With the comeback of vintage fashion, fabric painting and handprint art have resurfaced in popularity. Carla Giesbrecht-Wat, the owner and artist of The InkPAD Shop, has capitalized on this trend by converting her love of silk-screen printing into a successful company. Working from her newly renovated basement studio, Carla meticulously screen prints each item by hand using a four-colour press. This handcrafted technique means that each item, whether apparel, prints, greeting cards, purses, or housewares, is unique and imbued with personal meaning.
Carla embarked on her silk-screening voyage more than seven years ago, motivated by an enduring passion for art and a mission to inspire and bring pleasure to others. She crafts long-lasting and aesthetically pleasing items using water-based pigments cured over heat. Her audience is receptive to her commitment to quality and sustainability, as indicated by her substantial following of over 10,000 individuals on Instagram.
The InkPAD Shop is a regular at Manitoba’s farmers’ markets and other community gatherings. Carla’s recent creation of bespoke tote bags for the 2023 Holiday Show of The Scattered Seeds demonstrated her ability to combine ingenuity and functionality. Furthermore, her partnership with Dufresne Furniture resulted in the creation of promotional tote bags that were distributed at all of their locations in Manitoba, thereby expanding her sphere of influence and impact.
Carla’s dedication to creating a productive and motivating work environment is displayed at her studio, featured in Where Women Work magazine’s Spring 2024 edition. Zoe, her fur baby, has a comfortable location in the studio, which is also well-lit. There is a large corner desk where she handles orders and the website.
In recent months, Carla has easily settled into her new studio, establishing a steady routine supporting her creative development. She lives in the now, making one-of-a-kind silk-screen printed things that will turn heads.
To browse through Carla’s handcrafted apparel collections, click here: https://www.theinkpadshop.ca/.
