Sticks & Doodles

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What inspired you to start your business?

I was on maternity leave and looking for something to do so I got a vinyl cutter (Silhouette Machine) to create mugs and shirts, etc. I LOVED it and did it for fun but my customer base was growing. My husband and I then had our 3rd child and wanted to make wooden name signs for their rooms so we purchased a scroll saw and hand cut the 3 signs in our condo basement bathroom. We shared photos on Facebook for fun and so many friends and family members were interested in them that we started making for them! We then purchased a laser and started our online store and grew from there. This is something my husband and I used to do all on our own and we loved that we could work together doing something we loved (me – making, and him – marketing) while raising our kiddos!

How do you describe your brand?

We are all self taught! Started cutting from hand years ago and in our basement. Now we have 6 laser cutter machines, have a storefront and staff of 12!

All of our wood is 100% Canadian – harvested and processed with a soy core ensuring sustainability and quality! We make everything in-house in our shop and have a storefront to sell as well as online. Since we opened our online store during COVID and unfortunately lots of other local businesses had to close at that time due to no online presence, we are absolutely grateful to our community for all the support.

We always say our dream is simple – that we want to make people happy and make gifts for our guests that matter and will be part of their family for years.

What’s your bestselling product & why do you think they’re so popular?

One of our top sellers is the ornament that says “The Sky Looks Different When Someone You Love Is Up There“.

Unfortunately, it is most popular because of it is a memorial ornament. I say unfortunately because we have a hard time keeping these in stock which speaks to how many people are touched by this quote and the aesthetic appearance of the ornament. It is cut with 3 layers of wood and acrylic with the saying engraved into the wood. Many people have a look at this ornament and it pulls deep at their heart because they think of someone they have lost. We sell lots for Christmas trees, but throughout the rest of the year the majority of our guests tell us they have it hanging in other places of their home so they always see it.

What’s your favourite product from your own shop?

So hard to say! Since I am the voice behind what gets made there are so many personal favourites. I love that we can create large signs that make a visually large impact, and then a small ornament with a simple design that can speak so much to an individual that it brings them to tears. I love what I do and I love that I can make a small impact on people feeling like they matter.

What’s your favourite local Regina business?

I have lots! Ell and Kay Clay and Filigree are some of my favourites that we purchase from regularly.