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Crafts Central
The Central Arts and Crafts Trail
On this route, we'll be following the Central Coastal Drive as we take a tour of the central towns, villages and harbours of PEI.
We're starting the tour in Charlottetown by checking out the vast array of Island crafts made by members of the PEI Crafts Council at the The Island Crafts Shop. Within a few steps you can also visit the Confederation Centre Art Gallery & Museum, Luna Eclectic Crafts & Gifts, the art gallery and printmakers' studio and at the Arts Guild.
It's only a short walk to Moonsnail Soap Works & Aromatherapy where you can find over 30 unique all-natural soap and bath creations.
About 15 minutes north of Charlottetown on Route 15 you'll find The Dunes Studio Gallery in Brackley Beach. Here you'll find creations from over 70 artisans along with tables, housewares and ceramic sculptures. It is also home to a wonderful restaurant, so it's a great place to stop for a snack or a meal. Following along the north shore via Rte. 6 be sure and visit The Great Canadian Soap Co. to learn about the makings of Goat's Milk Soap. Stay for one of their daily guided tours where you'll see demonstrations on how handmade soap is produced and of course don't forget to visit the animals! Leaving there you'll travel through Rustico and here you can visit Gaudreau Fine Woodworking for great handcrafted items.
A short 4 minutes North of Charlottetown on Route 2 you will come across Grandma's Trailside Tea Room in Winsloe. Here you'll encounter a little fun and frolic with all her Hats & Tea, - still within the same spot is the Island Made Gift Shop a great spot for creating a hands-on scrapbook page of Island memories.
Next stop New Glasgow, home of The Toy Factory for a selection of hand-made toys, games and puzzles. For a refreshing break, a wonderful cup of tea and a sample, or two, of the wonderful home-made jams, honeys, chutneys and sauces, you must visit the Prince Edward Island Preserve Company.
Doubling back to New Glasgow on Route 13 and then heading north on Route 258, don't forget to take some time to visit the harbourfront of the quaint fishing village of North Rustico and take a stroll along their boardwalk and soak up the breathtaking scenery over Rustico Bay.
You can continue on Route 6 westward, or travel through Prince Edward Island National Park en route to Stanley Bridge. This is a good place to park the car, stretch your legs and visit Stanley Bridge Studios for pottery, reproduction tin lighting, rungs, baskets, etc. From there it's a short walk to Stanley Bridge Antiques, Gifts & Gallery, a charming restored home providing two levels of antiques and collectibles, and a gallery of Island art. Still within the village and only a short drive away, you'll find the Stanley Bridge School, where you can explore two floors of crafts and collectibles in a completely restored 1911 schoolhouse.
Continuing along Route 6, you'll arrive at New London, where you can visit Village Pottery and shop for hand-thrown pottery and fabric art in their upstairs gallery. And, for an unusual selection of "sand- crafted" items, visit the ocean-blue Sandscript building at the junction of Routes 6, 8 and 20.
If you stay on Route 6 on your way to Kensington, you'll come to Margate, home of the Shipwright's Café. This restored 1880's Island farmhouse offers licensed family dining featuring Island regional specialties.
From Kensington, take Route 2 and you'll be on your way to Summerside. Before reaching Summerside, you'll travel through New Annan, where you can drop by Malpeque Fine Iron Products where creative designer and blacksmith Eric Schurman will be glad to show you his ornamental and home decor products forged from wrought iron.
On your way to the centre of Summerside, take a few minutes to visit the College of Piping and Celtic Performing Arts of Canada for all things Celtic, including music, books, tartan and clan regalia. In Summerside itself, there are many arts and craft outlets to visit, including Spinnakers' Landing, Homestead Antiques, Gifts & Gardents, and the Eptek Art & Culture Centre.
Returning to Charlottetown, you'll travel along Route 1A and only a few minutes outside of Summerside, in North Bedeque, you can drop by Periwinkle Bears and see their wonderful display of one-of-a-kind handmade bears, created from handwoven exotic fibres at Periwinkle Cottage. And, for those interested in quality woodenware, you'll want to include a visit to Thompson's Woodcraft to see their salad bowls, candle holders, lamps and mirrors.
For a one-stop shopping site where you'll be able to browse through a number of Island arts and crafts outlets, and a magnificent view of the Confederation Bridge be sure to take a little detour and visit Gateway Village, in Borden-Carleton. While there, take a tour of Cavendish Figurines Ltd. where you can watch skilled artisans bringing Anne of Green Gables characters to life. You'll witness the production process from mould making and pouring clay through to painting. And, for a wide selection of PEI crafts, custom designed clothing and quality giftware there are a number of Island arts and crafts outlets right in Gateway Village.
Travelling east towards Charlottetown on the Trans Canada Highway, drop by the Royal Glass Design store at North River Causeway. Also visit the beautiful village of Victoria and visit the many artists studios and craft stores, including The Studio Gallery for a selection of watercolours, oil paintings, Island scene batiks and sculptures by Island artists.
By taking Route 2 west from Charlottetown, you'll arrive at Stoneware Pottery, where you'll find functional, domestic pottery in a variety of colours and patterns.
