CRAFTED 2024

Alan has been making pottery for almost 50 years. He has worked and exhibited in numerous countries, recently returning from Japan. Pots are made on a foot–powered potter’s wheel and fired in an ancient style wood burning kiln. It’s a direct process leaving “evidence of the hand”, something that goes slow and requires a lot of patience. Alan lives in an Oak forest north of Winnipeg near Oak Hammock Marsh. He is a member of the Stoneware Gallery and has been an artist on The Wave Interlake Studio Tour for 23 years.  

Jewellery created by goldsmith Alexandra Tumanov, celebrates the elegance of Mother Earth. The intricate detail inherent in a fallen leaf, the texture and complexity of a found twig transforms through the artist process. Every piece is a symbolic connection to the natural world. Committed to an environmentally sustainable practice, Alexandra exclusively uses recycled materials and ethically sourced gemstones. Every piece of jewellery is made from start to finish by Alexandra. 

Anastasia Pindera is an interdisciplinary visual artist based in Winnipeg on Treaty 1 Territory. She holds a BFA from the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, where she focused on jewellery and metalsmithing. Anastasia’s jewellery designs are mainly hand– carved in wax and cast in bronze and sterling silver. The body is the subject in her contemporary jewellery, which examines gender, sexuality, and Western beauty ideals. Her objective is to challenge social conventions and encourage empowerment and conversation. She is the recipient of several arts awards including from the Canada Council for the Arts and has exhibited work internationally. 

Anishinaabe Girl Designs, founded by Sagkeeng First Nation member, Shauna Fontaine, is a testament to wearable luxurious Indigenous artistry she labels, urban boujee chic. Shauna has spent more than two decades crafting her art and preserving her Indigenous heritage. Her work harmoniously blends inspiration from the natural world utilizing materials such as quills, antler, birchbark, and fur. Her passion is illustrated through intricate designs and commitment to personal artistic development and transmission of culture. Beyond her artistry, Shauna is deeply committed to empowering Indigenous artists, especially women and youth, through mentorship and workshops. 

Andréanne Mulaire Dandeneau was born and raised in Saint-Boniface, Manitoba. She is of Ojibwa/French Métis ancestry and has created her Heritage clothing line to honour Canada’s French, Indigenous, and Métis character. Andréanne is committed to fair trade, environmental stewardship, and ethical business practices which has led to Anne Mulaire’s Just-In-Time philosophy and waste-reducing circular manufacturing model. With comfort and versatility at the forefront of design, Anne Mulaire is an expression of heritage, beauty, and pride. In 2022, Andréanne celebrated 17 years as a designer and manufacturer, right here in Winnipeg. 

Goota Ashoona is a third generation Inuit artist from Cape Dorset, Nunavut. From a long line of well-known artists, Ashoona, along with her late husband Bob Kussy and their twin sons Joe Jaw and Samueli Ashoona, founded Ashoona Studios, currently operating in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Produced both individually and collaboratively, their work is part autobiographical and part historical, detailing stories from their family life. Many carvings are made from whalebone and black argilite but often mixed with other materials such as caribou antler, soapstone, copper, and claws. 

Athena Grandjambe is a Dene artist who lives and creates in Inuvik. She learned how to bead and sew through watching family members while growing up. As she touched base with these skills years later, Athena now feels that her art practice greatly reconnected her to her culture and traditions. She is eager to continue learning new techniques, which include embroidery and working with furs and moosehide. She started selling her artwork online, through Facebook marketplace, in 2021.  

Driven by her passion and grounded by her Inuvialuit roots, Bambi plans to continue gaining experience and knowledge by continuing to make artwork for all to enjoy. Bambi is passionate about passing on traditions and shares that by teaching others with workshops and sewing circles. Bambi learned to sew in 2008 and started selling her creations in 2012. Her artwork can be found on the Manitobah Indigenous Market, the Proudly Indigenous Crafts and Designs’ website, as well as on Bambi’s Instagram and Facebook pages @BambisTraditionalArts.

BARE no tools is a sculptural jewellery brand that creates hand-formed polymer accessories designed by Winnipeg-born, multidisciplinary artist, Marissa Hoff. Founded on an admiration of unique self expression and a passion for design, these accessories aim to expand fashion inclusivity by creating contemporary pieces that can be appreciated and worn by all bodies, ages, and gender expressions. The designs are driven by organic shapes, vivid colours, and the technical process of creating something refined and beautiful with the artist’s bare hands.

bead n’ butter is an accessories brand owned by Jessie Pruden, a queer, disabled, Metis artist from Winnipeg. Each piece is handmade using glass beads and other materials, and every design is inspired by people in Jessie’s life. Bright and colourful, each piece is created with great intention, mixing a contemporary and traditional Metis design. bead n’ butter has been featured everywhere from Paris Fashion Week, to Fashion Canada Magazine, to the Instagram of celebrities. Collaborating with her brother, Noel, Jessie works out of her home, overseen by her pug-chihuahua, Bella. 

Beads & Hide Designs was created by Métis artist Marti Lys in late 2021. Born and raised into a large family in the north, Marti spends her free time creating beadwork and tanning moosehide to reconnect with her culture.

Nichol Marsch is a Métis artist from rural Manitoba, Treaty 1 Territory. She primarily works in multimedia sculptural installation that involves various contemporary and traditional mediums and processes, including beadwork. She enjoys making functional as well as decorative beadwork pieces and finding ways to merge the medium with others. Marsch learned bead working from various teachers including friends, fellow Métis artists, and leaders of Métis beading circles, and independent exploration. 

