Scott Ross-Molyneux and his wife Allison Iriye embrace horror (the fictional kind, that is), and are now sharing their love of the genre through Nocturne Books, a new horror and dark fiction bookstore in Marda Loop.

Located on the lower level of The Shops at Avenue 34, Nocturne offers a curated selection of dark fiction books spanning genres such as sci-fi, thriller, fantasy, speculative fiction and more. Ross-Molyneux and Iriye define dark fiction as an “overarching category of literature that involves themes that may generally disturb, frighten, and/or unsettle.”

Ross-Molyneux says he and Iriye (who is an avid horror reader) were always disappointed in the selection of books at big box retailers. That, coupled with inspiration from Slow Burn Books, a successful romance bookstore just doors away from Nocturne’s storefront, convinced the pair to open their own genre-specific, brick-and-mortar store.

“In this day and age, it’s just really refreshing to walk in, buy a book and then it’s yours,” says Ross-Molyneux.

Since opening Nocturne at the end of November, Ross-Molyneux has been happily surprised by the reception from shoppers, which has echoed the pair’s thoughts about the lack of a one-stop shop for horror book readers.

“I was blown away on the opening weekend [by] just how many people came in and said the exact same thing, which is, ‘I go to a bunch of other stores, can never find the book I want, the horror section is so small,'” says Ross-Molyneux. “It’s been kind of like deja vu, hearing that over and over again.”

Nocturne Books also has a consignment program that will showcase local and lesser-known authors’ works on its shelves. Ross-Molyneux is still putting it together (literally, he is building the bookshelf for the consigned books).

Naturally, we asked Ross-Molyneux for some book recommendations. He recently read and recommends Incidents Around the House by Josh Malerman, a haunted house story told from the perspective of an eight-year-old girl, and Root Rot by Saskia Nislow, a horror story told from the perspective of nine different children visiting their grandfather’s lake house.

Nocturne Books, 15, 1934 34 Ave. S.W., 587-443-3336, nocturnebooks.ca

The post Inside Nocturne Books, Calgary’s New Horror-Focused Bookstore appeared first on Avenue Calgary.

The post Fabulous Fall and Winter Fashion by Calgary Designers appeared first on Avenue Calgary.

Calgary fashion designer Anneke Forbes has built her label around a simple idea: women deserve outerwear that fits well and feels personal. Most of her work is custom, shaped through a design consultation and a long list of measurements that turn into a pattern made for one body. Her collection is full of clean, polished coats and jackets, with a small ready-to-wear rack for customers who prefer something they can take home the same day.

“I ask about their lifestyle, their personal style, favourite colours, things like that, to really get to know them and understand who they are, so that then I can design something for them that’s going to serve and reflect who they are,” Anneke Forbes says.

Her new hooded duffle coat brings that approach into a more casual place. It’s the first coat she’s made with a hood, designed for the kind of days that move quickly. The billed hood, shoulder yoke, patch pockets and sleeve epaulettes give it a practical feel with a bit of charm. The thickness of the wool means each detail has to be built separately and hand-stitched so it sits cleanly.

Inside, the coat has a smooth, flannel-backed satin lining, plus a two-way zipper for easy movement. It can also be made in a wide range of colours, creating a piece that feels personal while balancing everyday function with the easy, polished style Forbes is known for.

“I definitely still wanted to make sure that the piece aligned with the collection in terms of how sleek it is and how polished it is, but had just a bit more of that practical element so that I’m not just serving women in their work day, I’m also able to help them on the weekend or in their mom life,” Forbes says.

The post Made in Calgary: A Hooded Duffle Coat Designed for Real Life appeared first on Avenue Calgary.

If you love a great antique find, this (sort of) new pop-up has arrived in Calgary.

Wu & McHugh is a vintage wholesaler in Calgary that focuses on curated furniture and home decor pieces from China. Originally started by owners John McHugh and Miki Wu as a brick-and-mortar store in 2014, Wu & McHugh shut its doors during the COVID-19 pandemic and shifted to an online wholesale business model.

But until the end of January 2026, Calgarians can shop Wu & McHugh’s stunning collection and experience the vintage store in-person again at its new pop-up shopping experience at Lake Bonavista Promenade.

The pop-up features a variety of pieces from China that were curated by Wu herself, and is mostly focused on items like vintage elm benches, elm stools and unused pickle and soy sauce pots, as well as a few other decor items. A larger selection of pieces can still be found online.

During the pop-up, all items are on sale for 50 to 80 per cent off. The store is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Tuesday to Sunday, but appointments can be booked outside of operating hours.

The pop-up store is located at unit 169, 755 Lake Bonavista Dr. S.E., 403-710-9885, wuandmchugh.com

The post Calgary Vintage Wholesaler Wu & McHugh is Hosting a Pop-up Shop appeared first on Avenue Calgary.

Getting a good night’s sleep is important, and having the right mattress (or mattress topper) can be key.

