Heartfelt Creations

I call my little crafting business "Nicolette's Heartfelt Creations" for a reason. I love to make, I love to create—it brings me joy, and it quiets that chattering monkey that exists in my head. I like to think that with every single thing I put together, a little piece of my heart goes along with it.

My business is very small—just a little thing on the side that I do for me. My husband and I like to joke that we aren't "paying the rent" with my profits. In fact, they might help with the groceries a tiny bit, or more likely, contribute to the cost of more yarn and crafting supplies!

Crochet is one of my favorite ways to create, and I get such wonderful feedback from people who purchase my creations. I love when someone requests a special order and I get to come up with a custom plan. It’s just so much fun!

On the flip side, if I create a new item and don't enjoy making it, you won't see it on my sale table again. If it doesn't bring me joy, it's simply not worth making. As I like to say, my business card does not say "Nicolette's Hate-Filled Creations"!

Even if I didn't have the opportunity to set up a table each month at Barb and Ernie's Restaurant, I know I would still be making these pieces and filling my home with them. Creating for creating's sake.

What’s your favorite creative outlet or hobby that keeps your mind quiet? I’d love to hear about it in the comments below! "Have a custom project in mind, or just want to chat all things crochet? Leave a comment below or pop by my table at Barb and Ernie's here in Edmonton on the last Saturday of the month to say hi! 

Breakfast Brew

I have written before about my dear friends Char and Thomas Feuchter, and their wonderful restaurant, Barb & Ernie's Old Country Inn . Once a month, Char and Thomas let me come in and set up a table with my arts and crafts, what I call Nicolette's Heartfelt Creations. They give me an opportunity to be out in the public with my cards, my art, and my crocheted treasures. I look forward to it, as the customers at the restaurant always have the nicest things to say - I always feel very inspired to go home and create even more. Plus, I get to have a delicious breakfast! 

I was practicing some urban sketching one day, and I realized that Barb & Ernie's building would be a fantastic subject. So I decided to make a watercolour painting for Char and Thomas as a gift. I was very pleased with how it turned out, and on my next visit to the restaurant, I proudly presented it to my hosts. 

They were very happy with the gift, and to my delight, Char hung it on the wall in the restaurant.  It felt really nice to share my art with my friends. 

2025 Brings the 50th Anniversary of Barb and Ernie's. To celebrate the occasion, Barb and Ernie's has partnered with Leduc Brewing Company to create their own brew, called

Barb & Ernie's 50th Anniversary Festbier Lager

and imagine how excited I was, when I discovered that they wanted to use my modest artwork on the label! 

I painted the picture with no expectation, because it made me happy to do so. But what I got back was beyond anything I could have expected! And when I saw my name on the side of that little beer can, I felt like I could really call myself an artist. 

When you create with joy, it is amazing what blessings can come your way!