About Marie, the artisan…
I'm a passionate artisan, always active outdoors, in summer as well as in winter. Whether it was ATLing, long-distance walking, or cross-country skiing, I always had the same problem: cold hands. Every outing brought the same question: "Have you started your caucus?" In other words, "Are your hands cold?" The only solution I had found was to wear two pairs of mittens, an often uncomfortable option that caused tightness and sweating.
At the beginning of the pandemic, I set myself a challenge: to create a pair of truly warm mittens, designed for comfort. After several evenings of hard work, I designed a mitten long enough to be worn over a coat sleeve.
I then developed a two-in-one concept: an inner pair made of breathable wool/felt/fleece, with integrated, removable elastic for washing, combined with an outer pair made of recycled leather and fur. Thanks to a tightening strap at the wrist and a self-tightening cord, the mittens adapt perfectly to the coat and eliminate drafts.
I designed my own patterns, as most mittens on the market were "mitten" style, which hindered thumb ergonomics. I wanted a mitten that offered better dexterity and real comfort.
The day after the trials, even at -4 degrees, the mittens remained warm and comfortable, without overheating. This is how my very first pair was born: Les Annette, in homage to my grandmother, who bought that coat for $3,700 in 1973.
For me, it's not enough for it to be beautiful. It has to be soft, comfortable, warm, elegant, and perfectly fitted.
The furs I use come from old coats that once made these ladies proud.
Thanks to the donations I receive, I carefully select furs whose origin I guarantee.
By choosing Art’Abaska, you allow these precious furs, often forgotten at the back of a closet, to be reborn and become a source of pride for someone else.
You will feel both comfort and pride wearing them. "When you buy an artist's creation, you are not just buying an object.
You are investing in hundreds of hours of work, moments of doubt, hope, frustration, and pure joy. You are buying a piece of heart, a part of the soul, a moment of someone else's life."