Black Sheep Mattress Company handcrafts all its mattresses and bedding in Calgary, building products that last, feel good to use and are made from sustainable materials. Its lineup includes mattresses, pillows and mattress toppers.

“The key element for us is making our mattresses and bedding products from natural materials. So that would mean organic when possible, or third-party verified that they are coming from a clean and natural environment,” says Christian Schmidt.

The company’s newest creation is The Wooly mattress topper. Inspired by customers and friends who loved the company’s regular wool topper but wanted even more plushness, the team started experimenting until they found the sweet spot.

The Wooly has eight layers of breathable wool wrapped in organic cotton. It’s soft yet supportive, naturally temperature regulating and made to work with most standard mattress sizes.

“It’s for someone who wants to spoil themselves a little bit,” Schmidt says.

The post Made in Calgary: Black Sheep’s Wooly Mattress Topper Takes Comfort Up a Notch appeared first on Avenue Calgary.

Calgary Coffee Print

Calgary’s vibrant coffee scene takes centre stage in this fun print. Created by local printmaker Ritual & Fern, the artwork features takeaway coffee cups from many of Calgary’s most popular coffee shops like Monogram Coffee, Rosso Coffee Roasters and more. $12.49.

ritualandfern.com

2026 Wild Flowers Modern Risograph Wall Calendar

This risograph calendar by Calgary’s Mezzaluna Studio features vibrant wildflower prints on 13 double-sided pages, each with a calendar section that includes space to jot down important notes. Printed on a Japanese risograph printer using eco-friendly ink, each page has a soft matte finish. When the year is over, turn the flower prints into framed art. $46.

mezzalunastudio.ca

Tin Tacker – Retro Rainbow

Cabin Brewing Company was just named Brewery of the Year (along with Ol’ Beautiful Brewing Company) at the 2025 Alberta Beer Awards. Add a touch of the brewery’s retro spirit to the walls of your home with this tin plaque. $50.

Cabin Brewing Company, 505 36 Ave. S.E., 403-244-3331, cabinbrewing.ca

Handmade Chiseled Wood Bowl

This hand-chiseled wood bowl’s dark umber stain makes it both a statement piece and a functional item of dishware. The food safe bowl is the perfect home for nuts, dried fruit or other small snacks. $56.

The Curated Home, 1004 9 Ave. S.E., 403-620-9613, thecuratedhome.ca

Nattbad Bluetooth Speaker

A bluetooth speaker that doubles as a piece of home decor? Say no more. This compact speaker brings a splash of personality to any space and is available in yellow, pink and black. $59.99.

IKEA, 8000 11 St. S.E., 866-866-4532, ikea.com

Sandwich Rug

Calling all sandwich fans! This quirky rug is the perfect statement piece for any room in the house. Its bright colours bring a slice of fun and liveliness to any space. Plus, it’s slip-resistant. $68.

Steeling Home, 1010 17 Ave. S.W., 403-245-0777, steelinghome.ca

Renenutet Mouth Blown Recycled Glass Vase

This handcrafted vase from France combines sustainability with elegance. Made from recycled glass, the carafe’s short neck, flared rim and rounded body allow for a great pour of water, wine or juice. It can also act as a vase for a fresh bouquet. $72.

Faire Living, 1226 B 9 Ave. S.E., 250-951-3663, faireliving.com

Octopus Ink Yarn Bowl

Each handmade yarn bowl by Calgary’s Starfishly Clay Works is unique, with tricoloured bubbles that are handblown onto the clay to resemble watercolour splashes. A thoughtful gift for the knitter or crocheter in your life. $109.

starfishclay.com

Hand Knitted Weighted Blanket

Decompress under one of Silk & Snow’s hand-knitted, cotton weighted blankets available in five different weights ranging from eight to 25 pounds. The blankets bring a cozy and aesthetically pleasing touch to any space with colours like terracotta, tempest blue or oat. $190 to $320, depending on weight.

Silk & Snow, 825 17 Ave. S.W., 403-456-0111, silkandsnow.com

The post 9 Home Decor Gifts to Give This Holiday Season appeared first on Avenue Calgary.

Shopping for Christmas gifts isn’t always the easiest task. Keep things simple this year and check out one of these one-stop shops to cover all your gifting needs at once.

The CampLand Institute of Leisurely Pursuits

CampLand is a shopping destination by the team behind Camp Brand Goods. Along with the local brand’s signature fleece sweaters and casualwear, you’ll find apparel from other brands, outdoor and camping gear, candles, toys and even a commissary with fun food products.

1119 10 Ave. S.E., 403-453-7711, campbrandgoods.com

The Cardroom at Kricket’s

Puzzles, socks, mugs, home decor, jewellery – anything you can think of, you’ll probably find at The Cardroom at Kricket’s in Marda Loop. The store also offers a huge card collection for pretty much any occasion or theme.

