location: 5319 Du Parc
phone number: 514-315-8912
hours: Tues-Wends 12–6, Thurs-Sun 11-6
payment methods: cash, debit, Visa, Mastercard, Amex
directions: take Metro to Place-des-Arts, then take 80 or 535 bus to Fairmount and walk north.

Walking into Wooden Apples, one is struck by how perfectly the airy, clean space serves the store’s three functions – boutique, gallery, and workshop. The primarily small, delicate pieces of clothing, jewellery, and home accessories aren’t lost against the spare walls; rather, they stand out like the art they truly are. The gallery wall, similarly, is independent enough not to distract, and instead provides the room with a lovely aesthetic cohesion.

The former flooring emporium, evidence of which remains in the multi-toned hardwood, was opened as Wooden Apples very recently by a friendly and obviously passionate West coast import named Amy. She has put together a beautiful collection of handmade pieces by a rotating cast of about 15 artists, many local and some others from all around North America. Most of the items for sale are ordinary, useful things made beautiful with creative and thoughtful flourishes (the best examples I saw being a cork board and pushpins decorated with simple burned-in designs by Cabin and Cub, and hand-embroidered underpants by Vanessa Kay). The prices are shockingly reasonable, given how much work has obviously gone into each article. The dresses range from about $30-$100, the household items from about $2-$20, and the jewellery is in the $5-$40 bracket. There is a well-selected stock of crafty zines like Portland title Croq, as well as how-to books that are hard to find anywere else. Everything is something you’d love to buy for or receive from your best friend.

The most interesting and inspiring thing about the store, however, is the commitment to the treatment of fabric as art. The tidy, inviting workshop in behind the boutique is a space where workshops for the public on sewing, embroidery, and other techniques are held regularly. Vernissages (art openings to you non-Montrealers) are hosted about once a month to celebrate the artists featured on the gallery wall (rumour has it they serve cupcakes and beer, so look out for upcoming dates!), and sewing and knitting supplies are also sold at great prices for anyone who strives to create wearable art for themselves.
Laura Snelgrove

See also our interview with Atelier Woodenapples owner Amy Johnson.