 Photo Credit: CBDC/Lindsay Doyle Photography Thank you CBDC-NOBL (Northern Opportunities for Business Limited) for the opportunity to share a glimpse into TABITHA + CO®. I'm grateful for the guidance and support I've received, which played a crucial role in bringing my vision to life. ~ Tabitha Co  "The Leather Maker and Her Village: How TABITHA + CO® INC. Turned Craft into Community In the charming coastal town of Pictou, Nova Scotia, nestled between historic storefronts and the salty breeze of the Northumberland Strait, sits a workshop like no other. Step inside TABITHA + CO® INC., and you won’t just find handmade leather goods - you’ll find a story in every stitch, a conversation in every corner, and a village that helped bring it all to life. The brand, which has gained international attention for its slow fashion ethos and “Mindfully Made®” leather accessories, is the creation of Tabitha Co - designer, maker, entrepreneur, and community builder. But if you ask her how she got here, she won’t tell you a story of going it alone or being self-made. She’ll tell you a story of people — the mentor who showed her the ropes, the local business advisor who helped her plan, and the friends and strangers who believed in her vision. “Everybody played a role in me being where I am,” she says. “I feel honouring that is really imperative.” ~ Joel Stoddart CBDC /NOBL  Photo Credit: CBDC/Lindsay Doyle Photography "The Beginning: A Life Change and a Leap of Faith "Tabitha’s journey into entrepreneurship wasn’t part of some master plan. “A personal life change shifted the trajectory of my life in a way I didn’t anticipate — but in a beautiful way,” she shares. Around that time, she reconnected with a master leather craftsman named Paul Marcella, who had run a small business years prior. With persistence and passion, she convinced him to mentor her. Armed with a background in fashion design and manufacturing, and inspired by the traditions of artisanal craft, Tabitha fused her technical know-how with Paul’s hands-on techniques. The result was something timeless. “I took Paul’s love of leathermaking and how he had done that in the 70s and 80s, and brought it forward into the time we’re at now,” she says. But crafting leather wasn’t the only thing she had to learn. She needed business support. That’s when she was introduced to CBDC NOBL (Community Business Development Corporation - Northern Opportunities for Business Limited) - and to Shannon Bouchie, who would become one of her most pivotal allies." ~ Joel Stoddart CBDC /NOBL  Photo Credit: CBDC/Lindsay Doyle Photography "The Road Ahead: What’s next? That question gives Tabitha pause. “There’s so much I could say… once it’s out there, you’re accountable to it,” she laughs. “But yes, I want the brand to grow. I want more people to know about it. And I want it to keep supporting my community.” Shannon sees that future clearly. “The products are just one part of it. There’s a whole mindfulness piece - of learning, connection, sustainability - that will only grow stronger. And Tabitha will keep finding ways to build that.” For all its beauty, craft, and growth, TABITHA + CO® INC. stands for something even greater: the power of community. “No business survives without people,” Tabitha says. “It’s an ecosystem. It takes clients, it takes mentors, it takes other businesses - it takes a village.” And that village? It’s thriving - one bag, one workshop, one story at a time." ~ ~ Joel Stoddart CBDC /NOBL For the full story, please visit CBDC
Special Mention: Thank you to the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)
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 Graphics Credit: Simons Canada Photo Credit:Valérie Leduc Photography Simons Canada and Fabrique 1840 came together to spotlight women who embody courage, skill, and creativity. Why do we need more women entrepreneurs?!” ~ Simons Canada | Fabrique1840. International Women’s Day Everyday!  Graphics Credit: Simons Canada Photo Credit: Christine Whelan Photography Love Canadian Made Craft, Pictou, Nova Scotia ~ Fabrique 1840   Look what we have been working on for 2025! Go behind-the-scenes with me and Ally for an exclusive, after-hours of ‘Who Makes Your Bags’. Learn more about the TABITHA + CO® story, while enjoying the feel of our authentic workshop filled with the warm scent of leather. Each guest receives a raw material sampler to create their own leather keepsake to take home; Complimentary refreshments provided.