Eva Saunders is a full-time artist and stay-at-home mom from Kuujjuaq and lives in Montreal. Saunders loves to create and experiment with beadwork, such as beaded qalliniit, sewing slippers, sealskin doilies, and beaded earrings. Saunders grew up watching friends and family sewing and wished to do the same. At an early age, she sewed her first parka and learnt to make embroidered floral mittens. Eva obtained a diploma in fashion design. A project Eva is most proud of is a collaboration with the artist Niap on the “Piqutiapiit” she did which was showcased at Musée McCord.  

Sylvie Desjarlais is a quilt maker and sewist who lives in Winnipeg, Manitoba. As Bo Peep Reimagined Textiles, Sylvie works exclusively with salvaged textiles to create quilts and clothing. With a keen focus on reclaimed natural fibres, Sylvie breathes new life into discarded and vintage materials. Prevalent themes in her work are sustainability and celebration of heritage. As a Métis woman and Franco-Manitoban, Sylvie honours the traditions of her ancestors by exploring the practices of quilt and capote making. Her goal is to create pieces that feel fresh and modern with a hint of the materials’ historical origins. 

Glass homewares + art bring handmade inspiration to your every day. Working out of her studio, Brook melts and blows glass using a flame working technique. The process begins with drawing and playing with existing bits and parts of glass. In the studio she will experiment until coming up with a sample piece used for a pattern. Using three different sizes of oxygen and propane fuelled torches, Brook will melt, blow, and shape the glass, before slowly cooling the finished piece in an annealer. 

Candace Lipischak is a multidisciplinary Métis artist born and raised on Treaty 1 territory. Owner and jewellery designer for her company Fat Daug (Father-Daughter), Candace was taught by her mentor and father, Larry. Inspired by their Métis heritage and love of nature, their pendants and earrings are hand-carved out of various antler. Each piece is original and organic, meant to add some creative flair to your wardrobe, and most of all, to keep you grounded. 

Candice Ring is a studio potter from Winnipeg, Manitoba. She gravitates towards making utilitarian objects because of their familiarity and tactility. Her interest in the vessel propels her to create pieces that connect with others both visually and through use. She is inspired by her sense of nostalgia for home, and an interest in history and decoration, and uses these as building blocks for her creative process. She has worked, exhibited, and taught throughout North America, Australia, and China. She has a BFA in Ceramics from The University of Manitoba and an MFA in Studio Art from Arizona State University. 

Catherine Ijjangiaq is a single mother of one living in Naujaat, Nunavut. After seeing beadwork around Nunavut, she was inspired to start making her own creations. She is a self-taught beader and learned to bead at age 21. Beading has now turned into a hobby for Catherine who has named her business Catherine’s Beading. Her beadwork is admired within and outside of Naujaat. She uses seed and delica beads, cabichons, and seal skins to make earrings. Catherine teaches beading within her community, works full time at a local convenience store, makes crocheted hats and headbands, and is a tattoo artist. 

Cathie Ugrin is a Manitoba based fabric artist whose work is characterized by a rich and inventive use of colour and unique approach to design. Thread is her pencil; fabric is her paint; the artwork created is her voice. She has studied with numerous international fibre artists, continually expanding her technique while advancing her growth as an artist. Her pieces have reached a broad audience, finding homes across Canada, the United States, England, Finland, Italy, Peru, and Slovenia. Cathie’s work has been accepted into various National Juried shows and exhibits. Collaborating and teaching complete her resume of fibre-related art activities. 

Charlotte Sigurdson is a sculpture and doll artist from Winnipeg. A life-long doll lover, Charlotte began her art career making bespoke toy dolls and over time, her work evolved from toys to fine art sculpture. Her work draws on baroque imagery and has a subtle element of the grotesque. Conceptually, Charlotte’s work focuses on the human condition and how our humanity connects us through time and space. History is of particular importance in her work. Many of her pieces are inspired by specific historical events or the history of ideas. 

Christina is a mixed-media artist, currently focusing on incorporating foraged elements with embroidery and weaving techniques. She explores themes of homeostasis as well as broader concepts around place and human nature. Christina studied Fine Arts at the University of Texas – Rio Grande Valley, she is originally from Victoria, B.C. and she currently lives and works in Yellowknife, N.T. You can view her ongoing collection via Instagram @vinterskap.

CJ Tennant creates modern gemstone jewellery. Balancing edgy and elegant, embracing colour and texture, these stunning, quality pieces fulfill CJ’s goal of making every customer feel like their best self and have a darn good time in the process. Her design philosophy is always to focus on the real-life needs and bodies of women, creating pieces that excite and flatter. The collections mix and layer so everyone can build a timeless style wardrobe, all while adding the power of gemstones.    

Matt Jenkins and Karen Rudolph are dedicated to designing and forging highly crafted work. For 45 years they have honed their skills and learned traditional blacksmith techniques while studying with master smiths around the world. Matt has placed twice at the World Forging Championship in Stia, Italy and in 2016 he completed a yearlong project where he designed and forged a different style hook every day. Between hammering on custom projects in their shop located in just north of Winnipeg, Manitoba; they lead workshops and demonstrate the ancient craft of blacksmithing across North America.

Daria Tittenberger is a jewellery artist living and working in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Working predominately with off-loom beadweaving techniques, she uses a single needle and thread to sew glass beads together into three-dimensional wearable art. Informed by traditional fabric arts and inspired by contemporary forms of expression, she uses the repetition and layering of simple geometric shapes to create beadwoven jewellery with complex textures, patterns, and shapes. 