3518 Garrison Gate S.W., 403-244-9330, thecardroom.ca

The CookBook Co. Cooks

Everyone needs to eat, and The Cookbook Co. Cooks retail store offers so much more than just cookbooks. The store is packed with delicious specialty ingredients, hard-to-find kitchenware, fun treats and more. Buy your uncle some cocktail bitters, grab a cookbook for your dad and pick up some locally-made chocolates and other sweets for your mom. Or, gift a cooking class to your favourite foodie friend.

722 11 Ave. S.W., 403-265-6066, cookbookcooks.com

Crafted Goods

Located at both Calgary Farmers’ Market locations, Crafted allows you to get your holiday shopping done while running other errands. This local company is on a mission to help support other local businesses by sharing the work of up-and-coming Canadian makers who offer stationery, greeting cards, ceramics, homewares and more.

Calgary Farmers’ Market South, 510 77 Ave. S.E., 587-885-3911; Calgary Farmers’ Market West, 25 Greenbriar Dr. N.W., 587-885-3912, craftedgoods.ca

The Hidden Gem

The Hidden Gem is full of local vendors — the Kensington store has 90 businesses inside — offering everything from jewellery to pet products. Be sure to visit this cozy indoor market to find something for everyone on your gift list this holiday season.

1145 Kensington Cres. N.W., @thehiddengemkensington

Reid’s

Though perhaps best known for its impressive selection of stationery and pens, Reid’s is much more than just a stationery store. Yes, you can pick out a Moleskine notebook and fountain pen for the writer in your life, but you can also head to the front of the store where you’ll find everything from inventive kitchenware items to toys. There’s also a big card section in the middle of the store.

710 17 Ave. S.W., 403-229-4400, reidstationers.com

Shop Makers

Shop Makers has three locations in the Calgary area, so look for it in Southcentre Mall, CrossIron Mills and CF Market Mall. The store sells the work of local makers, artisans and entrepreneurs, with a wide range of products that should cover your whole shopping list.

Southcentre Mall, 100 Anderson Rd. S.E.; CrossIron Mills, 261055 Crossiron Blvd., Rocky View; CF Market Mall, 3625 Shaganappi Trail N.W., shopmakers.ca

Steeling Home

A visit to this general store on 17th Avenue S.W. is like a treasure hunt — it’s fun to explore the shop’s eclectic wares and the huge variety of products practically guarantees easy gift buying. The store is roughly divided into sections for items like notebooks and paper goods, cookware and cookbooks, apparel, rugs and jewellery. Grab quirky gifts like the fun doormats that greet you at the entrance of the store.

1010 17 Ave. S.W., 403-245-0777, steelinghome.ca

Stuff

While the products in this store are generally geared towards men, there are also items that anyone would appreciate receiving this holiday season. Visit Stuff to pick up high-end men’s grooming products like razors and beard products, home and bar goods, apparel and more.

709 11 Ave. S.W., 403-209-2606, stuff4him.ca

Tigerstedt and Friends Gift Shop

Located in Crescent Heights, this shop brings many small businesses together under one roof. Step inside to shop from Strawberry Boots, a Japanese stationery and lifestyle store, Prairie Bazaar for vintage clothes and home products, as well as other local vendors.

918 Centre St. N., 403-860-5921, tigermoon.info

The post Great One-Stop Gift Stores in Calgary appeared first on Avenue Calgary.

Ol’Beautiful Enamel Pins

Got a local beer fan in your life? Get them one of these Ol’ Beautiful Brewing Company pins. Choose from three styles that can be stuck on a bag, a hat or wherever you want to proudly display your love for this iconic Calgary brewery. $6 each.

olbeautiful.com

Classic Sea Salt Salted Caramels – 2 Piece Box

Handmade in Killam, Alberta, Salted’s two-piece box of salted caramels is a great stocking stuffer for someone with a sweet tooth. The beautiful pink packaging reveals two pieces of caramel heaven complemented by a sprinkle of coarse sea salt. $6.95.

Available at Calgary retailers like Sunterra Market and online at shopsalted.ca

Shorty’s Hot Honey

For the foodies, Shorty’s Hot Honey will enhance every bite with its perfect balance of raw honey, whole chilis and a splash of apple cider vinegar. Whether you add it to waffles or a charcuterie board, this sweet and spicy sauce is sure to impress. $12.

Available at multiple Calgary retailers, monstersauce.ca

Watermelon Bingsoo Air Freshener

From Kayla creates Asian-inspired air fresheners in playful scents like apple soju, Yakult, Lemon Tea, banana milk, grape soda and melon pan. This sweet watermelon bingsoo version fills your space or car with a refreshing scent for up to two weeks. $12.

fromkayla.ca

Calgary Coffee Print

Calgary’s vibrant coffee scene takes centre stage in this fun print. Created by local printmaker Ritual & Fern, the artwork features takeaway coffee cups from many of Calgary’s most popular coffee shops like Monogram Coffee, Rosso Coffee Roasters and more. $12.49.

ritualandfern.com

Milk Chocolate Dubai Bar – Pistachio & Kataifi

Calgary company Master Chocolat is ready to satisfy your cravings for the popular Dubai chocolate bar with pistachio and kataifi. The bar is 180 grams of velvety chocolate bursting with a crunchy, flavourful filling that’s perfect for anyone with a sweet tooth. $24.

