Simons is reporting "exponential growth" on  Fabrique 1840, its digital platform that sells the work of artisans across the country. So now it's putting out a call for talent, with a view to expand its roster from 117 to 500.

Featuring home décor, modern art, fashion accessories, stationery, and more, the e-store has reported $1 million in sales in the last 14 months, even and especially amid social isolation. “We are clearly seeing a renewed interest and desire from Canadian consumers to support and sustain local design and makers of hand-crafted goods,” Peter Simons, president of the Quebec-based brand, said in the announcement this week.

Amid the designs on-site now are the contemporary abstracts of Vancouver artist Annie Axtell; elsewhere, decor-friendly products range from Foutu Tissu's poufs, ottomans, and pillows in artful textiles to ANONY's minimalist-space-age lighting fixtures.

The project is based on bringing together independent makers with the corporation's e-commerce and digital-marketing expertise. Simons, which has a local brick-and-mortar outpost at Park Royal, also plans to spotlight Fabrique 1840 merchandise within its network of 15 stores across Canada.

Interested artisans can email application@fabrique1840.com