Lisa and Sean Reico are Winnipeg, Manitoba based artists inspired by their love for and interest in minimalist design and modern architecture. Together, their mission is to innovate through their use of unique elements, and to support the community at large by using eco-friendly materials such as 40% recycled resins which incorporate organic materials and hand-woven weaves developed by skilled artisans in diverse regions around the world. Although Lisa and Sean have no formal training in fine arts, their respective decade long interest and passion for architecture and design inspired them to start dconstruct jewellery. 

Debra is a book-artist whose distinct materials are sourced from the places most meaningful to her; their personal significance finds its place as they become functional books to hold and preserve individual experience. Her training in the precise art of bookbinding allows for elegant balance between fine technique and innovative play. Her work ranges from leather or wood-bound journals to sculptural artworks featuring foraged logs and self-preserved fish leather. Placing high value on sustainable craft, fishing for and tanning her own leather has become a critical aspect of Debra’s practice. Her work has been shown and collected nationally and internationally. 

Earth and Hide is a lifestyle brand focussing on high quality leather goods with a timeless rugged quality. Earth and Hide products connect to its owner through the things it carries and the way it’s used. Every customer has a unique story and their product will become an integral part of that story. Imagine what you put in your bag and the importance these items have; the contacts in your phone, the things written with the pen, the drawings held within the sketchbook. The hope is that their products will be an integral part of the things customers do.

Eva is a textile artist who is interested in pursuing healing through her creative practice. A mother and grandmother, she recalls the memories of being told Inuit stories by her father that continue to inspire her work. Her tapestries are in various museum collections including The High Society of Civilization at the Canadian Embassy in London, England and at the State of New York. Eva recently participated in an artist residency at WAG-Qaumajuq in partnership with the Government of Nunavut where she focused on expanding her textile practice and exploring acrylic painting.

Fashion By Hafsa is a progressive artistic line of clothing designed for the modern, modest woman. Hafsa uses influences from her experiences and different cultures to create a unique line of modest clothing. Being designed to be worn by anyone regardless of belief is important as Hafsa’s vision is to bring the old world into the new world, to respect the past while modernizing to prepare for the future. Authentic custom and hand painted designs stand out to promote a woman’s forward fashion sense while respecting one’s preferences and beliefs, regardless of body type or background. 

Amy McPherson is a Métis artist from the Canadian Prairies showcasing prairie floral beadwork, caribou hair tufting, and porcupine quillwork. Amy has been beading for 25 years, an apprentice of Master Beader Jennine Krauchi, and has learnt many forms of traditional Indigenous art over the years incorporating them into her designs. In 2017, Amy started Fashion Ikwe Designs. Ikwe means woman in the Saulteaux and Anishinaabe languages. She creates one–of–a–kind custom pieces, capsule collections, and handmade jewellery.  

Kehinde Odenusi is a Nigerian fashion designer based in Winnipeg. She has always had a burning desire to create beautiful outfits. While in university, Kehinde started creating vibrant and colourful outfits from scratch for herself and her sister. In 2017, she ventured into fashion designing and since then has been curating pieces to make women look their best all around the globe. Ranging from ready to wear and custom-made pieces, Kehinde unique designs are an expression of her vibrant culture and heritage while reflecting diversity in fashion trends.

Graeson Fehr is a Winnipeg based knife maker who creates custom, high end culinary and hunting blades. Each blade starts as a raw bar of steel and is forged or ground into shape, heat treated, polished, sharpened entirely at his forge in the Exchange District. After the blade is finished Graeson chooses a handle material, carefully weighing considerations between aesthetic choices as well as durability to make sure that the finished product will look unique and hold up to a lifetime of use. 

Georgina Fabian, a Dene artist, was born in Fort Providence, NT, but now resides on the Hay River Reserve. A master in her craft, she creates beadwork, moccassins, moosehair tufting, embroidering, and jewellery. Georgina credits her mother as being the source of her artistic inspiration, as she creates lots of artwork, promotes the youth in her community to expand on their morals, and to keep tradition in her family. She also hosts traditional workshops with families to teach them cultural values and beliefs.

Haley Alakan White is a mixed-media artist who draws inspiration from her Inuk heritage, using traditional skills learned from family, elders, and community. She uses natural materials like antler, bone, fur, and stone. Initially focusing on sewing, Haley incorporates beading, tufting, printmaking, and carving, following a deeply ingrained principle of respect for animals and utilizing all parts of the animals she works with. Haley’s art reflects the past, present, and future of her people, portraying the resilience and strength of the Inuit community. She aims to instill a sense of connection, joy, and hope, bridging generations and honoring Inuit culture. 

Hazel is a Dene artist from Meandor River, Alberta. Hazel uses the initials HSM to identify her artwork. She wanted to include her maiden name – Salopree – because she wants people to know where she’s from as she finds inspiration by connecting to the traditional artists in her family. She made her first jewellery box in 1998 and this continues to be the most sought out item she makes. Hazel’s artwork can be found at the North Country Inn in Hay River, NT.

Helen Gair creates fine hats & headpieces. With a background in historic costume, Helen blocked her first hat more than 20 years ago. After deciding to pursue millinery as an art form, she travelled to England to study under various millinery masters. Using carefully selected premium materials from their characteristic countries, allows Helen to hand craft couture pieces that blend traditional techniques with modern sensibilities. Adorned with genuine vintage, never-sold deadstock trims ensure small batches and exclusivity in each design, due to the rarity of materials used. Helen meticulously creates timeless pieces in her Winnipeg home studio. 