Master Chocolat, multiple Calgary locations, masterchocolat.com

Sheep River Tea

Based in Diamond Valley, Tender Living Farm owner Isis Velkova-Andrus forages ingredients from the Sheep River Valley to make its line of teas. Served in the brand’s new tea box packaging, the teas come in flavours like this Sheep River tea featuring spruce tips, nettle, wild mint and wild rose. $25.

Available at Calgary retailers like Our Daily Brett and online at tenderlivingfarm.ca

Spirit Hills Bonfire Wine

From the winery that harvests flowers to create beautiful blends in Millarville comes a warm, sweet wine made from wildfire honey, dandelion honey, water, blackcurrants, cinnamon and cloves. The Bonfire wine is aged for six months in the bottle and is best paired with “warm bread pudding, cold Alberta winters, cool summer nights, and all outdoor winter activities,” according to Spirit Hills. $28.60.

Available at Calgary liquor stores like Willow Park Wines & Spirits and Wine and Beyond and online at spirithillswinery.com

Phil & Sebastian Tasting Set

For the coffee drinkers, Phil & Sebastian offers a tasting set to explore its various coffees. Choose from two sets, each with four varieties: the Classic box, which offers Phil & Sebastian’s core coffees with chocolate and caramel notes, and the Curious box, with more unexpected flavours that lean closer to bright and fruity profiles. $30 or $34.

Phil & Sebastian, multiple Calgary locations, 403-261-1885, philsebastian.com

Salad Lovers Pick6

Spice up salads with this pack of oils and vinegars from Evoolution. The Salad Lovers pack contains six bottles of the company’s most popular salad dressing combinations: basil olive oil and strawberry dark balsamic vinegar; wild dill olive oil and Sicilian lemon white balsamic; and Persian lime olive oil and blackberry ginger dark balsamic. Choose from four box styles including one with a larch tree design by Alberta artist Jason Carter. $41.

Evoolution, CF Market Mall, 3625 Shaganappi Tr. N.W., 587-353-3866, evoolution.ca

414 ml Rambler Stackable Mug

Enjoy a hot cup of coffee while camping or on the go in your everyday life with this Yeti mug. With its stain-resistant ceramic lining and double-wall vacuum insulation, the mug is sure to keep up with all your adventures. Choose from fun colours like rescue red, tropical pink, seafoam and more. $45.

Yeti, CF Chinook Centre, 6455 Macleod Tr. S.W., 587-651-6808, yeti.ca

Crave Cookbook

Twenty-one years after opening the first Crave bakery in Kensington in 2004 and popularizing its famous buttercream icing cupcakes, sweet-toothed customers can now get their hands on Crave’s first cookbook. The book features recipes for items like cupcakes, cakes and cookies, making it easy to level up your baking with desserts like red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese buttercream frosting. $45.

Available Crave bakeries, at Calgary bookstores like Shelf Life Books and The Next Page and online at cravecupcakes.ca

Tin Tacker – Retro Rainbow

Cabin Brewing Company was just named Brewery of the Year (along with Ol’ Beautiful Brewing Company) at the 2025 Alberta Beer Awards. Add a touch of the brewery’s retro spirit to the walls of your home with this tin plaque. $50.

Cabin Brewing Company, 505 36 Ave. S.E., 403-244-3331, cabinbrewing.ca

Sunnyside Apple Brandy

Confluence Distilling partnered with SunnyCider to create the ideal sip where barrel-aged brandy meets locally made cider. The Sunnyside Apple Brandy is a distinctly Calgary spirit, featuring bright orchard aromatics and oak. $54.99.

Confluence Distilling, 507 36 Ave. S.E., 403-521-4738, confluencedistilling.ca

Sandwich Rug

Calling all sandwich fans! This quirky rug is the perfect statement piece for any room in the house. Its bright colours bring a slice of fun and liveliness to any space. Plus, it’s slip-resistant. $68.

Steeling Home, 1010 17 Ave. S.W., 403-245-0777, steelinghome.ca

Salt & Pepper Mills – Set of 2 – Robles and Gmelina Wood

This pair of salt and pepper grinders from local woodworking company Baroy would bring a touch of elegance to any kitchen table or counter. These grinders are made with light and dark wooden bases (so you know which is which), with the actual milling hardware made of long-lasting copper and modelled in an antique style. Choose from five different shapes. $175.97.

baroy.ca

The post 16 Holiday Gift Ideas for Calgary Foodies appeared first on Avenue Calgary.

