Western Canada’s largest artisanal craft fair makes its return for another Christmas holiday season with more than 300 vendors on tap
This year’s Christmas craft market will feature more than 300 exhibitors from across Canada
Like it or not, Christmas is right around the corner. And that means, it’s time to buy presents.
Looking for something a bit more unique than a big-box buy? You’re in luck.
The annual Circle Craft Christmas Market returns this month for a few days of festive fun.
Paul Yard the producer of the annual show, recently chatted with Postmedia News about the event, what’s new and why it’s the perfect shopping solution for the holiday season ahead.
Q For those who aren’t familiar, what is Circle Craft Christmas Market?
A Circle Craft Christmas Market is Western Canada’s largest artisanal craft fair. It has grown to be a Vancouver tradition that kick starts the holiday season.
What was the idea behind the event in the beginning?
Our founder, Yetta Lees, saw fairs as a way to raise the profile of craft. Yetta felt it was important to show the best of craft but it was also equally important give young, untried craftspeople a chance to benefit from exposure to the public. Our first show in The Cultch had a mix of juried craftspeople in one section and another section that was open to craftspeople on a “first-come” basis.
How has the market grown/ changed since it started?
Until 1983, Circle Craft Christmas Market was held at The Cultch. It was a warm and cosy event that oozed ambience. Once B.C. Place Stadium was built, show promoters started using that venue and Circle Craft had to grow to compete. Canada Place was secured as our new home. The extra space allowed us to open the market up to craftspeople from across Canada.
At The Cultch the show ran for three weeks with many vendors changing each week to allow about 100 craftspeople to participate in total. Now we have well over 300 craftspeople participating over five days, generating sales over $3 million.
Who is the Circle Craft Christmas Market for?
Everyone! We have over 300 exhibitors from across the country this year, and we truly believe everyone can find something special here. We have vendors who sell items at all price points, and sell everything from homewares and clothing, to food items and pet supplies.
Why is it so important to have these types of events for both small brands?
More and more, we are seeing the feasibility of supporting yourself as a craftsperson become threatened — whether from the production of mass-marketed objects, to the rising cost of studio space that makes small-scale production possible, artists are often unable to make ends meet by making the special, one-of-a-kind pieces you see here. Sometimes it seems we are in real danger of seeing this community collapse. By visiting markets like this one, and purchasing pieces direct from the person who crafted them, you are making a tangible impact on keeping this community of craftspeople prospering.
And for shoppers?
From a shoppers’ point of view, it’s a different kind of shopping experience than you can get on a daily basis. At markets like Circle Craft, since you are buying direct from the people who produce the items on show, there is a real narrative — the artisans here treat their materials as precious and exercise creativity and careful thought in their use.
By speaking to the craftspeople at the show, you will be able to learn their process, their unique history, and even what inspired the piece that caught your eye. We appreciate this connection that is possible here — fostering understanding and a new appreciation for things based not only on their beauty, but the love and care that went along with crafting them.
What types of vendors can shoppers expect to find this year?
We have a huge variety of vendors at the market — clothing and textiles, painters and printers, woodworkers and glass-blowers, artisan distilleries and wineries, food vendors, and many more. Over 60 of our vendors are new to us this year, so there is something new even for people who visit the market year after year.
Lastly, anything in particular you think will surprise people to discover at this year’s market?
This year we have partnered with the Vancouver Community College Fashion Merchandising students to put on a fashion show featuring work from our exhibitors. We will be running shows Wednesday to Friday at 6:30 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday at 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. Make sure to catch the show if you are planning a visit.