The Holiday Shopping List

9five7 Pyrography

Geeky/wood burned art

Where to find them

9five7.deviantart.com

Shipping Deadline

December 15th


Brainy Bird Creations

Original acrylic and watercolour paintings, prints, digital illustration, and custom pet portraits.

Where to find them

www.brainybirdcreations.com

www.facebook.com/brainybirdcreations

www.instagram.com/brainybirdart

Shipping Deadline

First or second week of December

Sales

Special on 8×8 wood panel custom pieces and a few other special promos


Dark Arts by Sonia

Bespoke, handcrafted leather gifts and art.

Where to find them

http://darkartsbysonia.weebly.com

Shipping Deadline

December 14th


Éric Desmarais Author

Adventure, magic, fantasy, and friendship. Books for young adults and the young at heart.

Where to find them

https://renaissance-107765.square.site/s/search?q=Eric%20Desmarais  (HOLIDAY15 for 15% off)

https://www.EricDesmarais.ca

https://Coffee.Jeneric-designs.ca

Shipping Deadline

December 11th

Sales

Free Shipping in Canada over $75 with code CANFREESHIP


Float or Fly

Handmade chain maille jewellery and holiday ornaments that are colourful and lightweight – a modern twist on a medieval artform.

Where to find them

https://www.floatorfly.com/

https://www.facebook.com/FloatOrFly/

https://www.instagram.com/floatorfly/

Shipping Deadline

December 4 (December 13 for local pickup/delivery in Ottawa)

Sales

Free local delivery on purchases of $20 or more, and use code HOLIDAYLIST for 15% off until December 13


Gilove2dance Designs

Buttons, prints, keychains, stickers from various fandoms including Doctor Who, Voltron, Avatar: The Last Airbender, the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and more!

Where to find them

http://www.lindsaycoderre.com/

Shipping Deadline

December 13th


JenEric Coffee

Fresh roasted, fair trade, flavoured coffee with geeky themes.

Where to find them

coffee.jeneric-designs.ca

Shipping Deadline

December 11th

Sales

Free Shipping in Canada over $75 with code CANFREESHIP


JenEric Designs

Scarves, hats, hair clips, dice bags, and everything else crocheted a geek might want for the holidays.

Where to find them

coffee.jeneric-designs.ca

Shipping Deadline

December 11th

Sales

Free Shipping in Canada over $75 with code CANFREESHIP


Mirror World Publishing

An Independent Canadian Press of Escapism Fiction for all ages! We publish paperbacks and ebooks in science fiction, fantasy, romance, and adventure as well as children’s books and some art books.

Where to find them

http://www.mirrorworldpublishing.com

http://www.mirror-world-publishing.myshopify.com

Shipping Deadline

Varies by location and product

Sales

Use discount code BUNDLE at checkout when you buy a paperback to get 50% off a second paperback! https://mirror-world-publishing.myshopify.com/discount/BUNDLE?redirect=%2Fcollections%2Fpaperback

Or for Ebooks, Use code: BOGO at check out to Buy one, Get one


Pastel Dreams Nikki

Selling creepy cute, pastel goth, and fairy kei products such as mask bundles, scrunchies, hair bows, dice bags, and much more! New products are created every month 🙂

Where to find them

http://pasteldreamsnikki.bigcartel.com/

Shipping Deadline

December 8th

Sales

Limited quantities of bundles available


Popsquatch Designs

Nerd themed tee shirts and goodies! We make traditional shirts as well as bleach dyed designs in all sizes from infant to 3X.

Where to find them

www.Popsquatch.ca

Shipping Deadline

Ottawa, December 15th

Rest of Canada, December 4th

Sales

Free shipping within Ottawa


The Princess Party Project

The Princess Party Project aims to make royal visits a little more accessible with free birthday party visits! Currently taking requests for holiday video messages.

Where to find them

https://www.princesspartyproject.ca/

Shipping Deadline

Deadline to submit a request for a holiday video message is December 10th

Sales

Did I mention it’s free? 🙂


Renaissance Press

We sell books by diverse Canadian Voices

Where to find them

pressesrenaissancepress.ca

Shipping Deadline

December 10th

Sales

HOLIDAY15 for 15% off between November 1st and December 10th


Sofi’s Silly Slime

Sofi’s Silly Slime is where I create and make handmade custom and designer slimes, make DIY Slime kits, prepare party favours, loot bags and sell other sensory items like squishies. Slime is beneficial for creativity, focus, fine motor skill development,

Where to find them

www.sofissillyslime.com

www.facebook.com/sofissillyslime

www.instagram.com/sofis_silly_slime

Shipping Deadline

December 15th

Sales

I offer contact free curb pick up, CONTACT FREE delivery, as well as International shipping at current Canada Post rates. From October 6th to December 29th we are offering FREE DELIVERY TUESDAYS.