Ol’Beautiful Enamel Pins

Got a local beer fan in your life? Get them one of these Ol’ Beautiful Brewing Company pins. Choose from three styles that can be stuck on a bag, a hat or wherever you want to proudly display your love for this iconic Calgary brewery. $6 each.

olbeautiful.com

Classic Sea Salt Salted Caramels – 2 Piece Box

Handmade in Killam, Alberta, Salted’s two-piece box of salted caramels is a great stocking stuffer for someone with a sweet tooth. The beautiful pink packaging reveals two pieces of caramel heaven complemented by a sprinkle of coarse sea salt. $6.95.

Available at Calgary retailers like Sunterra Market and online at shopsalted.ca

Bookmark/Clip – Otter

This set of five flexible, eco-friendly clips can be used as bookmarks or to hold up to 20 sheets of paper. Made from biodegradable fibre paper, the clips can be reshaped by soaking them in water. Along with otters, the clips are available in other animal forms like black cats, poodles and pandas. $10.

Nanao Kimono, 215 10 St. N.W., 825-747-1559, nanaokimono.com

Shorty’s Hot Honey

For the foodies, Shorty’s Hot Honey will enhance every bite with its perfect balance of raw honey, whole chilis and a splash of apple cider vinegar. Whether you add it to waffles or a charcuterie board, this sweet and spicy sauce is sure to impress. $12.

Available at multiple Calgary retailers, monstersauce.ca

Watermelon Bingsoo Air Freshener

From Kayla creates Asian-inspired air fresheners in playful scents like apple soju, Yakult, Lemon Tea, banana milk, grape soda and melon pan. This sweet watermelon bingsoo version fills your space or car with a refreshing scent for up to two weeks. $12.

fromkayla.ca

Calgary Coffee Print

Calgary’s vibrant coffee scene takes centre stage in this fun print. Created by local printmaker Ritual & Fern, the artwork features takeaway coffee cups from many of Calgary’s most popular coffee shops like Monogram Coffee, Rosso Coffee Roasters and more. $12.49.

ritualandfern.com

This Set Supports Local (Calgary) – Swedish Sponge Cloth Set

This reusable sponge cloth set is not only eco-friendly, but also supports local as part of The Good Lane’s Good Cloth Project. One dollar from each set sold is donated to the Calgary Seniors’ Resource Society. It features a fun design celebrating Calgary by local artist Lindsey Hopkins. It’s a quirky but useful stocking stuffer that’s more sustainable than paper towel and less icky than your typical sponge. $13.99

thegoodlane.com

Glow Face Cleanser

Keep skin looking fresh, clean and hydrated with one of Basosi’s facial cleanser bars. The vegan Glow bar works with all skin types and comes in compostable packaging. $18.

basosi.ca

Pumpkin Pie Mini Lip Care Set

This NCLA Beauty lip care set brings the warmth of pumpkin spice to your daily routine. Packaged in a delightful box shaped like a slice of pie, it includes a sugar lip scrub and a soothing balm to keep lips hydrated and soft. $20.

Evi Beauty, 1010 9 Ave. S.E., 403-973-3844, evibeauty.com

Milk Chocolate Dubai Bar – Pistachio & Kataifi

Calgary company Master Chocolat is ready to satisfy your cravings for the popular Dubai chocolate bar with pistachio and kataifi. The bar is 180 grams of velvety chocolate bursting with a crunchy, flavourful filling that’s perfect for anyone with a sweet tooth. $24.

Master Chocolat, multiple Calgary locations, masterchocolat.com

Kidney Plush

What better way to learn about our organs than with an adorable stuffie? This soft and huggable kidney plush comes with an eight-page hangtag filled with fun drawings and stories about kidneys, plus info about the incredible things kidneys do, like process blood, pick out extra waste and return clean blood to the body. Get the whole collection of I Heart Guts plush organs. $24.99

Telus Spark, 220 St. George’s Drive N.E., store.sparkscience.ca

Sheep River Tea

Based in Diamond Valley, Tender Living Farm owner Isis Velkova-Andrus forages ingredients from the Sheep River Valley to make its line of teas. Served in the brand’s new tea box packaging, the teas come in flavours like this Sheep River tea featuring spruce tips, nettle, wild mint and wild rose. $25.

Available at Calgary retailers like Our Daily Brett and online at tenderlivingfarm.ca

Spirit Hills Bonfire Wine

From the winery that harvests flowers to create beautiful blends in Millarville comes a warm, sweet wine made from wildfire honey, dandelion honey, water, blackcurrants, cinnamon and cloves. The Bonfire wine is aged for six months in the bottle and is best paired with “warm bread pudding, cold Alberta winters, cool summer nights, and all outdoor winter activities,” according to Spirit Hills. $28.60.

Available at Calgary liquor stores like Willow Park Wines & Spirits and Wine and Beyond and online at spirithillswinery.com

Pocket Flower Press – Daisy

This pocket press is great for collecting flowers and leaves on your walks. Press your finds inside to keep them intact, fasten the press with elastic bands and tuck it in your pocket. Use it to create art or scrapbook keepsakes. The press comes in additional designs like dandelion, happy flower, cosmos or smock. $30.

