I must admit, I was a little grumpy by the time I got to Make It! at the PNE in Vancouver. Crazy people on the bus, so much rain and darkness… I really REALLY wanted to have some fun after paying my $5 to get in.
The Venue
Considering the weather, I am not surprised the turnout was pretty impressive for the Saturday at the “Handmade Revolution.” Indoor activity revolving around creativity and shopping? Yup, works for me.
The Shopping
These adorable giant macarons by Kawaii Boku were pretty sweet.
These many sizes of colourful donuts by Winter Woolies Shop were pretty darn fabulous.
I just love the cafe French Made and their macarons were selling like hotcakes!
But overall… I felt I had seen it before.
OMG, having flashbacks of the Unicorn frappé!!! OK so there was not a lot calling my name but I was hoping taste testing would cheer me up. Gotta get something for my $5!
Taste Testing Disasters
I did not think I could go wrong with pickles so I let myself taste test one and it was SO SPICY!!! Burn-my-mouth hot and the pickle was not that sour or great.
Then I saw all these beautiful bottles of maple syrup and grabbed a small taste tester and it was for artisan vinegar! Blech!!!
It was clever that they put all the food vendors and artisans in one place but there was nothing that really caught my attention at all.
The Artists
For the most part the makers were so polished and professional, I was bored. Until I discovered…
Big Bear And The Wolf! And look at that lovely tribute to the Earth on Earth Day! Love it.
The art truly is whimsical and is printed on 1/4″ sustainably sourced maple ply which is domestically sourced. According to their website the art is inspired by nature and dreams! It is also made by hand on Salt Spring Island, BC. Very cool!!!
There were so many people around Raven’s Rest Studio I had a hard time getting in there to check out her work but I persisted.
Now this is what I am talking about! Totally artsy and I love the photography.
Great sense of humour too and a touch of whimsy.
The artist is Jennifer Conway, a Canadian designer and artist based in Vancouver.
“The designs are original and playful, full of cheeky sentiment and a bit of whimsy.”
Damn straight and I love her work! Bravo Jennifer! Finding your art was the highlight of my day.
The Food
Then things crashed from there. I am always interested in checking out new food trucks and had not had lunch yet. It was going to be a long trek back home so I checked out my options.
I wanted some warm comfort food so I ordered the classic gourmet mac and cheese from REEL Mac and Cheese.
Seven cheeses supposedly “blended to smooth perfection.” Uh… No. In fact it was dry and completely under seasoned. I honestly have no idea why anyone would consider this gourmet. I was hoping for something, ANYTHING interesting about it but it was so boring and bland.
Eight bucks for a cardboard box of meh mac & cheese. Bloody hell. Oh well. At least there were some highlights like those lovely artists I saw but overall, I probably will not be back. I wanted to see things that were more innovative and less polished. Edgy and artsy! New and experimental.
Speaking of “making it,” I think I will stick to making my own food for a bit. Nothing beats homemade.
I’m so sorry, the food experience was so disappointing, Suzie! But I also love the artists you featured, thanks so much for sharing!
Thanks Rosie! So glad you enjoyed the showcase I did of the artists I did like. 🙂 Thanks for reading!
8 smackers for that. Ouch! I have no doubt your mac and cheese is a billion times better than that. I enjoyed seeing the pictures of everything.
Yeah, it was a real waste of money and calories. I should have gone with the Hugs Donuts! So glad you liked the post.
Sorry to read it was such a disappointment! And that mac ‘n cheese — outrageous!
Thanks Debra, I had such high hopes too and I know, can’t get over how crappy that mac and cheese was, such a waste of money.