Braid Studios

08/08/2026

👁️ Creativity is in sight at Braid Studios. 👁️

Today, our artists gathered in the studio to start creating something special for the upcoming New West Cultural Crawl

Eyes. Lots and lots of eyes. 👀

Painted, peculiar, colourful and completely individual — they’ll soon be appearing in our windows and outside the building as Braid gets ready for Cultural Crawl weekend.

A huge thank you to the artists who came out today, picked up a paintbrush and helped bring this slightly bonkers idea to life. We cannot wait to see what it looks like when they’re all together.
Judy Ann Villett
LynFA
syl holtz
Omanie Elias
Stephanie
and thank you Johanna Bartels for the goodies!

Keep your eyes on Braid. 👁️

07/03/2026

Tomorrow is Open Studios at Braid!

Step inside one of New Westminster’s most creative buildings and spend an afternoon exploring working artist studios, meeting the artists, asking questions, and discovering original artwork you won’t find anywhere else.

Every studio tells a different story.

Some artists will be demonstrating their process. Others will be sharing new work, works in progress, textiles, painting, mixed media and more. Every visit is different because every artist is.

Saturday July 4
Open Studios | 12–4 pm
(A few artists are opening for shorter or longer hours—watch the video for individual studio times.)

Braid Studios – The Braid Loft
2nd Floor
321 Sixth Street, New Westminster

Whether you’re looking for original art, inspiration, or simply a creative way to spend an afternoon, we’d love to welcome you.

Come wander. Ask questions. Meet the artists.

See you tomorrow.

06/13/2026

Many of you knew Carla Thompson.

Carla had a remarkable gift for helping people feel seen, supported, and capable. Whether she was teaching a new skill, helping someone untangle their finances, offering accountability through body doubling, or quietly working behind the scenes to make things run smoothly, she brought kindness and patience to everything she did.

You may have known Carla through Braid Studios, the Decide Your Life Community with , her Holistic Bookkeeper business, her work with the Dot community or her Books & Brew sessions.

Carla first came to Braid Studios as a crochet instructor, but over the years she became so much more than a teacher. She served as our Paint Night Manager, Wedding & Events Manager, administrator, bookkeeper, trusted advisor, and dear friend. Even after moving to Vancouver Island during Covid, Carla remained an important part of the Braid community. For me, as owner of Braid, Carla was my right-hand person and one of my closest friends. For many others, she was a mentor, cheerleader, problem solver, and steady source of support.

Her impact reached far beyond any one business or community and the kindness she brought to each of them was always the same.

On June 27, I want to invite friends, family, artists, colleagues, clients, students, and community members to join us as we share stories and memories of this beautiful woman who touched so many lives. ~ Susan

Remembering Carla Drop-In
June 27, 2026
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Braid Studios
321 Sixth Street, New Westminster

Condolences may be shared thru the link in our bio.

06/09/2026

A month ago we moved into our new space on the second floor at 321-6th St.

Our resident artists are settled in. The studio and our Salon space is already busy with classes and workshops.

Yesterday we hung art on the gallery walls for the first time.

And suddenly everything shifted - it feels like the entire community is home.

06/05/2026

We’re doing something we haven’t done in years. This Saturday, artists throughout Braid Studios are clearing out their studios.

Art supplies. Tools. Materials. Original artwork. Hidden treasures.

Come explore working artist studios and discover what usually stays behind closed doors.

The Braid Loft
2nd floor
321 6th Street, New Westminster
Saturday, June 6
12–4pm

Open Studios + Artist Surplus Sale

06/04/2026

Behind the scenes and notes on a special piece of art. From .dolls

Blanchet 🤍
A doll created especially for a woman who embraces Mexican culture as her own. Her home and her memories are filled with afternoons wandering the streets of Oaxaca.

Getting to know her is a true pleasure, and creating a doll inspired by her has been a great honor.

06/03/2026

A different kind of art is happening at the studios.

06/01/2026