Stitchnanigans

Geeky, nerdy and snarky cross stitches, patterns and kits.  Geeky cabuchon pendants as well!!

Where to find them

www.etsy.com/ca/shop/Stitchnanigans

www.instagram.com/stitchnanigansstitching

www.facebook.com/Stitchnanigans1

Shipping Deadline

Dec 5 Canada and US, Nov 15 international

Sales

10% off all cross stitch patterns, as well as all pendants, when purchased on Etsy. https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/Stitchnanigans?coupon=CON2020


Thésaurus Tea

Thésaurus Tea is blended with dainty claws by a geeky dinosaur, and then steeped in fandom! While we have all the usual classic blends (and more!) that one might expect of any tea shop, we also host an ever-growing list of original teas based on popular s

Where to find them

http://www.thesaurustea.com/

Shipping Deadline

Canada December 15th

Sales

Coupon Code JenEric before you check out to get 10% off between November 1-December 15


Tubby Tabby Soaps

Tubby Tabby Soaps is a (queer) family-owned, small-batch, handmade soap company based out of Ottawa. Sometimes geeky and sometimes classic, we make soaps and solid shampoo bars that always keep the earth in mind.

Where to find them

Shipping Deadline

ON/QC: December 11, 2020. Rest of Canada: December 4, 2020. USA: November 27, 2020

Sales

JENERIC for 10% off regular-priced products. Valid until December 31, 2020.


twoemu creations

Handmade items from new & upcycled materials, many items in geeky prints. Aprons, Hanging towels, Christmas Stockings, Bow ties, Scrappie Critters and more

Where to find them

www.twoemucreations.com

Facebook: twoemu creations

IG: twoemucreations

Shipping Deadline

December 4th for ready made items within Canada

Sales

Sale on twoemucreations website on many items from Nov 1-Dec 4th


The Wishing Fish

Whimsical, traditional medium and digital art illustrations. Custom commission, art prints, and colouring pages.

Where to find them

Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/TheWishingFish

Redbubble: https://www.redbubble.com/people/Wishing-Fish/shop

Website:  www.thewishingfish.ca

Instagram: @thewishingfish

Spoonflower: https://www.spoonflower.com/profiles/the_wishing_fish_

Shipping Deadline

December 15th

Drinks – The Holiday Shopping List

JenEric Coffee

Fresh roasted, fair trade, flavoured coffee with geeky themes.

Where to find them

coffee.jeneric-designs.ca

Shipping Deadline

December 11th

Sales

Free Shipping in Canada over $75 with code CANFREESHIP


Thésaurus Tea

Thésaurus Tea is blended with dainty claws by a geeky dinosaur, and then steeped in fandom! While we have all the usual classic blends (and more!) that one might expect of any tea shop, we also host an ever-growing list of original teas based on popular s

Where to find them

http://www.thesaurustea.com/

Shipping Deadline

Canada December 15th

Sales

Coupon Code JenEric before you check out to get 10% off between November 1-December 15


The Holiday Shopping List

Find all your holiday gifts from local Canadian Artists.


JenEric Coffee – The Holiday Shopping List

Fresh roasted, fair trade, flavoured coffee with geeky themes.

Where to find them

coffee.jeneric-designs.ca

Shipping Deadline

December 11th

Sales

Free Shipping in Canada over $75 with code CANFREESHIP


The Holiday Shopping List

Find all your holiday gifts from local Canadian Artists.


Virtual Nerd Con Holiday Edition

Do you want to explore a 3D Convetion? How about a FREE 3D convention?

Join JenEric Designs and Coffee at our booth and check out what we have to sell for this holiday season. First orders on both days get a surprise.

Join us Nov 7-8 2020 for the next edition of Virtual NerdCon!

​Get your free tickets now!!

Be sure to download VirBela to join us! (Windows and Mac)

FREE TICKETS

https://virtualnerdcon.weebly.com/

Hope to see you there!


And don’t forget to check out…


The Holiday Shopping List

Find all your holiday gifts from local Canadian Artists.


Guide: How to Brew the Perfect Coffee

Hello Coffee Lovers!

I’ve been asked a few times what makes a great cup of coffee and how do you brew it. Making hot coffee is simple, just pour hot water on ground coffee beans and you have coffee.

