‘It’s the start of my Christmas’
Christmas craft show marks start of the holiday season for many Cape Bretoners
Coal might not be a bad thing to get in your stocking if it came from the
Home Crafters of Cape
Breton Christmas Show held Sunday at Centre 200.
Jewelry made from that “black MacLennan gold” was just one of the unique items that could be found at the annual craft show, which has been running for more than 25 years.
“It’s the start of my Christmas today… the start of my Christmas season. Never miss it. I love it,” said Anne Wilkinson, of Gardiner Mines, who goes every year and was shopping for gifts for her 14-month-old granddaughter.
“It gets bigger every year. Bigger and better.”
Wendy Lewis, of Sydney River, was there with her husband and two daughters, who were enjoying some homemade chocolate.
“It’s almost become a tradition, it’s the start of the Christmas season for us,” she said.
The Lewis family said the show, with many Cape Breton centric items, is a good place to find “stuff for the people away.”
Sharon Ann Burchell, a crafter from Margaree and owner of Twisted Stitches S.A.B., was at the very first Home Crafters of Cape Breton show.
“I had a woman in yesterday showing me she’s still using the purse she bought from me last year,” she said.
Burchell had stopped attending the show for a while, but returned four years ago and noticed big changes.
“(There are) more shows, more crafters,” said Burchell, who specializes in making items out of recycled clothing.
“I used to make a fortune at it. I made a living at it. It’s not as profitable as it used to be but I still make good money.”
Amy Snow, a jewelry maker who owns Mira Time Creations, attended the show for the fifth time. The jewelry she makes often uses items like beach glass or pottery pieces to create a unique look.
“Attendance was better than I expected,” she said.
“And everyone’s buying. Buying local seems to be very big this year.”
Thelma MacLennan, an independent crafter from Dalem Lake, also found sales good.
MacLennan has made Christmas-themed centerpieces and table art to sell primarily at the show for more than 10 years. Rarely does she have much stock left over.
“Last year, I had nothing on the table. Three times we had to fill up,” she said.
Sunday morning, MacLennan was close to reaching that goal, having already sold two full tables worth of her pieces.