loop in

Michelle Lemay is a writer who without trying, writes the kind of texts to friends that feel as though they were handwritten in a room of precious objects, sealed in a wax-stamped-envelope and sent across the world via messenger pigeon or better, horse. Her observations of the world outside her head are profoundly mesmerizing. She also cares so deeply about others in a way that is so honest and kind. I would call her a poet though I am not sure she would call herself that. She just made it to the semifinals of a screenwriting pitch competition and mark my words, she will be everywhere.

Craig Fahner is a queer artist, musician, educator, and researcher based in Toronto, originally from Calgary. As an artist his work reimagines the way we use and interact with technology creating accessible, inclusive, and new landscapes. As an educator he uplifts and encourages his students through empathy, excitement, and deep dedication. As a musician he is extremely prolific and entirely humble in regards to his impressive output. He cares deeply about community connection and activism, kindness, helping others, and listening well.

Viktor Cahoj is a queer cinematographer and photographer based in Toronto. He is truly a remarkable person. Perhaps the most humble person I know. I am endlessly inspired by his care for others, his courage, his gentleness, and the way he sees the world (as if through a kaleidoscope). He is the type of person to notice the smallest glimmer of light in a puddle and be completely transfixed by its connection to something sacred. He possesses the rare ability to articulate this sacredness in a language that many can understand.

Justine McGrath is a mixed-Métis glass artist and friend based in Toronto. She inspires me endlessly. She sees the world with eyes of wonder. Her glass talisman pieces and creations provide strength not only to those who find a home in them, but they also allow her to transmute her past trauma through the art of making something incredibly beautiful with materials that could be deemed as dangerous or triggering. She is one of the most caring and beautiful people I have ever known.

Alfonsina’s creative energy and beauty is infectious. She creates the most gorgeous shoes but also she nourishes her life surrounding herself with beauty, friends, travel. Curiosity and experiences can make your life so much richer and that really inspires me. Every time we fusion our passion together magic is created.

Dan makes artisan crafted candles in Winnipeg Manitoba, and travels the world to find artisan treasures to be enjoyed back home in Canada. His entrepreneurials skills, and adventurous soul creates a very special product and experience. We recently met each other coincidentally in Buenos Aires and it was such a cool moment!

The power of transformation and expression. From quitting her job in politics and creating a creative life for herself, she is the epitome of determination and resilience, while having the most fun and badass hair adornment brand. I adore her.

She is a power house, and Capricorn twin. Her sense of style, creativity and ethos transpire in the hundred hats she wears everyday. She is art in motion in everything she does and touches, and I am proud to call her friend.

Virginia is a leader in the Oklahoma City arts community. I’ve looked up to her for years. She is such a talented artist and a vocal advocate for the arts in our community. She also founded Oklahoma’s first mural festival for women and non-binary artists.

Dinah is the Creative Director of T’KOR. She is both an extremely skilled crochet artist and an inspiring businesswoman. I really admire her vision for her business and her dedication to creating.

Katrina is an artist and fellow OKC resident. I’ve been so inspired by their quilts for a long time. Currently she is leading a Greenwood Quilt Memorial group (@okquiltmemorial) to memorialize quilts burned in the Tulsa Race Massacre.

Alexandria is a textile artist who primarily works in crochet. She is a huge inspiration to me and an impressive, hard-working, and thoughtful artist.

The children of Prince Edward County are lucky to have Julie Fowler on their side. She just launched a forest school, and wow I can’t be behind this enough. More of this, everywhere- immersive nature education for children.

Anna May Henry makes work that gets at precarity and food insecurity in an unexpected way. I treasure a scarf I have from her that has the opening lines of Christina Rosetti’s poem The Goblin Market laid out across bright yellow No Name brand food boxes.

I’ve never met her, but I’ve been following Hannah Verra of Wild Ocean Pearls for awhile. It’s such a remarkable enterprise. I know foraging for food takes some dedication, so every time I see a video of her in a rowboat going out to find saltwater pearls I’m blown away. If I was looking for something special for jewelry, I would source these ethically harvested gems from her first.

