Shimmering opals, oceanic blues, cream white pearls; that’s Charity. Fresh sweetgrass, shapely moose antler, textured birchbark; that’s Mi’kma’ki. Charity Doucette, of Potlotek First Nation, combines the dazzle of trendy jewellery with the meaningful beauty of Indigenous beadwork to create show-stopping pieces that represent a restored pride in her heritage. “Know your worth—because that was the […]
handmade
Posted inNews + Opinion
Inkwell’s moving to Brunswick Street
It hasn’t been easy being Inkwell Modern Handmade Boutique (1658 Market Street) these past few years. Convention centre construction and street closures have been a pretty consistent thorn in the shop’s side, but despite that it’s kept calm and carried on bringing letterpress stationery and adorable handmade gifts to the table. “It’s been a real […]
Posted inLifestyle
Wrapper of the year
Quarrelsome Yeti Weird and wonderful, creepy and cute, Geordan Moore’s whack wrap can make the most boring of gifts (not that you would) extraordinary. Halifax Seaport Farmers’ Market, 1209 Marginal Road; Halifax Crafters Winter Market, Dec 2-4 Dartmouth Clothing Company The witty Dartmouth lovers at Dartmouth Clothing Co. put an extra layer of nostalgia on […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Earth Goddess sparkles
Shannon MacGregor and Sandy McInnis were sitting on a beach when they made the decision to open a shop together. It sounds like a whimsical way to go into business, but MacGregor, the designer and maker behind Earth Goddess Jewellery, and McInnis, who has a background in management and merchandising, had a solid foundation to […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Dartmouth Makers are making it happen this Saturday
When Gina Comeau and Rachel Blair-Johns met two years ago they bonded for a variety of reasons, but it was after comparing notes over a coffee that the two jewellery makers (Comeau is Three Oak Jewelry, Blair-Johns is Ment Jewellery) decided Dartmouth Makers had to happen. “We were kind of like, ‘Wouldn’t it be great […]
Posted inArts + Music
The nature of Goldfinch and Thistle
A mutual interest and satisfaction in foraging and DIY culture led Dartmouth natives Najet Ghanai and Sarah-Jean Jones to experiment with herbal preparations like oil infusions, decoctions and tinctures. The line of remedies and self-care products now known as Goldfinch and Thistle began as a hobby—the pair made toxin-free, handmade healing salves, deodorants and body […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Shop this: Maker Mode Aprons
“It’s so weird how it started. I got bored from making soap one day and started making these aprons,” says Sarah Armstrong, the artist behind Bad Mouth Soap and now half of Maker Mode Aprons. Her short-lived stint of boredom—and inspiration from a couple of trips to Japan—drove her to start noodling with a sewing […]
Posted inFood + Drink
Where I Work: Rousseau Chocolatier
WHO HE IS Julien Rousseau-Dumarcet is standing in front of a fountain-like machine that’s heating a silky tub of pure dark chocolate, stirring out lumps and waiting for it to hit the perfect Easter bunny-making temperature of 31 degrees. A native of southern France, the longtime chocolatier—who owns Rousseau Chocolatier with his wife Nathalie Morin—has […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Made in the Maritimes hits the Hydrostone
“People are looking for high quality, and they want to support local,” says Joel Kelly. He’s learned that in the last year, during which he’s been bringing beautiful things to Bedford via art, craft and handmade boutique Made in the Maritimes (Sunnyside Mall, 1595 Bedford Highway), which he runs with Mark Smith. Amidst a busy […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
SHOP THIS: East Coast Hangover
Depending on how strong your Celtic spirit is, come Friday you might be needing to wash the post-St. Patrick’s Day stink off yourself. And let’s be honest, Irish Spring isn’t going to cut it. Bad Mouth Soap’s hilarious creator Sarah Armstrong crafted one of her signature soaps with your dehydrated, over-tired, breakfast-craving state in mind. […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
SHOP THIS: Lily Lake Knits
Jenny Fennel’s mom taught her to knit long before Lily Lake Knits—her line of handmade cozy clothing named for a piece of heaven on Cape Breton Island—was a thing. “I began knitting so much that I had mounds of blankets, hats and scarves piling up in my home and thought, why not open an Etsy […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
This weekend = local holiday shopping bonanaza
Whether you’re knocking items off your shopping list or merely looking for busy sidewalks dressed in holiday style—this weekend your options are endless and endlessly awesome. With handmade markets everywhere you turn, and a pop-up circuit that’s popping off it’s fitting that Shop The Neighbourhood (a national event aimed at celebrating local, indie business) touches […]