Sista'z Carpets are at the in person show on November 20 and 21

Kay will be at the in person show at the Da Vinci on November 20 and 21 and the online show from November 22 to 28 this year

Our first #ArtisansNorthwestmember biography is on Rebeccah Boban and her aptly named Twigs Warm Stuff studio. Rebeccah has just joined #ArtisansNorthwest this year, when you see her designs you can immediately see why! Rebeccah Boban started crocheting 15 years ago and established Twigs Warm Stuff in 2013. She is inspired by nature and the raw materials she works with. Rebeccah loves the creative process, especially mixing colours and textures to create fabric. Keeping all members of your family warm and cozy with functional and stylish apparel is the goal of Twigs. You can visit Twigs Warm Stuff on Facebook, Instagram or at twigswarmstuff.com. Bring on winter! You can also come down to our #45thFineArtandCraftshow in person event on November 20, from 10am to 5pm and November 21 from 10am tp 4pm to meet Becky and see her cuddly warm designs! Twigs Warm Stuff will also be in our online event from November 22 at 9am, to November 28 at midnight.

James Brown Photography is in the in person show on November 20 and 21 at the Da Vinci and in the online show on November 22 to 28

Next in our biography series is Lisa Dampier with her Lotsa Dots By Lisa studio. Lisa is a new member to #ArtisansNorthwest, but has been on the radar of members for several years, so it was no surprise that Lisa applied to jury this year for membership. Lotsa Dots By Lisa is easily identifiable in our #localart market. Lisa Dampier is the mandala artist behind Lotsa Dots By Lisa. What started by taking an afternoon mandala rock-painting class in 2018 quickly turned into a passion for painting mandalas and dot art designs on a wide variety of mediums including mugs, wine glasses, wood and metal décor pieces, bookmarks, keychains, candle holders, and her personal favourite, Christmas ornaments. Lisa’s “day job” as a Math teacher has influenced her love of mandala art due to the geometry and symmetry of design. Everything she does is painted personally by hand, without the use of stencils or patterns, at her home studio in beautiful Neebing, Ontario. While she is primarily self-taught, she has been inspired by many other mandala artists including local artist Shannon Ellard of Superior Mandalas. Lisa’s art can be found at many local craft markets in and around Thunder Bay, as well as through her Facebook page Lotsa Dots By Lisa, her Instagram page @lotsa_dots_by_lisa, and on her website www.LotsaDotsByLisa.ca. Come down to #ArtisansNorthwest 's #45thfineartandcraftshow on #november20and21 at the Da Vinci Centre to see Lisa's work, and chat with her about her process and fantastic feel for colours!

Next in our biography series is longtime member Margaret A Duncan. Margaret's designed an identifiable, she has her own style that is at once classic and forward thinking. Margaret tells us about herself in her own words... My learning journey started when the time came to embrace knitting, a favoured household tradition for five year old girls in England. But it was a few decades and life events before I developed a passion for exploring the many types of knitting along with other areas of the fiber world. My husband was in the Military so while living in London Ont. I started my self learning era of intarsia making huge sweaters with more and more intricate designs. I continued this theme when moving to Barrie, and then moving to Calgary, discovered the wonderful world of a Knitting Guild. This opened up my opportunities of workshops with first class designers as well working with so many like minded people offering even more opportunities to the many techniques. Finally we moved to Thunder Bay and I joined the Thunder Bay Weavers and Spinners Guild as well as the Northwoods Fiber Guild in Grand Marais MN . Both guild's added to my skills as spinning, dying and felting were now being incorporated into my knitting world. Finally I then experimented with my own patterns, along with teaching various classes which finally led me to sell my work through Artisans Northwest, The Baggage Building Arts Centre and the Thunder Bay Weavers and Spinners Guild at the Thunder Bay Country Market. I love and am very proud to promote traditional skills in the community, all the while wrestling with trying to keep up with technology. The social media of Facebook and Instagram keeps me in touch with my fibre groups, access to information and a wonderful place to share and be inspired by so much talent. Come to #ArtisansNorthwest's #45thfineartandcraftshow on #november20and21 at the Da Vinci Centre and chat with Margaret about her designs and her process, as each piece has an interesting story. See you there!

Next in our biography series is Stefania Pellegrino Etreni, and her studio Art Designs by Stefania. Stefania has been a member for a few years, and has exploded into productivity in the last few! Stefania is a creative artist inspired by nature, music, travel and life experience. The scenery of her hometown of Thunder Bay, Ontario has also had an influence on her artwork. Her style ranges from realism to abstract art. She creates acrylic paintings, resin and mixed media art, and functional art pieces. Glitter, stones, crystals and sea glass from Siderno, Italy are a few examples of the materials she uses on her art pieces. Using mixed media allows her to express her individuality and originality. Stefania has participated in numerous group shows and art contests in Italy, art shows in Thunder Bay, and she is a member of Artisans Northwest. During a vacation in Siderno, Italy in 2010, Stefania participated in an art contest called “Volti E Paesaggi Del Borgo Antico” with numerous talented artists. Her art piece was painted on the spot in front of a beautiful villa in Siderno, Superiore. She painted the interesting entrance of this villa and won 1st prize. Her amazing artwork was recognized with a beautiful plaque trophy. It was one of many highlights and memorable moments in her art journey. Stefania’s passion has led her to her goal of connecting with others through art in many inspiring places. As an artist, she loves creating beautiful and unique works for collectors to enjoy! Come and see Stefania at #artisansnorthwest's #45thfineartandcraftshow on #november20and21 at the Da Vinci Centre !

Next in our biography series is a new member of #ArtisansNorthwest, Andrea Goold, and her studio All Roots Grounded. Andrea's classic designs are easily identifiable, her style liked by many of all ages. Andrea tells us about her journey in her current medium below. The launch of All Roots Grounded (ARG), in 2020, was the result of discovering a new medium – polymer clay, and a renewed passion for creating during an unprecedented time. Polymer clay is a very diverse medium; it can be shaped, textured, painted, molded and is lightweight, making it ideal for statement earrings. Some designs are accentuated with other materials such as metals, wood, natural stones, Swarovski crystals, and freshwater pearls. ARG products are primarily earrings and hair clips. All items are handmade by me, Andrea Goold, in my home studio, which is filled with local artists work and creations. I have collected over the years. Inspiration for my designs are primarily from nature, and occasionally current trends! Creating and making keeps me focused and grounded; yet always encourages me to learn and grow. At the heart of the brand is the motto “Creativity with Conscience”. My wish, as my business grows, is to give back to communities and non-profits and truly embrace the shop small and support local values. I sincerely hope those that wear my products enjoy them as much as I enjoy creating them. Come down to the Da Vinci Centre on #november20and21 for our #45thfineartandcraftshow and meet Andrea Goold, and see her designs for All Roots Grounded! All Roots Grounded will also be in our online show on #november22to28 on our website, ArtisansNorthwest.ca