One of the most popular items that Channing Burchell makes are her custom chokers. These are made out of scrap materials found at thrift stores. - ContributedEditor’s note: The “Makers” feature is a weekly look at Atlantic Canadian entrepreneurs who are tapping into the creative marketplace. If you know of a local, creative business owner that should be featured email:Channing Burchell describes herself as dark and cute. And the Yarmouth, N.S.
“It's taken me years to realize being an artist is not something for me to become, but it is already who I am,” says Burchell. As a teenager, Burchell says she used to customize bags and clothing. It has just been a matter of experimenting and learning as she went along. And that is how she learned her artform.She says fast fashion is a horrible industry for the planet, so the thought of creating new things out of old is not just a moral stance she’s taking, but it is necessary for the planet.
“Anyone in Nova Scotia knows we have a goldmine of thrift stores lining the coast,” says Burchell, noting that getting to support local businesses while sourcing her own materials is also a win-win.“It makes my heart burst with glee,” she says. Burchell says she struggles with some mental health challenges, so inspiration and motivation to create just sort of hit her when they want to. She says she has 1,000 projects she has thought about, but when the mood strikes it is hard to say what will come out of it.Overall, Burchell says she doesn’t create as often as she would like to, so she keeps her business running by reselling clothing.