Thanksgiving Studio Tours

Oct 13, 2011

Photo: Anaïs Fritzlan during the Perth Autumn Studio Tour.

While Thanksgiving is a holiday whose tradition revolves around giving, for those of us always in need of a little bit of getting, this past long weekend presented many opportunities.

One was at the Perth Autumn Studio Tour, which included two local studios located near Maberly, both offering up fine art and craft by new and long-time area artisans. Designer and maker Anaïs Fritzlan was a guest at the studio of wood turner and fine furniture maker Donn Sohn. Fritzlan has recently moved back to Brooke Valley after a 10-year stint in Toronto, where she has been honing her skills, and this was her first appearance on the tour. Her business is called Under the Weather.

Fritzlan learned sewing from her mom and is basically self-taught. She makes a wide range of eclectic carriers, including reusable shopping bags, purses, multi-purpose pouches and clutches from a variety of materials. She uses cotton solids, florals and geometric prints for the clutches and a heavy-duty nylon called cordura for her reusable shopping bags. For cyclists she offers her messenger bags, which are perfect for bike couriers and/or urban cyclists who require a no fuss-no muss, durable, functional bag. Inspired by Anaïs’ days working as a bicycle courier in the big smoke, these over-the-shoulder wonders fit snugly to the body and come complete with an adjustable strap that makes them easy to swing around to unload without having to remove them.

Like the work of all talented makers, Fritzlan’s is as aesthetically pleasing as it is usable. She says, ”I love fabrics and one of the aspects of my work that I love the most is choosing and matching the fabrics…One of the things that has always been very important to me is attention to detail. I want things to be useful as well as look good.”

Down the road, at Studio #2, ceramicist Susie Osler was offering up a fine display of both her functional and sculptural creations, which make for great eye candy in any surroundings. Her functional bowls, cups, pitchers and plates are as much fun to look at as they are to use. Their surfaces are built up with slips, clay details, and imprinted textures that act as a playground for her brightly coloured glazes to pool, mix and shine. Her slab-built soap dishes demonstrate her ability to take a simple idea and rework it into an object of intrigue and beauty - in this case, one that harkens back to the rich history of Chinese ceramic forms. Puffy and cloud-like in form, these soap dishes are a delight to look at, as well as a place for a bar of soap to rest. Osler has been creating her ceramic work for years and she spoke of the importance of these tours as a way to celebrate, recognize and support the work of local artisans. “It’s similar to the local food movement in that the tour aims to encourage buyers to look to local makers when considering their purchases.”

If you missed the tour, you can see Anaïs Fritzlan’s work at www.utwbags.com, or make an appointment to visit Susie Osler's studio by calling her at 613-268-2024.