Handmade, Homemade Gifts

Hello Loves! 
It's February!! YAYYY!!! You know that this means Valentine's Day is just ahead.
I don't know about you but I love a good handmade & homemade gift. Especially when it involves redecorating a space in my home and has a meaningful message to go along with it.

This is why I am so excited to share with you guys some adorable homemade gifts by a company called KNACKs. 

But before we get into the products, I love learning about how a company got started and why it was created. To me this special connection I make with the store is why I love to shop there. And after reading the story of how KNACKs became a thing you'll want to shop shop shop!

How It All Began:
KNACKs started as "Art by Katie Bowser" 
When Katie and her boyfriend (Thomas) bought their first home and were waiting on the arrival of their first child, Katie was in college at the time studying Medical Office Administration. After she completed her Fine Arts Diploma in Toronto, Ontario and didn't have many opportunities knocking at her door. That is when they decided to save every penny for their home before their son (Alex) was born. That first Christmas they found themselves in a pinch for money so they decided to start making their family members gifts. 
Stained wood with some hand painted words.
After a few were posted on Facebook, requests started to come in and it became a hobby for Katie and Thomas in their spare time while they were both still working. 

Eventually "Art by Katie Bowers" was created as a Facebook page. Katie explained it was what seemed like impossible to choose a business name. They started to take orders in while still working Monday - Friday. Not to mention taking care of a baby!

Superhuman if you ask me!

At the time Katie and Thomas didn't have a garage so Tom would cut the wood in the basement or laundry room, and Katie would stain the wood outside on the deck (even in the snow), and paint in the kitchen. At this point Katie bought a Circuit Machine to aid with stencils but as for their home, all the materials were taking over! They had another little boy and decided to start house hunting again. After getting married in May and moving in July of last year, "Art by Katie Bowser" was no longer valid and after thinking on a new name for years, Knack popped into Katie's head. She though of knack from "knick knacks" or having a "knack for something" and eventually it stuck and just so coincidentally it's an acronym with all of the family members names: Katie, Nick, Alex, Conliffe. 

If you ask me this name is absolutely perfect because you and Tom definitely have a "knack for something" incredible! It's so amazing to see two hardworking individuals that never gave up and followed a journey they had no plan for. 

Katie's Goals:
​Throughout the years Katie made small and big goals, one was a website, which took much longer than she imagined. Another was selling from a store, and she was soon approached by a local artist with the BEST local handmade shop! 
"Ingonish Trading Co"
Sarnia, Ontario.

Katie has has some employees along the way, one of her good friends that helps alongside Katie, and all her friends do whatever they can to help at "pop-ups". 
Tom still takes weekends 'off' as weekends 'on' here in the garage!

Thankfully Katie hasan incredible support system. 
Katie said, "Without them, I would not have accomplished as much as I have in such a short amount of time". 

What 2018 Looks Like:
Katie said,  2018 will be about stepping out of her comfort zone and staying continuously stocked!! There are many things for her to still learn and each year is a small step, but definitely a great journey she hope's to continue. 

Okay seriously I have fallen in love with this story of courage, blessings, strength, love, and two determined and hardworking individuals. 

So If you are looking for the Perfect Valentine's Day gift for your loved one, or just a sentimental homemade gift that never get's old. I have your next stop to shop first!

THEY ALSO OFFER PERSONALIZATION!!!

So I know you wanna go shop! Here are all the details you need!

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