Zach Keeshig is an Ojibwe chef from Owen Sound that has been doing amazing pop up dinners and events with his project Nagaan, bringing his own fresh perspective on “progressive Indigenous cuisine.”

Love of my life and constant inspiration. Lee never chooses the easy route and always champions creative thinking. They can draw anything in a flash, tattoo, screen print, paint, build, and they care deeply about the earth. They recently built us a wood fired hot tub out of almost all reclaimed materials!

I am attending one of Brooke's upcoming Living Funeral Meditations and I am beyond excited to experience it. Brooke seems to do it all; musician, singer, owner of The Likely General, Death Doula. This woman is a powerhouse.

Tattooer, muralist, custom clothing, plant nerd like me! Tee is the essence of creativity, it's all around them and all over them! I am loving their custom clothing as of late. @teefeergus, @tqgbytee, @iamnatteetattoos

A multimedia artist and poet, giving spirit, a new friend. Angelic engages in trans activism through making art. Check out their baby @thehaven.lgbt

This woman is a powerhouse, mom of 2 amazing little girls and full of wisdom. Her work is kindred with care and love just like her, forever an inspiration to me.

The voice of an angel :)

I've never met anyone more driven and hardworking. One talented brain and amazing Designer.

This young lady is a full force, what can she not do…

Justin is an analogue photographer who’s been capturing some gorgeously haunting northern scapes, characters, and moments for the last decade.

This band rocks. I met them at the Folk On The Rocks festival in Yellowknife last summer and have since been lucky enough to drive them around on tour. Go listen to their new EP Time Is A Car!

I met Kim in the Yukon and they constantly inspire me with their illustrations, storytelling through comics, and exploration of natural fibre arts.

bekky is an amazing animator, illustrator, playwright, puppeteer, crafter, duck/dog/cat parent, and farmer. She’s also my sister!

She is currently at OCADU and I love her paintings. Katarina is on the rise and I can't wait to see where she goes in the future in her curatorial studies.

Kate is a badass design queen! She has 4 children and lives in the country but happens to get it all done. Her eye and vision for projects is quite impressive. I'm always on the lookout for what she's up to. Kate is very inspirational!

I really like her illustrations and that she customizes her work for each client. It seems to make the client's event sweet and special.

We've never met but we are both very supportive on instagram of each other's work. I love her colourful paintings. She seems very driven and I hope the best things for her.

Ashley runs film production for The Bay. She sits in such a special place of creativity as a producer. She gets to bring the magic to life. Ashley in particular inspires me because she is so energetic towards creativity and creative people. Loves to assemble and foster a good vibe to make the creative pour out.

The founder of Paraluman, Kim has single handedly raised the bar for Toronto's floral game through pure creativity. I've gotten to work with her many times this year and I just think she brings boundless creativity with such attention to craft. As an often restless creative, I admire her sharp focus area of floral with elevated design.

My sister Mads, she's endlessly talented. But lately she has been bringing her fierce creativity to food. From super conceptual art-driven picnic pop-ups on a farm, to avant-garde cakes, she just has the touch to make an experience around food so, so memorable and creative. Art X Food, all day.

My long standing creative better half, darling business partner, and friend Anna Cumyn. Literally the loveliest human you could meet. But don't twist that, she's ferocious with her craft and a creative Swiss army knife with many talents. She's an incredible art director and even better friend.

Beautiful artist, amazing DJ, makes incredible ceramic work, truly a hustler. Just like moi.

I truly enjoy watching what they have to bring on stage, and how confident/comfortable they are in their skin.

The definition of bad bitch, B as I like to call her, is the perfect combo of sexuality, confidence and joy in one body.

Josh got me back to dance, after covid, after I believed I could not get back on stage, and has always believed/ trusted my talent as a dancer. Josh is also an incredible choreographer and performer and his work inspires me daily.

