LOCAL LOVE Launches
Local Love Launches and it’s Partytime
Well! Last night we had the launch to our SECOND foray into the Pop Up market. We held a Pop Up in November of last year, (did you miss out on that? Click here to read about it) and it was such a success we decided to try our hand at another one in the lead up to Valentines Day.
We approached Ian Tan of the Ian Tan Gallery to see if he might be interested in collaborating with us to host a Valentine’s Day focused, curated pop up shop. Ian was completely on board, which shows his willingness to break out of the conventional gallery formula, and underscores his entrepreneurial inventiveness by providing a unique retail experience for his customers and letting the art world know that craft is an art form.
Ian Tan with the roses he gave away to the first 60 visitors to LOCAL LOVE.
So we curated and culled and curated some more and advertised like mad women to get the word out. We were even on the radio with a few of our artists! (click here to listen). 
A very stylish guest
Pulling together a Pop Up is no small feat but with a lot of hard work and some luck we have pulled it together for this LOCAL LOVE Pop Up shop. We have 10 artists displaying their creations on the gallery floor while in the midst of beautiful artwork on the gallery walls by Ian Tan’s artists.
Hilary Miles Flowers showcases and offers floral arrangements in various sizes and prices for Valentine’s Day orders.
Last night was the big launch party and we had so much fun! We love the launch parties. It is a time when the artists can mingle with the party goers and talk up their craft and it’s a time when the party goers get to meet the Creatives behind the products.
Above two images are the work of Vanessa Lianne Jewelry.
We are finding people love to purchase when they know the person they are buying from-it’s the story behind the product that is so fun to share. And let’s face it-we all have a story and love to hear how other’s stories unfold and shape who they are.
Silk scarves by Walnutte
We served Prosecco with an array of nibblies and had tunes to help us get in the groove. Clos Du Soleil Winery generously offered their wine for tasting.
Andria and Stephanie from Clos Du Soleil Winery
Artist Tanja Gardner
Really, it was party central with a little LOCAL LOVE shopping thrown in!
Manjy Sidoo and her friend Sophia
Artist Dana Mooney, Alison Chan Kent from Joue Designs, and Heather Ross from The Natural Eclectic
Artist Karen Konzuk and Aurora Chan from Style by Fire, wearing an amazing bracelet by Konzuk
Party guests, Kelly Dong and Architect Graham Smith
Ceramic Artist Gabrielle Burke of G Ceramics & co. above and her work below
Tina with Artist Dana Mooney, Cindy Yu and Alison Chan Kent from Joue Designs,and Markella Mildenberger of The Red Palette
Aurora Chan and Miranda Sam, The Style by Fire ladies came by to see what we were up to with LOCAL LOVE
Corrine and Sophia, from Botany Living, the artisans behind the amazing succulent arrangements.
Brooke and Karen Carmichael of Jai Style
The marble bench/coffee table is by craftsman extraordinaire Brett Riekert. Concrete and Stainless steel necklace by Konzuk, succulent arrangement by Botany Living.
Brett Riekert’s iconic modernist chair prototype and concrete origami vessels
Joanna Baxter’s LoverFighter handbags
Art Socks by Ryley O’Byrne of Strathcona Socks
We’re pretty pleased with how Local Love has come together. We hope you will come on down to visit us at 2321 Granville St. from 10-6 until Feb 7. We are infinitely proud of our talented artists and can’t wait to see more of their work.
Valentine’s Day is a week away so come visit us at LOCAL LOVE this weekend because we are sure to have an original work of art or an amazing floral arrangement for all your special ones. Open Feb 6 and 7th, 10am to 6pm.
Orchids by Hilary Miles Flowers
The Designers Collective team: Brooke Hatfield, Bette Ainsworth and Tina Dhillon
And then…it is back to work on our Spring Pop Up. Stay tuned for more details!
