CROSS COUNTRY CRAFT CHECKUP: New Montreal Column

I am happy to introduce a new TCA contributor from Montreal: Pamela Grimaud. Pamela has generously offered to keep us informed about crafty goings-on in La Belle Province, which I’m sure will make our Montreal readers very happy and hopefully pique the interest of Toronto-based peeps and inspire some cross-provincial craft exchange.

Pamela will contribute periodic digests of Mtl. crafty happenings, and will do profiles on Montreal craft makers and shakers, with a special emphasis on ethical fashion & crafts.

A bit about Pamela:

After thirteen years in the United States and one brutally expensive master's degree from New York University, Pamela returned to her beloved Montreal, where she works as a costume historian, college instructor, researcher, independent lecturer and writer. She is currently reading everything she can get her hands on regarding the field of ethical fashion, is a fervent admirer of all things crafty and considers herself a junior knitter. She blogs about all kinds of things at Oh, Little Bird!

If you have Montreal-based craft news to share, please get in touch with Pamela.

Here’s our first

Montreal Craft Digest

Puces Pop Printemps!
(That's French for springtime!)

The first ever spring edition of the Puces Pop Arts & Crafts fair happens this May 31 from 11 am to 8 pm in basement of the St. Michel Church, 105 St. Viateur Ouest. Sixty-five talented artists and craftspeople will be displaying everything from fashion, to one-of-a-kind accessories, organic soaps, toys and lots more. Food will be served all day, lovingly prepared by church volunteers; a pancake brunch, and Polish-style dinner. (Puce Pop folk insist that their pancakes are truly the best in the Mile End, and their wild mushroom and home-made sauerkraut perogies promise to be fantastic) But wait...there's more! An 8 pm bingo game (with prizes, of course), beer and tasty eats crown the day's events.

Visit the Puce Pop site

........
Craft Mafia Montreal is seeking volunteers for its Fringe Bazaar, held in collaboration with the Fringe Festival, June 21-22. If you or someone you know is itching to be part of this crafty event, drop them a line: hello@craftmafiamontreal.com. If you don't, you might just find yourself sleeping with the fishes.

The Craft Mafia "familia" has headquarters around the world. To learn more about the Bazaar as well as Craft Mafia's mission to support and connect local creative folk, and raise public awareness about the handmade community, visit: http://www.craftmafiamontreal.com/en/

........
Speaking of the Fringe Bazaar, Indyish will also have a presence at the Saint-Laurent street festival. Indyish is an independent arts network that plans monthly Indyish Monthly Mess' showcasing various kinds of art forms, from dancing to music to theatre. You can visit the Indyish Art Market on Thursday, June 19th, Friday, June 20th from 6-9 pm, and Saturday and Sunday, June 21-22. And if you're a crafter, you might still be able to nab your own table for the Thursday event. For the skinny, visit the Indyish site.

.......
Felter Farha Dharshi of Lilou-Lilou is exhibiting her beautiful vessels in a show titled Wool Pods/Gousses de Laine; on view at Atelier Woodenapples, 5319 Parc Avenue through May 30th.

.......
The Salon Nationale de L'Environnement takes place in the Old Port from June 13-15. Entry is free as a bird, and amongst the 165 exhibitors you'll find a number of eco-friendly artisans and crafters. For details, visit: http://www.terrenouvelle.info/en.html