Miriam Delos Santos is the designer and owner of Hello Darling Co., a local small business specializing in inclusive women’s accessories and fashion. Proudly a second-generation Filipina from immigrant parents who started their own entrepreneurial business back in the 1980s and paved the path. From the careful curation of textiles, mostly deadstock and remnant fabrics, to the design and production, the process is done in studio in Winnipeg Manitoba. Miriam also participates with local student internships, panels empowering BIPOC women in business, fashion school lectures and believes in community support, the power of mentorship, visibility and dedication to ones craft.  

Destiny Seymour is an Anishinaabe interior designer based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. She graduated with her master’s degree in Interior Design from the Faculty of Architecture at the University of Manitoba. In 2016 Destiny started designing artisan textiles for interiors that respectfully reflect local Manitoban Indigenous peoples and their history. Her company, Indigo Arrows, now offers a range of table linens, pillows, and blankets that showcase patterns from local Indigenous pottery and bone tools that date from 400 to over 3,000 years old. These patterns are picking up where her ancestors left off. 

Ittuvik Paquet is an Inuit artist from Salluit, Quebec. Her passion for parka making started six years ago when her cousins began teaching her over the phone. Ittuvik recently attended the Northern Lights Tradeshow in Ottawa, Ontario. 

James Koomak of Arviat, Nunavut is a full time student at Nunavut Arctic College. He is studying in the Nunavut Teacher Education Program and is in his 4th year of a 5-year program. James is a self taught seamster who mostly sews outerwear such as parkas/coats, wind/snow pants, amautiit (baby carrier), and mitts in his spare time. He enjoys taking parka orders and has sent his work to customers as far away as Alaska.

Jamesie (James) Mearns, an Inuk male currently living in Iqaluit has been making uluit and other items for a number of years. He utilizes traditional designs but incorporates exotic woods and other materials to create his pieces. Jamesie works with the goal of creating functional pieces with a modern flare that can be used day to day.  

Janelle Cumming, hailing from Fort Smith, NT, is a self-taught artist who draws inspiration from traditional materials and techniques. She has a special talent for creating earrings, showcasing her attention to detail and creativity. As her passion for art grows, she continuously expands her repertoire, crafting intricate beaver mitts, moccasins, neckties, and cuffs. Janelle’s work reflects her deep connection to her Dene and Cree heritage and her dedication to preserving and sharing cultural artistry through her unique creations. 

Jillian Sareault graduated from Emily Carr University of Art and Design in Vancouver, BC in May 2019 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts. While there, she focused on creating functional ceramic work that pulled techniques from other mediums like Illustration, Animation, and Silk Screening. By combining these mediums and techniques, she creates brightly coloured functional ceramics for any setting. Since moving back to Manitoba, she has been drawing inspiration for her work from her surroundings including the large variety of fruit and vegetable fields that are grown around the province. 

Jonasie Faber is from Qaqortoq, Greenland. His formative years were spent immersed in Inuit culture in the small hamlets of Alluitsup Paa and Narsaq. There, Jonasie was introduced to the history and art of the Greenlandic Vikings. Jonasie brought these artistic creations with him when he immigrated to Canada. He is a renowned carver, sailor, and is known for his carvings of the Greenlandic Inuit Sea Goddess Imap Ukua. His works are lively and thoughtful, and his incredible skill is the result of continuous dedication to the medium of sculpture. 

Johanna founded Johanna Brierley Jewellery Design in 2007 after applying her lifelong fascination with jewellery in its many forms. Johanna is known primarily for her Lucky Stone Collection, which is inspired by hole stones found on the shores of Lake Winnipeg in Gimli, Manitoba. These “lucky stones” continue to play a role in her jewellery design, which has grown to include collections in sterling silver and gold. As a result of Johanna’s creativity, talent, and passion, JBJD has grown over the last 15 years, and her work can be found in retailers all over North America. When Johanna isn’t travelling the world seeking experiences and inspiration, she works in her studio in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

June Derksen, owner of Junebug Design is a glass artist from Winnipeg, Manitoba. She has spent over 26 years developing her skills and learning new methods to further evolve as a glass artist. June sees glasswork as an opportunity to combine her technical skills and artistry, to create beautiful flowing works of art, special keepsakes, or wearable art. Using handmade sheet glass, frit (crushed glass in various granular sizes) and vitro-graph (molten glass pulled to create glass string). Layer upon layer is built up like a collage and fused together in a kiln. The reveal is always exciting and unpredictable.
 

Julianna is an artist from the prairies of southern Manitoba. She works primarily in clay, but also extends her practice to include a variety of other materials. Her current body of work investigates our relationship to food. She received her first Bachelor of Fine Art from the University of Manitoba and her BFA (studio) from the Emily Carr University of Art and Design. In June 2021 Julianna defended her thesis and graduated with a Master of Fine Art from the University of Manitoba.

Karen Kerr is a rope artist who works from her studio in Winnipeg, MB. She designs and crafts bowls, baskets, and purses using natural unbleached cotton rope of varying widths. Each contemporary design is meticulously machine sewn with some incorporating accents of leather, wood, cork, and fabric. Karen’s unique rope creations are works of art providing beauty, quality, and functionality to any decor. 

Working with vintage, reclaimed, and high-quality materials, Kami stitches together her passion for ecology, mycology, fibre, and food in her plush characters. Embracing the fact that you are never too old to keep a stuffed animal in your room, Kami pours her heart into her soft action figures and sends them off into the world and homes of eager collectors who give them a life of their own.

Karen is an eclectic artist influenced by modern and medieval architecture, and the beauty of the skies, lakes, and trees found in the Manitoba landscape. She embraces the challenge of designing 3D small sculptures as personal adornment. Her fusion of form and function in sterling silver, with attention to texture and detail, enables wearers to best express their own individuality. Having taught a Jewellery and Metalsmithing Program for many years, she has benefitted from her experience in the studio and the many workshops she has attended throughout her expanding career.    

