Seed & Gift Store: Gallery Opening Featuring New Artisans

The Gallery is returning for summer 2025, opening Sunday, June 15. Discover stunning art pieces, accessories, and jewellery crafted by local artisans. The Gallery will be open daily from 11:00am – 4:00pm from June 15 to September 1.

New artisans featured in The Gallery

Kiyoko Imai – Kiyo Origami, Victoria, BC

Kiyoko Imai, a talented Japanese origami artist, embraces traditional crafting methods that reflect her rich heritage. Taught by her grandmother, Yoshiko, Kiyoko shares that origami at its core is meditation and mindfulness-based.

Kiyoko exclusively uses high-quality, authentic Japanese Washi paper in her creations. This handmade paper is crafted from natural Kozo fibre, known for its naturally smooth fibres making Washi paper soft and flexible. The authentic Washi papers are hand silk-screened and inspired by traditional Japanese patterns, crests, and kimono fabrics creating stunning pieces of jewellery.

Maryhelen McCormick – MaryHelen Story Bags, North Vancouver, BC

At 13 years old, Maryhelen created her first story bag after finding a box of fabric remnants in her grandfather’s upholstery shop. Drawing inspiration from her grandfather’s long career as a drapery maker, she honed her craft under the guidance of her mother, a talented tailor. Later, she enhanced her bags by raiding her mother’s, aunt’s, and grandmother’s jewelry boxes, adding unique embellishments to her work.

Maryhelen’s bags are professionally tailored, one-of-a-kind pieces of wearable art, crafted from rare and vintage materials, and adorned with embellishments from antique shops.

Maryhelen studied Design Theory at UCLA and The Art Institute of Vancouver, and her work has been featured in several art galleries and artisan shows.

Norene Schmuck – FeltoverAndover, East Sooke, BC

Norene believes that the art of felting has opened endless and creative possibilities for her to discover.  She is continually developing her skills and discovering new techniques and ideas for her next felting project.

By using a wet felting technique with soft merino wool and silk fibres, Norene creates entirely unique hand-felted wraps, scarves, hats, shawls, ponchos, and wrist warmers (wristies). All of her felt pieces are sustainable, environmentally friendly, and completely biodegradable.

These are just some of many new and returning BC artisans to be featured in The Gallery this season. We encourage you to stop into the Gallery during your summer visit!