NEXT STOP HALIBURTON

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April Gates is top cat at Blackbird Pottery. Her clay journey began with a giant leap of faith... After years of wanderlust, various studies and masterfully avoiding her calling, she was summoned North to answer for this. There, she dove deep into the curious world of ceramics at the Haliburton School of Art and Design. April is influenced by rural living, retro design, nostalgia, and prose. April’s Studio Showroom is just minutes from Haliburton.

Dustin Johnston's  goal, as a ceramic artist, is to create pieces that enhance and elevate the everyday rituals of life. Whether it's a simple cup or a sculptural vase, his work will bring a sense of beauty and mindfulness to these moments.

Born and raised in rural Ontario, Isabel spent most of her time in the woods, on farms, and in the garden, engaging her curiosity and creativity. Apprenticing under potters Lisa Barry & Matt Mihlik, Isabel has focused her work into functional and scultpural ceramics. She explores connection to her childhood whimsy and the natural world, including vibrant colours, textures, and various firing techniques.

Inspired by nature, Jackie incorporates textures on the surface of the clay by imprinting with lace and leaves.

She mixes her own glazes combining colours to create new effects by using multiple glazes overlapping on each piece

In Raku, an exciting, unpredictable, low fire process, using mettalic and crackle glazes  Jackie makes decorative  platters, wall hangings, vases and sculptures mounted on  driftwood. 

 LAF Pottery Productions is a female owned, small business that creates pottery which blurs the line between art and functionality. Lindsay Franks, ceramicist, incorporates elements from her love of the ocean as well as a variety of gem-stones and crystals into her pieces.  Lindsay's life motto is "What you put out there, is what you create more of."  For her, pottery creates positivity and joy. 

Patrick Yeung is a Toronto potter. Graduating from Sheridan College in 2006, Patrick went on to  hone his craft apprenticed to potter, Scott Barnim.  He now designs and creates unique, finely handcrafted tableware. Patrick Yeung’s work reflects his interests in his Cantonese heritage, the routines of cuisine and dining traditions, and contemporary design. He is able to meld all these influences to create work that is useful, pleasing, and memorable. 

Bill was deeply affected by Song Dynasty porcelain of China where he toured in 1998. In 2009 he traveled to Korea as a participating artist in the Cheongju World Craft Biennalle. Informed by both these classical Asian traditions, his work demonstrates a fluency of form, and technique, while expressing  contemporary design. At the request of Governor General, Madame Adrienne Clarkson, Bill created the “Maple Leaf Service” which is now the official State Dinnerware for Canada at Rideau Hall. 

"I have been a professional potter since 1994 when I opened my studio in Dundas, Ontario. 

 I am a graduate of Sheridan College’s School of Craft and Design.

 I teach pottery at the Dundas Valley School of Art."

Handmade ceramics inspired by the beauty of the Canadian landscape.

Jeff and Nora Stevens love to create pottery in their home studio in Madoc, ON.  Jeff mainly throws crocks, bowls and mugs on the wheel while Nora specializes in hand built mugs, bowls and plates.  They love colour and texture and are constantly evolving. Their pottery is actively sought out because of its colour and quirkiness. The more they create, the more inspired they become.  A well made mug for your first cup of coffee or tea in the morning sets up your day beautifully.

In 1997 Victoria opened Victoria Ceramic Art in Toronto. She was educated at Taras G. Shevchenko State School of Art, Kyiv, Ukraine and later The Saint Petersburg Stieglitz State Academy of Art and Design. 

Wildflowers Pottery offers collaborative works of functional art.  Each piece is made by Ceramics Artist Pam Pritchard and decorated/carved by Designer Randi Berman. 

The Hotshop by Artech Studios is a traditional glassblowing studio in the Haliburton Highlands, nestled in the rocks and woods of ghost town Tory Hill, Ontario in the old United Church. We are makers and designers of great handblown glass.  Both Sheridan College School of Craft and design graduates, Terry is a former Harbourfront resident and Jenn a graduate of OCAD and Toronto School of Art.  

Fascination with a variety of materials has lead Julia to extensively explore techniques in jewellry design, hand thrown functional pottery, landscape photography, painting and now fused glass.  Throughout her career, producing and exhibiting work across media boundries has allowed Julia to cross pollinate ideas between these disciplines and develop original and unexpected approaches to her glass making where she creates original wearable works of art that look like wind, water, fire and earth. 

