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CREATIVE STUDIO in Comox
🇨🇦 Shop Makers Victoria
Hand-mulled Watercolor 🎨
Pure Pigment, Ethical Mica, local Honey, Tree sap
Journals and Art supplies
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👩‍🎨 In a fast, digital world, hands-on hobbies invite us to slow down. Working with our hands brings us back to the present moment, away from screens and constant notifications. It creates space for focus, creativity, and quiet reflection. Whether it’s painting, stitching, or making, the simple act of creating something tangible helps ground us, ease our minds, and reconnect with ourselves 

👩‍🎨 Wishing you the space to find your own hands-on purpose, whatever form it may take. 

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#easypainting #paintingbeginner #handsonlearning #handsonactivities #handsonart taken in Vancouver Island, BC, Canada by @sequoiahandcrafted
1
9 months ago
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Our shimmery watercolor paints are made with ethical mica, sourced responsibly from verified suppliers. 

✨ Ethical mica means no child labor, fair working conditions, and full transparency in the supply chain. 

✨ Each color is lightfastness and smooth . 

✨ Every pan is hand-poured three times, allowing full drying between each layer for a rich and lasting finish using our own handmade binding solution.

✨ A small touch of shimmer goes a long way…adding subtle light and depth to your artwork. ✨

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#shimmerypaint #shimmery #shimmerywatercolor #sparklepaint #ethicalmica #mica #micapowder #ecopaint #naturalpaint #halfpan #madeinbc #bcmade #madeonvancouverisland #comoxvalley #handcraftedpaint #watercolor #micawatercolor #vanislemade #vanislelife #vanlifeartist taken in Vancouver Island, BC, Canada by @sequoiahandcrafted
1
a year ago
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Feeling stuck?
How to be inspired when you’re a beginner or when your creativity is running dry?

Here are 5 gentle ways to spark your watercolor flow again:

🌿 1. Limit your palette.
Use just 3 colors: warm, cool, and neutral and explore how many hues you can mix. Constraints often lead to magic.

🌿 2. Start a tiny daily practice.
One page. One shape. One moment of color. That’s it. No pressure, just play.

🌿 3. Paint what’s around you.
Leaves, cups, shadows on the wall … everyday objects can become your best teachers.

🌿 4. Copy (with credit).
Choose an artist you admire and gently copy a piece.  Not to share, just to learn. Trace how their brush moves.

🌿 5. Change your tools.
Try textured paper, a larger brush, or a homemade paint. Sometimes your creativity just needs a new path to walk.

And if you’re looking for inspiration, here are 6 artists who can inspire you by their beautiful watercolor work: 
@lindisimodesign
@essoldodesign 
@beck_and_rose 
@pigmentsart 
@lenamoz
@blairillustration 

🌿 Save this post for when you feel stuck. taken in Vancouver Island by @sequoiahandcrafted
0
a year ago
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👩‍🎨 SEQUOIA ECO Gouache is Here! 

I’ve been working toward creating an ECO gouache for a long time but I could never quite achieve the texture I was looking for... until now!

I’m so excited to finally share that I’ve made a gouache I truly love and the full pans are ready! 

I use the same slow, intentional process I do for my watercolor: hand-mulling pure pigments with a natural, homemade binder.
What makes gouache different is the result. Gouache is opaque, creamy, and has a rich consistency.

👩‍🎨 How I love to use gouache...

🌿 On its own for bold, matte finishes
🌿 With more water for soft, transparent washes
🌿 Layered over dry watercolor for extra contrast
🌿 For illustration, lettering, and playful experiments
🌿 In mixed media projects for texture and versatility!

I’m so happy to finally share it with you.

Because I make the paint in small batches, each full pan is filled one at a time, the quantity will be limited. The gouache will only be available @shopmakers_victoria 
At the end of May or earlier! ➡️SWIPE
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#gouache #gouacheillustration #ecopaint #naturalpaint #peinturenaturelle #ecocraft #mixedmedia #peintureecologique #pigmentpainting #handmadepaint #handmulledwatercolors #mullingpaint #paintmulling #vanisle #vanisleartist #vanislemade #shopbc #victoriabc #shopmakers taken in Vancouver Island, BC, Canada by @sequoiahandcrafted
1
a year ago
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👩‍🎨Why half pans hold their own.

🌿 No Water, Just Paint
Tubes contain water or humectants to keep them soft — which evaporate.
Half pans? Fully cured. No fillers. Just concentrated pigment + binder.

🌿 Zero Waste
Tubes dry out, crack, or ooze — and often get tossed half-full.
Half pans stay usable to the last swipe. Nothing wasted.