Katharina Nuss is a textile artist, gardener, and printmaker, and combines all those passions in her work. She makes textile items that are beautiful and practical, dyed with plants she grows and forages herself. Whenever possible, she uses reclaimed and repurposed materials, and she loves that her art materials are plants which can be composted once a project is complete! Katharina enjoys the back and forth of the creative process where natural materials feature prominently and brings an element of unpredictability and surprise to the work. This makes each piece unique and imbues it with the characteristics of each plant. 

Kathryne Koop’s passion for pottery began over 50 years ago through a community clay class which planted the seed that launched a lifelong career as a full-time potter. Working with porcelain clay, Koop explores endless approaches to familiar objects that balance aesthetics with both form and function. She creates unique pieces of pottery that are both elegant and gestural, making them as desirable to display as they are to use. Each piece is wheel thrown, glazed with multiple layers of colour and fired in a gas reduction kiln. 

Working from her studio in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Kelli Rey is inspired by early–to–mid-20th century design, defamiliarization, experimental techniques, and vibrant colours. Her passion lies in artfully crafting ceramics, incorporating elements that aim to surprise, puzzle, or entertain. Kelli’s commitment to continuous learning is evident in her educational journey, which includes a BFA Honours in Ceramics and a BEd from the University of Manitoba and a Graphic Design Diploma from Red River Polytechnic College. She has received numerous awards for her work and has been published in Studio Magazine Canada, Lark Ceramics 500 Teapots, and Homemade Soups in Handmade Vessels.

Kiefer Floreal, an emerging ceramic artist from Kenora, now based in Winnipeg, has gained acclaim for his distinctive fish-printed pots. As a finalist on “The Great Canadian Pottery Throw Down”, Floreal showcased his exceptional illustration and sculpting skills. His innovative approach and detailed designs reflect his deep connection to nature. Floreal’s work continues to push the boundaries of contemporary ceramics, making him a notable name in the art world. 

Tijen Roshko has a BSc from Middle East Technical University in Ankara, Turkey. After completing an MSc in nuclear physics at the University of Manitoba, she decided to pursue a more creative direction in the Department of Interior Design where she earned a BID. Tijen is the primary designer and founded Kolye TJN in 2020. Kolye TJN is a progressive felt necklace retail brand for woman and men which is operating through e-commerce and private sales. The company mission is to be environmentally responsive, unique, and exclusive. 

Kristie MAH clothing is a re-birth of Velvet Plume Clothier for the past 16 years. Kristie is a self-taught clothing designer and seamstress; she has travelled, vended, and displayed at shows for 20 years. MAH can mean the sound between sounds, or the measure of an electrical charge. People will remember you after you leave the room when you wear an original Kristie MAH design. The energetic essence of you, charging your every step. Kristie MAH clothing is poetry in motion. Designs to help you bloom into being and an opportunity to awaken sacred space within and around you. 

From street markets to pop-ups, the Lennard Taylor brand has grown over the years. After years of momentum, his hard work birthed his flagship boutique where the designer continues to grow his label. The brand’s popularity has grown further and further as he travels across North America showing his one of-a-kind-designs and artworks. Lennard continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible while garnering international recognition for his outstanding design, exquisite paintings, and inspirational words. Lennard Taylor is truly a modern-day renaissance man who works hard to live up to his life’s purpose – to make others smile and feel good. 

On the Court. At the Lake. In the Office. Off the Grid. Canadian designer, Graham Epp has offered the world the look, feel, and fit of his own original Lounge Lakers. Stemming from a career in couture fashion, Graham has launched a line of athletic loungewear made from natural and sustainable fibres. In addition to the flagship design of classic shorts and polo shirts, Graham constructs one-of-a-kind pieces using printed fabric created by his own silk screen technique. With a vision of a uniform for a brave new world, these are not merely shorts but a way of life. 

Lucas Kost is a full-time wood sculptor who received his first lesson in wood carving from family friend, Marcel Desilets at age ten. In 2022, Lucas traveled to Monte Castello, Italy to complete a two-week long intensive masterclass with the renowned Italian sculptor, Bruno Walpoth. Lucas’ works range from wood spirits to large scale human and wildlife sculptures. His wood spirits are carved in Cottonwood bark, which Lucas sustainably harvests from the banks of the Red & Assiniboine rivers. Larger figurative sculptures are first roughed in with a chainsaw, then slowly refined by hand with a mallet and chisel.  

Lavinia van Heuvelen, jeweller from Bowmanville, ON, living in Iqaluit, studied Jewellery and Metalwork at Nunavut Arctic College and is now a fulltime Jeweller at LVH Jewellery. Most of Lavinia’s work is made with sterling silver and natural materials. Working with natural materials from local hunters, Lavinia is inspired by the north and what is around her. Much of her jewellery directly references Inuit traditions and culture, which are tied together with silver and materials from the land. LVH Jewellery focuses on filling in the lack of culturally relevant pieces for Inuit and admirers of the North. 

MadeByRasa was born of a concept where tradition meets technology. He investigates the possibilities of producing elaborate creations with nature, insects, and skull motifs by sculpting, scanning, molding, and printing. His primary interest is working with copper, where he uses electrotyping processes to turn these ideas into stunning pieces, including silver and gold. He finds constant inspiration in the chemistry and physics involved in the electrotyping process and the art of crafting distinctive patinas. He also explores the fields of lost wax casting, utilizing the knowledge passed on by creatives for thousands of years. 

