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Hamilton Spectator
10-05-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Hamilton artist Sugarbones stops American orders over China tariffs
A Hamilton artist has been forced to suspend all orders from her American customers in the wake of a global trade war being waged by the United States. Cheyenne Federiconi, known as Sugarbones, told The Spectator that with the U.S. ending the duty-free 'de minimis' exemption for low-value imports from China , she has had to stop all orders from fans south of the border. 'Emotionally, it's very devastating,' Federiconi said in an interview. 'These are people who have been supporting me for years.' Federiconi's work includes enamel pins, stickers, apparel and bags, which often come in pastel colours and hinge on femme figures, both fiction and non-fiction, tied together with a hint of nostalgia. Americans account for roughly 60 per cent of her customers, meaning she's been forced to hit pause on more than half of her usual sales. While Federiconi doesn't expect the loss to devastate her business, she will feel the impact. An enamel pin from Sugarbones featuring Megan Fox's character from the 2009 movie 'Jennifer's Body.' Federiconi got her start more than a decade ago selling her work at Art Crawl in downtown Hamilton. She has since amassed more than 166,000 followers on Instagram from all over the world. She designs all of her work and ships it out by hand from her studio in central Hamilton, but even that level of hands-on involvement isn't enough to spare her from the tariff campaign. Before an executive order signed by U.S. President Donald Trump came into effect on May 2, imported goods from China valued at or under US$800 were exempt from customs duties and tariffs. Hamilton is a go-to spot for filming, with local buildings and streets featured in Hallmark But without that exemption, all goods made in China — no matter where they're shipped from — are now subject to the 145 per cent levy (or a $100 flat fee). However, on Friday, Trump suggested on social media platform Truth Social that he may cut the tariffs on China down to 80 per cent. Regardless, nearly all of the products Federiconi sells would be hit by the tariffs — even if one component was made in China, she added. But that fee wouldn't be imposed on Federiconi, she noted — it would hit the wallet of her customers, as they are considered the importer. For example, a $15 enamel pin would cost an American customer roughly $37 with the added tariffs, while the cost of a $27 key chain would skyrocket to more than $66. Cheyenne Federiconi, also known as Sugarbones, as paused all orders from her U.S. customers in the wake of a global trade war. 'There is no way for us to eat this cost,' said Federiconi. 'Our only option was to shut down (orders) to the United States … it's extremely detrimental to small businesses.' While Federiconi is a Canadian artist, only some of her products are made in Canada. Otherwise, she relies on manufacturers all over the world — including in China, Sweden and the United States. A major blow for her business is the loss of sales for her enamel pins, which Federiconi noted are almost exclusively made in China. Part of her business is a monthly Patreon club, where nearly 2,000 members get exclusive pins in exchange for a fee. 'That is completely paused for now,' said Federiconi. 'We don't know what we're going to do, other than just wait.' Locally, she isn't alone. Sol Kyst, a Waterdown-based sunglasses brand, recently took to Instagram to warn its customers that their orders may be subjected to more than $100 in tariffs due to the change. While Sol Kyst designs and ships all of its spectacles out of the region, the glasses are made in China, meaning they're subject to the tariffs, noted the announcement. West Hamilton sees largest drop in sales across the city so far this year. The company had previously paused all U.S. orders, but has since reopened them, with the post noting that Americans account for 75 per cent of its business. 'You like us and we need you,' read the post, adding that the tariffs will likely have 'very serious implications' on the brand, which was featured on the CBC show 'Dragons' Den.' Federiconi called the announcement to her customers 'extremely heartbreaking' as her fans — near and far — have grown into a community that she often interacts with both online and in-person at events. Even if there was an option for Federiconi to take on the tariff, it wouldn't be feasible for her business, which has two other staff members. 'We would essentially pay extra money to send them a product that we would then make no profit from,' said Federiconi. 'That wouldn't make any sense.' With American orders officially on pause, Federiconi has shifted her focus to in-person events this summer, including several vendor shows around the Greater Toronto Area and Supercrawl in September. A design from Sugarbones featuring Margaret Qualley's character in the 2024 movie 'The Substance.' While the idea of moving some product down to a third-party logistics company in the States has come up, Federiconi described that as a 'stressful decision,' describing her business as '(her) baby.' 'It's something I grew and that continues to grow,' said Federiconi, who started the business in her basement. 'It's kind of a waiting game.'
