I don’t just like gold…I love it

My dining room chairs have been spray painted gold.  My Target was closing clearance stools for extra seating are ivory and gold.  My newest jewellery purchase –  it’s gold (and ooohhhh so pretty).

It wasn’t until recently that I started trying to imitate a gold effect in map designs.  I was a little afraid it wouldn’t turn out.  I had to bite the bullet when a custom request came in.  Now I can’t stop.  But look at them, it literally almost sparkles.    What do you think?

 

All images copyright Butterpot Designs 2016

Provincial, State, National Park Maps and Map Marking Pins

We received a request this autumn for a pinnable map of Ontario’s Provincial Parks.  It took more than a few maps and resources to narrow down the over 300 parks into the 100 or so that are classified as ‘serviced’  and identify them on our own map.

None of our push pins really suited the map and we struggled to identify a shape that would suit everyone.  Paddles and canoes have been suggested frequently but wouldn’t be for everyone.  Eventually we settled on campfires and trees and on a whim tried some moose.  They’ve easily become our new favourite – tiny and adorable

 

Moose Map Marking Push Pins

 
  

Campfire Map Marking Push Pins

 
  

Tree map marking push pins

The pins are available on Etsy now 

Ontario Parks Map

Styled in similar colours to the old Provincial Parks signs

Our interpretation of an Ontario Provincial Parks map came about from suggestions at MakerExpo this fall.  Last weekend we took it along to an event where we were displaying the map, and it received an amazing response.  After some hesitation I’ve given in and posted it on Etsy.  This is the first map I’ve designed from scratch in a while, using pages and pages of maps and provincial park information.

With over 300 parks in Ontario, the question became which parks to include.  Those of a certain size only? Or just overnight parks?  Ontario Parks themselves seem to declare just over 100 as serviced, and those are the ones featured on our map.  Each is numbered, and the map can include a corresponding legend on it, or separately.

Our maps are all printed on Cotton Twill fabric, designed in Canada.  They are hand mounted over layers of cork and cotton batting on a backing.  We’re still working on a final mold for our corresponding pins – hopefully we’ll have them ready in a few weeks!

See them on Etsy, follow us on Twitter (@ButterpotDesign) and Instagram @ButterpotDesigns

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Oh, The Places You’ll Go

We’ve played with some different travel quotes or inspirations on our maps to see what looks good and what people like.  Rule #1 – it can’t be very long or there’s more text than map.  That’s hard, there are a lot of good travel quotes out there but most are lovely and long.

One we’ve used recently was for a map for a nursery, and we’ve done a few now – ‘Oh, The Places I’ll Go’.  It’s a nice gift alongside a copy of the Dr. Seuss favourite, Oh, The Places You’ll Go for a tot with parents who have plans to travel with their child.  We’ve customised them with the Master / Misses names and birthdates (even year if you’re giving the gift before baby arrives).

Of course they are available on Etsy, we’re doing up a few samples for the MakerExpo and Etsy Made in Canada events so there should be some more photos soon too.

Etsy Made In Canada at MakerExpo

Leading up to #MadeinCanada 2015 on September 26th, we will be joining Etsy Waterloo Region at MakerExpo.  This special section of MakerExpo will feature seven local Etsy shops that will be at #MadeinCanada as a preview to the 65+ shops that will be there.  There will be a craft party to check out along with the vendors.

MakerExpo will also feature local makers leading demonstrations, a giant robot brawl, and so so many other cool things.  

http://www.makerexpo.ca

Made In Canada

We are so thrilled to be included in this year’s Etsy Made in Canada day.  We will be at the Waterloo Region show on September 26th in Kitchener.  This is a great chance to see a range of locally made products and avoid shipping fees.
Rumour has it there may be some vendors with tasty treats there too…

More info is here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1398212693830709/

Preview our products on Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/ButterpotDesigns?ref=hdr_shop_menu

If We Were Meant to Stay in One Place, We’d Have Roots Instead of Feet

Printable Digital File World Map via Etsy.com http://etsy.me/1Ki8sDQ

My former life I worked in a lot of marketing jobs.  Specifically a lot of graphic design and photography, layouts etc (it doesn’t help me when promoting myself now though – worst self-promoter ever right here!).   When I think of making it’s usually a project, something that will result in a mess, frustration and hopefully an awesome finished project.  And as much as I use the computer for quickly editing photos, posting Etsy listings and processing sales, it hadn’t really occurred to me to use it for my work. When I started creating custom maps I needed a map to start with and designed one.

The idea of selling them on fabric made sense, to make use of them to mark world travel.  Pins can rip paper and leave holes.  But I’ve had a few requests just for a map as art.  So, for the first time, we’ve added a new map to the Etsy shop as a digital file.  You can see it here: https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/238336686/world-map-if-we-were-meant-to-stay-in.  Soon we’ll make it available on fabric, but we want to see what everyone else thinks of it first!

It’s a beautiful, classic looking map available in 16″x20″ and 11″ x 14″ in your choice of two colour schemes.  As always we welcome custom requests to make this map yours!  Email us or check out our Etsy shop for more information.

❤ J

Fall in Love with our Heart Push Pins

Just listed in our Etsy shop https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/220815335/heart-push-pins-12?ref=shop_home_active_2

Even better Takeoffs and Landings

We said we were constantly tweaking the construction of the airplane map marking pins, and we weren’t lying!  This week we’ve perfected setting the pins in place when we make the planes – no more adhesive holding them on.  They are far sturdier than the previous pins because they’re one piece now.

Takesoffs and Landings

Finishing some silver airplane map marking pins

We have been waiting for months (literally) to get these Miniature Airplane Map Marking Pushpins up for sale. We had some briefly in the fall but have been fiddling with them to make them better.  We now make the planes here at the studio, and then fashion them into map marking pins.  We are constantly improving the process to make them more durable.  It doesn’t matter what colour we try, they look AMAZING!  Today we’re testing out a new UV lamp so we’re not slaves to the sun in the grey winter.  UV Light is needed to cure the resin used to make the planes.

White plane pins

The pins were originally created as part of a gift for someone.  We’d made a custom travel map, but were not loving any map marking pins we found.  So we made some pins ourselves.  She got cowgirl boots, he got planes, perfect.  And then they lost all of them.  Cool, but we’d printed the legend on the map and it didn’t really work without them.  We’ve become makers of something new, helped by a local artist who created our sweet little silicone molds.

They’re super tiny, the planes themselves are less then 10mm x 10mm, and available in any colour you desire.  We’ve even started selling the maps to go with them.  The map is mounted on cork and batting and framed in your choice of colours.

Available in our Etsy store https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/ButterpotDesigns?section_id=11866914&ref=shopsection_leftnav_2