Artisan Open Houses

Select Saturdays my workshop will be open to the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Check out my Facebook Page for upcoming dates!

Popular items will pre-made, or use this as a pick-up point for something more specialized, or for a custom item. If you’re looking for something specific, I recommend sending us a message first to check what I have in stock.

Make an Appointment / Contactless Pickup

If you’re looking to pick something out at a time that works for you, send me a message at matt@mjonescreations.ca or give me a call at 519-771-4033 to arrange a time (workshop is located in Burford ON).

Looking for a contactless option? We can do that! Contact me to arrange a time, and pre-pay via e-transfer or credit card.

Delivery

Courier delivery is always an option! Contact me for a quote and get the item shipped straight to your door.

All Items are Unique!

The hand-made process enhances and celebrates the inconsistencies and natural “character” of the salvaged raw-materials. As a result, the colouring, size and etc. will vary between different versions of the “same” product.

The materials are rustic, each with their own unique history, and we like to keep it that way!

If you are set on a specific look, width, etc, please contact me and I will do my best to accommodate.

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We discuss time management and having to balance 3 jobs (businesses) which some days extend to having to do 3 full time jobs. The balancing act of consistently being able to perform great at all three businesses and staying sane and happy while being under constant pressure. All the meanwhile having the patience and inspiration to produce art consistently while pouring your soul into the process.

Thanks for Stacking Wisdom for having me, and using one of my Red White and Moose flags for the “conversation piece” on their regular show.

Stacking Wisdom interviews with successful business owners, leaders and influencers. Learn their secrets on the path to success, freedom, fulfillment and joy in life.

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This rustic, chestnut stained barn door dining table was custom made for a client in Mississauga. The couple picked out an old whitewashed door from the stock in my workshop. the 3′ x 6′ barn door came from the Miller farm near Glen Morris Ontario. Since it was originally used on the exterior of a barn, the door has lots of texture and character that remained with the wood even after stripping, planing, and cutting down to size to fit the client’s needs. The clients were looking for a warm, darker finish; the chestnut stain really brings a richness to the original wood, and reveals all sort of little marks that give the table an authentically rustic finish. As an exterior door, the surface has lots of great weathered hinge and saw marks, and you can still see some of the original whitewash paint coming through!

After being mounted on legs made from reclaimed barn beams, and given a few layers of sturdy varnish, the 3′ x 5.5′ barn door dining table was ready for its new home in Mississauga.

Could your home or cottage use a one-of-a-kind table as a functional statement piece? Choose a pre-made dining, harvest, or coffee table from one we have ready to go, or pick out the door and finish yourself for a one-of-a-kind custom piece.

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This rustic, grey barn door dining table was custom made for a cottage in Bracebridge. The couple picked out the door from the collection in my workshop; a grainy door salvaged from a barn in Glen Morris. The reclaimed barn door was disassembled, cleaned, sanded down, cut to size, and reassembled to make a rustic tabletop full of original character. The clients wanted an aged, silver-grey barn board finish; it was my first time with this type of colour but it turned out great. This faux-grey finish really brings out the original cracks and dips in the wood. The final touch was adding old square nails into the original nail holes.

After the tabletop was finished, it needed something to sit on. The legs and most of the frame were handmade from salvaged barn timbers, but I wanted to do something a little different for the cross-piece. I found an old yoke in Haldimand County which turned out to be the perfect size, and brought an entirely different level of history to the piece.

The final product is a grey barn door table that somehow both sleek and rustic – a perfect fit for the modern cottage.

Could your home or cottage use a one-of-a-kind table as a functional statement piece? Choose a pre-made dining, harvest, or coffee table from one we have ready to go, or pick out the door and finish yourself for a one-of-a-kind custom piece.

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What a year we’ve had!

Thank you to everyone who has supported us in our first full year as M Jones Creations. We’ve gone from 0 to 100 in no time at all and have loved every minute. From our retail partners and their truly unique shops to our followers and customers who found us through friend of friends, we would like to thank you all. 2016 has been a lot of fun and 2017 promises to be even better.

I hope to be at more artisan and craft shows in the upcoming year because it’s my favourite way to get my creations into the hands and homes of our customers. We will continue to sell through select retailers who have been wonderful to work with this year however I think they will agree that there’s nothing like watching someone’s eyes light up when they discover that you’ve got that perfect item for them.