Let’s get more in depth, shall we? I’m going to stick to drip and submersion methods. Nothing against Turkish or Espresso coffee, but I’d like to keep this short.

Choosing your Coffee

The coffee you choose is extremely personal to your tastes. I recommend JenEric Coffee.

What you want is coffee that has been roasted within the past month or two and sealed. My preferred sweet spot is a week after roasting. The flavour has settled and you get the smoothness of great coffee.

Choosing a Coffee Maker

The variety is astounding. You can find $10 pour-over coffee makers all the way to $20,000.

What you buy will depend on the amount of work and the strength you like in your coffee.

French Press

These make fantastic and flavourful coffee, but get a little more bitter and less smoothness in the actual coffee.

Most french press are the same; get one made out of glass and that holds the amount of coffee you like to drink. Don’t get one too big or too small.

I don’t recommend the travel mugs with french press built in. the longer your coffee is submerged, the more bitter it’ll get.

Use hot water and submerge your ground coffee (coarse or you’ll get an unfun surprise.) Leave them in between 3-6 minutes and then pour. I usually forget mine for upwards of 10 minutes and it’s ok but around 15 it gets bitter.

Drip Machine

These are the standard home coffee makers, and they make okay coffee. I like Sunbeam and President’s Choice for the cheap end and Hamilton Beach, Mr Coffee, and Black + Decker for the mid range.

All you need is a coffee maker that makes coffee. Avoid all the bells and whistles; they just take power away from heating the water.

This is what I use at home when I’m making coffee for more than just me.

Grind your coffee medium fine and let the machine do the rest.

Pod

DON’T!!!!!

Pour-Over

This is the hidden gem of coffee makers. It makes the best coffee. Just put in the filter and the coffee grounds (medium fine) and pour boiled water over it.

I really enjoy the Melitta Signature I have. I bought my father-in-law the Bonavita Wide Base Porcelain Immersion Dripper which lets you control the speed of drip in order to control the flavour.

It’s a cheap and easy way to make fantastic coffee. Melitta also always has special deals, sometimes so cheap you just pay shipping.

Water to Grinds Ratio

The standard ratio is 1 TBSP of coffee grounds for 3-5 Ounces of water.

I recommend 1 TBSP (14.7 ml) of ground coffee for 4 Ounces (118ml) of water.

*WARNING*
A cup of coffee on your machine is equal to 6 ounces and not the standard US cup of 8 ounces. This can cause some serious confusion.


That’s the quick and easy way to make a great cup of coffee. There are plenty of other methods but these are the most common and simplest.

Thanks for reading and enjoy your cup,

Éric

Today I’m 35

Hello My Imaginary Friends,

Today is my birthday! (If you’d like to get me a gift, read and review my books.)

It’s easy to look back on your life and think, “AHHHHHH. I’ve accomplished nothing!!!” But that’s your insecurity speaking. At the very least you’ve done something that a lot of others haven’t; you’ve survived.

Surviving is good. I’ve been lucky enough to not only survive but do a few things that, I think, are awesome: (no particular order)

  • Graduated University
  • Had 3 books published
  • Written 7 novels and part of two novels
  • Made sure there was constant content on this blog since 2014
  • Learnt how to roast coffee and made a semi-successful business out of it
  • Been married for 9 years to my best friend (Although that’s mostly her being patient and a little luck)
  • I’m super proud of Baby Dragon
  • Wrote and developed an RPG (Can’t wait for FADDS to be available to all)

I’ve spent my life feeling average. I’m not the smartest, hardest working, most handsome, etc. So it’s nice to have things I’m proud of and that I feel I’ve done well. Yes, I realize there’s nothing on that list that hasn’t been done before, or that hasn’t been done better before. But I’m proud and consider myself lucky.

Who knows what I’ll be able to accomplish in the next 35-50 years.

 

What are you proud of?

Éric

Come see us at CAPCON 2017

This Saturday from 9am to 4pm, JenEric Coffee and Crochet will be at the Canadian War Museum in the dealers room of CAPCON.

CAPCON is Canada’s premiere scale plastic model contest and run by the wonderful IPMS Ottawa. This is a fun event to go and check out, and bonus you can go to the museum at the same time.

We hope to see you there!

Coffee Testers Club

Coffee-colour

Hello Coffee Lovers,

Last week I sent out emails and made a few facebook posts for our new Coffee Tester’s Club. It’s been way more successful than I expected and that’s great.

We need your help in deciding what our new flavour will be. Our team of professional testers has narrowed it down to 4 options. We need you to help us narrow it down further.

