craft is… 2024 marketer

Amanda Brown

she/her

Amanda Brown is a sustainable textile artist from Saskatoon, SK. Originally a fashion designer using commercial textiles. In 2020, she transitioned into making her items from her own hand-made fabrics. Having the flexibility to customize every aspect of the textile design is what makes dyeing, spinning, and weaving fibres so appealing to Amanda. Her studio practice operates using zero-waste principles – all fibre scrapes are repurposed, recycled into new yarn, or composted depending on the quality and fibre content; all product packaging is recyclable and/or compostable.

In addition to making everyday items, Amanda also enjoys the opportunity to create wearable art pieces from unusual materials. She has participated in past Saskatchewan Wearable Art Galas, winning 1st placed Open Category in 2015 for her wool felt, leather, and bottle cap street cape; as well as 1st place at SkirtsAFire Edmonton in 2018 for her grain bag, produce bag, and linen skirt.

What is your inspiration?

I can either start with an idea for a specific product and build a fabric to suit that purpose, or I am often inspired by a colour story and build an item around that idea.

Where Did you learn Your Craft?

I am self-taught through research and experimentation; however, mentorship through members of the Saskatoon Spinners and Weavers Guild has greatly helped hone the quality of my craft.

How would you describe what craft is?

Craft is the persistence and innovation of traditional techniques alongside modern industrialism. Craft is important to me because textile art allows me to have a profession in an environmentally sustainable way; it also allows me to connect with and contribute to my community’s knowledge and economy.