About the Island / Locals Know Blog / Arts, Culture & Heritage
Touch the Art: 5 Hands On Artisans on Cape Breton Island
No matter where you go on Cape Breton Island, you’ll find magical places to explore, guaranteed to be bursting with artisan studios and galleries around every corner. Grab a copy of the Artisan Trail Map, or set on your own path of discovery, and enjoy all the unique craft experiences our island has to offer! Below are 5 must-see stops, but be sure to know our Island has 30+ craft experiences for you to enjoy.
Nancy Oakley, of Oakleaves Native Creations, creates stunning traditional Indigenous pottery and beaded jewelry on Cape Breton Island. Each ceramic piece is smoke fired, stone polished and often trimmed with sweetgrass. Nancy even harvests her own clay from her yard!
If you’re exploring the Cabot Trail with kids (or kids at heart) Groovy Goat is a must-stop! Their petting farm features some of the cutest goats around, along with lots of other animals including horses and bunnies. Once you’re done admiring all the fur babies, be sure to stop into the gift shop for some luxurious goat products that are handmade on site – your skin will thank you. My favourite is the rosemary patchouli!
A visit to Kingross Quilts is well worth the drive along the beautiful Margaree River. Anne Morrell Robinson, the master artisan behind Kingross Quilts, specializes in quilting, rug hooking, art dolls and jewellery – there is nothing she can’t do when it comes to textiles! Be sure to check out the new gallery space featuring loads of local textile art.
You can shop local craft, enjoy a delicious cuppa joe and even spend the night at Salty Rose’s & the Periwinkle Café. Artisan and owner, Caitlyn Purcell, makes fine handmade jewellery often inspired by the ocean that is located right in front of this lovely spot in Ingonish. You can’t leave without taking a souvenir of Cape Breton home with you – the crab love necklace is my go-to!
While driving along the Margaree Valley, you can’t miss Cape Breton Clay! Bell Fraser creates charming ceramic pieces that are both whimsical and elegant, perfect for serving up your favourite dish. You’ll find a variety of nature designs – from lobsters to fiddleheads, jellyfish to dragonflies, and everything in between!
About the Author
Elizabeth Slaunwhite
Elizabeth steers marketing for Cape Breton Centre for Craft & Design, continually refining strategies that spotlight the Centre and the island’s craft sector. She drives promotions, events, campaigns, communications, and tourism initiatives that elevate artisan studios and the facility alike. Off the clock, she experiments with vegetarian recipes and roams Cape Breton’s wild trails and coastlines.
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