Make an evening of your experience by dining with one of our local restaurant partners in the Town of Pictou. Upon request, we can assist with making reservations ahead of time. Please contact us directly at [email protected] or call to inquire for custom bookings and dates that might not be listed on the website calendar. We look forward to sharing our new experience with you soon! With kindness ~ Tab & Ally  Gratitude for friendships, being our test subjects: LR: Ally, David Clarkson , Katherine Knight, Tab, Catherine Beaudette, and David Craig. #MakersExperience #MeetTheMaker #MakersGonnaMake #MakersMovement
 We have some wonderful news to share. Thanks to our friend, Ashley George, we are revitalizing The Stonehouse Socials, and as my friend James Mullinger would say, "Where the The Stonehouse Cafe & Pizzeria use to be." Pay-it-forward this Saturday, November 30th from 7:00pm ~ 9:00pm Ashley George will be sharing some of his new music, and some from his solo albums with us during an intimate acoustic guitar show. All proceeds from the show will go to the balance owing on the Pictou Society Skate Park, as well as the proceeds made from the adult refreshments we will have on hand for anyone who wishes to sample. We would love for you to join us during this special gathering that will make a difference for our community. We are currently half sold out, secure a few tickets here now with Eventbrite to support this not-for-profit community initiative. Make an evening of your visit! Following our event, proceed next door to Fat Tony's Bar & Grill to see one of the town's local favourites, Signal Hill. Or, book a reservation at one of Pictou's local restaurants beforehand or following the event. If you should have any questions, please reach us at 902.759.7715 or by email: [email protected] . We will do our best to support your queries. With kindness and gratitude ~ Tab & Ally  Looking ahead, do you have plans for this long weekend?! Well if you are looking to take in some beautiful Nova Scotian coastal scenery, please consider the scenic Lighthouse Route to Peggy's Cove.  Photo credit: Tab In keeping with places named after the Atlantic Ocean fish that roams our coast. I have been bursting with anticipation to share some wonderful news with you! A wide selection of TABITHA + CO™ Mindfully Made® leather goods can now be found at a thoughtfully curated 'whimsical maritime emporium' store in the heart of Peggy's Cove, the 'Holy Mackerel Store'.  Graphics credit: Holy Mackerel To show your support of products made by a wide variety of Atlantic Canadian Artisans and Craftspeople, including my work; please consider a future visit to this quaint location to see all that it has to offer. Today, May 18th is the Grand Opening! Operating hours: Monday~ Wednesday: 9AM-5PM Thursday~Sunday: 9AM-6PM  Image credit: Holy Mackerel You can also share your love and support by following their new social accounts on Instagram and Facebook. Thank you! @holymackerelstore To stay up to date you can also follow some of there fun hashtags: #HolyMackerel #SixByTheSea #LocallyMade #PeggysCove #VisitNovaScotia  Photo credit: Holy Mackerel Thank you again for continuing to support everything that is local and handmade with love in your community,
With kindness and gratitude, Tab xo Spring Pop-Up Market event in Gaspereau, Nova Scotia at Luckett Vineyards with approximately 30 other vendors. The event is taking place Saturday April 29th, 10am ~ 4pm. The Valley and surrounding area always makes for a lovely day trip or weekend getaway destination. We would love for you to visit us this Saturday!  Following the one day pop-up event in the Valley you can find me in Halifax June 2nd & 3rd for the Canadian Brewing Awards Conference, taking place at the Halifax Convention Centre. So, if this is your gig there is still time to purchase tickets.  April 22nd was Earth Day and as this week wraps up it's also important to highlight Fashion Revolution Week, April 22nd ~ 29th. With each little daily personal action, we can make a difference for others and our planet.
This year TABITHA + CO™ supported the Halifax 31st Annual Chefs for UNICEF Water for Life Gala by donating a bespoke Day-to-Day Bag in the colour lagoon with the inside pocket monogrammed, 'Water for Life'. The event this year raised $370,000. To learn more about the initiatives of the Chefs for UNICEF Water for Life Gala in the Impact Report. Thank you for continuing to support everything that is local in your community, and for being good stewards of our beautiful planet. With kindness and gratitude, Tab xo As we make our way into the month of March, and welcome spring. I wanted to share some recent news and a milestone happening this month. This month marks five years since starting this journey as an entrepreneur. TABITHA + CO™INC. was established in February of 2018. Wow, time is certainly fleeting. What are some of your favourite memories about my journey? I love for you to share them with me. Fun fact: Did you know that 'Mindfully Made®' is now a registered trademark of the brand? Do any of you subscribe digitally or in hard copy to the Saltscape Magazine? It’s a wonderful quarterly magazine that highlights all that the East Coast of Canada has to offer.
