For almost eight years, Calgary jewellery designer Lindsay Saunders has been making pieces for her jewellery company, Cinder & Sage, out of a second bedroom in her condo. But as the need for more space and storage became an increasing issue, Saunders decided to look for her own bricks and mortar space. This past summer, she opened The Cinder & Sage Loft in Mission.
Approximately 700-square-feet, The Cinder & Sage Loft features a workspace area for Saunders on one side and a retail shop with a cozy couch area on the other. Saunders is usually making pieces at her workstation throughout the day, so guests can stop to watch her work or ask questions while they shop. Having her workstation right there also allows Saunders to show guests options for custom jewellery or make customizations to pieces on the spot. The shop doesn’t have set business hours yet, so check social media before popping by.
Most of the retail area is filled with Cinder & Sage’s necklaces, earrings, bracelets, rings, hair combs and more. Saunders tends to create brass or gold plated pieces that are accented by things like natural stones, tassels and vintage glass.
Along with her jewellery, Saunders has also brought in some products from other local retailers, including Words & Co. letterboards, stained glass pieces from Hobbysmith Class Co. and, soon, concrete pieces from co|create and cards from Little Me Paper Co. She plans to eventually bring in even more outside products.
The bright and airy loft space boasts tons of natural light thanks to some skylights and both east- and west-facing windows. Saunders, who decorated the loft herself, says the decor is a reflection of her own home decor style and the kinds of pieces she loves.
“This is a bit more of what I would love to have in my house, but maybe isn’t as practical. A light pink couch isn’t super practical to have at home, so it’s the perfect place [for me to] finally do that somewhere,” Saunders says. “My house isn’t as white but I wish it was, so this is ideal.”
While the shop’s concept has grown from what she originally imagined- she was initially just looking for a workspace where clients could also pick up orders – Saunders is excited to continue to grow Cinder & Sage, expand the retail part of the shop and create a shopping destination in Mission.
“[Cinder & Sage started] as a small hobby making stuff for friends, and now I work in here and this has become such a perfect ideal of what I want to be doing everyday,” says Saunders.
2107BÂ 4 St. S.W., cinderandsage.com, @cinderandsage