Finally, we want to thank you: everyone who has liked, clicked, shared, and helped us to spread the word and grow into what we are today. Without you, none of this would have been possible.

Happy New Year, and we can’t wait for what 2017 is going to bring!

Matt Jones
M. Jones Creations
Burford ON

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M.Jones Creations has been going full swing for just over a year, and I have really enjoyed spending some weekends at craft shows. I get to talk to other vendors, organizers, and, most importantly, the people who attend them. Becoming an appendage to a member of the artisan community has slowly changed the way I think about shopping for gifts. Other than the obvious (supporting local businesses and artisans), here are some reasons I’ve decided to shop handmade this Christmas.

1. Skip the Crowds

If you’re anything like me, you don’t mind malls or big-box stores most of the year. I need a new pair of dress pants for work, stop in at the great outlet center. My fan breaks in the middle of a heat-wave, Walmart it is. But as soon as mid-November hits, I tend to avoid high-traffic shopping areas. Crowded parking lots, exhausted children, and picked-over “sale” sections give me a headache that doesn’t go away until after boxing day.

But when you shop handmade…

Many artisans sell their products through multiple venues, including local shops that love hand-made items and antiques looking for a home. The person behind the cash isn’t a disgruntled teen looking to save up for a car, they’re owners who have a real passion for curating a collection of unique and high-quality goods. These proprietors know the artisan in person; know their name, know where they come from, and know the history of the gift you’re looking at. But best of all… they’re not one of a hundred stores shoved into a crowded parking lot along with 4000 panicked Christmas shoppers. Most artisans will gladly provide you with a list of stores that carry their product if you ask, or you can usually find a list online. These stores are also great places to discover new artisans and products, for gifts and for yourself.

Some local options

Here are some shops in Ontario we love, where you can also find our barn board items:

• Clover and Chrysalis: Cambridge ON
• Simply Cottage: Bracebridge ON
• The Revive Studio: Morriston ON
• The Basement Off Broadway: Paris ON
• The Windmill: Mt. Pleasant ON
• Big Deal: Brantford ON
• McCormick Country Store: Camden East ON
• A Country Mile: Mapleview Mall, Burlington ON

I can hear you saying, “I don’t need to go to Walmart to GO to Walmart nowadays – that’s what the Internet is for!” Well, big box stores aren’t the only ones who have embraced alternative options for Christmas shopping. This all leads me to…

2. Convenience

Shopping handmade is easier than ever, largely in part to the wonderful thing most of us hold in our pockets: the Internet. The same thing that makes it possible for you to read this blog has been harnessed by artisans around the world to set up online shops and websites. Etsy has played a large part in this, allowing you to browse for just about anything that can be crafted by hand, from clothes to decor to books and more. Etsy is basically handmade Amazon; browse your options, pick your style, pay with a credit card and have it shipped right to your door! Other artisans have e-commerce right on their websites instead, but its the same concept. You can shop handmade without leaving your house. How’s that for convenient?

Now not all handmade products work for a shop like Etsy. For products made from reclaimed or recycled materials (like our barn board flags), each piece is completely unique, and really should be picked out individually. HOWEVER don’t dismay – many artisans have multiple avenues for you to choose from when it comes to getting your hands on their goods (ours are conveniently listed on the “where to buy” section of our site). Find a local shop that carries their items, make a trip out of it and go visit the artisan in person, or visit one of the many craft shows that the Artisan frequents. Many artisans now take credit cards using things like SquareUp, and there are always e-transfers and shipping if you can’t make it out to visit. Most artisans will be happy to help find the best way for you to shop handmade.

3. Quality Products

Artisans care about their products. Most artisans (at least the good ones) get into the business because they love their craft, and have a talent for it. Artisans can’t afford expensive advertising spots or space on the shelves of big box stores. Instead, members of the handmade revolution rely on word of mouth, and online reviews to do their advertising for them.

What does this mean for you?

When the consumer’s word means everything to a business, quality is key. Etsy users can leave product reviews right on the bottom of the product page. Facebook allows customers to tell their friends and the artisan directly how much they love their new handmade item.

