Heartwood Gifts is an online gift store based in Metro Vancouver, Canada. We offer a unique array of affordable handcrafted gifts made from exotic woods, leather, glass, stainless steel, tin and wire. If you are looking for a unique gift idea for that someone special, and have an appreciation for quality workmanship with a personal creative touch, we invite you to pay us a visit at www.HeartwoodGifts.com
One of the things I love about living in the South Surrey/White Rock area (besides the unbelievable scenery and proximity to the ocean) is the variety of summer festivals and outdoor craft markets which seem to take place every weekend. Just this past Saturday, my wife and I had the opportunity to leave our four kids with her mom and dad while we went out for breakfast at Poultry In Motion to celebrate her birthday (a tasty little place on Marine Dr. in White Rock. If you ever get the chance and you're in the area, you should definitely check it out). Since the annual 'Spirit of the Sea' festival was taking place just across the street, we decided after we ate to take a stroll down on the promenade and take part in some of the festivities. Although there were numerous tents pitched with vendors selling their wares, I wasn't really prepared to search out any new unique gifts for Heartwood Gifts. After all it was my wife's birthday, and my desire was to just be with her. And then it happened. My wife caught a glimpse at one particular unassuming vendor display and immediately pulled me in to take a closer look. On the table was a variety of some of the most unique wood carved pendants I have ever seen. Upon striking up a conversation with the artisan, Rob, a Vancouver Island resident, I learned that both he and his artisan wife, Debbie, collect naturally fallen arbutus tree branches (a rugged tree unique to the pacific northwest) from the forest floor to create the individually hand-carved pieces free-hand on a scroll saw. Debbie and Rob use a special rare micro blade which enables them to make unusually fine and detailed cuts. Because of their laid back pace as Islanders, they suitably call themselves "All The Time In The World Handcrafting Co." The business of creating these small pieces of art to share with the world was the result of Rob and Debbie being completely inspired by extraordinary surroundings and driven to be able to spend as much time as possible at home with their children. As an eco-friendly product, the wood is hard, durable and ages well, the color becoming richer the more it is worn. Within moments of talking with Rob, I knew that I had found the newest addition to the Heartwood Gifts collection. This was confirmed shortly after when my wife and I began to notice many other festival-goers - both men and women - wearing the popular pieces.