Christie Peters is a self-taught fibre artist who has been wet-felting wool for the past 17 years. margaret jane design, is named for her mother and grandmother, the original makers in her life. She is endlessly fascinated with the many ways that wool can be transformed and is always dreaming up new designs. She takes inspiration from all of the colours and shapes and shadows in the natural world and is easily entranced by the curve of a leaf or a glimmering patch of sunlight. 

Marlene Snowshoe, a Gwich’in artist from Fort McPherson, has crafted beaded items for over 30 years, including brooches, coasters, purses, and shoes. Raised by her grandmothers after her mother’s early death, Marlene absorbed Gwich’in culture and craft traditions. Encouraged by her family, she began beading with a project from her mother-in-law—a pair of wrap-around shoes for her baby. Praised for her work, Marlene’s confidence grew. She recently ventured into creating beaded Christmas ornaments, featuring local themes like a hooded parka and birds. 

Lourdes Still is the founder of Masagana Flower Farm & Studio, a seasonal flower farm & dye studio in Southeast Manitoba. She grows seasonal blooms and dye plants to make handmade, small-batch, naturally dyed textile goods. She started as a self-taught flower farmer and natural dyer, but has since trained on small-scale, high intensity cut flower production through Floret and Maiwa’s School of Textiles. She created TINTA, a three-hour dye-your-own wearable art experience where people can engage with botanicals and create them through eco-printing and indigo dyeing. Classes are offered year-round at her studio-in-the-woods. 

May-Lain Siusangnark is a married mother of three who lives in Naujaat, Nunavut. She started learning sewing at the age of 12 and her first project was a pair of mitts using old clothing. May-Lain has studied and instructed sewing classes. She has always liked fashionable clothing and despite the odds, has persevered and now makes clothes for other people. May-Lain sites her mother as a role model and is proud to say that some community members admire her work. Her desire is to teach other people so that they can engage in sewing projects and have a better future. 

For over two decades David has worked exclusively with locally harvested materials in his ceramics after completing a BFA at Emily Carr University of Art + Design. Everything that goes into David’s pots is dug by hand in Manitoba. Clays and sands are carefully researched, harvested, and processed before being thrown on his kick wheel. The glazes come from wood ash and rocks that are crushed by hand. Finally, David fires the pots in his wood burning kiln. David takes pride in creating truly local, functional pottery. 

Michino is a self-taught fabric natural dyer whose inspirations are rooted in Japanese traditional practices. Michino went to art school in Japan and immigrated to Canada almost 15 years ago. Michino creates bags called ZUDABUKURO, a traditional Japanese bag that was originally used by Buddhist monks and now are commonly used in Japan by many different people. Michino also designed a back-cross apron, based on a traditional Japanese design, that is light and does not strain the neck and shoulders. She has been exploring dyeing cotton and canvas fabric with flowers, seeds, fruit skins, and indigo. 

Nuutuittuq Beadwork creates hand beaded jewellery and earrings that purposefully incorporate Inuit icons, most notably the Ulu (a traditional knife) and kamiik (Inuit footwear). Their beaded creations feature sealskin, as seals have been a form of sustenance and their pelt as a warm, durable, and waterproof material. Nuutuittuq, created in 2023, began creating block printed artworks, which also incorporates imagery from their culture. They have found art making  to be a great aid in fighting homesickness while they continue to pursue their post-secondary education in Montreal; and are fortunate to have an audience that also finds joy in their creations.

Marc Liss, of Origin Handcrafted Goods, believes the materials he uses to make his pieces are as important as the pieces themselves. By salvaging quality steel from antique sawmill blades, wood from whiskey barrels and barn beams, and incorporating deer antler, bison horn, and Manitoba maple in his work, Marc believes the materials possess a uniquely Canadian quality. Beauty is found in the utility of a tool and each curve and line of Marc’s knives is determined by function rather than flare. The result: simple and straightforward knives, possessing a rich history, and a lifetime of utility. 

Patricia’s love for colour and contemporary design are the hallmarks of her glass art. Her unique fused glassware embodies her use of bold colour and patterns. Patricia has a degree in Fine Arts from the University of Manitoba. She worked in marketing most of her professional career but has returned to her artistic roots to satisfy her need to add colour to her surroundings.

Pootoogook Noah was born in Iqaluit, NU. He lived and worked in Baker Lake for 18 years, but moved back to Iqaluit with his family in 2001. His art career began in 2003 in the Jewellery and Metalwork Program at Nunavut Arctic College. During his time in college, one of his projects was purchased by the Governor General of Canada for the Prince of Denmark as a wedding present. In 2004, his artwork was exhibited at Spirit Wrestle Gallery in Vancouver. He enjoys making jewellery and metalwork and is inspired by memories of seeing his father carve. 

Toluwalope Toludare is a Nigerian ceramist with a doctorate in ceramics studio research from the Federal University of Technology Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria. He currently resides in Winnipeg, where he teaches and makes art. He loves solving mysteries and finding creative solutions within the ceramic field. He has also mastered advanced throwing with interest in making large forms on the potter’s wheel, a skill set he eagerly shares with his students. He draws inspiration from his intimate knowledge of various African artistic practices and his extensive study of Asian large-scale pottery.

Amina is a Winnipeg–based Broomsquire (the official term for broom-maker) and Creative Director and Owner of Prairie Breeze Folk Arts Studio. Amina became interested in the art of broom-making in 2011 when she purchased her first handmade broom. Since then, she has been honing her skills, sharing ideas, and collaborating with broom-makers across Canada and the US. Amina spends her days binding naturally unprocessed broom corn grown locally on her acreage and imported from North American sources and binds them with natural and synthetic fibers to make over 36 varieties of brooms, in over 42 different colours. 

