Handcrafted housewares made in Canada and under $50

There's a special quality to owning something made by hand, knowing that a real person infused it with their creative energy. When it's an object for your home, the connection becomes even more personal. Searching for unique pieces can be time-consuming unless, like me, you love the thrill of the hunt. However the cost, while worth it, is obviously higher than mass-produced items. So smaller artisan crafts (requiring less of the artists'  materials and labour) are a great way to fit a unique piece into your home and your budget. To that end, we've pulled 10 handcrafted housewares that are practical, pleasing to the eye and under $50.

Made by hand in Montreal by artist Frédérique Bonmatin, this colourful 9.75 inch-tall vase injects a shot of cheery colour into your space – something I welcome after Daylight Savings Time ends. Pack it with a riot of colourful blooms during summer months, one perfect pussy willow for spring and a dried berry branch for winter.

Frédérique Bonmatin Ceramic Water Pitcher/Vase, $48, chicbasta.com

A small tray is a necessity to corral odds and ends that make surfaces look cluttered by the front door, on the nightstand or your desk. This beautifully simple one is crafted from mahogany by the husband and wife team behind Toronto's HookAndStemCo. Each one is made by hand, so no two are the same, and they're also available in larger sizes.

HookAndStemCo Mahogany Catchall Tray,  $27, etsy.ca

If forest bathing isn't just a hashtag but your way of life, this hand-poured candle is for you. Infused with balsam, fir and clove, the Wildwoods soy candle from Vancouver's Woodlot burns clean for up to 60 hours with a warm and woodsy scent – perfect for chilly winter nights.

Wildwoods 13.5oz Candle, $39, shopwoodlot.ca

Yes, a hand-juicer can be a work of art, just look at this stunner by Montreal ceramicist Isabelle Simard. Functional but also just plain pretty. You can opt out of the gold swirl, but to me that's the best, most decadent part.

Isabelle Simard Porcelain Citrus Juicer with Abstract Motives, $36, chicbasta.com

Here's something for the baker who also loves beautiful things. Hand-turned in Wakefield, QC and made from local walnut with a contrasting strip of birch, this pastry rolling pin with tapered ends is made to last. With proper care you can create a family heirloom – what a sweet tradition.  

Craft Collective Walnut Baking Pin, $44, makerhouse.com

Dish drying device or frameable art? It's up to you with this charming tea towel illustrated by Asa Cederholm of Danica Studios. How cute would this look in a nursery or marine-loving kids' room? Plus, Danica, a Vancouver company, donates a percentage of sales profits to Canadian non-profit Education Without Borders.

Danica Studio In the Deep Designer Tea Towel, $15, dotsandloops.ca

Grace Lee is a Vancouver-based artist and ceramicist whose work has a whimsical style in muted neutrals and pastels. These sweet vessels are an adorable home for your plant family, and can also be used for eating or drinking since they're glazed on the inside. I love the individual details like rosy cheeks, freckles, bow ties and more.

Porcelain People Planter, $42, eikcam.com

A grown-up way to tote lunch to work that can also pass as a cute new purse? Sold! This lunch poche (French for "pocket") has a removable insulated insert to keep spills from ruining the patterned fabric and a back pocket for reaching quickie snacks. It's made from eco-friendly washable paper that has the sturdiness of leather.

So Young Inc. Large Linen Splatter Paper Cooler, $42, iheartscout.com

Woven wall decor has made its way from the heart of '70s style to many an Instagram square. But there's something earthy and warm about handmade wall hangings, and I welcome their return. This crocheted version is made in Toronto from Canadian unbleached cotton rope. Add texture to a neutral space or bring a spot of calm to a bold one.

Glow Macrame Wall Hanging, $45, ecomacrame.com

A trivet is handy to protect kitchen surfaces from hot pots and serving dishes – so why not own a few that can double as wall art? Group three or more of these bamboo trivets on a wall. The wood won't warp from heat or condensation and each one is hand-drawn onto a stencil and then laser cut.

Light + Paper Geometric Bamboo Trivet, $48.31, etsy.ca