🌿 Ready to Use
No palette prep. No squeezing. Just wet your brush and go.

🌿 Travel-Ready
Half pans are compact, clean, and snap into palettes — ideal for plein air or your everyday bag.

🌿 Handmade = Higher Quality
Crafted in slow layers, air-dried naturally.
Every pan I make is small-batch, richly pigmented, and built to last.

🌿 Refillable + Low Impact
Reuse your pans. Refill with your faves. Less packaging, less plastic. 👩‍🎨SWIPE➡️

Enjoy @shopmakers_victoria  @island_affair_giftware @cr_artgallery and on my website @sequoiahandcrafted.com 
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#halfpan #watercolor #watercolour #aquarelle #aquarella #peinturenature #naturalpaint #handmadepaint #peinturefaitmain #ecopaint #madeincanada🍁#canadamade #madeinbc #vanislemade taken in Vancouver Island by @sequoiahandcrafted
0
a year ago
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👩‍🎨 Not all watercolor journals are created equal! Picking the right one can make a huge difference in your creative process. 

🌿A small journal with fewer pages has its own unique advantages—it’s lightweight, easy to carry, and perfect for quick sketches, daily practice, or capturing moments on the go.

🌿 Fewer pages also mean less pressure to “save” your best ideas for later. Fill it up, experiment freely, and start fresh without the commitment of a big, intimidating sketchbook. Plus, finishing a journal feels so satisfying! SWIPE ➡️
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#tinyjournal #tinyart #smalljournal #quickpainting #paintingonthego #artonthego #mindfuljournaling #madeincanada #canadamade #artjournal #watercolorjournal #vanisleartist taken in Vancouver Island by @sequoiahandcrafted
3
2 years ago
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👩‍🎨 Did you know that many watercolor papers contain animal products? 

🌿 Most traditional watercolor papers are sized with gelatin.  However, gelatin is derived from animal sources (from animal collagen), making these papers non-vegan. 

🌿 Some well-known brands that use gelatin in their watercolor paper include Arches Paper.

🌿 If you’re looking for vegan-friendly alternatives, there are some great options available.

🌿 All of our SEQUOIA watercolor journals are made using a VEGAN FABRIANO paper, so you can create freely while staying true to your values.

🌿 You can shop SEQUOIA JOURNALS at:
@island_affair_giftware 
@shopmakers_victoria 
@cr_artgallery 
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#veganpaper #vegancrafts #veganart #veganpaint #veganwatercolor #saveanimal #noanimaltesting #vanisle #madeinbc #bcmade #canadamade #madeincanada #madeonvanisle #vanislemade #vanislemaker #watercolorpaper #fabrianopaper #victoriabc taken in Victoria, British Columbia by @sequoiahandcrafted
2
2 years ago
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👩‍🎨 Making handmade watercolor is more than just mixing pigment and binder—it’s a slow, meticulous process. Some pigments blend easily, while others, like Quinacridone magenta, carbon black, phthalocyanine blue and Ivory Black, are hydrophobic, meaning they naturally resist water.

🌿 Hydrophobic pigments take extra work to fully disperse into the binder. They require an extended mulling to break down clumps and create a smooth, workable paint.

🌿 Depending on the pigment, mulling can take anywhere from a hour to several hours. The goal is to achieve the right balance—smooth, rich, and easy to rewet.

🌿 Handmade watercolor takes time, but the result is worth it: paint with depth, character, and unique handling properties. ➡️ SWIPE

🌿 SEQUOIA Watercolor Half-Pan available @shopmakers_victoria 
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#buycanadian #handmadepainting #handmadepaints #naturalpaint #ecopaint #peinturenaturelle #aquarela #aquarelle #watercolorbeginner #vanislemade #madeinbc #bcmade #comoxvalleyartist #comoxvalleysmallbusiness #downtownvictoriabc #paintpigment #pigmentpainting taken in Vancouver Island by @sequoiahandcrafted
1
2 years ago
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👩‍🎨 What’s one watercolor tip you wish you knew sooner? 

🌿 The amount of water matters — controlling water-to-pigment ratio changes everything.

🌿 Layering is key — let each layer dry before adding details to avoid muddy colors.

🌿 Colors dry lighter — always expect the final result to be a shade or two lighter than when wet.

🌿 Textures can be fun! — try adding salt, plastic wrap, or even alcohol for cool effects.

🌿 Be patient with drying time — rushing can ruin those soft gradients and edges.

🌿 Lifting mistakes is possible — a damp brush or tissue can help “erase” small errors.