Hamilton Spectator
10-05-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Hamilton artist stops American orders over China tariffs
A Hamilton artist has been forced to suspend all orders from her American customers in the wake of a global trade war being waged by the United States. Cheyenne Federiconi, known as Sugarbones, told The Spectator that with the U.S. ending the duty-free 'de minimis' exemption for low-value imports from China , she has had to stop all orders from fans south of the border. 'Emotionally, it's very devastating,' Federiconi said in an interview. 'These are people who have been supporting me for years.' Federiconi's work includes enamel pins, stickers, apparel and bags, which often come in pastel colours and hinge on femme figures, both fiction and non-fiction, tied together with a hint of nostalgia. Americans account for roughly 60 per cent of her customers, meaning she's been forced to hit pause on more than half of her usual sales. While Federiconi doesn't expect the loss to devastate her business, she will feel the impact. An enamel pin from Sugarbones featuring Megan Fox's character from the 2009 movie 'Jennifer's Body.' Federiconi got her start more than a decade ago selling her work at Art Crawl in downtown Hamilton. She has since amassed more than 166,000 followers on Instagram from all over the world. She designs all of her work and ships it out by hand from her studio in central Hamilton, but even that level of hands-on involvement isn't enough to spare her from the tariff campaign. Before an executive order signed by U.S. President Donald Trump came into effect on May 2, imported goods from China valued at or under US$800 were exempt from customs duties and tariffs. Hamilton is a go-to spot for filming, with local buildings and streets featured in Hallmark But without that exemption, all goods made in China — no matter where they're shipped from — are now subject to the 145 per cent levy (or a $100 flat fee). However, on Friday, Trump suggested on social media platform Truth Social that he may cut the tariffs on China down to 80 per cent. Regardless, nearly all of the products Federiconi sells would be hit by the tariffs — even if one component was made in China, she added. But that fee wouldn't be imposed on Federiconi, she noted — it would hit the wallet of her customers, as they are considered the importer. For example, a $15 enamel pin would cost an American customer roughly $37 with the added tariffs, while the cost of a $27 key chain would skyrocket to more than $66. A design from Sugarbones featuring pop star Sabrina Carpenter. 'There is no way for us to eat this cost,' said Federiconi. 'Our only option was to shut down (orders) to the United States … it's extremely detrimental to small businesses.' While Federiconi is a Canadian artist, only some of her products are made in Canada. Otherwise, she relies on manufacturers all over the world — including in China, Sweden and the United States. A major blow for her business is the loss of sales for her enamel pins, which Federiconi noted are almost exclusively made in China. Part of her business is a monthly Patreon club, where nearly 2,000 members get exclusive pins in exchange for a fee. 'That is completely paused for now,' said Federiconi. 'We don't know what we're going to do, other than just wait.' Locally, she isn't alone. Sol Kyst, a Waterdown-based sunglasses brand, recently took to Instagram to warn its customers that their orders may be subjected to more than $100 in tariffs due to the change. While Sol Kyst designs and ships all of its spectacles out of the region, the glasses are made in China, meaning they're subject to the tariffs, noted the announcement. West Hamilton sees largest drop in sales across the city so far this year. The company had previously paused all U.S. orders, but has since reopened them, with the post noting that Americans account for 75 per cent of its business. 'You like us and we need you,' read the post, adding that the tariffs will likely have 'very serious implications' on the brand, which was featured on the CBC show 'Dragons' Den.' Federiconi called the announcement to her customers 'extremely heartbreaking' as her fans — near and far — have grown into a community that she often interacts with both online and in-person at events. Even if there was an option for Federiconi to take on the tariff, it wouldn't be feasible for her business, which has two other staff members. 'We would essentially pay extra money to send them a product that we would then make no profit from,' said Federiconi. 'That wouldn't make any sense.' With American orders officially on pause, Federiconi has shifted her focus to in-person events this summer, including several vendor shows around the Greater Toronto Area and Supercrawl in September. A design from Sugarbones featuring Margaret Qualley's character in the 2024 movie 'The Substance.' While the idea of moving some product down to a third-party logistics company in the States has come up, Federiconi described that as a 'stressful decision,' describing her business as '(her) baby.' 'It's something I grew and that continues to grow,' said Federiconi, who started the business in her basement. 'It's kind of a waiting game.'
CBC
09-05-2025
- CBC
Part of James Street N., closed Friday for 1st Art Crawl of the year
Social Sharing Art Crawl is back on and so too are scheduled road closures on James Street N. The City of Hamilton says the downtown road will be closed to vehicles from York Boulevard to Murray Street E., between 5 p.m. and 11 p.m. Friday as artists and vendors line the road to show and sell their wares. Art Crawl is scheduled on the second Friday of every month from May to October, Tourism Hamilton says on its website. Pedestrian-only Art Crawls started in 2023. At the time, Coun. Cameron Kroetsch (Ward 2) said the experience would be safer for attendees.
