About

Janie-Nicole Henderson and Dennis Duermeier have been working as artisans for the past decade. They share all the responsibilities of running their small business but they each retreat to their own studios to produce beautiful, artistic crafts. Dennis works with wood and creates spoons, kitchen utensils and spatulas and Janie-Nicole makes original leather bags and other leather goods.

Dennis developed his woodworking skills by making wooden bowls but quickly evolved his craft to create wooden spoons. He just loves making them! Each spoon is handmade from start to finish. Dennis selects a variety of woods from many different sources. He uses exotic woods from all over the world but often uses local wood or sometimes he even repurposes old furniture into spoons. For example, he saved a 1918 Heintzman piano from the landfill and made unique spoons from the wood.

Dennis loves to work in his workshop throughout the year. He has developed techniques to refine his spoons to make them truly works of art. Woodworking is a tradition in Dennis’ family. His father, Lothar Duermeier was trained as a master craftsman in Germany. He immigrated to Canada in 1954 and created beautiful furniture for 40 years in Sudbury, Ontario. Dennis often worked in his father’s shop and learned from him. He loves working with wood and has developed a real artistic style with his unique spoons.

Janie-Nicole started using a sewing machine as a young teenager and often made her own clothing and accessories. Several years ago, Janie-Nicole started making totes, purses and soft travel bags out remnants from upholstery material. She loved putting together the different fabrics and coming up with unique designs.

Dennis, who used to hand sew leather, had a piece on hand and suggested that she try sewing leather. Janie-Nicole knew right away that leather was for her. She made several messenger style bags as well as a few urban totes and just loved the results of sewing with durable and distressed leather. Since then, Janie-Nicole works exclusively with two types of leather: Kodiak leather imported from Brazil and Crazy Horse Water Buffalo leather which comes from India.

Janie-Nicole loves designing and crafting. She has taken several leathercraft classes and has thoroughly enjoyed learning about leather. She not only makes bags and purses but also makes electronic accessories such as computer sleeves as well as bracelets and wallets. She has really learned a lot over the past decade from a variety of people and it shows in her unique and high quality designs.

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