Green Drinks: YEG Makers

In the spirit of shopping local this holiday season, we're featuring some of the most creative makers in YEG who work hard to make the local economy a sustainable one.

Connect with us @LocalGoodYEG on Twitter or Local Good on Facebook. Tickets are non-refundable but transferrable. Please note that attendance is at the discretion of The Local Good. If cost is a barrier for you, please email greendrinksyeg@gmail.com to register.

-Featured Guests-

Vikki Wiercinski, The Royal Buffalo

Vikki Wiercinski started her practice in 2006 as a one-woman stationery and housewares line as a sideline to her work as a graphic artist. In 2015, she re-envisioned this creative endeavour as Mezzaluna Studio, with a renewed focus on textile and paper goods with a mid century modern twist. In contrast to the digital world of graphic design, the products of Mezzaluna Studio are lo-fi, most often created with brushes and pens. Working with manufacturers, printers, and often her own hands, Vikki then translates her work into unique and beautiful, useful objects for daily living.

As a strong believer in the maker movement, Vikki also coordinates one of Canada’s premiere arts markets, the Royal Bison Art and Craft Fair. Held twice a year, the Royal Bison is a curated festival of local, unique and limited-run art and craft, which has featured work by some of the country’s foremost artists and creators, including Concrete Cat, Raymond Biesinger and Malorie Urbanovitch. Vikki lives with her photographer husband, Jim, and their three cats.

Katrina Petryshyn, The Makers Keep

While living in South Africa, Katreenah Jewellery owner Katrina Petryshyn, came across a co-op store in Cape Town that sparked an ambition to own her own store.

With an undeniable passion for local and handmade goods, Katrina’s goal was to provide local businesses a place to display their product in a market like environment. She wanted the store to be somewhere you could shop those great market goods, everyday in one place. With the support of her amazing husband Dave, family and friends she was determined to make it happen.

Munira Nwaakuso Abdulkadir, Lacollectiondira

Munira Nwaakuso Abdulkadir was born and raised in Montreal, Quebec to Nigerian parents. She did her university studies in Edmonton and graduated with a bachelor degree in Political Science from the University of Alberta. After graduating, she decided to find a way to monetize her creativity and began her entrepreneurial journey with her very own line of stainless steel bottles beautifully designed with positive affirmation quotes, combining hydration and inspiration. Her mission: encouraging people to make their inner voice become their best ally.

Dave Betke, Do Better Marketing

David Betke is dedicated to helping difference-makers, make a bigger impact. His compassionate campaigns have saved a 65 000-acre forest in B.C., reduced carbon emissions in the neighborhood of Parkallen, and helped recruit three senior engineers from overseas during the height of a labor crisis. In 2008, he launched Frogfriendly.ca to lead the leap to more sustainable marketing. Within its first year it generated over $100 000 in sales of sustainable merchandise. Recently he donated the website, print collateral and marketing expertise that resulted in the establishment of a second park: The Crawford Creek Regional Park in the Kootenay Valley of British Columbia. Currently he is working on the launch of Do Better Marketing to help difference-makers change the world one promotion at a time. He has personally been recognized with 7 national marketing awards.

Linda Ritter, Salgado Fenick

MADE (Media Arcitecture Design Edmonton)

-YEG Makers Market-