People
Karyn Valino
Owner
My degree is actually from Ryerson’s Media Arts program, where I majored in photography. My first creative loves were paper, bookbinding, photography and collage. Along the way, I also took woodworking, stained glass and neon signmaking classes. It wasn’t until I was working in New York City that I discovered sewing and immediately fell in love with making my own clothes.
Maisy
Our dearest shop dog who saw us through the workroom’s first nine years. We could not have built such a welcoming space without her sweet guidance and company. We miss her sweet face every day.
#rememberingmaisy
Andrew Cloutier
Graphic Designer
I enjoy working on our houses, immersing myself in nature, riding my bike, making things out of wood, and designing stuff. A part of my heart lives permanently in British Columbia and I try to visit it as often as possible.
Alexis Da Silva Powell
Carolanne Graham
Instructor
My education is in English Literature and Librarianship and sewing obsessions started early for me. I suffered devastation in Grade 7 Home Economics when my teacher gave me an A- on a very complicated hot dog pillow. I made 9 more cushions before I got the A grade I thought I deserved (and before the teacher refused to mark any more pillows!).
Ignacia Ibarra Black
Annie Lum
My background includes a diploma in pattern drafting and clothing construction from George Brown. I also have a BDes from OCAD where I majored in industrial design and minored in material art & design. The latter included ceramics, woodworking and weaving.
Johanna Masko
Instructor
I have a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Michigan, but my crafty education comes directly from Mom!! She sewed, knitted, macraméed, embroidered — you name it!
When I’m not at the workroom, I’m a mother and wife, plus stitching, designing and sewing as much as humanly possible.
Leo S
Joanna Schleimer
Instructor
Joanna Schleimer is a hand weaver using fine, natural materials to create delicate, personal and nostalgic textiles. Her studio work focuses on embedding imagery within cloth, exploring both additive and subtractive processes, both on and off the loom. She is particularly interested in memories and feelings that are evoked from meaningful garments and heirloom objects.
Julie Sinden
Instructor
I grew up with a mother who is a fibre fanatic, in a house full of yarn and fleece and looms and spinning wheels — so i was crafting from a very young age, doing everything from sewing, knitting and dyeing to needle point and cross stitch. In 2002, I set off for the mountains of BC and did a three year textile program at the Kootenay School of the Arts, a very small and eclectic, but wonderful school.