Curate unique gifts for all the special people on your holiday list by connecting with local makers in Rideau Lakes. Take a peek at the local businesses below to give gifts with personal flair this festive season! Keep your eye out for Banished Moon Pottery by Micheal Doxey, Claire Jacobs Fine Art, Dreamscapes Rideau fused glass and jewelry, John Shea's landscapes from Rosal Bay Studio, paintings from Nora Brown Art Studio or Mancino Gallery, stained glass from Our Cottage Glass or White Heather Glass Creations, garden sculpture from Rue Royale Cast Stone, Windfall Studio and Absolute Art by Ted Stewart, Wildlife Sculptor. Photo sessions from Photo Richard or pet portaits from Ordinary Ripple Photography are another idea!
Places to discover locally made giftables include the Bastard Coffee House in Delta, Kilborn's in Newboro, The Recess Cafe in Portland, The Tipped Ship in Elgin, the Forfar Dairy and Wendy's Country Market.
Local Makers
Wood Works
At Bear Mountain Boat Shop, Try your hand at canoe building with Bear Mountain Boats. Purchase plans and materials to build your own paddling vessel. Ted Moores and Joan Barrett have been helping people build beautiful small wooden boats, kayaks and canoes for 45 years using woodstrip epoxy methods based in North Crosby. They even offer workshops!
David Ambrose Furniture Maker creates stand out woodworking: from Windsor chairs, to tables, cabinets to architectural work, David Ambrose has been creating with wood since 1977. Situated in Rideau Lakes, all work is custom and designed to suit individual style.
Photo: David Ambrose website - Walnut end Tables in Craftsman style
Ted Stewart Wildlife Artist has a takent for Lifelike bird art that seems to have a life of its own! Award-winning local artist, Ted Stewart, has been carving for more than 50 years and focuses on wood carvings depicting Ontario’s birds. A must-see which is absolutely thrilling for the birder in your family.
The Barn at Elgin is a restored space to believe it! Featuring ready-made rustic wooden furniture for the home or cottage. The Barn at Elgin is located in a 200-year-old restored barn now converted into a showroom. It has beautiful wooden breakfast nooks, rolling islands, washer toss boxes, side tables, barrel bar tops, Adirondack chairs, or chat with the owner about creating a custom piece!
The Barn at Elgin Facebook Page
Cheese Maker
Ontario’s Best Certified Raw Milk Cheese is made by Bushgarden Farmstead Cheese in Rideau Lakes. Try their Cheddar, Gouda, Specialty varieties and gift someone a beautiful wheels of cheese this season!
Local Honey
Maple Makers
Soap, Body and Home
Newboro Soap Company creates artisan soaps in the heart of Rideau Lakes! Handmade with love in small batches, this local soap company is creating feel-good gems like the new orange and clove, as well as hippy revival – and we hear there are some kids’ soap shapes available, too! Did you know this is also a biodegradable refillery? That’s right, you can bring your empty containers to be refilled with eco-friendly products.
Photo: Newboro Soap Company Facebook Page
Willow Bay Naturals is a woman-owned business dedicated to creating all natural soap, body, and home care products. Perfect for anyone looking for eco-friendly alternatives free from harmful artificial fragrance and colouring in their skincare products. Our product range includes natural soy blend luxurious wood wick candles that provide a soothing and relaxing ambiance in your home.
Local Bakers
Nut Free Gourmet Cookies and Dough crafts irresistible, nut-free raw cookie dough made with real butter for that melt-in-your-mouth treat. Made in beautiful Jones Falls at Hotel Kenney Rideau, we’re talking chocolate chip, ginger, chocolate fudge chip, shortbread and more – irresistible!
Photo: Nut Free Gourmet Facebook Page
The Pie Bar is a purveyor of modern baked goods across Eastern Ontario incorporates delicious sourdough, pastries and cookies into the menu. Their love of the unconventional has created a global fan-base, with both traditional flavours and other brilliantly unique brainchild combinations of talented owner Stacy Blair. We hear that drop-in Fridays are back so swing over to snap up some French pastries, or pre-order for loaves.
Photo: The Pie Bar Facebook Page
Are you a maker in Rideau Lakes? Let us know!
Christmas Markets
Connect with multiple makers in festive spaces! Christmas markets are in full swing both in Rideau Lakes and further afield featuring local artisans.
Holiday Craft Fair in Delta
Craft, arts, makers and gifts – all in one! It’s the 5th annual holiday craft fair and it’s taking place November 23 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Delta will be buzzing as there is a craft fair happening at the Old Town Hall, as well as at the Delta’s Royal Canadian Legion Branch at 32 William Street.
Christmas Craft Fair
The Upper Rideau Branch 542 Christmas Craft Fair promises to be full of vendors, crafts and seasonal delights on Saturday, November 23 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Westport Legion Hall! Come out and support some local small businesses and the community.
Portland on the Rideau Historical Society
Portland on the Rideau Historical Society is hosting a Christmas Market on Saturday, December 7, 2024 from 10 am to 4 pm at the Emmanuel Heritage Centre in Portland. This is a great opportunity to meet some local makers and get creative gifts from across Rideau Lakes!
Artisans Christmas Market Westport
Make your list and check it twice! Westport Market - Christmas Edition is sure to be bustling with festive cheer on Friday, November 22 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the usual market location, 38 Concession St. across from the ball diamond. Be sure to see the tree lighting afterwards at Town Hall as part of the Westport Shop and Hop.
Christmas Shop and Hop
Enjoy a festive country drive while visiting eclectic shops in the Rideau Lakes area! This Christmas Shop and Hop is on the calendar for Friday, November, 29 to Sunday, December 1, 2024 and features locally-created items alongside those from around the world. Collect stamps for a chance to win at participating merchants in Delta and Elgin, as well as further afield. Stop into shops like The Tipped Ship, Furnace Falls Farm and Bastard Coffee House. Happy shopping and hopping!
Opinicon Holiday Craft Fair
Kick off your holiday gifting on November 23 and 24, 2024 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.! Free parking and admission, look for Christmas mini photo sessions and a pop up Christmas photo booth. The friendly Opinicon elves will be providing Christmas treats and the Tiki lounge and pub will also be open for lunch and drinks. Donations for the local food bank will also be accepted.
For more holiday markets, visit https://www.southeasternontario.ca/articles/the-elves-would-be-proud-39-holiday-markets-in-south-eastern-ontario-2024/
