10 Canadian Artisans Worth Watching
Updated: Aug. 06, 2019
Twice a year, craftspeople from across the country converge at Toronto’s One of a Kind Show to display their wares. Of the 450 exhibitors at the show’s spring instalment, these 10 Canadian artisans stand out as ones to watch.
Adrienne Jackson, Crush Works
Home base: Toronto
Toss cushions are an easy way bring new life to an old sofa, and Adrienne Jackson’s lively prints are guaranteed to turn back to the clock. Her daring designs-think Rorschach tests in showstopping colours-are nothing less than abstract art for your furniture. A worthy splurge, especially when you consider there’s a feather-fill pillow inside each one-of-a-kind cover.
Cushion, $120, Crush Works.
Dominika Solan, The Lily Guild
Home base: Toronto
A florist by training, Dominika Solan traded her floral snips for craft scissors in 2015 to launch The Lily Guild, an Etsy shop specializing in three-dimensional bouquets made entirely from paper and wire. Her hand-crafted peonies, anemones and seeded eucalyptus are one-of-a-kind works of art that make a refreshing alternative to a conventional bridal bouquet. What’s more, they’ll outlast the genuine articles by several decades!
Paper flower forever alternative bridal wedding bouquet, $325, The Lily Guild.
Julia Alimova & Boris Bykov, ViViD
Home base: Toronto
Hey grooms-to-be: Want to avoid a matchy-matchy look in your wedding party? Go bespoke with these gorgeous (and truly one-of-a-kind) bow ties in on-trend blush. While you’re at it, snap up one of ViViD’s custom pocket squares in a complementary colour.
Hand-stitched Italian silk bow ties, $55 each, ViViD.
Alexia Bilyk
Home base: Toronto
That might be your grandmother’s jade plant, but this certainly isn’t her planter pot! In creating these one of a kind containers, textile designer and artist Alexia Bilyk trades in conventional terra cotta for-get this-washable paper. The surprisingly durable material is similar to leather in how it wears, and proves the perfect canvas for Bilyk’s playfullly primitive screen-printed patterns.
Washable paper container planter, $25, Alexia Bilyk.
Christian Roy
Home base: Montreal
Montreal’s Christian Roy attributes his passion for pottery to a childhood fascination with small stones. Now a master thrower, his stunning stonewares reflect the natural forms, textures and colours that sparked his youthful imagination.
Ceramic bowls, from $14 to $45 each, Christian Roy.
Melanie Walkty & Tyler Fitzmaurice, LEMO Lemonade
Home base: Montreal
Stocking your home bar never tasted so sweet… And tart. Made from hand-zested lemons, oranges and grapefruit, Melanie Walkty & Tyler Fitzmaurice’s small-batch lemonade syrup should be considered an essential ingredient in your summer cocktail lineup (although truth be told, it’s just as tasty served straight-up).
Lemonade syrup, $20, LEMO Lemonade.
Chantal Poirier, OUT
Home base: Montreal
Buck tradition this Father’s Day and swap the necktie for something he’ll actually use-like this one of a kind tool pouch, for instance. Montreal-based textile designer Chantal Poirier’s felted wool and oiled leather caddy is as handsome as it is handy.
Tools pouch, $70, OUT.
Leanne Rhem & Zac Kenny, Gold & Ginger.
Home base: Picton, Ontario
There aren’t that many opportunities to introduce eye-popping patterns in the kitchen, so you can afford to go wild with your linens! They’re also a wonderful way to support up-and-coming Canadian artisans like Leanne Rhem and Zac Kenny, whose digitally-printed pot holder and oven mitt set would make a buzz-worthy addition to any kitchen countertop.
Oven mitts and pot holder set, $55, Gold & Ginger.
Mélissa Tremblay and Fratzel Descadres, FM300
Home base: Montreal
Don’t let the retro-styling of Mélissa Tremblay and Fratzel Descadres’ little plywood boombox fool you: It connects to your smartphone to deliver serious decibels.
Mini-portable speaker, $80, FM300.
Stephanie Goyer-Morin, Goye.
Home base: Montreal
The merest hint of blush and a scalloped edge are all it takes to give this porcelain teapot oodles of personality. The elevated design-it perches on a built-in pedestal-ensures Stephanie Goyer-Morin’s pretty pot is the focal point of any tea-time tablescape.
Porcelain teapot, $100, Goye.
For more information on these talented Canadian artisans, check out the One of a Kind Show website.
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