For the low price of $5 you’ll get four 25g bags of coffee. You’ll drink them and then fill out a survey. The flavour that is everyone’s favourite will then be added to our regular rotation.

It’s not too late to help us decide on our next flavour. Sign up for the Coffee Testers Club!

The deadline for signup will be February 19th at noon.

Yay Coffee!

Éric

Coffee is a Comfort Food

The earliest memory I have of coffee is my mother saying, “Don’t bother me until I’ve had my coffee and cigarette.” The dark brown sludge of instant coffee mixed with powdered milk was bitter, thick, and beyond disgusting.

We all have memories associated with our favourite food. I read an emotional article The Case for Bad Coffee; it’s a good and emotional read. I can’t criticize anything in it; it’s an emotional piece about the writer’s relationship with coffee. I would object to associating Starbucks with good coffee, or all diners with bad coffee. The two aren’t that far apart.

My Coffee Story

Something happened when I was eight: my mom got a job. She started working full time at a women’s shelter. A lot changed because of that job. We moved into a house, she became more confident, we started buying bagged milk, she bought a drip coffee machine, she quit smoking, and she started buying flavoured coffee.

That’s when I started taking notice. The smells of Amaretto, French Vanilla, Caramel, Irish Cream, and Chocolate floated in the house instead of the burnt rubber smell of her old instant coffee.

I can’t tell you when I started drinking coffee. I know it was sometime in high school but the exact date or year is lost to my terrible memory. I do know that the flavoured coffee was mostly for holidays and special occasions and she bought Timmies for everyday drinking.

The smell of flavoured coffee transports me back to our little house and Christmas in Northern Ontario, sipping Irish Cream coffee with the smell of holiday cooking and the howls of winter outside. There was a figurative, as well as a literal, warmth to discussing everything and anything at the breakfast table over a cinnamon coffee. I still have the cheesy Santa head mugs we drank from. I haven’t had the heart to unpack them since she died.

winter morning coffee

When I moved out on my own the first thing I bought was a coffee maker. It was tiny and made one large cup. I used it for ramen almost as often as I did for coffee. I used that machine until my third year university when I needed to pull all-nighters. I fondly remember making a large pot of coffee and working from 10pm to 8am on a 2000 word essay.

Caffeine fueled my university. My video editing job was Caramelo from Second Cup, my convenient store job was Vanilla Hazelnut Van Houtte’s, tour guiding was German Chocolate cake from Timothies, and late night classes were an extra-large triple-triple from Timmies.

They were never as good as the weekends when I went to visit my Mom and we had her coffee and watched a movie, chatted, or just argued.

When I graduated, I tried to get into Starbucks or exotic coffees. They were always bitter and over-roasted (I didn’t know that at the time, I just knew it wasn’t right). I tried to be “grown-up” and drink espresso or cappuccinos but my heart always yearned for the warmth of flavoured coffee.

Heart VS Stomach

My heart yearned for the warmth of flavoured coffee, but my stomach took that way too literally. Acid reflux was the result.

Most (some exceptions like Second Cup) flavoured coffees are made from low quality beans. Low quality beans are exceptionally bitter and acidic compared to other beans. The flavour masks the taste of both of these properties.

Unfortunately due to my stomach problems, I can no longer drink flavoured coffee without multiple uncomfortable issues. (I’ll spare you the details.)

Heart Wins!

I couldn’t find any place that made flavoured coffee with high, or even medium, quality beans. I was reduced to drinking unflavoured coffee.

Although my stomach was happy I missed the days of yummy flavours.

That’s when I got the crazy idea of making my own coffee. With the help of the internet, I started roasting in a hot air popper and loving the coffee.

I looked online for coffee flavouring. I found a lot of syrups (mostly made with corn syrup and tasting of red dye #5) and a few coffee flavourings that cost over $100 a bottle.

I wondered whether coffee flavouring and candy flavouring might be interchangeable. I found a random message board comment saying something like, “I don’t see why not?” and proceeded to run several days’ worth of experiments. (There’s a secret to when you need to flavour the beans.)

That’s when I decided to sell gourmet flavoured coffee.

JenEric Coffee

I now have delicious coffee I can drink and that reminds me of my mom. I think she’d have particularly liked the Mint Chocolate Chip and the Butter Rum.

Coffee is a food that is associated with a lot of social activities and a lot of interpersonal interchanges. It’s natural that a person would associate the coffee they drink with the people who are around or the events. It’s one of the things that makes coffee special and it’s one of the reasons I love it.

 

Enjoy what you love!

Éric