Founder of Happy Organics- Jessica started as a client of mine and pretty quickly became a friend. Her focus on creating a better environment for bees (and us) is endlessly inspiring. Her bee farm produces some exceptional small batch honey that’s both good for us and the bees.

Julie is a photographer and dear friend. Her photos and color tones are so calming to look at, especially her work featuring California and Pacific Northwest travels. I’ve had the pleasure to shoot with her for a few projects and she’s such a dream to work with.

Founder of Sustainable Landscapes LA-Lily is an LA native focused on creating eco-friendly, organic gardens for urban living. I’m so proud to call her a friend, she’s truly making some cool gardens out there and starting buzz on the importance of drought friendly landscaping.

aka California Dirt - Fellow graphic designer and illustrator, Carmen has used her fine craft skills to produce beautifully cool jewelry pieces. They’re like sculptures for everyday wear and I can’t wait to see what she continues to create!

Textile and incredible weirdo performance artist friend based in CA – accepting commissions for amazing clothing, bags & woven pieces.

Genius mathematician and chef, feeding & creating spaces for kin and recently opened a restaurant!

Telling beautiful stories through masterful textile tableaux, worldwide.

Producer, photographer, multi-hyphenate superstar in Toronto.

She is a jewelry designer of gorgeous organically formed sculptural pieces. We met at a panel talk a couple years back but I love how much of a go-getter she is and has so much knowledge. She has been in the craft world for a long time and is killing it!

A good friend of mine who I went to college with. He is the lead designer for Barbie at Mattel, a literal dream?! He is so insanely talented, doing both art and creative writing on the side of his day job. He has been awarded internationally for both and I couldn't be prouder.

My photographer in the Bay Area, she is a young and multi-purpose creative. She also works as a lead photographer at Airbnb and I am always so impressed with her photography and outreach!

Designer behind the home goods brand Fruitsuper. Sally is one of the most creative people I know, her home and studio literally look like a gallery. She is a huge inspiration to me and is always bringing the design community together to do even more.

Kim is a Toronto-based multi-disciplinary creative. I was first drawn to her by her whimsical and bright floral arrangements. In a world of neutral and pastel aesthetic, her bright neon arrangements look like they’re straight out of an alternative universe.

JJ is a Toronto Based painter. He creates intricate and bright abstract paintings that are made through hand-cutting hundreds of stencils and laying down texturized paint. Looking at one of his abstract pieces is like taking an acid trip. Besides the abstract work, he also creates pop art paintings that evoke nostalgia and highlight the absurdity of how much our value and childhood memories are impacted by consumerism.

Samuel is a Toronto-based woodworker/craftsman. Sam designs and fabricates heirloom furnitures and home goods. He repurposes scraps and offcuts that would often be overlooked. Inspired by the Japanese craft of boro patchwork, these rescued materials are turned into geometric inlays that gives his furniture pieces a “patchwork” look.

Léa Behr and Nicolas Hoang is a Quebec based ceramic duo. Their practice explores both the sculptural and functional aspects of everyday objects with an aesthetic coming from a desire to make objects elegant and tactile.

If you live in Toronto you have seen Matthew Deldegan's LoveBot statues and artwork everywhere. I’m a big fan and I own a sculpture myself.

Catherine McMillan creates donuts out of ceramics. You can literally hang them on your wall. They are so beautiful and fun. I have a spot in my kitchen where I can hang 3. I hope to get some soon.

Kevin Parry is a stop motion and VFX genius. I love his work and love that he often lifts the curtain and shows us how it was done.

Cache Bunny is the bomb. She is a super talented VFX artist and Director. Her work was even featured in Adobe ads. During the pandemic she created @edit.party where many editors joined a Zoom call and worked together. Even superstar DJ @deadmau5 joined in.

Hat designer /Painter/ want to be her.

Jewellery designer who makes beautiful custom work.

Florist who also works with local farms in Ontario!

