Valley Bloom souvenirs: for the love of Creemore
Grown of the fields, raised by the hills; Wild as the river, steady like the pines; Made for Creemore.
The prose on a new line of sweatshirts, the first product line from Valley Bloom, is meant to be a wearable postcard, said co-creatorLindsay Sherry, a love letter of sorts to the community.
Having dreamed of launching a line of Creemore souvenirs, Sherry found the perfect collaborator in friend Kim Preston.
Preston, an optician who also runs a landscaping and property management business, and Sherry, who works in advertising, share a love for travel – and souvenirs. Preston says, between the two of them, they have a large collection of sweatshirts, T-shirts, mugs, and beer glasses.
“Souvenirs don’t get the credit they deserve,” said Sherry. “They capture a moment in time.”
They launched Valley Bloom this month with a series of colour wash pigment dyed crewneck seaters with embroidered lettering.
Sherry and Preston have loved living in Creemore, a community of lifelong residents, transplants, weekenders, and visitors.
“People really love this place – people who have either found this place or moved back to it,” said Sherry. “We wanted to create souvenirs that speak to the anthem of this valley and the people in it.”
The slogans are meant to represent, in essence, what it’s like to be here,” said Sherry. “The feeling of some magic told through stories, lyrics and quotes – A mirroring of nature and how it changes your human spirit by being here.”
“It’s about trying to put that feeling into words,” said Preston.
Preston said some people are attracted to the colours while others identify with the words.
The long term plan for Valley Bloom is a line of apparel and home accessories, like candles, mementos, and seasonal goods.
A limited edition of embroidered crewnecks are on sale at www. valleybloom.ca.
Valley Bloom will also have a booth at the Creemore Farmers’ Market on Oct. 25 and Dec. 14, as well as the vendor market at the elementary school on Nov. 13 and The Handmade Holiday Market on Nov. 29 and 30.
Trina Berlo photo: Lindsay Sherry (left) and Kim Preston have launched a line of Creemore souvenirs with a line of sweatshirts.
