4 minute read
Arts & Entertainment
The Heart & Soul of Christmas Craft Fairs
BY NADINE WONG
With the Christmas craft fair season upon us, bringing together many talented crafters and artisans eager to showcase their creations, let’s look at what it takes for these folks to participate in a fair. For vendors, success at these festive events hinges on the products they produce, the venue they have chosen to show their wares, the price point for their product and, of course, you, the shopper.
I took the time over the past three weeks to visit fairs and markets from Nanaimo to Duncan, including the Cedar Yellow Point Tour, the Cedar Farmers Christmas Market, Ladysmith Eagles Hall, Ladysmith First United Church, Carol’s Crafters on Cedar Road and the Christmas Chaos Market in Duncan. Generally, I don’t shop at craft fairs and markets for myself. I’m looking for gifts that can’t be found in a mall. I’m seeking a “one-off,” high-quality, unique, handmade and affordable item.
Several local crafters and artisans have shared the joys and pitfalls of preparing for and participating in local Christmas crafts fairs and markets. Most Christmas markets have the same vendors throughout the year at various other markets, but it also draws crafters who prepare throughout the year and participate only at Christmas time. More than one vendor told us that she creates and makes most of her product throughout the year, but three months prior, she will cram season-specific items. Christmas markets also tend to have crafters and artisans who produce large quantities and sell retail, whereby Christmas craft fairs tend to have crafters that prepare only for the Christmas shopper.
Crafters and artisans have a few considerations: picking products that will appeal as gifts and choosing a craft fair that has the potential to recover their costs to participate, which are the booth fee, setup, travel and accommodations (if applicable). One of the crafters mentioned how communication from the organizers was essential for them to know what to expect before the event. Advertising was mentioned repeatedly, saying that good coverage meant that there would be a good crowd of shoppers. Equally important is the layout of the fair: the placement of their tables (i.e., if the crafter is a potter, they would prefer not to be surrounded by other potters); where the odours and congestion are, which are more significant in the area of edible items, thus those vendors should be placed accordingly; and the space for buyers to navigate and vendors to showcase their work so that it can be appreciated, which is a huge factor.
Everyone I talked to loved preparing and working on their craft/art and enjoyed interacting with those who attended the fairs. They enjoy the feedback and conversation and appreciate being able to tell their story to interested people. Heather Sarchuck said, “It’s about sharing what I love to make. The most rewarding thing about participating in a craft fair is when the customer finds the perfect gift for someone special, and the joy on their faces is enough. Sharing my craft with others is very rewarding and keeping the cost affordable is equally important — not to mention the friendships you attain from other vendors that cannot be measured; it is a blessing.”
Another participant, Darrell Giraldeau commented, “I love meeting and talking to new people, and there is a very festive feeling at a Christmas fair. I go home feeling validated as an artist and energized to try new things.” And Donna Bennett from Chemainus told me, “I’m not doing it to prepare for a craft fair, I’m doing it because it expresses who I am. It’s an essential part of my healthy life.”
In conclusion, I hope you and your family have had the time and pleasure to visit some of our lovely local craft fairs and markets and chat with the crafters and artists, who have poured their heart and soul into giving you choices for the holiday season. Every once in a while, I fi nd a gift for my husband to give to me, and as an added bonus, we have shopped locally and supported our community.