Painter/Actress/Photographer multi-faceted extraordinaire!

A creative force working out of her home in Winnipeg & blowing my mind and my money every season with her comfortable and stylish conceptions that she hand sews herself. I cannot get enough of what she creates and I love supporting her and wearing her clothes because they feel like love.

A person who reinvented himself, reimagined an estate filled with high design that was accessible and desirable enough for him to build a brand from the space and out of things he has grown and harvested there and with fellow farming friends. Like the bougie farm box of your dreams. Straight out of LA.

Obsessive, inspired, filled with invention, inner vision, purpose. Driven by her own drive to succeed and one of the most celebrated living artists of our time. I love who she is & how eccentric and true to herself she is.

She is everything. A pink haired woman who has never stopped creating with virtually every medium or following her inner drum. She touches everything there could be to create on. Her work transcends. She is still working. Still creating at 81 & still putting out exciting work.

she is my best friend from childhood, and also happens to be an extraordinary production designer. She is the most resourceful creative I know and everything she touches turns to gold.

They bring so much positivity and grace to every project. Such a self expressed dancer and human. Great personal style too I'll add!

I'll never get over her voice. Her songs give me chills, she is so vulnerable and powerful at the same time. I just love her.

The dynamic duo Cody Briggs and Desire Olexy. I've been working with them for years doing photo shoots for my brand. We always end up with results better than I could have asked for! We share the same appreciation for bold colour and they are so fun to work with.

the Artist and Lover - Sevan has big feelings and uses them to create stunning visuals that make you want to both weep and melt into a puddle of love. Naturally, she is also one of the most giving and thoughtful people in this universe.

the Conversationalist - a connector, a disruptor, storyteller, style queen (and so much more). She uses The Liminal Movement to explore everything the in-between - a safe space - a place for conversation, community care, and JOY. Her eponymous jewelry line is another extension of how she weaves community and conversation into handmade incredible works of art. Endlessly nourished by Dee's care ❤️

aka Dream Pop Rock Legend! She honestly has the voice of an angel and has been fronting bands since she was FIFTEEN and has now toured around all over the world. Her passion for her craft and love for her community and friends makes me adore her so much. World, watch out!

aka the Fashion Lawyer - Best Dressed Goddess on this Earth, who is brilliant in everything she does, all with a heart of solid gold! My mentor! My friend! My Didi! Anjli is a fierce advocate for justice and her passion for uplifting South Asian creatives is so inspiring! She does it all and is also effortlessly the chic-est person in any room.

I've never had the chance to meet Jasmine, but discovered her on instagram through friends. Her account is a constant source of inspiration. Her beautiful floral food creations, her movement classes, her perspectives and creative vision are all so incredible and inspiring. I am always excited when I see her share her content.

A gardener, forager, creator extraordinaire for the restaurant at Pearl Morissette. I've known Deirdre for quite a few years, and spent time in my early twenties gardening and learning from her. She is so knowledgeable, and one of the most ambitious and creative gardeners and growers I know.

A visual artist and designer based in L.A. I love everything she designs, but am also inspired by her creative and seemingly free approach to life. Anytime she shares a recipe, a visual moment, or someone who inspires her, you can sense the passion and essence of the moment.

Krista is a dear friend and constant source of inspiration. She is the source behind Golden Chain where she offers a wide range of kundalini yoga + meditation series and training. Through her own extensive experiences and also through collaboration with other teachers and creatives, Krista offers the wisdom and tools to live life in an inspired, elevated way. She's funny as hell, a great writer, a gifted teacher, a knowledge keeper and has a knack for posing the critical questions of life in a way that both cracks you open and cracks you up.

Besides being a ray of sunshine, Becca is highlighting the real true flavors of India (key word real) in a fresh way. I love seeing another brown girl who was able to turn her passion into her business during the pandemic. 

A hilarious and genuine human. She has always been beautifully creative and It's so inspiring to see her channel that into these brilliant cakes.

