Think back to winters past, when you were a kid. When the weather was bad and you had to stay indoors, how did you spend your precious snow days?
Did you love colouring books and crayons? Doing crafts and working with your hands? Maybe you spent hours sorting through jigsaw pieces to put together a puzzle, with a cup of hot chocolate to keep you company, as a blizzard howled at the windows.
The holidays are often very child-centred. We spend a lot of time making memories for the kids we love, whether our own or other people’s, like decorating the house just so, baking their favourite treats, and shopping or making gifts we know they’ll love. It’s fun to see their faces light up as we craft the season’s magic for them.
But sometimes we forget that adults crave a little magic, too. Especially after the hustle-and- bustle of the holidays is over and we have a bit of time to relax again.
Winter is a great time to get creative and try new hobbies — or return to old ones! The idea of rediscovering play for adults has been hailed by mental health specialists as a major stress- buster. It’s a way to take a break from the challenges around us and balance our lives with simple joys and more spontaneity.
It’s time to reward yourself by revisiting your favourite pastimes, and we have a few ideas for you!
Indigenous Art Colouring Books
Colour your corner of the world with 28-page colouring books featuring the unforgettable artwork of Indigenous artists like Maxine Noel, Betty Albert, and Micqaela Jones. Each page invites you to fill their unique designs with your own colourful interpretation! A full-colour reference of the original artwork is provided on the back cover for inspiration.
Colouring books are Made in Canada. 🍁
https://www.thebrownbear.ca/products/indigenous-art-colouring-books
Indigenous Art Colouring Pencils
A gorgeous set of 12 double-ended pencil crayons (24 colours) to accompany your Indigenous Art Colouring Books and more! Sketch or draw, colour or doodle; your creativity will soar like the eagles intricately depicted on each coloured pencil, as designed by Haida artist TJ Sqwaayaans Young. A beautiful gift to give yourself, or others!
https://www.thebrownbear.ca/products/indigenous-art-colouring-pencils
Indigenous Art Dual-Tip Markers
Marker sets in brilliant colours with traditional matte hues or shimmering metallics for special projects! Each set includes 12 colours with a fine tip on one end and a thicker, brush tip on the other. Ink is vivid and solid in coverage, acid-free and non-toxic. For use on a variety of surfaces including: paper, rocks, glass, and more. Markers are decorated with motifs created by Indigenous artist Paul Windsor.
https://www.thebrownbear.ca/products/indigenous-art-felt-markers
Native Art Jigsaw Puzzles
Time to slow things down and relax with a 1000 piece puzzle, featuring the vibrant artwork and Indigenous heritage of James Jacko, John Rombough, and others. Inspired by animals and human connections with nature, each puzzle carries a special interpretation of the natural world. Also included in this puzzle series is “Remember”, commemorating lost Indigenous children. Completed puzzles are 50 cm x 70 cm (19.75” x 27.5”).
https://www.thebrownbear.ca/products/gifts-native-art-jigsaw-puzzles
Indigenous Diamond Art Kits
Create a mosaic “painting” with art gems based on authentic Indigenous artwork. Using a special pen, apply colourful diamond beads to a canvas, with the colour key as your guide. Featured art includes designs by Micqaela Jones, Jackie Traverse, and more. Diamond Art is a popular hobby that calms the mind and inspires the imagination at the same time! Suitable for beginners or experienced diamond art painters.
https://www.thebrownbear.ca/products/indigenous-diamond-art-kit
This winter, we invite you to make time to embrace your sense of play. Rediscover forgotten hobbies or pick up a few new ones... you’ll be delighted by how therapeutic it can be to engage in something meditative and mindful, just for the fun of it. Just because!
An Important Note From The Brown Bear:
The Brown Bear has a long history of partnering with ethical distributors to ensure Indigenous artists are fairly compensated and receive royalties for their beautiful and authentic products.
All products featured here adhere to the following principles:
- 100% of the art is designed by Indigenous artists.
- All artists have provided consent and contractural permission for their art to be featured on these products.
- Artist names are acknowledged on all product packaging.
- Cultural traditions are honoured by acknowledging cultural affiliation on product packaging.
- Artists are paid in fees and royalties.
