Category Archives: Gift Shop

Special for Museum Members

It’s time for our Members Only 23 Days of Christmas Sale!

From December 1st through to the 23rd members will receive a 25% discount on most items in our gift store. The recently expanded shop has some fabulous gift ideas with loads of new items suitable for both adults and children.

Here’s the “fine print” to the special offer: please note that the sale discount does not apply to items already marked down or on consignment. Your valid membership card must be shown at the time of purchase.

Not sure what to buy a certain someone for a holiday treat? Why not get them a museum gift certificate! The certificates can be made out for any denomination and used in the shop, for a fossil tour or put towards the purchase of a membership.

Hard to believe, but some folks have already begun their Christmas shopping!

If you want to stay ahead of the curve, come see what’s in store that is both unique and locally made.

Joy Hills Island Designs creates rustic Vancouver Island-themed laser cut wood necklaces reasonably priced at $20.00 each.

The very inventive local artist James Wood has fashioned a variety of pieces that include T-Rex teeth, glow in the dark ammonites, rocks with life-like star fish and shark teeth necklaces.

Or check out the offerings from the Royston-based Giggling Gertie & Co. which produces things like lavender sachets for only $6.95 or bright and cheerful button bracelets for $9.95 each.

WOW – it has been quite the summer in the gift shop. The store expansion and accompanying increase in stock have made it the best season ever revenue-wise.

A top seller from a new line of merchandise we are carrying are the Rolly Pets. They are the cutest stuffed toys – each has a sweet smile and lovely rosy cheeks. We carry owls, rabbits, bees, ladybirds and seals. Children are drawn to the owls and seals while the adults seem to especially like bees and bunnies. All are reasonably priced at just $9.95 plus tax.

Children’s sock sales have gone wild this summer! Hatley Little Blue House brand are known for their fabulous quality and fair price with designs that include dinosaurs, dogs, cats, rabbits, wolves and owls. The socks are available in two sizes: 2-4 years and 5-7 years and retail for $4.50 a pair.

From the fertile imagination of Ding Ding Dilly Crafts comes these charming replicas of the museum’s African lungfish, Slugzilla. Available in our shop for only $13 each.

If you are planning to give chocolate this Easter and want a change from the traditional egg or rabbit, you might consider a delicious Elasmo Chocolate Bar made by Hot Chocolates. Only available here at the museum, it’s a great deal for $4 and very unique!

The gift shop is also carrying a new book written by local author Tim Haley called Her Vision Quest. This hardcover book retails for $22 and would make a wonderful gift.

About Her Vision Quest

When a hike in the woods goes horribly wrong, young Shirley is forced to think on her feet and grow up quickly. While saving her father from a terrible fall, she notices an unusual cave in the distance. She soon finds that she is unable to shake the vision of it in her mind and embarks on a long journey of discovery. Aided by a mystical friend, she stumbles on more than she bargained for in the darkness of the strange cavern.

This is a story of adventure, friendship, and self-discovery firmly rooted in the culture, dramatic landscape, and magic of northern Vancouver Island.

About the Author

Tim Haley is a gold smith, sculptor, painter, and musician. He grew up in Colorado, where he learned to love the outdoors and worked at a small cattle ranges. After studying art in Boston, he moved his family to Black Creek where they homesteaded and built a house in the bush. Tim currently operates a jewellery store, art gallery, and jewellery academy in Courtenay where he lives with his partner and youngest daughter.