🌿 Perfection isn’t the goal — embrace the unpredictability of watercolor—it’s part of the charm!

SWIPE ➡️ SEQUOIA WATERCOLOR PAINT
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#watercolorbeginner #watercolourbeginner #aquarelledebutant #aquarellefacile #watercolortips #vanisle #vanisleartist #buycanadian #buybc #buylocalbc #madeinbc #bcmade #naturalparenting #ecopaint taken in Vancouver Island, BC, Canada by @sequoiahandcrafted
0
2 years ago
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Why did I choose plastic half-pans for SEQUOIA paint? 🎨🌿

🌿 When it came time to decide on the right container for my watercolor paint, it was a long process with a lot of reflection. As a tiny, eco-conscious business, sustainability was at the heart of my decision. I debated many options, but in the end, I chose a plastic half-pan—and here’s why:

🌿 Portability & Durability – I want SEQUOIA paint to be used anywhere: from the side of a soccer field to a bikepacking trip, from a sky train ride to a mountain top, from a shoreline to a plane flight. These little half-pans are lightweight, sturdy, and easy to carry, no matter where creativity strikes.

🌿 Reusability & Less Waste – Instead of disposable packaging, half-pans can be refilled over and over again. When your paint runs out, simply refill it—reducing waste and keeping plastic out of landfills.

🌿 Mix & Match with What You Already Have – I want SEQUOIA paints to blend seamlessly into your existing setup palette. Use them alongside your favorite watercolor brand, pop them into the tin palette you already own, and build a collection that works for you—without unnecessary new packaging.

🌿 A Thoughtful Balance – While plastic isn’t perfect, using durable, reusable half-pans means less waste in the long run compared to single-use or non-refillable alternatives. My goal is to encourage artists to use what they have, refill what they love, and paint anywhere, anytime, in any condition.

♻️ Did you know? SEQUOIA half-pan wrapping paper is more than just packaging! 🎨✨

♻️ the wrapping  paper can be reused for mixed media projects, adding character to your art. Plus, the swatch on top isn’t just for looks—it contains the color number, so you can keep it as a reference for future paintings.

♻️ A little extra sustainability, creativity, and function in every half-pan!
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#ecopaint #ecopackaging #sustainablepackaging #ecowrap #halfpans #sustainableart #sustainablebusiness #ecobusiness #entrepriseecologique #greenpackaging #reusablepackaging #reusablecontainers taken in Vancouver Island, BC, Canada by @sequoiahandcrafted
0
2 years ago
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👩‍🎨 Did you know that watercolor is one of the most eco-friendly paints? 

🌿 Unlike acrylic, which contains plastic-based binders, and oil paint, which requires solvents that can be harmful to the environment, watercolor is made with natural pigments and gum arabic, making it a more sustainable choice. 

🌿 Plus, it’s reusable—dried paint can be reactivated with water, meaning less waste! 

🌿 Watercolor also offers a unique flow and transparency that creates soft, organic effects that acrylic and oil can’t replicate. 

🌿 It’s lightweight, portable, and easy to clean—no chemicals needed, just water!

🌿 Which one do you prefer: watercolor, acrylic, or oil? Swipe➡️
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#watercolors #ecopaint #naturalpaint #sequoiahandcrafted #ecofriendlypaint #sustainablepaint #peintureecologique #nowasteart #peintureaquarelle #aquarelle #aquarela taken in Vancouver Island, BC, Canada by @sequoiahandcrafted
0
2 years ago
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👩‍🎨A few years ago, I carefully selected a trio for my Island Primary Watercolor Set. After many swatches, I landed on these three. 

🌿 SEQUOIA #1 / PY 43
🌿 SEQUOIA #2 / PB15
🌿 SEQUOIA #3 / PR101

I chose them because they create gorgeous secondary colors and, when blended, produce beautiful earthy tones. I love all the soft, muted shades they can achieve!

🌿 Have you tried mixing your primaries to explore new colors? 

🌿 Shop SEQUOIA at
@island_affair_giftware in Comox
@shopmakers_victoria in Victoria
@cr_artgallery in Campbell River
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#primarycolors #primarycolours #couleursprimaires #colorwheel #cerclechromatique #colortheory #colorblending #colorblend #handmadepaint #peinturefaitmain #peinturenaturelle #naturalpainrelief #ecopaint #ecofriendlypaint #peintureecologique #vanisle #vanisleart #vanisleartist #bcart #victoriabcartist #victoriabc #comoxvalleysmallbusiness #campbellriverartist #madeonvancouverisland #bcmade #madeincanada taken in Victoria, British Columbia by @sequoiahandcrafted
0
2 years ago
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