The recent issue 'Made Right Here' for February/March highlights five designers and/or entrepreneurs. I love how this magazine is highlighting individuals in Atlantic Canada that focus on slow mindful actions for the people and our planet.  Photo Credit: Vision Fire Studio Crystal Murray, Editor-in Chief, said it best, "As we become more aware of the real costs of the fashion industry, we see the value and urgency in buying local garments and accessories that are made with heart and soul."
To learn more about the featured designers, including myself and other mentioned designers; I encourage you to pick up a copy of the recent issue, and let us know what you think. Thank you for continuing to support everything that is local in your community. It does make a difference! With gratitude, Tab XO Have you heard of Handcrafted on Eastlink Community TV? At the end of January TABITHA + CO™ was featured on Eastlink Community TV (Channels 10/610) for the 9th Episode of Handcrafted Season 3, along with fellow artist/blacksmith Ruben Irons of Pictou County, Nova Scotia.
Graphics & Photo Credit: Handcraft TV If anyone missed this episode or other ones, there are still opportunities to view all episodes using On Demand with Eastlink Community TV. Or, if this is not an option for some, follow the link to Handcrafted TV to view previous episode vignettes. A special ‘Thank you’ to the crew at Handcrafted TV, I thoroughly enjoyed spending a day with them filming here in Pictou, NS last July.  Photo Credit: Handcrafted TV ~ Seated (L to R): John, me, & Jim ~ Standing (L to R): Joesph, Jeff & Connor Below is a little sneak peek from episode 9. Let me know what you think! Thank you for your continued support, Tab XO It’s been awhile since my last post. A lot has happened since the last correspondence regarding Dorothée Rosen’s visit in July; which I might add was a big success in the new studio work space! Thank you to those that stopped by to meet with Dorothée and view her beautiful pieces of fine jewelry. You can find Dorothée this week at the Art Market Art & Craft Sale in Calgary and in Saint John, NB for the Craft NB Christmas Festival show the first weekend in December. These two holiday markets are on my bucket list of places to pop up. What do you think of that idea for 2023? 
With the winter market season well under way, I have been a busy little sewing bee working on holiday orders and preparing for the Craft Nova Scotia Winter Show, happening this weekend at Pavilion 22 and the Halifax Crafters Winter Market, December 2nd ~ 4th.
If time does not permit for you to attend one of the above upcoming winter holiday markets, you can visit with me at the workspace studio. Call or text ahead to ensure that I am in the space. I am usually in the studio well into the late evenings leading up to Christmas.
I look forward to greeting you at the shows or in the studio before the holidays. You can view the NEW pieces made since last year. With kindness and gratitude, Tab XO  Tabitha is thrilled to share that she will be welcoming her dear friend Dorothée Rosen, Designer Goldsmith to her new storefront studio space in Pictou, Nova Scotia on Thursday July 7th, 6:00PM ~ 8:00PM. She would love for you to join her in welcoming Dorothée to Pictou, as the Town of Pictou kicks off its annual Lobster Carnival weekend. Dorothée will have an arrangement of her work with her, including the remaining popular sterling silver OneFooter rings with gems that she is famously known for. Plan a day trip, a weekend get away or if you live locally an evening outing in Pictou, the 'Birthplace of New Scotland' is always a nice way to finish off your day. They'd love for you to stop by to say, 'Hello', try on some of Dorothée's environmentally sustainable and ethically sourced handcrafted designer jewelry. They look forward to welcoming you to Tabitha's new space, located in the heart of Pictou, the well known Stonehouse. ~ With kindness and gratitude Please reach out to Tab if you have any questions. Contact Tab #TABITHACO #MindfullyMade #LeatherGoods #DorothéeRosen #Designer #Goldsmith #SetSail #Pictou #MadeInNovaScotia
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