Joyce & Peter Emmink use crushed glass granules, powders, and hand formed hot glass to create spectacular nature inspired fused glass framed art, along with a variety of pieces for functional use, from garden ornaments to fabulous bowls and plates. They love experimenting with colour, form and function to create one of a kind fused glass pieces. Their love of the outdoors, coupled with a natural curiosity has resulted in stretching the limits of glass fusing beyond the normal.

Karen Reece creates handmade lampwork (torchwork) glass beads to be used in jewelry. Karen's creations reflect experience with fiber, a unique sense of color and include original crafted lampwork beads.

Victoria Guy creates expressive sculptures of the human body using hot glass. By challenging the expectations and boundaries of glass as a material through technical and conceptual exploration of texture, colour and scale, Victoria challenges the preconceived notions of the body. The work focuses on reconciling the disconnect between the body and mind, accentuated by assumptions of the female body.

Lilac Glass designs and creates handmade glass art, decor and jewellery.  Partners Lindsey Adelman and Em McDonald collaborate, using their strengths in different techniques including glassblowing and flameworking. The pair continue to expand their practice, making work that is whimsical, inspired by nature and the human form. Furthermore, Lindsey and Em assisted contestants on the Netflix show, Blown Away. 

Benoit has the artist's burning passion for entering into the soul of the tree's essential grain, for selecting that perfect slice and then releasing it to create, at the happy intersection of Art and Nature, an object, where the container-medium has become the aesthetic Message.

Following a Bachelor of Stage Design at the University of Quebec at Montreal, he designed sets for theatre and artistic directors and produced props for Cirque du Soleil. Atelier L’Éclisse was born in 2007.

Crosswind Creations incorporates Epoxy in their designs to create truly unique pieces. The coasters, Boards, and wall art pieces allows them to use as much of the processed wood as possible. It is a joy to make each new piece.

David Borsellino Artisan Woodwork creates tables of all types, chairs, benches, wine racks, mantles, and serving boards all made with local and ethically harvested woods.

Victor Raleza is a fine woodworker. Victor is involved in every process from collecting the wood to rough turning and finishing all the products, with primary materials being Black Walnut and Cherry wood. All Victor's materials are locally sourced from residential neighbourhoods or log suppliers.  

Kevin Lillie's background is in geological exploration,  spending many hours roaming over the rocks and through the backwoods of this vast country. Kevin appreciate the uniqueness of each forest and the origin of it's growth in nature. Working with wood now, Kevin hopes to reveal some of the history and create pieces that will last a lifetime.

What started off as a hobby has turned into an art and a passion. Rob Martins enjoys creating unique and artistic designs that have a functional purpose, but sometimes the finished product is just means to sit and be admired.

Rooted in the tradition of fine woodworking Michaud Toys  has produced strong lines of wooden toys, clocks and cutting boards. Currently they focus their attention towards a unique line of traditional wooden board games and personalized Memory Boxes.

Simply Rooted Woodshop products are handcrafted with care, integrity and attention to detail, just the way it should be. With a belief in creating items that showcase the inherent beauty of the wood, through pleasing and timeless shapes. The key to their success is the use of locally sourced native hardwood species such as walnut, cherry and red maple.

All of this fretwork is done by hand using traditional tools.

Rob McFarlane is a self taught woodturner that started as a hobbyist about 6 years ago. The hobby quickly became an addiction and lead down an ever-expanding rabbit hole. There are always new ideas, techniques and materials to try! 

Fine crafted leatherworks and millinery made in the Haliburton Highlands, by hand. 

 Knitting Czech glass beads Boko creates vintage inspired evening bags based on Victorian, Edwardian, Flapper and Art Deco designs. They also have a bridal line.

"I was trained as a seamstress in France.  I designed clothing for other companies, including doll costumes for porcelain dolls that were part of a travelling exhibition, before I started my own business.  I started with children's clothes, moved on to home decor, and now do hats."

DejaVu Design is a sewing studio located near the village of Hillsburgh Ontario, in the rolling rural hills of Wellington County.The business has been owned and  operated by Laura Levitt since 2009. Laura wanted to create and develop a business that focused on upcycling and sustainable fashion.  Conscious consumption.  Buy less:  buy better. 

Sandra DeBrieze has a fine arts degree and has been designing for over 30 years.  "I love the whole process of hunting for fabrics and making patterns, then watching my visions come to life.  I will continue to make sizes 6 thru 22 this year."  Size beautiful!

In the early days of 2008, Nicole decided that she wanted, no, needed her own clothing line. Merely a week later, she also decided that she "couldn't live without" opening her own bakery. Well, what's a girl to do.

