Martine Besombes moved to Quebec from France in 2000, eventually settling in the Valley in 2017. In 2018, she started learning how to crochet, and has since honed her skills enough to open her own artisanal shop: Fil-à-mart.
Fil-à-mart was created in 2022. Besombes explains that it is “a small artisan company specializing in the creation of all kinds of crochet items, from mittens and shawls to jackets and summer tops.” However, the thing that makes her shop stand out is her specialty bags and purses. They combine crochet, leather, and fabric into a unique-looking product that cannot be found elsewhere.
Since 2023, Besombes opens up her home workshop for the public to visit. She invites people to come and share a tea or coffee with her while they take a look at her stock. She also works to partner with other artisans and takes part in local markets to sell her creations.
Besombes’ experience with crocheting has been unusual, since she is left-handed. “I had to learn on my own through books and online tutorials, as neither my mother nor my daughter, both expert right-handers, could teach me.” Even with this added challenge she managed to pick up the craft, and it quickly became a passion for her. She plans to take her experience and offer classes specifically for left-handed people in the future, so that she can provide a “suitable and welcoming learning space.”
Besombes also hopes to start a real artisan boutique where she can showcase her work but also use it as a platform to promote other local designers as well. She would love to show all of what the Valley has to offer. But for now, you can find her at 2601 Lower Concession Road, or through her website, www.fil-a-mart.com.