Dozens of crafts shows are here for the holidays

But if you're looking to get a jump on your shopping, and find some real cool presents while you're at it, why not check out any one of the dozens of craft shows taking place over the next few weeks around south Winnipeg?

One of the largest sales in the city is the ever-popular St. Norbert Farmer's Market Christmas Craft Show, which is now in its 15th year, and takes place Nov. 15 and 16.

The two-day sale will feature some 50 vendors, hocking everything from pottery, toys and jewelry to baking, gourmet jams, and even meat.

"It's a nice variety of crafts," said Annette Chabidon, one of the event's organizers. "Everything has to be made or baked in Manitoba by you or your family. That's part of being in the St. Norbert Farmer's Market Association, it's to promote Manitoba."

To be involved in the sale, vendors must be members of the St. Norbert Farmer's Market Association, which counts about 145 farmers and crafters as members, said Pat Bates, the market's co-ordinator.

Shoppers at the Christmas show will have seen many of the vendors this past summer in St. Norbert at the popular market on the weekends.

Chabidon, who makes jewelry and giftware under the company name Caledonea, is one of those vendors.

She said this summer was a busy one for her, and she anticipates next weekend's sale, her third St. Norbert Christmas show, to be even busier.

"This is a big one. A lot of people attend it," she said. "It's fun but it's a lot of work for me."

"Saturday will be really busy but Sunday is Grey Cup Sunday, so we'll tend to have more of the ladies come and fewer of the guys."

The show will feature about 15 new vendors this year, as well as entertainment from Teo Mance and Jamie Torres, said Bates.

It takes place at two locations: The Eagles Club at 3459 Pembina Hwy., and right across the street at St. Norbert Community Centre. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is free.

The Fort Garry Women's Resource Centre is holding its first-ever holiday craft sale Dec. 6, and is still looking for a few crafters to sell their wares.

"We're going to have about 20 tables, and we have about 12 of them filled, so we're still looking for eight more crafters," said Heather Leeman, outreach co-ordinator at the centre.

The tables are $25 each, and anyone is welcome to sell any kind of crafts, said Leeman.

Vendors already signed up are selling everything from ceramics, ornaments, jams, aromatherapy products, and home-made soaps to children's books, picture frames, and environmentally friendly cleaning products, she said.

The sale will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Trinity United Church in Fort Richmond.

There are, of course, many other holiday craft shows taking place in churches, schools, and community centres over the next few weeks. Check the Neighbours Billboard on page two for sales near you.

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition November 5, 2003 $sourceSection$sourcePage