Ashley Qulaut Aupaluktuq-Burton learned to sew from family and community members, and makes contemporary and traditional Inuit parkas, amautiit, mitts, slippers, kamiit, wind pants, and hats, working with quilt lining, shell material, leather, seal skin, and fur. Ashley and her family enjoy spending time on the land and practicing Inuit traditions by harvesting wildlife, camping, and fishing. Ashley’s inspiration comes from other Inuit seamstresses, it is empowering to create and sew and it’s important to keep traditional skills alive for future generations.

Rachael Kroeker is a full–time ceramic artist based in Winnipeg, Manitoba where she has been creating functional tableware for the past 13 years. She specializes in a technique called slip casting, where liquid clay is poured into plaster molds creating unique, one-of-a-kind pieces with her signature style of marbling. Rachael also explores bold colour and pattern combinations, along with line movement and repetition in her newest sculptural series of lichen inspired wall tiles and vessels. With a modern, contemporary feel and exquisite craftsmanship, her pieces are designed to beautify life and enrich daily routines. 

Scott Senior of Rewildwoodworks creates one–of–a–kind, hand carved bowls and utensils using traditional tools and techniques. Scott draws inspiration from nature’s beauty and is influenced by various carving traditions from Scandinavia and Japan.

Shane Tremblay is a self-taught woodworker specializing in solid wood studio furniture. He has been woodworking for 15 years and is passionate about the craft of shaping wood. Shane creates using both ancient methods and unconventional cutting techniques. Every profile is cut and finished using hand planes and edge tools to enhance accuracy and produce glassy smooth surfaces. Shane has been published in Fine Woodworking and Story of Fashion magazines. Each piece is handcrafted using only the finest hardwoods, hardware, and traditional joinery techniques. Using extreme attention to detail, his pieces are made to stimulate the eye and last generations.

Handmade in Winnipeg by Carson Hill. All the wood Carson uses comes from a variety of sources: offcuts or scraps from hardwood flooring companies, furniture makers, cabinet making shops, musical instrument makers; he gets hardwood pallets from a company in Winnipeg that has heavy machinery shipped from all over the world; he sources tree prunings and parts of trees from local arborists.

Modern, sustainable clothing made with natural and sustainable exquisite fabric. Bamboo, silk, hemp, cotton, linen, and eco-friendly textiles are used in creating minimalistic and contemporary silhouettes that are timeless. Sarah creates items that are wearable pieces of art. She creates small batch collections that focus on slow fashion and includes Zero-Waste items, hand-dyed pieces, and one-of-a-kind pieces. She creates boxy cardigans, flowy tunics and tops that focus on being inclusive in sizing to look fabulous on all women. Sizes XS – 5X. All made in Winnipeg!

Sharan, born and raised in Sachs Harbour, began sewing at an early age under the guidance of their mother, grandmother, and later the elders and family. Sewing keeps Sharan grounded and they are always learning. Sharan enjoys teaching others who show interest and creates items such as embroidered slippers, mukluks, fur hats, fur gloves, mitts, parkas, and key chains.

Shaylyn Plett is a visual artist and designer working with wood to create unexpected household objects. Simultaneously practicing in both furniture-making and sculpture, she found object design as a playful meeting point between the two fields. Interested in design that elicits touch, she chooses wood for its ability to produce soft shapes and smooth surfaces. Her objects range from egg shaped sweater hooks to coffee tables with built in pockets – with many odd delights falling somewhere in between.

Michelle Maynard is a Manitoba resident and uses textiles as a medium to create artful, well-crafted fashion that will last for generations. Her studio is located on Treaty 1  Territory where she designs and produces each garment by hand. Michelle studied fashion at the University of Manitoba and Ryerson University and has been practicing the art of fashion under her label, Simone’s Rose for over ten years. She focuses on producing thoughtful, made-to-order garments using natural fibers, vintage, and deadstock textiles. Inspired by the environment, zero-waste methods, sustainable sourcing, and production are at the forefront of each collection.

Sol Desharnais is known for his innovation by bringing new meaning to raw, natural, and/or upcycled materials. From his hometown of St. Pierre-Jolys, Manitoba, Sol creates unique and useful products by the clever improbable association of materials. His current collections include wooden sided handbags in both vinyl flooring and recycled rubber, as well as a colourful collection of accessories in eco-felt (wood and corn based). He is honoured to also partner with Smile – Epic of St. Malo, creating employment for adults living with different abilities.

Studio OCTAV is home to the embracive collection of textile art by Canadian born artist, Graham Epp. Specializing in basketry, clothing, and silk screen graphic design, Graham has made a profession in the arts since 2003. In addition to textile arts, Graham is a composer and touring musician, having released ten albums and sharing the stage with notable acts. The baskets and vessels of studio OCTAV are designed and sewn by Graham using 100% Canadian sourced materials and home-made plant-based dyes. Every vessel is one-of-a-kind and sewn into a functional sculpture for everyday living.

Dawn Bell is Dehcho Dene originally from Jean Marie River, NT. Sewing and beading was taught to her at a young age by her mother, Catherine and her many talented aunties from Jean Marie River. Dawn’s mother was taught by her mother, Mary Louise and her grandmother, Adeline, who were from Fort Providence. She works with many materials including bead work, hair tufting, quill work, and she started her journey in Traditional Hide Tanning. Dawn started her Instagram page in 2021 and started selling her work on a larger scale.

