The Avant-Garden Shop: Your Garden & Bird Store

GARDEN GATE: Episode 248-New wall art from Metallic Evolution (Aug 26, 2022)

We recently received some new wall art from Jon and Heather Zondervan of Guelph. Sometimes shiny metal is not the right fit for your space, or maybe you want something to accent an outdoor area. This collection of rustic art is perfect for both. Finished in a natural rust patina, these pieces have a varied … Read more

Garden Gate: Episode 143 – Wear your hat! It’s hot out there! (July 6, 2018)

We carry a wide variety of hats. All made in Canada! UVA/UVB protection, fun, colourful and hey-you’ll look good! Mad Cap Hats, Tilley hats, Puffin gear, Lorainne Wake (BC), Sanibel (QC) and Flapjack hats for kids! Keep your head, ears and neck covered to protect from sunburn! Hat designs change regularly so we don’t normally … Read more

Garden Gate: Episode 138 – Soap stone carving kits for children (April 27th, 2018)

How it all started!  Co-founder Oliver Harwood was asked to teach an elementary school class how to carve soapstone.  The first class was a hit and grew to 33 classes in the first year. In the last two years they have grown to teach more than 10,000 students in more than 300 schools.  They have … Read more

Garden Gate: Episode 119 – A mini “studio tour” in the shop

CHEX TV airdate: July 7, 2017 Click link to watch this episode online Often customers ask how we find some of our artists. It can be a lot of work researching online or we can happen to find them during a studio tour or while we’re on holidays. On this episode I tell you a … Read more

Garden Gate: Episode 116 – Mary Philpott, Ceramic artist (May 25th, 2017)

CHEX TV airdate: May 25th, 2017 Click link to watch this episode online Mary Philpott is a graduate Sheridan College, University of Guelph and MacMaster University. Her pottery, sculpture and tile work has been exhibited, collected and published internationally. She lives and works in Uxbridge, Ontario. Mary’s work is inspired by the work of William … Read more

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