Long story short, poor quality goods usually don’t make it far in the artisan world. Talk to others at the craft show, read the comments, and ask questions about the process and materials. Most artisans love talking about their work and the time that goes into it. Do your research, and I promise you’ll be impressed with just how much goes into handmade items.

4. Something for Every Budget

There’s a misconception that handmade items are only feasible for those with big budgets. The truth is there are lots of options at many different price points. It only takes spending a few minutes on Etsy or at a craft show to see you can find handmade gifts anywhere from $5 to $500. My family does a $15 “steal a gift” game each year, and I’m positive I can easily find something handmade to fit the bill. If you’re looking for a bigger-ticket item, the artisan community has that covered too.

This being said here are a few tips to help save on handmade gifts:

• Follow your favourite artisans on social media and be the first to know if they are having a promotion or sale.
• Cut out the shipping. If possible, pick your piece up in person or have a local friend pick it up for you.
• Visit craft shows. Some vendors have “show specials” because you are coming to them.
• Pick from the standard offering. Custom work is time-consuming for artisans and priced accordingly.

A note on haggling…

Artisans spend a lot of time coming up with fair pricing for their items. They must consider their time, materials, HST, as well as costs of things like participating in craft shows. Remember these are high-quality items made by people who put in lots of time to make them so, not something at a flea market or car dealership. Blatantly asking for discounts is largely discouraged in Artisan communities. Would you haggle at a storefront?

I generally find most people who shop handmade are happy with the prices that artisans set. Often consumers understand the value of handmade goods compared their mass-produced counterparts, and can see that value in the items they’re choosing from.

And now, my favourite part about shopping handmade…

5. Gifts With a Story

When you shop handmade, you aren’t just gifting someone a product. Supporting an artisan means taking home their skills, passion, and (most importantly) their story.

Handmade gifts are a conversation piece. Where did you find it? Where is the artist from? Maybe its made from naturally shed antlers, or wool from alpacas that live in Dorchester, or salvaged barn board from all over Southern Ontario. Maybe each piece takes hours to carve or knit or paint or dry. Did you find it in a great outdoor craft show or a cool store running out of an old foundry? Did you spend an hour going through the options to find just the right piece for a loved one, or see it from across a crowded craft show floor and know immediately it was perfect for a friend? Maybe you got it custom made, just for them.

Handmade gifts are so much fun to give in person, because you get to tell its story, and its connection to the real person who made it, just for them.

You can’t get that with a DVD or waffle-maker.

Final Thoughts: Shop Handmade (Where You Can)

Shopping ONLY handmade this Christmas is a lofty goal. I’m not suggesting you limit yourself to only artisan-made goods. If my sister loves a movie that came out this year or my fiance has his eye on a specific watch, I’d be happy to fight through the big-box stores to get it for them.

What I’m suggesting is to consider handmade options for a few of the people on your shopping list. Save yourself time wandering crowded malls, stay within your budget, and find something high-quality with a great story to be shared with future gift-admirers.

I’m shopping for handmade gifts this year because it makes sense for me, and because I can’t wait to watch them be opened.

Some places to look for that perfect handmade gift:

• Craft shows: if you’ve missed a show, don’t dismay! Many shows list the artisans in their past shows on their websites (e.g.: Art in the Barn). I often look up past shows just to find artisans and products I might like, and to get their websites.
• Find a local store that supports handmade products (see “where to buy” for our picks)
• Ask around! Ask in person or on Facebook for recommendations.
• Etsy: it really is a great way to find artisans from around the globe

M. Jones Creations makes handmade rustic decor from reclaimed barn wood. Creations include: Barnboard Canadian Flags, railway spike coat racks, and barn door furniture. Everything is handmade by Matt Jones in Burford Ontario.

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Bo is a “rescue” – he and his siblings were brought to an Ontario shelter from Quebec when he was barely old enough to eat solid food on his own. He is 1-1/2 years old, and even though he’s not the size of a puppy anymore, he has even more energy if that’s possible.

“What kind of dog is he?”

I get a lot of questions about Bo’s breed – the truth is we don’t really know! Originally we were told he could be a boxer lab cross, but then he started growing, and didn’t stop. We like to call him a “miniature Great Dane”, or half-deer since he’s all legs.

