The Earlybird Christmas Craft Fair happening today and tomorrow Nov. 11 & 12 at the Elks Hall will be bigger and better than ever, says event organizer Carmen Schwarz.
“I have people coming from as far away as Bella Coola, Cranbrook, 100 Mile House, Forest Grove, Horsefly and of course surrounding areas of Williams Lake,” Schwarz says.
Graphic artist Cheri Carrier will be among the new vendors at the show with her Graphicat Designs company. Carrier creates custom designed rubber stamps and sells a line of card and scrapbooking materials.
New vendors this year include also include
• Christine Mason: solar snow globes, embroidery in picture frames (some customized) burlap bags, Christmas ornaments and scented coffee bean sachets.
• Joan Law: Home sewn creations including tea cozies, pillows, pot holders, oven mitts, rag dolls, table runners & slippers.
Many popular vendors will also be returning.
• Marlene Davis: scrubbies (non-scratch pads), chicken hot pads, stuffed animals, dish cloths, wooden toys, knitted socks, slipper, baby outfits and mittens.
• Monika Pederson: Spring House Scents- handmade soaps, lip balms & incredible photography.
• April Ewasik: African Butterfly hair clips and jewellery.
• Sharon Vignjevic: Shavi G Creations, wire wrapped chainmaille jewellery.
• Deb Bertrand: CraZy JewelZ gemstones, creative jewellery made with glass beads and gemstones.
• Gwynneth Nelson: miniature whimsical Christmas trees, dried local organic herbs, ladies costume jewellery out of recycled beads, children’s beading kits all made with recycled beads.
• Cheryl Klassen: femo dough and sand dollar Christmas ornaments, hand-blown glass necklaces, turquoise and some magnetic jewellery as well as agate pendants.
• Lynn Moore: comes from Cranbrook with her Impressions jewellery and handmade porcelain ornaments.
• Heather Botham: 5th Ave and Zudora jewellery.
Food
• Marion Langstaff: perogies, cabbage rolls, pies and home canning.
• Sunset Gourmet: 100 per cent Canadian pre-packaged gourmet foods.
• Helen Tattersall: home baking.
• Kay and Clarence Hooker: baking (those great ginger, chocolate and ranger cookies), and preserves.
• Jeri-Lynn Donn: with moulded chocolates, homemade truffles, home baking and box cookies.
• Lian Walters: home- baked bread, buns, cinnamon buns as well as knitted and crocheted socks, slippers, mittens, dish cloths.
Cards & Misc.
• Rosie Murphy: traditional bannock, knitted hats, slippers, mittens and beaded items and cards.
• Sigi Ludwig: handmade cards and fundraising workshops.
• Jonas and Eli Petersen: Currant Cards is a growing business co-created in 2009 by these young brothers. They have a large collection of joyfully designed original art greeting cards for the holiday season and all special occasions.
• Winston and Lucy Wright: barn board bird houses and barn board picture frames.
• Kelly and Kaila Melville: hand-crafted cards for all occasions.
• Brenda Smart of Bella Coola: brings her hand-crafted wooden boxes, wood relief hangings, crochet and quilting, beadwork and wild life photography.
• Florence Bettschen: Day Spa Champagne, feather earrings and skin care products.
• Tracy Ofstie: Norwex chemical-free cleaning products.
• LeRae Haynes: pursicals back by popular demand, uniquely designed children’s purses with fun ad ons, completely made out of recyclable materials.
• Author Sage Birchwater with a selection of books.
• Joyce Orman: Disney crochet cross stitch blankets and baby sweater sets.
• Colleen Shiach and Brandi McNolty: Scrap-OH-licious pre-made scrapbooks and scroll saw wood products.
Home decoration
• Colleen Keilman: hand-crafted pottery.
• Lil and Murray Manual: burl bowls and lamps.
• Shelly Carrera: cozy fleece hats and scarves for the whole family, catnip, cat toys, ear warmers and fleece dolls
• Shirley Vincenzi: Butterfly Hugs baby wear, flannelette pyjamas, bunty bags, diapers, baby wraps, and more.
• Raylene Schwarz: colourful fleece blankets for babies or adults.
Body Pampering
• Teresa Trim: handmade natural soaps, creams, lotions, lip balms, bath kisses etc.
• Jerry and Sharon Meyer: therapeutic magnetic jewellery, bookmarks, fridge magnets, moccasins and mukluks, knitted blankets, slippers and scarves. Also new this year beaded Christmas ornaments.
Clothing
• Mavis Hlokoff: Wee Two Treasures, beautifully knitted and crocheted children’s clothes, hand-sewn clothing for kids, dolls and Barbies. Kitchen towels and more….
Toys
• Peter Smith and Mike Royal: These big boys that really love their toys, they enjoy watching the kids marvel at the interesting games, puzzles, trucks, trains, boats etc. Also they will have smoked fish and homemade candy.
• Suzanne Cochrane: Epicure spices and kitchen utensils.
• Joan Head: Alpaca Story Ranch with items created using alpaca fibre such as socks, slippers and stuffed animals.
• Madi, Kenzie and Candace Magnowski: with their Heritage Valley Alpaca Products. Madi and Kenzie play an active role in caring for the alpacas raised in the Williams Lake area. The fibre is sent off to make beautiful products and they also sell alpaca meat.