With the help of friends all around her, giving her sewing machines, teaching her to sew (almost as if the universe was pushing her along? Perhaps...), she was able to have a small debut for Desserts and Skirts in May of 2008 and continues to grow to this da.

Wearable  art - wraps  from  XS to XXXL handcrafted wraps and shawls - down to the buttons!  

Suzanne Vaillancourt is a fashion designer and textile artist in Peterborough, Ontario. Suzanne's clothing has been described as wearable art using classic and contemporary designs to compliment people of all shapes. 

Handmade felt is used to create durable yet feminine and elegant scarves, bags and accessories.  

Keli does all her own grading, cutting, printing, patterns and sewing of high quality natural fibre fabrics. The result? Designs that emphasize comfort, performance and practicality.

Jane Jacobs' practice focuses on creating one-of-a-kind textiles with silk, wool, and handmade felt. Using plant matter, minerals, metals and food waste, her Jane has always been drawn to texture and textiles, and founded her Newmarket studio in 2012. She loves sharing her passion with others, and hosts felting, indigo, and eco printing workshops around Southern Ontario. Various dye techniques give each garment a unique story.

Based in beautiful Northumberland County of Ontario, since 2002 Nautilos is the brainchild of craftsman Irek, and his wife KiKi, whose passion for boating inspired an exciting line of high quality water repellent canvas handbags available in vibrant earth colours.

Olga Saras began by designing sweaters and then expanded her line to include knit skirts that remain a key component of her collections. Accessories soon followed and she now conceives and creates an ever-expanding range of scarves, shawls and other marvelous accessories that defy definition. Olga’s trademark style is open-weave knits. She selects yarns from around the globe and utilizes innovative techniques to create pieces that often resemble works of art. Many are one-of-a-kind.

In all areas of my life, I want natural, beautiful, functional. In the clothes I make, I use the best fabric, traditional dyeing and hand work, and an innovative way of infusing them with health-giving herbs. Come see, feel and smell what clothing made slowly and intentionally really is.

From his hometown of St-Pierre-Jolys, Manitoba, Sol creates unique and useful products by the clever improbable association of materials. His current collections under his brand SOL Designs, include wooden sided handbags in upcycled vinyl flooring and recycled rubber tires as well as a colourful collection of accessories in eco-felt (wood and corn based).  His eco-felt and seat belt wine tote has recently been displayed at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts.

A full line and wide variety of original, colourful, hand-dyed and painted clothing has blossomed, from infant-wear to plus sizes. The majority of the blank garments are cut and sewn from our original designs and patterns. For the organic linen the cotton or bamboo fabric is milled in Ontario and Quebec. We tie, and then hand-dye all clothing ourselves using sponge brushes and various unconventional methods and constantly experiment with colours, techniques and different fabrics.

Beth McKean, a self taught artist and designer who believes in staying funky, conscious and comfortable in one's clothing style and choices. All pieces are handcrafted using gently used garments that are recycled into her own designs. Other materials used are end of the role that are saved from ending up in the landfill. These one of a kind creations become wearable art themselves and are made with the modern day customer in mind who wants it all: quality, function and individuality.

Handmade knotted meditation necklaces and bracelets.

Katherine Flynn is enamoured with design. The best days are spent in the studio! Katherine always aspires to surpass conventional limits in design, and has built a solid reputation and clientele.

Kira Robertson developed her own techniques and unique style that is showcased in her work today. Kira draws inspiration from everything fun and whimsical, and has a real passion for creating.

Everything from simple classical pieces to elaborate one of a kind creations.

In 2008, after three successful years at Sheridan where Emma completed the Crafts and Design diploma with high honours she was selected as one of the teaching assistants for this program.  During her first year out of school Emma was accepted into the prestigious exhibition Unity and Diversity held Cheongju International Craft Biennale.  She continued to exhibit and refined her craft skills while developing a body of production jewellery and mixed media sculpture.

I fell in love with metalsmithing in summer of 2018, after a long history of creative expression in other mediums. In 2010, I graduated from the Ontario College of Art & Design with a degree in Drawing and Painting. After traveling extensively, training as a midwife, and returning to Toronto a single mother, I was yearning to create again. I began experimenting with metal on a whim in my guest bedroom and became a self- taught metalsmith.

Semi-precious stone, crystal & porcelain beads clustered and hand wrapped with silver wire.

Marmalade Jewellery creates their pieces from scratch! Starting with 100% refined and recycled casting grain - combined with recycled studio metal - and end with our finished charms! Marmalade Jewellery is very proud to make their products from start to finish, and stand behind the quality and design of our pieces.

