Looking for wool, fibre exhibits and opportunities to learn with fellow yarnies?
Explore Oxford using this Oxford Handcrafted Trail trip itinerary
The Thoughtful Artisan
Stepping in the door at the Thoughtful Artisan is opening the door to a creative welcoming community for yarn enthusiasts. They offer a diverse and thoughtfully curated collection of premium-quality yarns, tools, patterns, accessories and project kits.Their friendly, knowledgeable staff offer guidance, answer questions, and cheer you on every step of your creative journey.
This shop is always humming with the chatter of makers and a full calendar of special events, workshops, indie dyer pop-ups, and retreats. Owner Anne Bedard prides herself on a commitment to exceptional customer service and a welcoming community space for all skill levels and types of fibre artists.
Attend a yarn tasting. You will be presented with a tasting board of various natural fibres. Try them out and learn about their characteristics then take them home with product notes and pattern ideas. Excellent for beginner to experienced crochet and knitters, and an excellent group outing.
Ingersoll Creative Arts Centre
For over 50 years the Ingersoll Creative Arts Centre has been a gathering place for artists. Over 300 members gather here for creative work with 5 guilds including the Rug Hookers and Fibre Arts bunch. Their work is frequently on display in the Centre's rotating exhibits and gift shop. The Rug Hooker guild also offers member access to shared equipment, including a wood strip cutter. Most of all they offer a gathering place for like-minded artist to create together.
Other guilds you will find on site include the Oxford Quilters, Pottery and Painting/Drawing. Check the Creative Arts Centre schedule for guild meeting times, exhibit schedules, a list of workshops and details for membership. Regardless of if you are maker yourself, curious, or art appreciator you will learn and appreciate the creativity found on site and the treasures to be found in the gallery shop and exhibits.
Station Arts Centre
Stop by "The Station" as it’s affectionately referred to by locals, you’ll be in a cream-coloured brick building that was built by The Great Western Railway in 1879. In the 1980's this building became the home of the Tillsonburg District Craft Guild and was restored into a thriving arts centre. As the guild grew and needed more space, this town passionate about history naturally expanded by moving another train station to join this one one.
A variety of guilds meet here including Potters, Threads, Bridge Street Artists, Stationhouse Quilters and Fibre Artists. The Station truly is a community hub as it is also home to the Saturday Tillsonburg Farmers Market (June-September). The centre also hosts numerous special events including the June Creative Imagination Festival (during Tillsonburg Turtlefest), the Oxford Studio Tour, and seasonal markets featuring member's work (spring and winter holidays).
Check the calendar for upcoming exhibits, workshops and events. Visit their gift shop for a broad variety of local artisan goods.
