have also made a point of not featuring my own Etsy shop (save for using a picture of one of my upcycled pillows). With my article about opening of the shop, however, I have broken my own rule and put myself in there. Twice!

So, without further ado, please take a look at our first *feature* article, written by yours truly! What’s in Store – The Mozy Rue ECO Collective

There is so much incredible, diverse talent at the shop; I just wish that I had room enough to include everyone in the piece. (I smell a sequel…)

~ Rebecca

Follow us!

A little bird told me that EmmsgEMs has a special offer for Twitter followers…twitterers? Tweeters? Twits?

If you're not following us yet, what are you waiting for?


For even more fun, you can also follow emmsgems and zenbecca (that’s me!).

~ Rebecca

We've got class(es)!

Although it doesn’t look like much at first glance, one of the cool things about the shop is the big, black movable table/counter/island at the back of the store. During set-up and renovations, it served as a tool bench. After a good wipe-down, it became a buffet; holding trays of hors d'oeuvres (and champagne!) for our friends & family sneak-peak. And soon it will become a classroom of sorts for some after-hours workshops that we have in the works!

In just a couple of weeks, our resident bead-girl, Jody, will be starting a series of terrific jewelry making classes, starting with a Paua Shell Necklace class on Thursday, August 5th, 7-9pm. The cost of the class is $40 and includes everything that you’ll need to make a gorgeous necklace like the one below. Please check out Jody's class calendar for more details.



As a former papercrafting instructor, I can't wait to put on a few workshops of my own, too, and I have a great first project in mind - a pre-loved t-shirt upcycled into a faux-mesh grocery bag. It’s a perfect project for anyone who wants to go green and get a little crafty…and its *almost* no-sew. If you can use scissors, you can make a bag! Are you intrigued yet? Watch this space for details!

~ Rebecca

More gEMs...just in case.

I stocked my jewelry display case on Friday – each item perfectly placed – not too much, nor too little. Except I neglected to think of the consequences when something sells: gaping holes! Voids in my visual display! I didn’t bring enough jewelry to re-stock. Oops.

So today I’ll go in armed with over-stock. When each item is unique, it’s difficult to think of anything as “extra” – it’s just more earthy goodness waiting to be worn! So buy it all up so that I can put out more!

~ emmsgems

Today's the day!

At noon today, in a shop window on Osborne Street, a “closed” sign will be replaced with one that says “open” and Winnipeg will become just a little bit cooler.

After weeks and weeks of planning and preparation, the Mozy Rue ECO Collective will open its doors to the public, offering-up an amazing assortment of handmade “green” items. The collective itself is made up of some of the city’s cleverest artists, crafters and designers who share a passion for creating unique, sustainable, eco-friendly goods; each with their own, special twist.

We hope that everyone will stop by to check us out; there is literally something for everyone at the shop and most items are one-of-a-kind. As the assortment will constantly be changing and evolving, customers are encouraged to visit often*. We can guarantee that your shopping experience will never be the same twice!

The Mozy Rue ECO Collective is located at 531 Osborne, right beside Burton Lysecki books. We are open Tuesday – Sunday, 12-5pm every day except Thurs and Fri, when we’re open until 9. Can’t wait to see you there!


~ Rebecca

*Tip: if you see something you like – buy it! It might not be there next time!

One more sleep!

I can't believe it - the Mozy Rue ECO Collective shop is stocked up and ready to open at noon tomorrow!

I have to give Jody major kudos for all of her hard work and for making it all come together. Trying to organize that many artists is probably very similar to nailing jello to a tree, but she pulled us together and pulled it off...and with time to spare, no less. *round of applause*

Yay us!

~ Rebecca

The countdown is on!

I stopped by the Mozy Rue shop at 531 Osborne last night and things are definitely starting to take shape. Shelves are getting stocked, Jewelry cases are filling up, displays are taking shape...it's starting to look like an actual *store*. How exciting! I can't wait to see it all cleaned-up and full of handmade goodness.

Don't forget, opening day is Tuesday, July 13th...6 more sleeps!

~ Rebecca

Tweet, tweet!

Spread the word - Twitter users can now follow us for shop updates, news and more at twitter.com/wpg_ecocraft