Catherine Sutherland
Given the current economic calamity, the familiar sight of smashed bus shelter glass, like piles of chipped ice, strikes the passerby as sinister, something more than evidence of last night’s drunken stupidity: a population feeling the pressure expresses its anger in the streets. But, for the holidays, consider the beauty in the destruction. Halifax jeweller and metalsmith Catherine Sutherland has created a line of jewellery (rings, bracelets, earrings, charms and pendants) she calls the Halifax Bustop Collection by combining “genuine” bus shelter glass and recycled sterling silver. Sutherland collects the shattered material and occasionally receives it from others in the city and elsewhere in the region. She also has a Handmade Chains line and Findings Collection. Her work avoids ostentatious adornment. “It’s about attachment to the places we love and a connection we have to the earth and to everyone.” Even, she says, the frustrated folks who smash bus shelters.
Catherine Sutherland: Bustop Collection ($30-$220), Handmade Chains ($50-$200), Lady Luck Boutique (1869 Upper Water, 5519 Young), Farmers’ Market (1496 Lower Water, Dec. 3-5 and Dec.10-12) or call for appointment with the artist, 292-0861
Wa’Ou
When she closed up shop in Montreal and came to Halifax, Celine Vautour, Moncton native and the designer behind Wa’Ou, found “the customers are far more pleasant than Montrealers. I really feel an appreciation for my craftsmanship.” The big city can be a cold place. But it’s hard to dwell on today’s harsh realities related to hard currency when picking up a Wa’Ou creation, be it one of Vautour’s “snuggly” scarves or “stretchy” arm bands. The 29-year-old’s playful use of contrasting pattern and complementary material is a joy to experience. “A lot of the fabrics I work with are leftovers from manufacturers in Montreal,” she explains. “Some of the hats are even made from nice wool suits that I’ve been saving for the last three years.” Alongside the scrunchy dresses, masks and shirts, she makes hats, for which she’s just “found some new ways of applique this week, so I can’t wait to show them off.”
Wa’Ou: Scarves ($20 avg.), hats ($30 avg.), Farmers’ Market (1496 Lower Water, Dec. 3-5th, 10-12th), Elsie’s (1530 Queen, for dresses at 40% off) or contact the designer via her blog, waoucreations.blogspot.com.
Lee Meszaros
Lately, it can feel like everyone for themselves. Folks are just trying to get by—to survive. Collars up, heads bowed, no one stops to make you feel supported and appreciated in these dog-eat-dog days. That’s when you need to get yourself or some other deserving person one of Lee Meszaros’ 45 merit badges. “The idea for the merit badges came from the usual trips to thrift stores in the Halifax area, and finding numerous donated Brownie, Girl Guide and Scout sashes with all of the badges attached,” Meszaros, 24, offers. “For some reason it made me quite sad to see these items—that were worked so hard to achieve—abandoned after childhood.” She embroiders, paints and silkscreens all by hand, nodding to “simplistic traditions of the past.” The badges include “Going Out on a Limb” or “Having Meat on Your Bones.” “Everyone needs a pat on the back during rough times and needs to take pride in their achievements.”
Singles ($25), sets of two ($40), Seeds Gallery (1892 Hollis), Love, Me Boutique (1539 Birmingham) and the Halifax Crafters Holiday Handmade Market, Sat. Dec. 6/Sun. Dec. 7, North Street Church (5657 North). Available online at goodeggshop.com.
Bespoke Uprising
Bespoke Uprising is a revolution of one: 27-year-old Roisin Fagan. Of course, it takes individuals—one of many—to make change for the better. She makes clothes and accessories for the wee ones, plus some items (notably her popular wallets) for us big people. And she does it on her own, right here in Halifax. “I dye the cloth, print the cloth and embroider and sew everything myself,” Fagan points out. “I do not send it overseas to be done by others in uncertain working conditions.” Her design ideas often arise “from the events, places and objects that have made a distinct impression on me. Some of my pattern references include historical Turkish ceramics—I did a double major at NSCAD textiles and ceramics—the Halifax burlesque scene and Halifax itself. The Halifax pattern includes pints of Granite and Propeller draught, a donair, a partially inside-out umbrella and Atlantic Salmon.”
Onesies ($20-$25), wallets ($38 avg.) and garments (up to $155 for a reversible dress with print and embroidery). Halifax Crafters Holiday Handmade Market, North Street Church (5657 North), Sat. Dec. 6 (11-5pm) and Sun. Dec. 7th (12-5pm) or visit roisin.ca.
Blythe Church
Back in the day, you didn’t know from market meltdowns and economic downturns. You were too busy making mixed tapes. Halifax textile artist Blythe Church has created cassette pins that take the wearer back to those seemingly innocent times (those days, especially the ’80s, knew their own financial turmoil). “My main line of work is recreating vintage household objects in felt using hand dyed wool felt and lots of embroidery,” explains Church. “Each piece is really detailed and takes between a week and a month to make. I wanted to create something small that was somehow related to my larger work and I came up with the idea of the cassette pins.” Besides the pins, she makes her own creation, “snake scarves” or “snarves.” Buying locally and using discarded materials, Church’s creations range from boom boxes to cameras to monsters. Her studio is a “monster-making factory,” though it’s not the kind belching carbon and wearing down workers.
Blythe Church: Pins ($15) monsters ($44-$55) and snarves ($35-$55) at Halifax Crafters Holiday Handmade Market, North Street Church (5657 North), Sat. December 6 (11-5pm) and Sun. Dec. 7th (12-5pm) and at blink! (1869 Upper Water)
This article appears in Dec 4-10, 2008.