Teegan Walker is a Manitoban artist with a passion for handmade tableware, ceramics, and design. He studied ceramics at Brandon University where he started to develop his skills. His work has been exhibited at the Interlake Juried Art Show, Manitoba Rural and Northern Juried Art Show, and The Art Gallery of Southwestern Manitoba, and is a current member of The Stoneware Gallery. Teegan focuses on functional work that is minimal in design and draws influences from architecture, music, and landscape. Teegan strives to create works that embody the energy, craftsmanship, and attention to detail that has gone into creating them.

Originally from a small town in Manitoba, Terry Hildebrand graduated with an MFA in Ceramics from the University of Minnesota in May 2014. He received a BFA Honours degree from the University of Manitoba in 2007. From 2009 to 2011, he worked as studio technician in the ceramics department at the University of Manitoba. In the years after his MFA he taught at Medicine Hat College and has participated in multiple residencies at Medalta and the Banff Center while exhibiting nationally and internationally. Terry and his partner Miriam Rudolph are full time artists based in Winnipeg, MB.

Ann is a jewellery maker, metalsmith, and graphic designer working and living in the geographic heart of North America: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Using traditional metal-smithing techniques including wax casting, hand forging, and construction, she crafts jewellery from sterling silver, brass, and copper, with a focus on repurposing found vintage ceramics and other curiosities. Her jewellery delves into the realms of insects, botanicals, and found objects, drawing inspiration from nature and discarded items. Through her work, she seeks to uncover beauty in the overlooked, crafting unique pieces that encapsulate moments of both beauty and darkness in wearable art.

Bio to come…

Tracy Charette Fehr is an interdisciplinary artist with a passion for story, family, and history. She completed her BFA in 2015 and a MFA at the University of Manitoba in 2022. She is a Red River Métis citizen who has a special interest in Indigenous arts and culture including handwork in beading, quill, embroidery, and clay. Tracy is currently facilitating “Honouring Our Metis Mothers” a collaborative art project. She has exhibited at the Winnipeg Art Gallery, Mann Art Gallery, Mennonite Heritage Gallery, and Le Musée de Saint-Boniface Museum. When she is not making art, she enjoys time with her family.

Weldon Neufeld has been crafting home décor, furniture, and custom pieces since 1977. He started Treevival as a way to combine his love of design with a desire to salvage materials that would have otherwise been burned or thrown away, turning them into works that are functional, beautiful, and made to be cherished.

Tricia Wasney’s jewellery is made mainly from recycled sterling silver that she hammers and treats with fire and oxidation processes to create texture and colour. Reclaimed and thrifted items are combined with metal smithing techniques to create unique pieces that are each hand-crafted in her studio in Winnipeg. History, geology, plants, and cartography are constant inspirations in her work, much of which is intentionally warped and distressed.

May & Elizabeth Ningeongan are Inuit fashion designers from Salliq (Coral Harbour), Nunavut. Sewing has a long history among Inuit; the tools and techniques have been passed from one generation to the next. May & Elizabeth are committed to keeping Inuit sewing traditions alive through the design and production of garments that marry the traditional with the modern. They specialize in the creation of sealskin and leather garments, including parkas and dresses.

A northerner with Albertan roots, Lianne Plamondon has been living in Yellowknife since 2016. She started making jewellery as a way of disconnecting from the digital world in her day-to-day work as a graphic designer. Finding solace and peace in the surrounding landscapes, she is drawn to the intricacy of natural textures. Her work is crafted using land-based materials that reflect her deep appreciation of the organic wonders that shape our world. She hopes her work inspires others to connect with the beauty of nature and that each piece will inspire awe and wonder.

Nathan Bezoplenko and Brendon Friesen are the owner/operators of Wilder Goods who aim to create leather and canvas goods with a clean and modern aesthetic while remaining durable and practical. Nathan and Brendon are both interested and engaged in the ongoing development and refinement of the products they have made and new products waiting to take form. Wilder Goods operates as a brick-and-mortar retail and manufacturing studio in the historic exchange district in downtown Winnipeg.

Dorathy Wright is a distinguished seamstress known for her mastery in crafting traditional Gwich’in garments. As a business owner and single mother of four, Dorathy is passionate about preserving cultural heritage and teaching seamstress skills across the North to ensure the art is passed down. Her talent has garnered international acclaim, with invitations to Milan fashion week and she has showcased her designs at prestigious fashion weeks in New York and Los Angeles. Through her global presence, Dorathy not only elevates her brand but also brings worldwide recognition to the rich cultural traditions of the Gwich’in community.

Winifred Nungak is one of few Inuit from Nunavik with a diploma in Fashion Design. The graduate of Lasalle College in 2013 has been designing and sewing clothing since she was a young girl. Her parents, Zebedee and Jeannie Nungak raised her in Kangirsuk, Nunavik (Quebec). She established Winifred Designs in 2013; her signature designs are colourful, feminine, Inuit-traditional inspired contemporary looks that are eye-catching. Her menswear is masculine and equally stunning. She also designs clothing for children. Winifred Designs are in high demand throughout Arctic Canada.
 

Roy Liang was born in Gimli, Manitoba and is a child of the 70’s. Roy is inspired by vintage fabrics and reviving images from the past. He prints, cuts, and sews fabric into fun household goods and accessories. He has been sewing much of his life, and after taking art classes at Martha Street Studio, he found a way to personalize his designs. Roy’s motto is “making things out of the mundane”, such as road signs, abandoned buildings, and odd pieces of history. Expect items such as pillows, tea towels, coin purses, wood ornaments, and wall hangings.

Bio to come…