A day in the life…

Bo’s favourite pastimes include chewing everything in sight, going for drives, catching his frisbee, and hanging out in the shop while I work. One of his favourite things to play with in the shop are empty paint cans; he can do this for hours!

He is also very much a “morning dog” – Bo gets up with the sun and expects the whole world to be up and moving with him. Mind you, he tends to crash again at around 10 a.m. unless something particularly exciting is going on. Hi is always ready to go for a walk, play with his “cousins” (a basset hound, a boxer-bulldog and a golden retriever lab cross), or hang out in the shop.

Bo also prides himself in being our “Vana White”, and loves participating in photoshoots for our barn door tables. Once he’s sitting in place its hard to get him out of the way so you can get pictures of just the table!

You can follow more of Bo’s adventures on our Facebook and Instagram accounts

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This 78″ x 30″ white-washed barn door dining table is made from a barn door salvaged from near Glen Morris Ontario, Uncut from it’s true size, the door makes a unique tabletop full of rustic character, with the “aged white-wash finish” giving the piece a fresh look. The door was disassembled, cleaned, sanded down, and reassembled before receiving a white-wash finish, and being mounting on “natural” finished legs made from salvaged barn-wood from the Caledonia area. The table is sealed with 3 coats of polyurethane sealer to preserve the century-old wood.

Looking to order a custom table? Email matt@mjonescreations.ca for more information.

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This 77″ x 29″ x 32″ Red Barn Door Dining Table is made from a barn door salvaged from near Rockwood Ontario. The entire barn still had its original red paint intact, including the gorgeous door used for this tabletop. Uncut from it’s true size, the door makes a unique tabletop full of rustic character. The door was disassembled, cleaned, sanded down, and reassembled before mounting on legs made from salvaged barn-wood. Sealed with 3 coats of polyurethane sealer to preserve the century-old wood.

Looking to order a custom table? Email matt@mjonescreations.ca for more information.

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This was M. Jones Creations’ first year at “Art in the Barn”. The show was actually only the second show we have done, and the first of this scale, and first with an outdoor booth. We got hold of a tent, and started working on the best way to display our barnboard flags, railway spike coat racks, and the 2 barn-door tables.

With the show coming so close after Canada day, our barnboard Canadian flags were in high demand, and there were a lot of long days making sure we had the right stock to bring to what would be the largest outdoor craft show in Ontario. After working all week to get as many flags done as possible, we packed the trailer and pickup truck full on Friday night and prayed the rain would hold off for the next morning.

We woke up to gorgeous weather, and drove off to Dorchester, set up our booth (in pretty reasonable time considering we’d never completely set it up before), and after grabbing a delicious pancake breakfast for only $5 from the fairgrounds, we were ready for visitors!

We were blown away by the number of visitors the fairgrounds got that day – until the rain hit we were lucky enough to almost always have at least one person looking through our flags or picking out a coat rack. Even AFTER it started raining folks braved the light showers to make their way through the more than 200 vendors.

The crowd favourites at our booth seemed to be the “Red White and Moose” flags, and the large 6’x3′ world map made special for the show. We came close to selling out of the large “brown” moose flags, and had many visitors go home with the dimensions of the map to make sure it would fit in their space.

Our favourite part of any show is always talking to the people who come through. The crowd walking the show was not only huge, (we CANNOT get over that there were over 10,000 people there!) it was also a diverse one. We had visitors from all over Ontario and beyond, from Sault Ste. Marie to Brant (right in our backyard) to the Northwest Territories! One of our flags even went home with a family from California, who were up visiting when they came across the show.

With the large crowds, we didn’t get the chance to look around at other vendors as much as we would have liked, but from our little corner of the show we were very impressed with the talent the organizers found. We did get to sample some great home made pierogis from JBogal Foods and snagged some awesome apple fritters from Kelvin’s Fritter Shop, as well as some great socks from Shylex Alpacas (who were right near our booth with some of their fluffy friends).

All in all it was an exciting, fast-paced and exhausting day, and well worth the drive to Dorchester. We are already looking forward to next year!

If you were at the show and took home one of our creations, remember to send us a picture on Facebook, post to Instagram and tag our account, or send it in an email to matt@mjonescreations.ca. We love to see where our flags and coat racks end up!

Click here for more photos from the show from the Dorchester Fairgrounds Facebook account.

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