Waxed Linen is comfortable, durable and eco friendly. Wear these organic creations swimming, and for all your outdoor adventures. Feel the fibres soften and become a special part of your everyday. Always be inspired, like a moth to the flame. Adventure awaits!

Timeless, handcrafted sterling silver and gold jewellery incorporating gemstones and pearls.

Unique jewelry crafted with semi-precious stones, glass, Swarovski Crystals, copper and silver.

Handmade glass beads by Sailorgirl and sterling silver combine to make this carefree, bead jewellery.

A silversmith and a lapidarist combine their talents to create jewels from the earth. 

StrayStones is a line of handcrafted jewellery by designer and metalsmith Jenny Pulling, of Kitchener, ON. Using raw metals and traditional metalsmithing techniques, Jenny crafts bold, mixed-metal designs inspired by nature. From the windswept pines of Ontario to the stark mountain landscapes of the West, StrayStones is sure to have the perfect piece for the nature-lover in you.

My name is Sue and I am the girl behind the paint brush.

A few years ago, I picked up a paint brush and a piece of copper and created my first necklace. Since that time, I have been painting and creating unique pieces of wearable art. 

My Jewelry is created from an unusual combination of Metal and Alcohol Ink.   

Laura Moran's design process starts with a main colour, Laura chooses unique beads as the main theme. Other colours choosen as accents, add to the integrity of the piece and may take you in a completely different direction. Useing a natural veined stone crackle glass or even cat’s eye, they all add another dimension to the piece. "It is similar to cooking. I assemble my ingredients, put them into a pot and let simmer. Of course there is no recipe, just instinct."

Rob Thomas designs and creates metal art for the garden and other areas of the home. Starting out as a welder fabricator, Rob turned to creating garden art using mild steel and sometimes incorporating stone into the pieces. The most enjoyable part is the sharing of ideas with people and other artists.

Dusty Hutchings is a metal sculpture artist who focuses on replicating the beauty of nature in metal form. Dusty wants the pieces to leave an impactful impression on those that view it. Dusty is currently working on building a life sized cherry blossom tree that will help to shed light on the deforestation issues going on in our world.

Chaka’s stone sculpture is a meditation on geological time and his lifelong relationship to the unique stone that he works with. Inspired by the beauty and simplicity of the natural rock formations that are unique to Zimbabwe’s landscape, Chaka creates bold abstract pieces that range in size and can be displayed outdoors year-round. 

Using a hand held plasma cutter award winning studio Garrett Owen Gilbart brings new life to vintage tools and car parts.  Owen is a professional sculptor from east of Peterborough Ontario. Initially studying welding and fabrication at Sir Sanford Fleming College, before receiving their BFA from NSCAD University in Halifax, they studied at  Gerrit Rietveld Acadamie in Amsterdam.

Flat mild steel and rock are used to create these natural yet unique sculptures of animals and botanical forms.

Farm life and the rural landscape provide rich inspiration for photographer and metal artisan Christina Handley, who lives on a working cattle farm in Burnt River, Ontario. Christina’s latest works include a new line of unique metal pieces, created with a plasma cutter, using a free hand technique, suitable for indoor or outdoor display.

My work varies from large and small pieces, indoor and outdoor pieces, as well as free standing sculpture, hanging sculpture, and wall works.

Soapstone and alabaster sculpture in a variety of styles including abstract and surrealistlc.

Karen is the one woman show behind dog gone gear! Karen started this business after her pup had a mild illness that caused massive drooling! To help with his drool, Karen used her own bandanas and buffs on him, and he loved wearing them!

An enthusiastic experimenter., herpassion is coming up with new twists on traditional techniques. A large stash of wool was the inspiration behind her focus on sewing and quilting with wool.

Her work has been exhibited in Canada and the US and has been featured in several publications, including "Simply Modern" by Deanne Fitzpatrick.

“I have always loved to paint animals and the natural environment. My intention is to increase the feeling of connection between my audience with the animals I depict so they will increase their efforts to help safeguard and improve Mother Nature’s natural environments. My newest way I do this is with painting my locally sourced, hand painted Muskoka Ontario rocks."

Naebr Design is a letterpress printing and stationery design studio based in Minden, Ontario. Owner Natalia Brown has always had a love and appreciation for fine stationery products and analogue writing tools - think wax seals, fountain pens, and typewriters. Natalia is always looking to add her own sense of humour (and the occasional swear word) into her products to create unique and quirky stationery for everyone else’s life events.

Northern Iron specializes in creating unique pieces that combine form and function. Beginning by selecting quality materials and useing traditional forging techniques to hammer and shape the metal. Inspired by nature and traditional methods, but also incorporating their own style and creativity to each piece. Northern Iron takes great pride in their work and always strive to improve the craft.

