This text is part of the special booklet Culture as a gift
Local craftsmen shine with their inventiveness. Installed in the four corners of the Belle Province, they use their creativity to reinvent everyday objects – tableware, jewellery, toys or fashion accessories – which become real works of art under their hands. Just in time for your Christmas shopping, we present our selection of 10 designers who stand out for the originality of their approach. Here are our findings.
1. Traditional Strobus Forge utensils
A blacksmith still officiates in Saint-Agapit, in the Lotbinière region. Trained as a biologist, Rémi Bédard shapes, on the anvil, sometimes stainless steel, sometimes copper or carbon steel. In his shop, you can find a bit of everything: all kinds of knives and hooks, but also utensils for the grill, candle holders, bottle openers and even axes! strobusforge.com
2. Unusual decorative objects from Collage Studio
Industrial designer Diana Garcia likes to experiment with all kinds of materials, but also with colors and geometric shapes. For her Terrazzo collection, for example, she worked with a synthetic resin based on water, acrylic polymers and minerals. collagestudio.ca
3. Conifer Toys wooden toys
The little story of Conifer Toys begins with a wooden dollhouse designed by two parents concerned about the games they offered their children. Since then, the duo has created a collection of dollhouses of all sizes, but also sports accessories (think basketball hoop or indoor hockey “net”). Games that will create treasured memories to pass down from generation to generation. conifertoys.com
4. The colored glass of La Méduse
In Havre-aux-Maisons, a second generation of Madelinot glassmakers is perpetuating the tradition of one of the oldest workshops of its kind in the country. La Méduse, established in 1985 by François Turbide, offers a range of unique pieces, from jewelry to tableware, through lighting and funerary art, all in blown glass in the colors of the rainbow. lameduseim.com
5. Modern jewelry from Atelier LAF
A brother and sister, Montrealers Laura and Andrew Floyd — the initials behind LAF — put their craftsmanship at the service of jewelry. Results ? Non-gendered pieces whose raw refinement will certainly not go unnoticed! atelierlaf.com
6. Organic tableware from Poterie Vez
Passionate about coffee, ceramist Paule Vézina shapes uniquely crafted cups and bowls in her workshop in Val-Morin, in the Laurentians. If no part is exactly the same, all are prettier than the other with their patterns created during the shooting. poterievez.com
7. Confetti Mill Linens
Linen and cotton are the favorite materials of Özge, who makes household linen (table napkins, dish towels, aprons, and even Christmas stockings) in his workshop in Hochelaga-Maisonneuve from fabrics of quality imported among others from Turkey, where it originates. Thanks to her online store, the adopted Montrealer has also made it her mission to showcase small accessories made by Turkish craftsmen. To discover ! confettimill.com
8. The refined creations of Véronique Roy Jwls
For 10 years, jeweler Véronique Roy has been combining precious metals and natural stones to create timeless jewelery with harmonious lines. Her minimalist creations transport us into a world of beauty. veroniqueroyjwls.com
9. The refined porcelain of Atelier Make
At the confluence of Scandinavian and Mediterranean influences, the pieces of the designer duo Maya Ersan and Jaimie Robson will surely embellish the table. Among other things, we are seduced by the delicacy of this collection of serving trays which have nothing to envy to the finest English porcelain. ateliermake.com
10. Çanta knitwear
Fashionistas have already spotted them. It must be said that with their chunky knits in ultra-soft chenille wool, Loris Kecaj’s somewhat kitsch bags can be seen! For now, the designer — archivist by day and knitter by night — is in charge of production in her living room. A gift that stands out! canta.xyz
This special content was produced by the Special Publications team of the To have to, pertaining to marketing. The drafting of To have to did not take part.