Janna Hurtzig

Born in Ontario, Janna Hurtzig moved to the West Coast in 1994. Completely self taught, she has been handcrafting her creations since 1998. In 2005, production moved from home to a large, cozy studio in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside, where it remains today.

Inspired by nature, the Astrosatchel label combines Scandinavian design, Asian pop culture influences and a Canadian cottage feel, to give even the smallest of items a distinct look. Products include purses and tote bags, wallets, diaper bags made from vegan friendly Naugahyde vinyl as well as one of a kind pieces made from recycled textiles. A winter collection including toques and scarves made using recycled cashmere is an annual favorite.

The Astrosatchel aesthetic is clean lined, yet detailed, allowing complex themes to be expressed in simplified manner. Bold and bright colour combinations add a striking layer to the story. Recent additions to the line include a new colour based series of back-to-basic, retro shaped purses and small
housewares line featuring kitchen textiles.

Sold in independent boutiques across Canada and the United States, Astrosatchel products have appeared on Much Music, and MTV Canada, and in numerous magazines including Vancouver Fashion and Flare.

Heather Braun-Dahl

dahlhaus was launched in 2007 by artist Heather Dahl as a way to connect her painting and ceramics practices under one ‘roof’. Inspired by the Bauhaus school, a love for textile design as well as an interest in organic shapes, the dahlhaus ceramics collection is hand-made pottery by the artist made in her East Vancouver Studio.

Heather Dahl graduated from the Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design in 2001 with a major in ceramics and painting. 

Genevieve Tso

Genevieve Tso joined The Pharm Design Group in 2004. The Group consists of two main designers/dreamers who have grown up in the age of technology, yet raised by the arts and crafts. What brought them together was like-minded pursuits of a friendlier environment through well-designed fashion and products.

In 2000/2001 Genevieve went to Helen Lefeaux School of Fashion Design where she was taught her technical skills, then in 2003 graduated from Capilano College for Textile Arts. It’s dreams & ideas that award a person their creativity not the education. Her clothing collection reflected a return to the hand made, but with splicing of new technology and urban design.

Currently, Genevieve is the creative director/designer of Cielo Kids clothing.

Lightbank Studio Holiday Art Sale

Hey Folks! If you happen to be in the Seattle area this weekend please visit what looks like a great event - the Lightbank Studio Holiday Art Sale. SFM artists Laura McKibbon and Jasna Sokolovic (two of Canada's greatest ceramic artists!!!) will be joining the group for this event. If you miss them in Seattle, don't worry ... the Shiny Fuzzy Muddy show is only 8 days away!!!!

Lightbank Studio Holiday Art Sale
Saturday December 5, 11am – 5pm
Sunday December 6, 11am – 5pm
2200 North Pacific Suite A
Wallingford, Seattle

Erin Dolman

 Jeweller Erin Dolman was born and raised in Vancouver but eventually heard the call of the wild, pulled up her city roots and now resides in a beautiful cabin in the woods of Roberts Creek. Erin’s work is designed and created in her home-based studio under the watchful eye of her Pug, Burl. When not working in the studio Erin is an avid gardener and amateur naturalist, she also has a weak spot for hotrods and vintage tattoo designs. These diverse interests show as strong influences in her jewellery, skulls and feathers, birds and hotrod flames all come to be incorporated in her work. Over the past 15 years Erin has exhibited in numerous exhibitions both in Canada and internationally. She has been the recipient of numerous grants and awards including a Niche award in 2002 and a BC Creative Achievement Award in 2005.

Denise Wilson

Denise Wilson calls Vancouver home even though she was born and raised in Toronto. What’s more is that she regularly takes up residency with her husband’s family in Peru. Denise, who studied fine art in Vancouver and Florence Italy, uses her extensive travels throughout Europe and the Americas plus their languages, cultures, art, design and architecture to influence and inspire her.

Denise has successfully launched three unique collections. In 2003, Patina Designs launched a collection of buttery soft leather accessories accented with hand silk-screened images and appliqués. The collection has expanded from books to include refillable journals, agendas and coin purses.

In December 2005 Denise and husband Andres Hinojosa teamed up to create Bronsino Designs for Living. The line pays homage to the 16th century Florentine artist Agnolo Bronzino and the Hinojosa family home on Calle Bronsino in Lima, Peru. The finely crafted handbags and accessories from the Bronsino collection are classically inspired works of art produced in very limited numbers. 

The following year Bronsino Recycled came to fruition and focuses exclusively on the use of recycled and reclaimed leathers.

 

Denise’s work has been featured in Fashion Magazine, the Georgia Straight, Vancouver Lifestyles Magazine, Real Weddings, The Toronto Sun and Shared Vision Magazine.

claire madill in the studio!

my work currently falls into two categories: slipcast porcelain vintage jars and accessories (earrings and brooches).  both are derived from vintage glass -- at some point a year and a half ago, my thrift-store-eyes turned exclusively towards the stuff.  the kitchen cupboards of our grandparents were filled with things that we just don't use or need much anymore -- canning jars and pickle dishes, in particular, have lent me an almost endless source of inspiration.  the idea of 'value' comes into play a lot for me as a result. 

in order to use these found objects for my ceramic purposes, i have become a moldmaker. (every new mold is declared to be my 'prettiest', so i'm definitely getting better all the time! the promise of a good mold to work with makes the process not so daunting anymore...)  the best part of making a new mold of the pattern from the bottom of a vintage pickle dish, for example, is seeing the 'negative' of the pattern in the plaster. even though your eyes can look at the glass original and see a diamond impression, the 'negative' of the same is always a fantastic surprise!  so then i'll have to make a mold of the mold to be able to use both 'positive' and negative' images for my accessories...  this idea has been translated into my newest earring designs -- i've been calling them 'same same but different'.  when you look at the pair of earrings, they are definitely a pair -- no question.  but looking closer, you discover that one is the positive and one is the negative.

Toronto One of A Kind Show

This is Canada's largest show & sale featuring distinctly Canadian designers, artists, crafters and makers. Its on now until December 6! If you happen to be in the big city drop by booth I45 and visit SFM artists Kari Woo or booth U19 and visit Anat Basanta!