his is part of a year-long ‘Love for Local’ series called NB365: portraits of New Brunswick entrepreneurs, businesses, and organizations. Huddle is a media partner with Love for Local. Today we feature Andrea Miller of The Artisan District, in Fredericton.

WHEN I LOST MY JOB DURING THE INITIAL STAGE OF THE PANDEMIC, I WAS FORCED TO REALLY THINK ABOUT WHAT I COULD DO TO SUPPORT MY FAMILY.

I’ve always had a strong work ethic and an entrepreneurial mind, so I decided I’d work for myself and use that energy towards what I wanted to do. That’s how The Artisan District came to be.

We are a one-stop shop for quality Maritime fine crafts; ninety percent of what we sell is curated from New Brunswick artists. Everything in the store is handmade, including pottery, turned wood, blown glass, jewelry, fine art, and textiles.

We are a venue to showcase the work of approximately 60 New Brunswick artists and that list is growing. These artists are inspired by New Brunswick landscapes, nature, and culture, which are often displayed in their work.

I often say when you buy from our shop, you buy a little piece of New Brunswick.

I’ve learned that New Brunswickers really do care about supporting local. So many people who visited our shop before Christmas were intentional about buying local–and they did. That show of support is very much appreciated.

The products I showcase in my shop are made by local and regional artisans who have their own small businesses. When you buy from our shop, you’re putting that money back into many other small businesses.