This summer, we’ve opened our doors of ‘the edit’, in the vibrant beachtown of Port Dalhousie. Our chic general store features a collection of Canadian brands, and here we take you behind the scenes to learn about the founders and their stories. Our pop-up, located at Lock and Main Marketplace (17 Lock Street), is open Thursday to Monday from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
This weekend, visit the shop for Quartz & Canary’s pop-up this weekend. On August 6th at 8:30 am at Lakeside Beach Park in Port Dalhousie, meet Andrea, the Founder of Quartz & Canary, and join a free morning meditation. Later, spend your afternoon shopping with Quartz & Canary and the other Canadian brands in the shop!
Meet Andrea Di Paolo; Founder and Creative Director of Quartz & Canary
Photo provided by Quartz & Canary
Website: quartzandcanary.com
Social Handles: @quartzandcanary
Tell us a bit about yourself and the story behind your brand.
Quartz & Canary is a jewelry company that was officially created in 2016 by Andrea Di Paolo, after almost a decade of experience within the jewelry industry. There was point in Andrea’s life where her own journey of self development met her love for jewelry. After years of becoming a sought after professional in the corporate world, Andrea began to make the transition to her life’s mission. The energy that gemstones carry sparked the idea of Quartz & Canary in 2014. After 6 years of organic growth post the companies launch, Andrea has now created her dream collection and is noted as a Canadian Jewelry Designer. Her style takes the ordinary to the extraordinary with simple changes and facets to each piece. Her collection of pieces consisting of ready to wear wellness envisions crystals in an entirely new way. As the company grows her efforts and art will continue to exceed the limits of healing jewelry. With the support of her design team this canary has no cage!
Growing up in a home with unique circumstances, Andrea took the diversity she faced and opted to transform these experiences as she dedicated her life to supporting others. Her brother Marco, is one of the reasons why the word Canary was used in the company name. As a person whom has been labeled autistic; advocacy and understanding have been themes within her life. Her call to empower others with or without a voice is imminent in her pursuit to create a company of value. Her father, whom was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease a young age imparted great wisdom upon her about the mind and body connection. Understanding this connection is why she also began creating jewelry with an impact. The female influences in her life allowed her to maintain her efforts and persevere with patience.
Photo provided by Quartz & Canary
What inspires you?
Life experience inspires me, I usually create when I am prompted to. Most of our pieces have come from what “the world is asking for at that time”. Additionally, I use history, music and mother nature to support my creations. The human condition is often what we lean into when figuring out how to live up to our slogan where spirituality meets style. This collection has link formations, shapes, patterns and textures taken from Acient Egypt. It is also the biggest investment we’ve made in our collection and what our clients have been asking for. Our pieces have been sought after since 2020 but increasingly so, the collection has started to really form a conversation around WHY we are creating these metal and gems forms of art.
Photo provided by Quartz & Canary
Where’s your favourite spot to vacation in the summer?
Southhampton, Ontario, a quaint little beach town with the kindest people and wonderful stores, specifically a retailer of ours Re:mind wellness is located there and we fell in love with this butterfly based town in 2022. It’s an extension of the Sauble area with a bit more charm!
What does 2023 hold for your brand?
This year holds a lot of growth and innovation. We are in a period of breaking molds and design expectations. We are also on the cusp of what we believe to be the most well crafted and well-rounded collection. We hope to bring our mission and movement to everyone’s home via a jewelry box marked Quartz & Canary.