Cherry Tree Lane Toys, 905 1 Ave. N.E., 403-243-1993, cherrytreelane.ca

Phil & Sebastian Tasting Set

For the coffee drinkers, Phil & Sebastian offers a tasting set to explore its various coffees. Choose from two sets, each with four varieties: the Classic box, which offers Phil & Sebastian’s core coffees with chocolate and caramel notes, and the Curious box, with more unexpected flavours that lean closer to bright and fruity profiles. $30 or $34.

Phil & Sebastian, multiple Calgary locations, 403-261-1885, philsebastian.com

Loves of Our Lives

From local author, radio host and TikTok star Josie Balka comes a second collection of poetry just in time for the giving season. Releasing on December 9, Loves of Our Lives is an 80-poem journey through lost loves, lifelong friendships, familial love and all kinds of relationships that make us human. $32.99 (prices may vary by retailer).

Available at Calgary bookstores like Owl’s Nest Books and Pages on Kensington and online at simonandschuster.ca

Calgary’s Best Walks

This expanded third edition of Calgary’s Best Walks by local author Lori Beattie features 50 new walks and 95 different walks and hikes in total. The book includes routes to stretch your legs all over the city, including in Legacy, Arbour Lake, Tuscany, Coach Hill, Bel-Aire, Ogden, Forest Lawn and Huntington Hills, as well as local parks, inner-city neighborhoods and surrounding areas like Cochrane. $34.95

Available at multiple Calgary bookstores and online at fitfrog.ca/guidebooks

Domino Stones

ChopValue, which has a Calgary microfactory, crafts beautiful furniture, home decor and items like these domino stones out of recycled chopsticks. This 28-piece set is made from 300 recycled chopsticks, bringing a fresh look and spin to a popular game. $39.

chopvalue.com

Antibacterial Skin Cleansing Cloth

Nina Kharey, the founder of Folds, a local company that makes hypoallergenic scrubs, has now launched a sister company called Argéniq, which makes this cleansing cloth. With 100 per cent recycled Meryl polymers combined with silver-ion technology, this antibacterial cloth helps eliminate the vast majority of bad bacteria on your skin to promote a cleaner complexion. Hypoallergenic fabric makes it great for daily cleansing use (or makeup removal) and as an exfoliation tool to boost cell turnover for smoother skin. $39.

argeniq.com

Fizzy Half Dozen | Best Seller Bath Bomb Set

Canmore-based company Rocky, which is known for its natural bath and body products ranging from soap to shampoo, celebrated its 25th anniversary this year. Rocky is particularly well known for its bath bombs, and this set features some of the brand’s best-selling scents, ranging from lavender and calendula to juicy orange. $40.

Rocky, multiple Calgary locations, rockymountainsoap.com

Encompass the Galaxy

Earlier this year, Calgary artist Simone Elizabeth Saunders released a new book with Contemporary Calgary that showcases her artistic journey and large-scale tufted art. Encompass the Galaxy features 40 fibre art works by Saunders that examine a variety of themes like Black womanhood and ancestral connections. $40.

Contemporary Calgary’s C Shop, 701 11 St. S.W., 403-770-1350, contemporarycalgary.com

Salad Lovers Pick6

Spice up salads with this pack of oils and vinegars from Evoolution. The Salad Lovers pack contains six bottles of the company’s most popular salad dressing combinations: basil olive oil and strawberry dark balsamic vinegar; wild dill olive oil and Sicilian lemon white balsamic; and Persian lime olive oil and blackberry ginger dark balsamic. Choose from four box styles including one with a larch tree design by Alberta artist Jason Carter. $41.

Evoolution, CF Market Mall, 3625 Shaganappi Tr. N.W., 587-353-3866, evoolution.ca

414 ml Rambler Stackable Mug

Enjoy a hot cup of coffee while camping or on the go in your everyday life with this Yeti mug. With its stain-resistant ceramic lining and double-wall vacuum insulation, the mug is sure to keep up with all your adventures. Choose from fun colours like rescue red, tropical pink, seafoam and more. $45.

Yeti, CF Chinook Centre, 6455 Macleod Tr. S.W., 587-651-6808, yeti.ca

Crave Cookbook

Twenty-one years after opening the first Crave bakery in Kensington in 2004 and popularizing its famous buttercream icing cupcakes, sweet-toothed customers can now get their hands on Crave’s first cookbook. The book features recipes for items like cupcakes, cakes and cookies, making it easy to level up your baking with desserts like red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese buttercream frosting. $45.

Available Crave bakeries, at Calgary bookstores like Shelf Life Books and The Next Page and online at cravecupcakes.ca

2026 Wild Flowers Modern Risograph Wall Calendar

This risograph calendar by Calgary’s Mezzaluna Studio features vibrant wildflower prints on 13 double-sided pages, each with a calendar section that includes space to jot down important notes. Printed on a Japanese risograph printer using eco-friendly ink, each page has a soft matte finish. When the year is over, turn the flower prints into framed art. $46.

mezzalunastudio.ca

Tin Tacker – Retro Rainbow

Cabin Brewing Company was just named Brewery of the Year (along with Ol’ Beautiful Brewing Company) at the 2025 Alberta Beer Awards. Add a touch of the brewery’s retro spirit to the walls of your home with this tin plaque. $50.

