Transforming Provinces into Territories, Discover 13 Gifts That Guarantee To Fulfill Every Desire on Your Holiday Wishlist
Discovering Canada's Hidden Gems: A Journey Through Artisanal Craftsmanship
From coast to coast, Canada is home to a vibrant community of small businesses that celebrate local craftsmanship, creativity, and sustainability. These hidden treasures, often overlooked by large chains, offer unique and high-quality products that showcase the best of Canadian ingenuity.
In Calgary, The Alberta Boot Company stands out for its focus on handcrafted cowboy boots made with vintage tools, ensuring longevity and repairability. This sustainable approach makes their boots a popular choice among those who appreciate quality and durability.
Moving eastward, East Coast Glow, based in Canada, handcrafts sleek toiletries infused with the scents of the sea and forests, using pure iceberg water. Their products offer a refreshing and authentic take on personal care items, making them a must-try for those seeking a natural and unique experience.
Swoon Vintage, located in Charlottetown, offers a carefully curated collection of vintage clothing, including 1930s wedding dresses, 1960s sundresses, power suits from the 80s and 90s. With clean photos and careful sizing, shopping at Swoon Vintage is an easy and enjoyable experience for those seeking unique fashion pieces.
Farmer's Son Co., a Winnipeg-based artisanal candle and lifestyle brand, offers beautiful goods suitable for holiday gifts. Their candles, made with natural wax and essential oils, create a warm and inviting atmosphere, making them a perfect addition to any home.
Hillberg & Berk, a Regina-based jewelry brand, boasts an 88% female or non-binary leadership team and donates to charitable causes such as The Native Women’s Association of Canada and The Canadian Centre for Gender and Sexual Diversity. Their intricate and stylish jewelry pieces are a great way to support women-led businesses and give back to the community.
Sportees, based in Whitehorse, specializes in outfitting outdoor enthusiasts for cold weather conditions, providing equipment for skiing, skating, dog mushing, and winter running. For those who love the outdoors, Sportees offers a one-stop shop for high-quality and functional winter gear.
Léonce offers mittens made with bamboo, polar fleece, Quebec wool, and organic cotton, promising warmth down to -20°C. Their commitment to using sustainable materials and providing high-quality products makes them a go-to choice for those seeking functional and eco-friendly winter accessories.
Hooking Outside The Lines provides colourful rug hooking patterns and fibre kits for crafters at every level, with a Creativity Club for learning and support. For those who enjoy crafting, Hooking Outside The Lines offers a fun and engaging way to create beautiful rugs and connect with other crafters.
Acho Dene in Fort Laird, Northwest Territories, hand-beads moosehide moccasins, offering exquisite slippers that are the product of dozens of hours of artisanal work. These beautiful moccasins are a testament to the rich cultural heritage of the Northwest Territories and make a unique and special gift.
Pat Bruderer (Halfmoon Woman), a Kootenay area artist, creates intricate birch bark bitings. Her work showcases the beauty of birch bark and the skill of her craft, making her pieces a must-see for anyone visiting the Kootenays.
BuzzFeed Canada often highlights unique and charming small businesses that stand out for their creativity, quality, and local impact. Some common types of small businesses frequently recommended include local artisan bakeries, handmade craft shops, independent coffee roasters, boutique bookstores, innovative food trucks, eco-friendly boutiques, and hidden neighborhood restaurants.
Recent recommendations from BuzzFeed Canada include Kolten MacDonell, inspired by Cape Breton, who creates pottery using found materials like wood ash, seaweed, and sand. Tundramoon, a Canadian small business, sources flowers and plants from the tundra in Iqaluit to create art, earrings, and home accessories. Agile Design + Fabrication, just outside Moncton, designs stunning, easily assemble and disassemble pieces.
For a specific curated list from BuzzFeed Canada, you might check out their lifestyle or travel sections where they frequently showcase hidden gems in Canadian cities and towns. If you want me to find recent or specific recommendations, just let me know!
Exploring Canada's artisanal scene, fashion-and-beauty enthusiasts will find East Coast Glow's sea-scented toiletries and Swoon Vintage's vintage fashion pieces intriguing additions to their collection. Home-and-garden aficionados can enhance their living space with Farmer's Son Co.'s artisanal candles and Léonce's eco-friendly winter accessories. For those seeking unique shopping experiences, Hillberg & Berk's socially conscious jewelry and Sportees' winter gear are great options, while crafters may appreciate Hooking Outside The Lines' rug hooking patterns and Acho Dene's traditional moosehide moccasins. With BuzzFeed Canada's recommendations, there's always a hidden gem waiting to be discovered—be it a local artisan bakery, handmade craft shop, or independent eco-friendly boutique.
