The strength of small communities comes in part from the success of their small businesses. Behind many of these businesses are artisans and makers who spend years building their craft to offer one-of-a-kind pieces made by hand.
Haldimand County launched its Real Local campaign to highlight small businesses and artisans in the region. With a great variety of locally owned shops offering clothing, jewelry, sweets, and toys, there’s something for everyone – especially during the holiday season.
Game Time
Established in 1984, Michaud Toys is a family-owned business that makes wooden toys and games for the whole family. Built on the legacy of four generations of fine craftsmanship, Michaud Toys is located in Jarvis, Ontario.
A travel-sized cribbage board
Their board games come in full and travel sizes, so you can enjoy a game wherever you are. These games are handmade, and spare game pieces are easy to order. Check out their website HERE.
Putting a Spin on Clothing
Before textiles are sewn into clothing and accessories, fibres are dyed and spun into threads or yarn. Alchemy Fibre Designs owner and artisan Danuta Kamocki is no stranger to this process and has specialized in the fibre arts since 1995.
“Natural fibres are handspun, then yarn is drawn from the spindle, dyes are poured and painted on, and skeins are cast into cloth, as if by magic. I transform natural fibres like cotton, wool, ramie, linen, and silk into designer yarns and original fibre creations,” she explains on her website.
Scarves made from handspun yarn with a drop spindle in the background.
Learn more about Alchemy Fibre Designs by visiting Danuta’s website.
A Sweet, Sweet World
Multiculturalism is what inspired Shola Ekperigin, the chocolatier behind My Sweet Sweet World. Born in Nigeria, Shola’s shop is located in Hagersville, Ontario, and is celebrating its fourth year in business. He says that multiculturalism is a huge part of who he is and Canada as well.
A bar of chocolate from My Sweet Sweet World
A map of the world appears on the front of each bar of chocolate and the flavours are given themes like gratitude, peace, and courage. Each bar also has words and phrases in a variety of languages.
“Every time I make a new batch of boxes, I cycle around new languages to give a more ethnic representation to my boxes. Last month, a customer requested Itsekiri language, and it’s going to be on the mint boxes coming soon,” said Shola. (LINK)
An assortment of chocolates from My Sweet Sweet World in Hagersville, Ontario.
Visit My Sweet Sweet World in person in downtown Hagersville or visit them online. (LINK)
Happiness is Handmade
Facets Jewellery opened in Caledonia, Ontario, in 1994 and continues to specialize in custom pieces and jewellery repair.
“Janette – owner, jeweller and goldsmith – grew up in California and developed a passion for goldsmithing and jewellery after taking jewellery-making courses in high school. Janette moved to Canada when she was 19 and began creating her own jewellery, selling it at local markets and festivals,” explains Janette on her website.
The family-owned business carries a selection of handmade designer and fine jewellery pieces and a collection of accessories and home decor from other local artisans in the area.
A model wearing necklaces from Vancouver-based brand Pyrrha.
Facets Jewellery also carries their own line of handmade beaded jewellery, as well as vintage one-of-a-kind, hand-picked pieces from estate sales.
A sapphire filigree brooch from the Estate Jewellery section of the Facets Jewellery website.
To see more of what Facets Jewellery has to offer, visit their store in Caledonia or explore their website here. (LINK)
Shop Local. Shop Haldimand.
Whether you’re looking for a great place for a day trip or to find some hidden gems in your own backyard, make sure to check out all that Haldimand (LINK) has to offer this holiday season.
Visit our post from last year to see even more handmade and locally-owned businesses in the Haldimand area!