Cabin Brewing Company, 505 36 Ave. S.E., 403-244-3331, cabinbrewing.ca

5 Year Journal

Made by Stevie + Bean Paperie, a boutique stationery design studio in Calgary, this journal is meant for writing quick snapshots of your days, year after year. When you reach the end of this fabric-covered journal, flip back to the beginning to add another year of entries. This way, you can record what’s happening now and look back on happenings from years prior. It’s both a daily record and a lifelong keepsake. $50

stevieandbean.com

Sunnyside Apple Brandy

Confluence Distilling partnered with SunnyCider to create the ideal sip where barrel-aged brandy meets locally made cider. The Sunnyside Apple Brandy is a distinctly Calgary spirit, featuring bright orchard aromatics and oak. $54.99.

Confluence Distilling, 507 36 Ave. S.E., 403-521-4738, confluencedistilling.ca

Handmade Chiseled Wood Bowl

This hand-chiseled wood bowl’s dark umber stain makes it both a statement piece and a functional item of dishware. The food safe bowl is the perfect home for nuts, dried fruit or other small snacks. $56.

The Curated Home, 1004 9 Ave. S.E., 403-620-9613, thecuratedhome.ca

Moraine Lake – First Snow DIY Embroidery Kit

This embroidery kit by Angiels Art captures the beauty of Banff National Park in the winter. The kits have everything you need — including an embroidery needle and hoop, thread and step-by-step instructions — to create your own mountain masterpiece. $59.

angiels-art.myshopify.com

Nattbad Bluetooth Speaker

A bluetooth speaker that doubles as a piece of home decor? Say no more. This compact speaker brings a splash of personality to any space and is available in yellow, pink and black. $59.99.

IKEA, 8000 11 St. S.E., 866-866-4532, ikea.com

Kent of Inglewood Beard Box

If you know someone with a beard, this is the gift for them. This beard box has everything needed to keep that beard hair looking great, including a Mammoth Beard Co. face soap and Kent of Inglewood beard balm and oil. Choose from boxes with citrus, forest or spice scents. $60.

Kent of Inglewood, 100B, 1316 9 Ave. S.E., 403-457-1595, kentofinglewood.com

MAGNA-TILES Travel Set Deluxe

Stay entertained on a plane trip or long car ride with this set of 55 magnetic tiles that allow you to craft different buildings, shapes and structures. The travel set’s small tiles and compact travel case make it easy to toss in a bag ahead of your next adventure. $60.

Indigo, multiple Calgary locations, indigo.ca

Winter Warrior Bundle

Sewa Skincare brings forward age-old skincare knowledge from African countries and tribes in its products through natural herbs, oils, butters and clays, drawing from the founder’s Nigerian heritage. Case in point, Sewa’s Winter Warrior Bundle. Its Winter Warrior body butter contains oats and shea butter to ward off dry, itchy winter skin while the body oil, infused with cinnamon and cloves, is fast-absorbing to rejuvenate the skin. $62.99

sewaskin.ca

Sandwich Rug

Calling all sandwich fans! This quirky rug is the perfect statement piece for any room in the house. Its bright colours bring a slice of fun and liveliness to any space. Plus, it’s slip-resistant. $68.

Steeling Home, 1010 17 Ave. S.W., 403-245-0777, steelinghome.ca

Renenutet Mouth Blown Recycled Glass Vase

This handcrafted vase from France combines sustainability with elegance. Made from recycled glass, the carafe’s short neck, flared rim and rounded body allow for a great pour of water, wine or juice. It can also act as a vase for a fresh bouquet. $72.

Faire Living, 1226 B 9 Ave. S.E., 250-951-3663, faireliving.com

Cutter (Black) + Standard Leather Belt

KNKT Belts offers a wide variety of men’s and women’s belts with a key distinctive feature: No holes. That means users can set the belt buckle to whatever spot fits them most comfortably. This particular belt has a scratch-resistant buckle and a leather strap available in six different colours. $89.

knktbelts.com

Octopus Ink Yarn Bowl

Each handmade yarn bowl by Calgary’s Starfishly Clay Works is unique, with tricoloured bubbles that are handblown onto the clay to resemble watercolour splashes. A thoughtful gift for the knitter or crocheter in your life. $109.

starfishclay.com

AlumierMD HydraRescue BioCellulose Mask

AlumierMD’s first professional-grade sheet mask for at-home use is clinically proven to boost hydration and reduce visible redness in just 15 minutes. The biocellulose sheet mask is formulated with a blend of soothing plant extracts that help strengthen the skin barrier and is dye, paraben, sulfate and phthalate-free. $110 (four-pack).

