The Calgary Woman’s Show is a bi-annual event that features two days worth of shopping, performances, and seminars, all held under the roof of the BMO Centre at Stampede Park. For their spring show this year, the show runs May 3rd and 4th, and is expected to see over 10,000 visitors by the end of the weekend.
For the show’s 32nd anniversary, they’ve partnered with Market Collective to add a group of local, independent women entrepreneurs to the more than 300 exhibitors that fill the centre. We stopped by the show on Saturday to shop and chat with a few of the local ladies exhibiting their wares.
Apple Lady Liisa Hawes is sweet as apple pie. Photo by Brett Rieger.
I first met Liisa Hawes at the Hillhurst Sunnyside Farmer’s Market, where we became absolutely addicted to her Pink Lady apples. Liisa, a.k.a., The Apple Lady, markets “unusual and obscure apples” out of a small family farm in Oliver, B.C., as well as a greenhouse grower in Didsbury, AB. Liisa’s business model involves trying to keep a low carbon footprint, and recycle as much as she can. She runs her business out of a mini-van!
Photo by Brett Rieger.
Liisa and her husband, Lynden, were so friendly, and sent us home with almost more apples than we could carry. She’ll take any opportunity to spread the gospel of tasty, local grown apples. As for what’s next, Lisa says, “I’d love to link small orchards with elementary schools.”
You can find Lisa at the Parkdale Farmer’s Market and the Hillhurst Sunnyside Farmer’s Market. For more information, and updates on events she’ll be attending, visit her website at: www.applelady.ca.
Becky Warren of Becky Warren Design & Illustration. Photo by Brett Rieger.
You wouldn’t know it from her impeccably designed business cards and illustrations, but not only was this event Becky Warren’s first time participating in Market Collective, it was her first time selling her own art! (Also, May 3 was Becky’s birthday – if you make it down to the show today be sure to wish her a happy belated.) Becky’s interest in art was cultivated by her mom, and she has a diploma in Graphic Design from Ontario’s Conestoga College.
Photo by Brett Rieger.
Most of Becky’s pieces are done with Copic markers, and show a beautiful attention to detail in their colouring. If you’d like to view more of Becky’s work, you can see it at her website: www.beckywarrendesign.com.
Katriona Drijber Pottery. Photo by Brett Rieger.
Katriona Drijber has been working with pottery since she was 16 years old. She has studied at the Kootenay School of Arts in Nelson, B.C., apprenticed in Durango, Colorado, and has recently graduated from the Alberta College of Art and Design. Now, she is based primarily out of Coleman, AB, where she lives and works. Her pieces have just the right amount of whimsy and charm, and are beautifully crafted.
Photo by Brett Rieger.
Katriona says that the “challenge of getting good at ceramics is what has kept me going.” To view Katriona’s work, and for updates on where she’ll be showcasing it, you can visit her Facebook page.
Collaborative jewelry by CoutuKitsch and North Birch Grove (Amy Victoria Wakefield). Photo by Brett Rieger.
Amy Victoria Wakefield’s passion is showcasing the beauty of nature in her photography. The Alberta College of Art and Design graduate is heading to Iceland in June to photograph a different landscape than her usual prairie scenes. For this show, in her fifth year of working with Market Collective, Amy partnered with Dorian Kitsch of CoutuKitsch to make jewellery out of her scenic photos.
North Birch Grove Photography. Photo by Brett Rieger.
Amy is about to re-launch her business on May 6th under the new name of North Birch Grove. You can stay tuned for updates on her website launch over on her Facebook page, Amy Victoria Wakefield Photography.
Pendants by CoutuKitsch. Photo by Brett Rieger.
Dorian Kitsch is another Market Collective veteran. The lady behind CoutuKitsch makes pendants out of a mix of new and old pieces – she loves the juxtaposition between gemstones and vintage materials. Dorian was raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and has been living in Calgary for 9 years now. She has a certificate in Fashion Marketing and a diploma in Fashion Design from Olds College.
A necklace from CoutuKitsch. Photo by Brett Rieger.
To purchase some of CoutuKitsch’s lovely jewellery, you can visit Dorian’s online shop at www.coutukitsch.com.
Deanna MacAulay poses with her stunning glass work. Photo by Brett Rieger.
Deanna MacAulay of Miss Mac Glass has been working with glass as her primary medium for 9 years. Her inspirations “comes from the observation of naturally occurring patterns, colours, and textures found in nature.” A few years after graduating from the Alberta College of Art and Design, Deanna formed Fireweed Glass Studio with three other Albertan glass artists.
Photo by Brett Rieger.
Deanna finds her inspiration comes from the Rocky Mountains and the other beautiful natural landscapes that surround her studio. She adds, “My eye seeks intense contrast; vibrant and saturated splashes of colour in relation to environmental surroundings.” For those interested in viewing or purchasing her glasswork, or to see what upcoming markets she’ll be attending, you can visit her website at www.missmacglass.com.
Photo by Brett Rieger.
Natalie Tupper of Drift Accessories isn’t one to sit still. “I always like to be making something.” Natalie’s company name comes from the driftwood she uses to make her jewellery – she finds it near Bragg Creek or out in B.C. When she isn’t make jewellery, she’s knitting – her pieces are all tied together by natural, neutral tones. These are great accessories for anyone with a minimalist sense of style.
Photo by Brett Rieger.
Natalie’s next move is making rings and cuffs. To stay tuned as to where she’ll be exhibiting her pieces next, visit her Drift Accessories Facebook page.
To see the work of plenty of other talented local artists, you can visit Market Collective’s website to see a list of all those that exhibited at the Calgary Woman’s Show, and for a list of their upcoming events.