Welcome to our Gallery
How the elves started
In 1988 I graduated from art school in England with a sizeable debt. I moved back to Canada and started my business in Quebec as a printmaker the following year. I supported myself mainly by doing craft shows in eastern Canada and the USA.
It took 8 years to get out of debt and in that time I learnt quite a lot about business which was good as I had no idea how to run a business when I graduated from art school. This is one of the trickiest parts of being an artist, figuring out how to market your ideas and work.
Jump ahead 34 years and I have now been living in Gibsons, BC for 21 of those. We are now a pack of 7 elves who run the gallery, produce my work and ship the wholesale and online orders. It is a good little business and I am generally OK to work with as long as I have had enough tea, a good dog run and a swim that morning. If you asked the other elves they may say otherwise.
What the Elves do
You spend a lot of time at work over a lifetime so you may as well have fun at your job. We are a gaggle of elves who have a good time at work. We like to make people happy and this is how we have been doing it for over 30 years. When we get to work we put on the kettle. Once fuelled with a hot beverage we get down to the task of designing high quality cotton tea towels that are quirky and fun.
But wait, we make other things too; tote bags, coasters, magnets and a line of mini cards are some of our other current product lines. Just like Santa's elves, we are very dextrous. All of our printing, packaging and shipping are done in BC. When cranking through the repetitive tasks we like to listen to CBC radio, inspiring music, or a podcast.
Where the elves work their magic
Part of the reason we like our jobs is that we work out of a fantastic location where we have been for the last 20 years. Situated on the Gov't Wharf in Gibsons, BC., we have a stunning view from our gallery/studio. We are surrounded by water, seagulls and boats so there is always action outside our doors.
The space is split in two, half being the studio and half being the gallery, where there are often people coming in to buy things. Our gallery is packed with over 60 tea towel designs in both French and English, as well as original paintings and the rest of our product lines.
We really hope that if you are anywhere near Gibsons you will come and visit us.
WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT
LOCAL
IN BUSINESS
30+ YEARS
SOLD OVER
175,000 TEA TOWELS
Partnered with