Available at multiple Calgary clinics like Face Skin Body Bar and Elanté Rejuvenation and online at ca.alumiermd.com

Cinch Bucket Bag

Before you head off on your next adventure, make sure you grab this water-resistant bag by Australian brand Bellroy. The flexible design allows you to carry it three different ways, and it has handy features like an aluminum key hook, a draw-cord top closure and plenty of pockets. $115.

CampLand, 1119 10 Ave. S.E., 403-453-7711, campbrandoods.com

Outbound Lightweight Aluminum Snowshoes with Hiking Poles and Carrybag

Get this snowshoe set for the outdoors-y person in your life who loves going exploring in the snow. Along with snowshoes, the kit comes with handy accessories like adjustable hiking poles and a bag to store everything in. $149.99.

Canadian Tire, multiple Calgary locations, canadiantire.ca

Salt & Pepper Mills – Set of 2 – Robles and Gmelina Wood

This pair of salt and pepper grinders from local woodworking company Baroy would bring a touch of elegance to any kitchen table or counter. These grinders are made with light and dark wooden bases (so you know which is which), with the actual milling hardware made of long-lasting copper and modelled in an antique style. Choose from five different shapes. $175.97.

baroy.ca

Hand Knitted Weighted Blanket

Decompress under one of Silk & Snow’s hand-knitted, cotton weighted blankets available in five different weights ranging from eight to 25 pounds. The blankets bring a cozy and aesthetically pleasing touch to any space with colours like terracotta, tempest blue or oat. $190 to $320, depending on weight.

Silk & Snow, 825 17 Ave. S.W., 403-456-0111, silkandsnow.com

PBC Lionhart Pickleball Paddle

Pickleball is all the rage right now, and Calgary-based company Pickleball Connect brings a local touch to the sport with its selection of paddles designed by co-founder Kevin Doucet with Taylor Meers. Take your game to the next level with a paddle like the eye-catching PBC Lionhart, which is made with a carbon fibre face, a 20-mm honeycomb core and aerodynamic airflow. $229.

pickleballconnect.ca

A-List Membership

The gift of experiences is great, but what’s even better? The gift of exclusive access to the city’s best experiences. With an A-List membership, members are part of the select few who can enjoy a special wow factor at Calgary events — think backstage access, secret tastings, VIP seats, meet-and-greets and more. Starting at $250.

thealist.vip

Field Coat

Anián’s field coat is a prime example of the brand’s mission of creating quality clothing from recycled natural fibres. Made in Canada from a durable recycled wool blend, the versatile Anián field coat is cozy yet breathes well, keeping you warm in cool-to-cold conditions. Its lofted weave (similar to a heavyweight fleece) is soft, but rugged. This coat just feels nice on. Its simple and classic design has become the foundation of Anián’s men’s outerwear and is available in an array of earthy tones. $265

Anián, 109, 825 17 Ave. S.W., anianmfg.com

Solstice Ammolite Stud Earrings in Sterling Silver

Ammolite is Alberta’s official gemstone, and Calgary-based company KORITE has been showcasing its iridescent magnificence in beautiful jewellery for more than 45 years. These eye-catching stud earrings showcase the brand’s ethically mined ammolite in a sterling silver setting. It’s sure to elevate any look. $495.

Available at Calgary retailers like Charm Diamonds Centre and Ben Moss and online at korite.com

39 mm Sandon Metallic Pistachio

Barrington Griffiths (BG) has been making watches in Alberta since 2010. Joining the BG Sandon family of watches is the Sandon Metallic Pistachio watch, which features its signature enamel-inlaid green maple leaf in a nod to its Canadian craftsmanship. Enjoy features like a polished stainless steel case with brushed sides and the fact that it’s water resistant to 50 metres. $684.

bgwatch.com

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Local artist Melissa Casey has always been a crafty person. While she initially started taking pottery classes to meet new people, the hobby eventually evolved into a full-scale pottery business.

Through Embodied Ceramics, Casey makes and sells meticulously crafted mugs, vases, plates and more. Produced in small drops, each piece of pottery showcases designs with sculptural, bold shapes and smooth, moving lines. Casey focuses on creating simple, functional pieces that are elevated through clean design inspired by a mid-century modern style.

“I try to keep my forms as refined as they can be, but they tend to be quite simplistic in their structure, and then I really like to focus on the surface design of the piece,” says Casey.

Casey often uses tape, vinyl or latex during the glazing process to create the exterior design on her pieces. However, Casey’s newest collection features a different firing technique called raku that produces a design with metallic surfaces and expressive, flowing colours.

Each unique ceramic is crafted inside Casey’s 39-square-foot studio, and it can take up to a few months to create a single batch of ceramics.

“The journey of making pottery is a lot like the name of my business, to me it has really forced me to let go of being in control of a process and just embody being present. And in order to be present in ceramics, you really have to let go of outcomes,” says Casey.

embodiedceramics.com

The post Made in Calgary: Embodied Ceramics Creates Beautiful Ceramics with Bold Designs appeared first on Avenue Calgary.