Meet Our Team
Our team at Crafted Spaces bring a wealth of creative knowledge and years of experience. We love what we do and are passionate about teaching others. Learn more about us and how we can help you explore your creativity.
Yvette-Michelle Cottle Darby
Owner, Designer and Instructor
Yvette-Michelle is the owner and primary instructor at Crafted Spaces. She is also a designer and maker who enjoys working with different media. Yvette-Michelle’s love for sewing and crafts started at an early age. She has developed her skills in several creative areas including; sewing, crocheting, knitting, textile art, macrame, paper crafts and photography.
Yvette-Michelle has been a creative entrepreneur since 1994. She started as a fashion accessories designer, creating her limited edition and one-of-a-kind designs. Yvette-Michelle also managed her accessories boutique in the Toronto fashion district for several years. As a designer and maker, Yvette-Michelle has developed her skills in numerous areas and have taught both children and adults for over twenty years. As an artist, she is currently working on a collection of visual art pieces featuring traditional cross stitch.
When she is not creating, she enjoys gardening and spending time with her husband and two sons.
Email: ymcottle@craftedspaces.com
Don Darby
Website Design, Communications and Bookkeeping
Don is multi-talented and provides his skills and knowledge in communications, media, IT, website design and bookkeeping. His knowledge and attention to detail has been invaluable to the development of Crafted Spaces’ online presence and other daily operations.
Don is also a talented musician and multi-instrumentalist. He provides music and sound recording services through GSM Beats Inc.
Dr. Cheryl Cottle
Educational Consultant and Guest Instructor
Dr. Cheryl Cottle is an education consultant. She holds a Doctorate in Education from the University of Toronto and specializes in Curriculum Development and Social Media. She provides her expertise by assisting us with the development of our programme.
Dr. Cottle is also an advocate for small business development and is the founder of a women’s business group Women In Business with over 15,000+ members. Her Facebook group and online radio broadcast are a source of inspiration.
Instructors
Amy Marcus
Instructor
Amy teaches several of our sewing classes and has been an avid sewist and creator of artistic fashions for more than 25 years. She is a certified Pattern Drafter and Tailor. Her sewing is driven by the desire to never wear the same thing as someone else. Amy has a keen eye for fabrics and is passionate about sewing and new sewing techniques. She enjoys the creative process and feels that sewing should be enjoyed before it’s perfected.
Amy loves sharing her vast knowledge of sewing with others, and will love to have you join one of her classes. Amy has taught our Private Cosplay Sewing Class and is one of the instructors for several of our other sewing classes. You can reach Amy via email at Sol_loco@hotmail.com.
Jelena Pticek
Guest Instructor
Jelena is the founder of Poppyseed Creative Living in Toronto, Ontario.
“Transforming used furniture and found objects into funky, one-of-a-kind décor for your home or cottage. Poppyseed Creative Living is part passion, part promise. My passion: making the old new, art that works, and pieces that serve a purpose. My promise: originality, craftsmanship, and a process that’s green, green, green.”
You can find Jelena’s creations at local craft fairs and at her shop in Toronto. Jelena has taught our Rope Bowl Making class.
Marilyn Paisley
Guest Instructor
Marilyn is the founder of You’re Beautiful Handcrafted Beauty Products in Newmarket, Ontario. Marilyn makes artisan cold processed soaps, glycerin soaps, 100 % soy wax organic candles and body creams. She uses high quality oils, fragrances, and micas in her products. Her creations can be found at local craft fairs, farmer’s market and shops. Marilyn has taught our Soap Making class.
Customer Service: create@craftedspaces.com | 705-828-7096 | 705-722-8132