Paola Brodsgaard – Fabric Artist

Denman Island resident Paola Brodsgaard became known as a consummate curator of beautiful things as the owner of Rusty Rooster, a charming boutique/gift shop on Cumberland’s main drag known for the impeccable quality, style, and ethical product standards of its goods.

Not everyone knows that Paola is also a creator, channeling her sense of style into a variety of artisanal products that reflect her love of colour, texture, and natural materials. When she sold her store in April, 2024, Paola was able to shift her energies toward her personal creative endeavors.

Motivated by the belief that everyday objects can be beautiful and bring joy, Paola designs and sews functional clothing out of natural fabrics such as linen, cotton gauze, wool, and cotton. Her current line includes linen shirts, jumpsuits, dresses, tunics, and headbands.

In the holiday season she makes cute little Christmas gnomes inspired by the Danish tradition of “nisser” (Santa-esque gnomes that are placed around the house for good luck), and linen stockings, advent calendars, napkins, and tea towels.

Crafting, says Paola, is a “little bit of magic you can do with your hands. “I get a tremendous amount of joy and fulfillment out of being creative. It makes me focus, be imaginative, and think outside my box.”

When not crafting, Paola is growing her own food, raising animals, and cooking and baking on the Denman Island acreage she shares with her husband and daughter. Cultivating classic hand skills of sewing, mending, and making feels like a natural extension of this lifestyle.

See Paola’s work on Denman Island: Visit the Denman Island Craft Fair the first weekend in December