Friday, June 25, 2021

We are OPEN at The Camellia, it's Summer and Ontario is opening up!

At long last.....Everything is opening up! You can come into our store, the Camellia, and SHOP!! ( Wear a mask, and follow all the usual safety protocols). No more guessing at the wrong paint colours. There are a lot of products which just can't be ordered online. Cottage Paint colours on the computer are not the same as the actual colour in the can. 
Ontario is 75% vaccinated with their first dose, and 25% have had both doses. We know everyone is ready for Life to return to some sort of normal. At least, it's Summer now and everything is lush, and green. Time to leave our homes, and get outside!

Lake in Northern Ontario

Who can't wait to go a longish Road trip? Parents wanting to be able to see their children. Grandparents wanting to see their grandbabies. Those waiting for the U.S./Canada border to open up ( supposedly we are weeks away from borders opening up ). Here in Northern Ontario, most of us have been out Fishing and Day Camping. 

Marina in Thunder Bay with sailboats

Twilight at Thunder Bay's marina ....Summertime is here!




white hibiscus bloom with ferns

Summer is a good time to change out your Floral arrangements in your Home or Camp. so many of us have missed our winter vacays in the Tropics, why not decorate with our real-looking Hibiscus and Ginger stems? No water or extra care needed, they have long stems so they are suitable for use in a tall vase. 

mango coloured hibiscus bloom





Cottage Paint lavender and perfect pink


Here at the Camellia, we stock Cottage Paint which is a water-based chalk-like Paint that transforms Furniture and cabinets. Cottage Paint has a wonderful palette of 60+ colours, and we can tint here at our store. 

Garden flowers- columbine and Iris blooms

Summer gardens have their own spectacular array of lovely lavenders and purples, and off-whites. 

DIY Class kit with saying


We have been working on some DIY sign kits which you can purchase if you have a small Craft party in your Home. Letters are black or white Vinyl, kits include a wooden board and Cottage Paint. Phone us at 807-475-3551 for prices . 

Cottage Paint robin's egg blue

Cottage Paint is perfect for Garden projects. Gardens look lovely with the addition of Birdhouses, and small obelisks, and ornaments. This colour is Robin's egg blue, and pairs up well with our patio tablecloths. These have a hole in the middle for the umbrella and a zipper up to the hole. 


making a deco mesh wreath

Here is a work-in-progress. A deco mesh Wreath which would look great out at Camp, this will be  a DIY kit you can purchase to make your own. It is time consuming, but the end result is worth it.


You can clip on photos of your family onto this wreath. Which brings us to another topic, take lots of photos. You never know when that photo is all you have left of someone.  

Visit us here at the Camellia, at 30/32 Hacquoil Rd. Slate River, Ontario. 
Open Wednesday through to Saturday, generally 12 to 5p. 
Phone 807-475-3551. 
Shop online at https://iwindowshop.ca/

Wednesday, June 2, 2021

Stop the Lockdown of Small businesses in Northern Ontario!!

Thunder Bay Flower & Gift shop
It is grossly unfair that Small local stores are forced to be constantly under Lockdown, especially in Northern Ontario, where our Covid cases are low, and our vaccination rate is over 50%. Not to mention our vast amount of land and Lakes where we can easily isolate, and it is Summertime. 


Silver Islet store near Thunder Bay, On


People utter new words like ..Pivot, if we hear the word Pivot one more time....!! Pivot to websites....? Here's what that looks like:
- customer makes an enquiry, orders on website (maybe after 15 emails or text messages back and forth), someone has to make the product, pack, and label, then set up a time for pick up or delivery. The whole process is very time-consuming. 

The reality is that business owners want to be Open, most of us have a few clients a day, if we are lucky. We are much safer than walking into Walmart or the grocery store. 

Here in Northern Ontario, our winters are cold, and everyone looks forward to Summer, to doing Outdoor activities, to painting, and decorating their homes, and going into stores like mine that sell Home decor and Paint. Our clients like talking to a real person, rather than dealing with a virtual AI assistant. ( Artificial intelligence or shall we say artificial insanity???)
If we lose our Summer season, as well as our Spring and the whole of last year, many of us will not survive. We haven't learnt the Art of making money grow on trees. 

stop lockdown of small shops

It is to be hoped that we can be open on June 14th. or 16th. or whatever date the Southern Ontario gods decide upon. 

The Camellia, 30, Hacquoil Rd. Slate River, Ontario
p 807-475-3551