Explore the makers that make us on the Oxford Handcrafted Trail

Cherished Pieces owner and operator Cynthia Hildebrand shows a sample of the colourful possibilities available in her store where you can explore unique classes and workshops. (Robin Krafft Photo)

Robin Krafft, Post Correspondent

If you're looking for a destination to enhance your country drive, searching for a unique gift or a new creative adventure, you’ll want to embrace the Oxford Handcrafted Trail as your essential guide.

Funded in part by the Ontario Ministry of Rural Affairs, this new tourism trail offers an opportunity to discover local artisans, handmade products and creative experiences. The goal is to celebrate the region's diverse maker community. It’s an opportunity to meet artisans, explore studios and shops, and gain firsthand experience in the handmade arts. (tourismoxford.ca)

The trail features trip itineraries with designated stops, connecting handcrafted experiences in close proximity to one another that can be accomplished in a single day. Tillsonburg residents who want to explore closer to home can explore the trail by neighbourhood.

“In Tillsonburg this would include architecture, pottery, the visual arts, culinary, fibre arts and quilting,” Oxford County Tourism Manager Meredith Maywood said. “All of these mediums are represented on the trail in Tillsonburg. Visitors can also look for events and classes in town and plan a trip around it.”

You can explore many other destinations throughout Oxford County by neighborhood, create your own adventure, or delve into a particular medium.

Curated itineraries by medium include: kiln; canvas and the creative arts; arts cooperatives and galleries; sculpt; shop local art; meals and murals; savour and settle in; stories in every stitch; botanicals and bites; brick, beam and beauty; paper and prose.

"We're getting ready to load maps for the 'Explore by Medium' experiences," Maywood said. "We want it to be easy for people to get out and explore the region."

The response so far has been fantastic, with 40 package requests on the first day, and high engagement on social media and the website. The Oxford Handcrafted Trail opened in September, but will be an ongoing, year-round endeavor.

"There are over 300 events every year in handcrafted venues and they're primarily indoors," Maywood said. "It tends to pick up after the summer season. Some people like to give the gift of a creative experience. A group of friends with similar interests can spend a day together learning something new."

Tillsonburg's Cherished Pieces, for example, offers regular upscale quilting retreats at Elmhurst Inn and Spa, and a variety of workshops and classes here in town.

Maywood has worked in tourism since 2014 and has explored many handcrafted arts herself. After meeting so many local creatives, she was inspired to share the wealth. Originally, the idea came from celebrating the story of woodworking in Oxford County.

"Through that process, a lightbulb went off realizing all handcrafted artists and their stories could be celebrated through a diverse trail celebrating the Handcrafted Arts. It's my dream to see people have a thriving career in the creative economy, allowing more artists to make a living sharing what they love, and cultural organizations to have increased attendance and support," Maywood said. "There is an amazing maker culture here, now and historically. We have so many stories in all mediums. There's a lot for the generally curious to explore."

The tourism trail will benefit more than just the makers in their individual communities.

“People come to the area and are learning about a new destination,” Maywood said. “They develop an affection for it; they build a relationship with a town. We hope it’s a lifelong friendship. Visitors and residents having a stronger appreciation of the handcrafted arts and the attention to detail and care that go into making them can lead to more people signing up for artisan classes, people purchasing local handcrafted items that speak to them, and more visitation to Oxford County.”

In Tillsonburg, people may be introduced to destinations like the Station Arts Centre. Executive Director and Curator Tabitha Verbuyst expressed her enthusiasm about the Oxford Handcrafted Trail and its potential impact.

“Being a part of this trail also brings in new ways to explore Oxford County as a whole; visitors and locals are provided with the tools and resources to explore places in their backyard they may not have known about before, which is another valuable component and really broadens the tourism experience,” Verbuyst said. “I really look forward to seeing the trail continue to grow, continue to connect people with our creative hands and experiences, and continue to strengthen the cultural core of Oxford County.”

You can plan your trip at TourismOxford.ca/handcrafted, but Tourism Oxford has also produced a series of zines for the Handcrafted Trail. The first zine (a self-published, niche booklet) is available at each designated destination.

Some locations also offer limited-edition covers to collect, protect and store your Oxford County travel zines. The covers feature artwork by local artists. New zine editions will be released throughout the year, including themed trip itineraries organized by medium.

Betty’s Marketplace, located at 87 Broadway Street, is currently carrying both the zine and the covers. Owner and Operator Lindsay Rennie is thrilled to be included in anything that shines a light on local, handcrafted arts.

“Being in the small business scene for almost a decade now, we understand the importance and fundamental need for buying and supporting local businesses and artists,” Rennie said. “Oxford County and Tillsonburg have so much to offer, and with Tourism Oxford's curated zines, they make it fun and informative to tour our beautiful county so you can find these hidden gems. With over 80 vendors just in our store, we get to showcase local talent every day, and it makes our hearts happy to know that we are keeping people's dreams alive, one sale at a time. If you haven't been in to pick up a zine yet, or don't know about the Handcrafted Trail, stop in and chat with us!”