Graphic artist Cheri Carrier will be one several new vendors participating in the Earlybird Christmas Craft Fair happening at the Elks Hall this Thursday and Friday, Nov. 11 and 12.
One of Carrier’s recent projects has been to design her own line of stamps which she sells to artists and scrap-bookers, both through the internet and at fairs and scrapbooking events.
Made of a pliable acrylic material the stamps are the modern-day equivalent of the traditional wooden stamp.
Among her many art projects she creates one-of-a-kind greeting cards with interesting characters. Halloween is one of her favourite themes.
“I am having a lot of fun with them and good response so far,” Carrier says. “People really seem to like them.”
Carrier said she started designing her own stamps because she couldn’t always find what she was looking for in the regular art market.
“There are so many wonderful images out there but it is hard to find the sentiments I like for my cards. I think a care is supposed to cheer someone up and make them smile,” Carrier says.
Carrier grew up in North Delta and studied graphic design at the University College of the Fraser Valley in Abbotsford earning a three-year diploma in graphic art and communication.
The program included elements of design, colour theory, illustration and computer graphic design programs.
Ten years ago Carrier and her husband, Jay, a log truck driver moved to Williams Lake. Their son, Bradley, 12, is in Grade 7 at Kwaleen elementary.
With help from Community Futures, Carrier established her home-based business Graphicat Designs through which she is also a sales agent for Tickled Pink and Simply Betty stamp lines.
She also teaches classes for Creative Accents and sells Copic markers which she says are alcohol based and work very well when blending colours to keep them vibrant and strong.
In addition to attending the craft fair at the Elks Hall this weekend, Carrier will also be participating in the annual Cataline Craft Fair coming up on Nov. 19/20.
The Earlybird Christmas Craft Fair coming up this Friday and Saturday at the Elks Hall promises to be bigger and better than ever, says 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.
In addition to Carrier new vendors include Christine Mason with solar snow globes, embroidery in picture frames (some customized) burlap bags, Christmas ornaments and scented coffee bean sachets.
Also new to the fair is Joan Law with home sewn creations including tea cozies, pillows, pot holders, oven mitts, rag dolls, table runners and slippers.
There will be about 40 vendors at the event selling all sorts of crafts, home decoration and utility products, toys, kitchen items, pottery, bird houses, personal care items, jewellery, clothing, blankets, hats, items made from locally grown alpaca wool, and much more.
There will be home-cooked food such as Marion Langstaff’s popular perogies; gourmet foods, home baking, canning and more. Author Sage Birchwater will also be on hand with a selection of books.