Meet the Makers: Jesse Nightingale of Handsome Mountain

Get to know the designers and artisans that were featured in our Made-in-Vancouver gift guide

When Kitsilano resident Jesse Nightingale had trouble finding a unique bed for her dog Beaumont, she put her background in fashion design and textile art to good use. Handsome Mountain, the namesake of her BC SPCA-adopted pup, is a line of pet accessories featuring beds made from 100% cotton up-cycled fabrics and 100% re-claimed scrap fibre pillow stuffing. Inspired by the culture and furry friends found on the “radical” West Coast, Nightingale’s designs are screen printed using non-phthalate ink (making them environmentally and doggy friendly). After being featured in our Made-in-Vancouver gift guide, Nightingale tells us what she wishes for the city.What’s on your Christmas list this year?New leather working tools! I’d especially love a couple of nice hammers. And a trip to Tofino, so I can unwind and enjoy the coziness of a cabin by the water, a couple of hot chocolates and warm teas, start a new book, and hopefully get to have a campfire!What’s the gift you’re most excited to give this year?I’m most excited to give my grandmother a handmade quilt that I have been working on for a couple of years now. I will be so pleased to be able to send it to her this Christmas! It’s been one of those things that gets worked on here and there, but I am almost finished!Do you have a signature gift you always give?I’m one that really listens to what people mention or bring up throughout the year. I try to gift fun activities, or items that are somewhat different and unexpected.Aside from your own, what’s your favourite locally made brand?Scout & Catalogue because I’m a textile designer and truly admire her love for dyeing fabric and developing her leather-dyeing techniques.What gift(s) do you wish for the city of Vancouver?I wish for this city to become a bit more friendly when just doing your daily grind activities…like simply saying ‘hi’ to passersby. Have more outdoor interactive events that help clean up either our neighborhoods or beaches of litter and waste. Have all of our fellow furry friends at adoption centers get adopted! And mostly I just wish that everyone has a wonderful and safe holiday season full of laughter, love, peace, and of course furry friend kisses!Handsomemountain.comLooking for a gift that gives back? Check out Handsome Mountain’s new line of holiday collars with 25% of proceeds going to the BC SPCA.