Trying to make a House a Home.
While we were in Vancouver I wanted to bring something home that would remind me of our time there.
The day before leaving we spent the afternoon walking around Granville Island and happened upon a shop with hand-made brooms. I have always been fascinated with the idea of broom making (thanks to a video that I saw on one of Martha Stewarts shows years ago as a child). I didn't think Steve would be interested in going in, so I walked on by. Then I turned around and told him that I wanted to go in - that I loved hand made brooms. He, surprised, (I guess you 'can' still learn about each other after ten years, after all) went in with me.
Well, it only took two seconds before I was in love. The smell intoxicating, the sights of all the different brooms inspiring. Even more exciting was that the woman's workshop was right in the back of the store, out in plain sight. It was truly unbelievable to see all of the gorgeous brooms hanging - swaying from the breeze, with the light hitting each stand of broomcorn, almost illuminating them from within.
(You can see a video of the Granville Island Broom Co. here)
I spent a long while there - looking all of them over, picking them up, learning the differences between the many different styles available. I was determined to have one of my own, but knew that I wouldn't be able to get it back with me, as the one I really wanted (the flat floor broom) wouldn't fit in our luggage. We left the shop and continued to explore the island, but even after a having lunch and looking at many other shops, those brooms kept tugging at my heart. "I want to go back and pick one out. I'll be really upset with myself if I leave here not buying one".
Thankfully, they ship, and for $30 more I could anticipate my selected broom arriving on my doorstep within a few weeks!
It arrived yesterday, and it's just as gorgeous as I remember. I am beyond excited to have my very own handmade broom - one which I know was, indeed, made by an artisan in a quaint and yet stunning little shop in British Columbia.
I think it makes for a fine souvenir, indeed.
(Take a moment to look at their website if you are interested in broom-making).
The day before leaving we spent the afternoon walking around Granville Island and happened upon a shop with hand-made brooms. I have always been fascinated with the idea of broom making (thanks to a video that I saw on one of Martha Stewarts shows years ago as a child). I didn't think Steve would be interested in going in, so I walked on by. Then I turned around and told him that I wanted to go in - that I loved hand made brooms. He, surprised, (I guess you 'can' still learn about each other after ten years, after all) went in with me.
Well, it only took two seconds before I was in love. The smell intoxicating, the sights of all the different brooms inspiring. Even more exciting was that the woman's workshop was right in the back of the store, out in plain sight. It was truly unbelievable to see all of the gorgeous brooms hanging - swaying from the breeze, with the light hitting each stand of broomcorn, almost illuminating them from within.
(You can see a video of the Granville Island Broom Co. here)
I spent a long while there - looking all of them over, picking them up, learning the differences between the many different styles available. I was determined to have one of my own, but knew that I wouldn't be able to get it back with me, as the one I really wanted (the flat floor broom) wouldn't fit in our luggage. We left the shop and continued to explore the island, but even after a having lunch and looking at many other shops, those brooms kept tugging at my heart. "I want to go back and pick one out. I'll be really upset with myself if I leave here not buying one".
Thankfully, they ship, and for $30 more I could anticipate my selected broom arriving on my doorstep within a few weeks!
It arrived yesterday, and it's just as gorgeous as I remember. I am beyond excited to have my very own handmade broom - one which I know was, indeed, made by an artisan in a quaint and yet stunning little shop in British Columbia.
I think it makes for a fine souvenir, indeed.
(Take a moment to look at their website if you are interested in broom-making).