The most magical and pure human + brilliant flower slinger. She helps create all the MMANN Candles pop up displays with me. She just gets me and what I'm creating with MMANN Candles. 

My sweet super talented sister. Watch out for her, she’s coming in hot! Gen Z with a soul of a Millennial. She has a fresh + fun eye! Lots of new projects coming soon from her!

This Collective of Creatives inspires me constantly. Although based in Toronto, our team is made up of out-of-the-box thinkers from all over the world. We share brainstorming sessions but also food, beers, music, laughter and fun. I’m always looking forward to what’s next for our firm, the opportunities and projects just keep getting more and more exciting.

Tiffany is an artist and designer, author, television host and multi-disciplinary Creative extraordinaire. Everything she touches turns to glitter, rainbows and positive energy. Tiffany is so humble, so hard working, and so generous with her time, energy, and talents. Her unapologetic use of colour is truly inspiring – but so is her infectiously joyful personality.

I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Cheryll for a few years now and I’m always left feeling more motivated and invigorated every time we talk. Her planning practice focuses on human rights and equity and what that looks like in the built environment. She works tirelessly to improve relationships between people, institutions and land, and I am in awe of her resilient spirit and determination to make Toronto a better place for everyone.

Sarina and my mother met in lamaze class a few months before I was born, so I’ve known her all my life. She is a true creative in every sense of the word. A dancer, film maker, musical theater performer, director, show creator, fitness app founder and content creator, mother, world traveler, and wonderful human. Sarina is truly an inspiration to dream bigger and never be afraid to pivot or reinvent yourself.

Madelyn is the founder and editor-in-chief of The RepresentASIAN Project which celebrates, advocates and elevates Asian representation and voices in media and beyond. Not only am I an avid follower and reader of the stories and features that Madelyn shares, I deeply respect how honest, open and REAL she is as a person. She uses her voice with true authenticity in a way that inspires so many of us fellow Asian women.

Esme is a Toronto-based artist and co-founder of Common Goods Studio, a multidisciplinary studio that focuses on creating functional and decorative pieces in small batches using clay, leather, or other found and up-cycled materials. Esme is an artist through and through, and I love how much she shares her process for creating her pieces on her IG channel, which absolutely captivates and inspires her community (myself included)!

Emefa is the Toronto-based founder and designer of ISRAELLA KOBLA women’s apparel line. I feel incredibly fortunate to know Emefa - she radiates a true kindness, passion and drive for her work and business, and it has been a true pleasure watching her brand grow. I’m a huge fan of her vision; she has an impeccable eye for design which shows in every piece within her line.

Becca is my best friend and the owner and cook of @spice.girl.eats, an Indian home cooking brand and business in Toronto. Her signature product is her magical and delicious chai concentrate that is now sold in the coveted cafes and restaurants around the city. Having just launched her business less than a year ago, Spice Girl Eats gained much-deserved community admiration straight away - and that can be credited to Becca’s tremendous passion, hard work and pure love for the art of cooking and paying homage to her cultural roots which I respect and admire so much!

fabulous, creative, fresh

most creative, genuine, generous

go getter, girl power, powerhouse

inspiring, authentic, breath of fresh air

Brooke is a special person. She runs a store on Roncesvalles that features hand-made and local goods, but she is an activist and a super caring soul. Her honesty and compassion were essential to me, especially during the very rough years in business during the pandemic. Her outreach into the community makes her store much more than that.

Angela and I have only met through Instagram, trading comments and commiserating about the ups and downs of social media. She has a beautifully consistent style and incredible product. I wish I was getting married again so that I could get her to do the flowers.

Beautiful, wearable. Colourful cotton clothes and accessories. I have many Kate shirts and dresses and wear them all the time. Great for layering. Made consciously and fairly.

This is a family making the coolest fanny packs out of their home. I met Le Ching (lee-ching, she/her) when she invited me to be a part of her back yard pop-up last summer. I have more Roncy Packs than I can wear but I use them all, all the time!