North Frontenac Back Roads Studio Tour

Sep 28, 2022

For those that love artisanal crafts, I highly recommend heading out for the North Frontenac Back Road Studio Tour. Each year, there is a set route that normally circles from highway 7 up towards Mississippi Station and then loops through Ompah towards Plevna and down along to Ardoch and highways 509 and 506. This route is bursting with colours as the trees turn crimson and orange as you wind your way amongst this scenic tour. Along the way you can enjoy 12 stops/shops that vary in their mediums used, like glass beads, alpaca wool, and stained glass and each one has a unique set up and layout.

Our first stop was the Back 40 Cheese Shop, a local favourite on Gulley Road where you can purchase tasty treats and gourmet cheeses all presented in a rustic and spacious rebuilt barn. This location has lots to offer throughout the seasons and should be a destination during your travels to sample seasonal foods and enjoy the well laid out trails. www.artisancheese.ca

As we rounded the bend and headed towards Snow Road Station, we came upon a discreet little shop tucked away at the back. Upon entry to the small sewing workshop, you were overwhelmed with the quality and beauty of what, at first, appears to be a simple handbag or wallet. Upon closer inspection, you realize that the materials used are more unique. The friendly greeter explains to us that the items first and foremost are MADE IN CANADA and second, they are all made from repurposed materials from vintage car interiors, planes, and other upholstery and leathers that have been diverted from landfills.

While I am not normally a connoisseur of fine bags, I must admit that each one was so beautifully crafted that I had to stop and feel the soft leather or take a second look as the clasp from a 1960 Chevy Impala was simple yet, subtly stunning. I absolutely loved the pop of colour that came from the Mariclaro Safety Tote that was once an aircraft life jacket and the 1965 Mercedes 300SE wallet that would impress even the ‘hard to shop for’ friends I have. They also provide customized service where you can take your old high school jacket and repurpose it-a great way to bring life back to memories. If you get a chance check out their website: https://www.mariclaro.ca and did I mention they are LOCAL!!!

We continued along Highway 509, we found the beautiful Silent Valley Alpaca farm where Robert and Hanne Quigley raise champion alpacas and teach husbandry, care, health maintenance and herd management. It clearly shows, as you walk up to the most relaxed alpaca who are casually eating as we eagerly observe them, unaffected by our presence. The pristine pens had fresh hay that everyone was sampling and Robert explained to us some of the misconceptions between Llamas and Alpacas. He has been a pioneer in this field and continues to support the growth of the industry using “best practices and best-in-class support to new and experienced ranchers.” While there, we were shown Hanne’s farm gate store that was stocked with beautiful socks and other alpaca wool items for sale, and then we had a lovely visit with Judy Vermeulen and picked up some ‘Ompah Naturals’ shampoo. www.silentvalleyalpaca.ca

Our journey now looped us back towards Ompah and Plevna where Katie and I had a lovely chat at Stone Ridge Art Studio http://stoneridgeart.com/ Her studio offers photography, acrylic painting, sculpture and graphic designs and she has a variety of gift ideas for those planning ahead for this Christmas or a gift for that someone special.

Heading down towards Ardoch now and I managed to spend time with Nancy Traviss in her outdoor studio. It is a shed that she has modified for her wonderful glass bead workshop. Her husband greeted us as we toured the small shop and admired the multiple creations that were delicate and vibrant with colour. She walked us through how she manipulates the materials to melt the glass and showed us some swirl techniques and explained the storage of the melting rods and how she has been learning her craft for the past 13 years. She is a newcomer to the area and we are fortunate to have her skills so close to home. Her unique designs hang beautifully as a necklace, earrings and even ornaments to name but a few. You can find out more about her and her crafts on Facebook or by sending her an email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Welcome to the area Nancy!

Our last stop on this journey was the Red Dragon Gallery and Gift Shop in Ardoch. This was a wonderful location nestled in the woods and it had a welcoming wood fire burning-- warming us as we approached on a cooler overcast day. Paige the dog was nestled under a blanket as she eyed a chicken finger that sat precariously above her on the rustic chairs. A mother daughter team welcomed visitors to explore their two shops, one with fibre art (Wendy Clement) and the other (Cathy Owen-Red Dragon) with watercolours, stained glass, sculptures, jewellery, and garden art. The stained glass was beautiful as it hung in the trees and created an outdoor space that was inviting, creative, and whimsical. This is a must see on your list if you are up in the area. www.reddragonartstudio.com

As with any festival or tour, there is the venues, yes, but it is the people you meet along the way and the stories they tell that really makes these adventures fun. If you get a chance to do this tour spend some time talking with the artists and see what inspires them, ask questions, explore the area.

For a full list of the vendors at this year’s tour you can find it at www.northfrontenacbackroadsstudiotour.com

Thanks for sharing your creativity with us.