ARCOLA - Breanne Court and her husband Brady were born and raised in Charlottetown, P.E.I.
Brady moved to Arcola when he received a job in the oilfield industry. His wife remained in P.E.I. for the next year, only seeing her husband four months out of that year.
The two decided to move to Arcola and make it home.
In 2015, Breanne Court took a job at Michael’s Coffee Shop in Carlyle as the operations co-ordinator and she has worked there for eight years.
“I love my job and Michael is wonderful to work for,” said Court.
After working for two years, Court had her son Bentley who is now six years old. Court took a one-year maternity leave.
During this leave, Court became depressed and struggled with anxiety. She felt ashamed for having these thoughts and tried to work through her emotions.
Court searched for something to do to help her depression and began crafting. This seemed to help her but did not heal her.
Designing coffee mugs piqued her interest. Beginning with vinyl application to put on the mugs, she was not happy with the outcome. The vinyl peeled away and she wanted a cup that would last for years.
For six months, Court did research on the best way to put designs on cups and came across sublimation. This requires special paper and ink with a machine to apply. This proved to be what she was looking for.
Her depression became noticeable by people around her. She did not look the same way and finally went to seek medical help.
She returned to her much-loved job and kept designing her cups, which are 15 ounces.
“I do not believe in small cups of anything,” she said.
While working full time, she found it difficult to find time to design her own work and began to search for Canadian designers for her work.
Court believes in supporting Canadian businesses and if at all possible, local companies.
Her two design companies are Canadian, and her blank mugs come from a supplier right here in Saskatchewan, which pleases Court that they come from her province.
Today, Court makes all kinds of travel and other mugs. They can be designed with Christmas, Halloween or Easter themes or a customer’s favourite saying.
She also does custom mugs and wine glasses for special orders, along with glass coasters.
Her work is not flawed as she will not display one that even is slightly off.
Court is feeling much better these days and urges people who think they are struggling with depression to get medical help, as they can help a person.
Continuing to live in Arcola, she is making the town her home. She loves the coziness of the town and how helpful people are. Friends are now family.
She is enjoying life through her family, her town, her work and her crafts.
