Local Celebs Get Crafty in Support of Ottawa Street Campaign
Will it be a fabulous outfit, a delicious dinner or a funky piece of furniture? The Ottawa Street BIA is inviting some famous faces and local Hamilton personalities to the street to show off their creative talents and make a ‘Do it Yourself’ project for charity this November.
Annette Hamm and Lori De Angelis from CHCH, Julia Chapman from CBC Hamilton, Julie Van Huizen from the “We So Thrifty” blog with Jentine Goojes from “My Edit” and Graeme Smith from Gorilla Cheese will all be competing for the grand prize of $1000 for their favorite charity.
“I’ve relied on Ottawa Street for creative inspiration (and great food!) for years. The charming shops have been a fantastic source for fabric for my wedding dress and curtains for my home, along with all sorts of accessories and antiques,” says Annette Hamm, CHCH News personality. “I’m looking forward to our creativity challenge, knowing in the end a local charity will be the big winner!”
Here is how it works: Each celebrity will be given $200 for supplies. Then it’s up to them to scour the stores, markets and boutiques on Ottawa Street for ideas, inspiration and the necessary materials for their project. Our contestants are encouraged to document their process through Twitter and Facebook. Home décor, culinary arts and fashion projects are all acceptable contest entries.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve exercised my creative juices I’m not typically a DIYer. But if any place is going to inspire me, it will be Ottawa Street,” says Graeme Smith, Co-Owner of Gorilla Cheese.
The five finished projects will be on display at 227 Ottawa Street North and online from November 12-22, 2012. The public are invited to vote for their favorite project on our newly launched website (shopottawastreet.com), and to keep up with the contest’s creative process on Facebook and Twitter.
The winner and the winning charity will be announced November 23, 2012 in The Hamilton Spectator. After that, we’ll open up the question to the rest of Hamilton’s Craftinistas: What Will You Create Today?
Ottawa Street in Hamilton is your destination for inspiration. With over 100 shops, services and restaurants including antiques, fabric, furniture, food, art and collectibles, there are endless creative combinations for food, fashion, finds and fun.
For further information, please contact:
France Fontana Hart
Office: (905) 639-0303
Mobile: (905) 467-0581
Email: franceandco@cogeco.ca