Sue’s work is informed by one of her great loves; the natural world, where she is a curious student. Sue built her felting knowledge and skills starting with an introductory workshop followed with a few years of experimentation. Primarily using a wet felting technique, she also incorporates needle felting,  free motion machine stitching, and fabric remnants to add further texture, detail and interest.

Teena is a doll artist from the Bancroft area.  She enjoys creating one-of-a-kind dolls and ornaments using air dry paper-clay.  Her art work includes dolls, animals, and other fun creatures from her imagination.  Each piece is unique with its own personality and emotion. Teena is a self-taught artist and enjoys having messy hands and playing with different fabrics.

Carolyn Lee combines mediums to produce interesting and beautiful butterfly and moth sculptures.

Allison Barrow is an impressionist artist that captures brilliance and bold brush strokes in watercolour. She is an avid plein air painter and her energy speaks to an emotional connection that translates a narrative of calm, sparkle and gratitude through the theme of landscape. Allison’s paintings reflect her vision of life; they evoke extraordinary memories of tradition, celebration and the simple but exquisite joy of being.

Robert Bishop is a wildlife artist & more. His subjects include just about anything light touches.  The paintings are best described as quiet realism.

39 years ago the Artist began to explore the potential of imagery emanating from other natural forms like rocks, trees, water and fire. The possibilities seemed endless to me and uncharted. When he first began he was unaware that it would lead to  a sensitivity and understanding of a relationship with nature that to this day enriches his life with a sense of connection and purpose.

Realistic still-life and whimsical story-telling are represented in Cori Lee Marvin's exquisite watercolour paintings, archival prints and art cards.

Encouraging reflection on the beauty and significance of the natural world is central to Corin Ford Forrester’s photographic art. 

Corin studied traditional black and white photography at the Haliburton School of the Arts where she received the highest standing in the Sir Sanford Fleming College Photo Arts Program in 2007. She also has a degree in Microbiology from the University of Guelph. 

A local artist and environmentalist, David Kerr grew up sketching and painting the Haliburton area during summers at the family cottage. "The beautiful rugged terrain spotted with pristine lakes and rivers has always inspired my creativity." 

 Jamie Maclean paints landscapes -oil on canvas or acrylic on aluminum, focusing primarily on Ontario’s natural environment.

With the pandemic  complications he pivoted to almost exclusively Toronto’s Parks. 

Ideally, the viewer should feel the same connection and energy  drawn from these scenes as they view the texture, colours, shadow and energy of the piece.

Jacqueline enjoys a style that allows her to push the boundaries of colours, composition, and especially shadows. Each shape has a purpose in creating a form that brings life to her paintings.  Her painting subjects can comprise images captured on a trip, from a recent walk, a lake view, a portrait of a pet, or something nostalgic that will make anyone feel happy.

Images of Haliburton, Muskoka and Algonquin Park framed in three primary sizes. Matted images without frames will also be available.

Working with wool, Kathy Andrews creates two and three dimensional pieces of art by wet felting and needle felting. The inspiration for all of her art comes from the woodlands and fields near her home in the Kawartha lakes. Conservation and preservation are a very important part of her art.

Katie Fenerty makes artwork that celebrates the natural environment.

Jill Shanahan works mainly with pastel pencils, coloured pencil and some watercolour. Jill's passion is wildlife art, always starting with the eyes of my subject - so much soul can be captured in the eyes.

 Impressionistic and realistic landscapes captured in oil with a bold and expressive technique by Kelly Whyte.

Skye Jarvis's work is feminine, mindful and solitary. Her main subject finds herself in many different landscapes, from waters edge to cliff side. Her paintings depict a journey of self reflection and acceptance, as well as, experiencing and connecting  with her environment. Skye's paintings are rich and vibrant in colour. She creates her backgrounds using layers and glazes to achieve depth and texture, which contrasts the highly stylized and sculptural figure often found in her work.

Jamie Harron is a self taught photographer who captures mostly wildlife and nature. Jamie also creates some fine art.

Tina Ding is a Toronto based Artist who was born in Qingdao, China. Her work is a fusion of East and West and she has exhibitedin Hong Kong, Shanghai, Germany, USA and Canada. 

Zach Warne's abstract art started as messing around with the Windows Paint application on his first computer. Today, it begins with a word. Zach uses his handwriting, and the edge of the line as the foundation for each painting. From there Zach adds colours and pattern that he, or you, might associate with the chosen word.