Newsfeed Archive
KOTI Designs Featured in North Shore News
February 13, 2015
Many thanks to Christine Lyon and the North Shore News for the great story they printed on KOTI Designs and the recent NICHE award.
North Shore News article
2015 NICHE Winner!
January 17, 2015
My Half-Moon Shoulder Bag has received a 2015 NICHE Award! With over 1,000 entries from across Canada and the US, the NICHE Awards recognise some of the very best fine craft being produced in North America today. I’m honoured and delighted with the recognition.
NICHE Finalists website
Niche Award finalist - again!
October 9, 2014
One of my purses has been selected as a finalist for the 2015 Niche Awards in the ‘Fashion Accessories – Handbags’ category. Second year in a row! The awards recognise ‘excellence and innovation in American and Canadian fine craft’.
The winners will be announced on January 17, 2015 at a gala awards evening held in conjunction with the American Made Show, which is now being held in Washington DC.
NICHE Magazine website
At the Craft Ontario Show
October 11, 2014
Here’s my sister and my five-year-old nephew helping set up for the Craft Ontario show in Toronto – which was a great success.
Craft Ontario Show
October 12 to 14, 2014
I will be one of 57 artists exhibiting at Craft Ontario’s first ever Craft Show at Artscape Wychwood Barns in Toronto.
Craft Ontario website
The Reclaimers Exhibition
April 11 to May 10, 2014
One of my purses will be included in ‘The Reclaimers’ exhibition of art made from recycled materials. The show is hosted by the North Vancouver Community Arts Council and runs from April 11 to May 10 in the CityScape Community Art Space at 335 Lonsdale Avenue in North Vancouver.
Button Button - Gastown's Hidden Gem
March, 2014
The Button Button store in Vancouver has been selected by the readers of the Westender as Gastown’s greatest Hidden Gem. And what a gem it is! I’ve spent hours and hours in that store and their buttons grace many of my purses. Nice recognition for Colleen – the always helpful and extremely knowledgable store owner.
Granville Optical Windows
March, 2014
Granville Optical is currently displaying thirty of our purses in the windows of their downtown Vancouver location. They do a terrific job of supporting local craftspeople by frequently showcasing their work in the windows. The displays change monthly and are really beautiful. Check them out!
Granville Optical 670 Granville Street, Vancouver
At the NICHE Awards
January, 2014
Here I am at the 2014 NICHE Awards in Philadelphia with my mother and sister.
Button Queen
September, 2013
On a recent 24-hour stop-over in London, we just barely had time to race to the Button Queen vintage button store in Marleybone before closing. We went straight from the airport – and had a great time.
NICHE Award Finalist
December, 2013
One of my purses was selected as a finalist for the 2014 Niche Awards in the ‘Fashion Accessories – Handbags’ category.
The winners will be announced at a gala awards evening held in conjunction with the Buyers’ Market Craft and Design Show at the Pennsylvania Convention Centre on January 18, 2014.
NICHE Magazine website
Crafthouse Christmas Window
December, 2013
KOTI Designs purses are in the Christmas window display at Crafthouse on Granville Island, along with work by other Vancouver and BC craftspeople.
Crafthouse Granville Island website
Harmony Arts Festival
August, 2013
KOTI Designs takes part in the outdoor Harmony Arts festival, held on the first two weekends of August along the waterfront of beautiful West Vancouver.
Circle Craft 40th Anniversary Exhibition
August, 201
2013 marks the 40th anniversary of Circle Craft, a Vancouver craft cooperative, an event commemorated by an exhibition of members’ work at the Pendulum Gallery in downtown Vancouver. That’s one of my pieces in the lower left corner of the poster – a tote made from reclaimed materials.
July, 2013
KOTI Designs has a booth at Circle Craft and Craft Council of BC’s first ever Summer Market. It is held at Jack Poole Plaza, right on the waterfront of beautiful Vancouver.
Talk at the Vancouver Public Library
May 18, 2013
As part of it’s 40th anniversary celebrations, the Craft Council of BC hosts a lecture series at the downtown public library. I was asked to be one of the speakers addressing the theme of ‘Cultural Diversity and Craft’ – an excellent opportunity to talk about how my work has been influenced by both my Finnish heritage and the Asian influences prevalent in Vancouver.
May 10, 2013
I was one of the exhibitors at an evening of Jazz + Art at the Scandinavian Centre. The event is an opportunity to view art work by members of Vancouver’s Finnish community, while enjoying live jazz and hors d’oeuvres.
April, 2013
One of my Canister Purses is on display at the Craft Council of BC exhibition at the Jack Shadbolt Centre in Burnaby. The exhibition celebrates the Craft Council’s 40th anniversary – and the 10,000 hours required to become proficient at one’s craft.
March, 2013
I have a solo exhibition at Some Things Looming Gallery in Reading, PA near Philadelphia.Here I am with my mother outside the gallery on the day of the opening reception.