Soigne was thrilled to hear during the tour of Open Door Project that in 1941, the front of Soigne building housed the Tsuruda Singer Sewing Machine Store, an important source of machines, fastenings, and supplies for many Japanese woman who did tailoring or taught sewing classes from their homes.
There is nothing more pleasing than to see Soigne past students breaking through hundreds of local crafters and starting they own business.
Kay Wong as “The Other Eden” http://www.theothereden.com/ and Cynthia Chow as “Soap Creations” were some of the first students about 7 years ago; today they both participate in many craft fairs selling their hand made soaps and body care products.
Mima Sorocean, being on her vacation in Vancouver, took a soap making class at Soigne. Shortly after she returned to Romania and started her own soap line Lois Atelier www.loisatelier.ro; It took lots of effort to establish her soap business where hand made products were just breaking the Romanian market; were politics and bureaucracy didn’t help her creative process. But she never gave up!!!
I met Beata through my mom, who is a friend of her mom. When I heard that she was teaching soap making classes, I got so excited, I said I had to learn. At that time I was visiting my parents in Vancouver for Christmas.
So I went and met Beata in her studio. She was nice, warm and so friendly. I immediately fell in love with her studio, I thought it was such a creative place for artisans and artists. My first soap class was just me and the teach’. It went fast and and it was easier than I expected.
After pouring the soap in forms, Beata gave my first batch home. I admit, I was quite proud of it.
A couple of weeks later, I returned to my home country, Romania. Here, I started to think about making soap again. My cousin, who is a photographer, told me about his idea of making handmade paper and handmade soap, before I met Beata. So, it took on that idea, and began making batch after batch, trying recipes, blending aromas, oils and clays. I enjoyed the whole process of working with senses. When I sold my first 50 soaps at a Crafts’ Fair in Bucharest, and I received a good response from customers, I became encouraged to start my own business, selling my soap. So I did. Now, I have my own site and a couple of distributors. I am moving ahead slowly. I have only 5 types of soap, since the legislation here is quite strict and the lab tests are expensive, but I am hoping one day to have more.
Well, this is my soap story. When I graduated from UBC with a Visual Arts degree in 2005, I never thought this would be what I would be doing in a few years. But I’m glad I am, and I wouldn’t have done it if it weren’t for Beata to teach me.
She hasn’t given up teaching me, and is currently giving me long distance classes on making creams and lotions to expand my product offer.
Beata, my many many thanks to you. Don’t give up what you do. You do it with love and passion and are source of inspiration for many of us.
Miss you tons.
Mima Sorocean (ROMANIA)
Nina Inaoka Lee from Vancouver, calling herself Happy Crafter, http://www.himawari.ca/index.php, got her inspiration during one of the Soigne jewelry classes. You can find her work in coming up 34th Annual Powell Street Festival and many other markets in town.
This year I learned how to make soldered pendants at Beata’s studio in Vancouver. The class was so much fun, learning a new craft with friends. Beata was so kind leading us through every step and patiently showing me how to save my projects that I thought I had ruined. After the session ended all I could think of were different designs, and wanting to improve my soldering technique. Beata’s passion for art and working with many different mediums is so inspiring! With her guidance and open encouragement I set up my own small studio space at home and started by including the pendants with my pottery at the Powell Street Festival! Thank you Beata!!!
Nina (VANCOUVER)
Yana Marcuk from Belarus, never had a chance to meet Beata in person, but shortly after she got in touch with Soigne she received instructions and polymer extruding tool to expand her jewelry ideas and possibilities. Yana is selling her jewelry in Belarus.
When I found Beata’s site I was admired by her handmade things. They are quite amazing! I couldn’t guess how she and her students can make it themselves. I was acquainted with Beata by email. And once she sent me some copies with nice workshops about making polymer clay jewellery and an instrument which is very useful in making jewellery. It gave me a great inspiration and new ideas)) I’m inspired by Beata’s creation. I’m happy to be acquainted with such an open, creative and interesting person!))
Yana Marcuk (BELARUS)
Welcome to Ayden Gallery, contemporary fine art gallery located in downtown Vancouver, exhibiting the work of both established and emerging artists. Soigne was please to exhibit our felt accessories, bags and jewelery. Please come for a visit on 88 West Pender Street, 2nd floor International Village(Tinseltown).
