Hi Friends,
Things are feeling a wee bit heavy lately, aren’t they? We feel the urge to scream every time we watch the news and we know we’re not the only ones. It also makes us consider, perhaps more than ever before, *where* we are spending our money, and *what* that is supporting.
First Pick Handmade has always been, since we began in 2017, an event that serves to showcase Canadian Made Fashion, Art and Design. From the beginning, we have aimed to provide a meeting place between Consumers and Creatives, where Canadian Brands that manufacture in Canada get priority.
We called ourselves “First Pick Handmade” as a hint to pick Handmade first, to make people aware of what’s made here and to start (and continue) the conversation around buying local when it comes to Fashion, Art and Design.
It’s always been political for us, to provide a space for Canadian Made, as this is actually an act of security: to keep ourselves able to clothe ourselves with items coming from within our own borders, made by people living and working in Canada. No shade on others, but we like the idea that when we hand over our hard earned dollars, it goes to someone living here, paying taxes here and contributing to our community and economy.
While our local designers battle high cost of living and materials, we have provided a place for them to get the most money for their work, while making it possible to produce to order and keep their costs and waste down. We have championed Handmade as the new Luxury, because what is more special, more limited edition, than a garment made by the hands of the designer, or a piece of jewelry where the artists’ vision and product execution meet?
We now ask you, more than ever, to buy Canadian Made and keep your dollars right here in Canada.
The threat of tariffs and trade wars are not to be taken lightly and we know a lot of people are worried about how this will affect their families. We hear about boycotting American-owned companies, but what companies are Canadian owned these days? Where can we find items produced in Canada?
Rest assured, we have always done the work to make it super easy for you to shop Canadian and we will continue to do so.
If you’re looking for something, come check out our Spring First Pick Handmade Market, Sunday March 16th from 11-5pm at Heritage Hall. If you need something we don’t have at *this* event, check back in our vendor listings or get in touch via email and we will do our best to connect you with a local maker.
Please feel free to share our event with your friends and family who are looking to add Canadian Made to their wardrobe and home this Spring and support our Artist-Run (and Artist-Focused) market. Follow us on Instagram for our vendor profiles and join our newsletter to stay connected.
We can’t wait to see you Sunday March 16th at Heritage Hall!
XO Janna / First Pick Handmade