The snow is starting to melt and it’s already starting to feel like Spring, especially here at the shop! Easter is just around the corner and we’re excited to share our newest arrivals from Stitch By Stitch! These beautifully detailed felt ornaments are ethically handmade by artisans who genuinely enjoy what they do, and most … Read more
Last fall we started carrying a new line of cards from Amélie Legault. She is a Montreal-based author and illustrator known for her quirky and playful creations that bring joy to all ages. Our customers loved her fun cards so much, so this year we brought in some mugs as well! Birds wearing slippers, beavers … Read more
We recently received some new beautiful pieces of metal art from a couple of our Canadian artists. The walls are now full again with so many great options! We have about 5 different Canadian companies that we like to showcase in the shop. From Ontario, we carry art from Murals in Metal (Lucan), Metallic Evolution … Read more
This season is one where most of us like to keep cozy inside. We have lots of fun activities you can do to keep yourself or the kids entertained while we yearn for warmer days. Puzzles, paint by sticker books, embroidery kits, carving kits, make your own ‘stuffie’ kits, and our newest sewing and felting … Read more
There are many beautiful things in the shop and today we’re showing you just some of the more festive finds you’ll see when you pop in for some holiday shopping! We have the best selection of greeting cards, many of which are made in Canada. There’s many cheerful mugs, tea towels, dishcloths and quirky napkins … Read more
Studies show that 68% of Canadians believe in the importance of shopping local. Which is a powerful economic force, since 66¢ of every dollar spent locally STAYS local. This superpower creates what is called the boomerang effect: Money spent locally means a reinvestment in the community through spending or donations. At Avant-Garden, here’s how we … Read more
Many people come to the Avant-Garden Shop repeatedly for our great selection of greeting cards! We carry over fifty different lines of cards that cover many occasions. We recently did a count of all the lines that are Canadian and local artists, and that number is over thirty! These cards are beautiful pieces of art, … Read more
We have a new artist in the shop! Megan Archer (they/them) is an autistic nonbinary artist based in rural Nova Scotia. They founded Aflame Creations in 2011, and have been single-handedly crafting this unique and vibrant enameled copper jewelry ever since. Every piece is a small story in colour and texture. Each piece begins with … Read more
(Find @newartybeavis on Instagram.) On any First Friday Art Crawl in downtown Peterborough, Ontario, fellow crawlers are always open to surprises. So I was not the only one pleasantly surprised to find an unusual studio that needed a smart device to “see” the artwork by @newartybeavis. Not a whiff of linseed oil in this … Read more
After a few years hiatus, Mad Cap hats are back in the shop! These hats are the original handmade creations of Tori Capes, a certified milliner! For 38 years these beautiful hats have been designed and created in a scenic lakeside studio near Westport Ontario. These adjustable Sunblocker hats are their most popular sun hat, … Read more