Axios
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
Twin Cities weekend: Art in Bloom, Indie Bookstore Day, craft beer fest
April showers bring spring flowers — and a host of free, art-themed things to do around the Cities. Here are three different places to find local art this week: Art in Bloom is back at Minneapolis Institute of Art now through Sunday, with over 150 floral installations inspired by pieces in the museum's permanent collection. Free This spring's St. Paul Art Crawl kicks off Friday through Sunday with 22 venues across Lowertown, West 7th and West Side hosting local artisans and activities. Nicollet Island Spring Market returns for the season Sunday with over 50 local vendors selling handmade wares, including art, jewelry, food and crafts. More things to do ... 📚 Celebrate your favorite local bookshop on Independent Bookstore Day this Saturday. Literary organization Rain Taxi has once again created a passport for Twin Cities bookstores — pick one up now and get it stamped at a participating shop through Saturday for future discounts. Free In search of a pre-loved read? Norway House in Minneapolis is hosting its first used book sale on Friday afternoon; proceeds benefit Franklin Library and its literacy program, which provides free, in-person reading support for students. Free entry 🏎️ Cars and Caves returns to Chanhassen for the 2025 season this Saturday morning with hundreds of classic, muscle, antique, street rod and exotic cars and motorcycles. It's free to all and family-friendly, though patrons can donate to this month's nonprofit beneficiary Wishes & More at the event. 🎭 Try your hand at puppetry (with help from the pros) at Heart of the Beast's spring pop-up and fundraiser in Powderhorn Park on Sunday afternoon.
CBC
14-03-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
'Brutal' or 'iconic'? How a giant puddle in a Tim Hortons lot became Hamilton legend 'Lake Timmicaca'
Social Sharing At a Tim Hortons in downtown Hamilton, drivers intent on getting their morning double doubles brave the murky waters of the parking lot, as sloshing waves reach as high as their car bumpers. Welcome to "Lake Timmicaca" — perhaps Hamilton's most iconic, and persistent, puddle. At John Street S. and Jackson Street E., the body of water has for years formed with the spring thaw and during downpours in the summer months. The impressive pool that sits over a sewer grate has inspired photographers, printmakers and Reddit users. While some as some others call , including Tim Hortons customers who CBC Hamilton spoke to this week. "It feels very Hamilton," said Max Rose Begg Goodis. "It's definitely an iconic visual, a noteworthy landmark." Goodis believes she's the first to come up with the name Lake Timmicaca. As a theatre kid, Goodis used to do a vocal warm up that included the word "Titicaca" — the catchy name of a real lake in the Andes Mountains of Peru and Bolivia. She thinks that's why "Timmicaca" popped into her head as she passed by the eye-catching basin on her usual walk to work around 2017. She told her friends and coworkers about Lake Timmicaca, and eventually it spread to Reddit, the popular online discussion board, as the puddle's infamy grew. "As a city, we are very proficient with... spinning stories that may not be entirely positive into something that's wholesome, or with a comedic takeaway, or as a Hamilton legend," she said. 'Brutal and pretty caca' Lake Timmicaca goes by different spellings — Lake Timicaca and Lake Timmycaca — but CBC Hamilton has stuck with the double "m" and the "i" as Goodis envisioned. It's also been described on Hamilon's sub Reddit as a sixth Great Lake. After driving through it to park his car on Wednesday, Tims regular Dwayne Waldron called it "brutal and pretty caca." Caca happens to be derived from the Latin word "cacare" meaning "to defecate." Local photographer David Fillion captured Lake Timmicaca during a sunset in 2023. The resulting print has been "very popular" at Art Crawl, the monthly street festival in the city. "It stands out to people," he said. Hamilton residents Matt and Dan Jelly, of art and photo print company Jelly Bros, made an illustration of "Beautiful Lake Timmycaca, Hamilton's largest inland sea" just over a year ago. "I've been aware of people calling it that for years and always got a chuckle when I'd walk by and see the massive puddle that never seems to go away," Matt told CBC Hamilton. "We are still unclear on why it exists, or why it continues to exist, but it's pretty fun the way the community has turned it into a local inside joke." Harrison Wheeler, who frequents the Tim Hortons daily, described Lake Timmicaca as "absolutely atrocious." At the same time, he'd like to see Tim Hortons commission a mural on the side of the adjacent building commemorating the puddle, he said. "Welcome to Lake Horton," he suggested the mural say. Fellow Tim Hortons customer Michelle Korzak agreed. "They should draw attention to it," she said. "If they fix it, it would be shocking." Private property issue, city says The City of Hamilton said in a statement that municipal water and wastewater infrastructure in the area is working well, and the issue is on private property. After receiving complaints, the bylaw department said it is actively investigating and working with the property management group to address the puddle "as quickly as possible." It did not say when the complaints began. The city's property standards bylaw requires walkways, driveways and yards are maintained and can be passed through safely, said the city statement. There's also a bylaw that requires property owners to ensure standing water does not accumulate between April 1 and Oct. 31 to prevent the spread of West Nile virus. As to why the waters of Lake Timmicaca have been permitted to ebb and flow for years, the city did not provide a response before publication. The land the parking lot sits on was purchased in 1988 by "Tim Donut Limited" for $500,000, according to a property record search. That corporation was eventually transferred to The TDL Group Ltd., the licensing company for Tim Hortons. Tim Hortons did not respond to requests for comment. Goodis said over the years she's seen repairs being done at the sewer grate underneath Lake Timmicaca.
