This is the final weekend before the big day and if you haven't finished (or started, like me) your shopping yet there are a number of local craft fairs happening around town over the weekend, including Niceballs at the Little Mountain Gallery and Blim's monthly market on Sunday, which you can read about HERE and HERE. Intricate handmade gifts are often as unique as the person you are buying them for and because they are made by a real-live person - a fellow Vancouverite, even - they are even more so. So get out there and buy local this year!
She's crafty. Melanie with some of her wares at Gene Cafe on Main St.
The very first purchase I made at a craft fair (ridiculous green feathered headband which I adore and get nothing but compliments on) was at Blim, back when it was at the Welsh Hall off of Main. The lady behind my ridiculous headband is Melanie Hull, whose label Farmer's Daughter has been rocking boutiques and fairs across Canada (and the internet!) for 5 years.
The Gibson Girl motif - love!
Seems like Vancouver is a real hub for the entrepreneurial wing of the DiY movement.
I think people are starting to bring back handmade things and crafts. Maybe they've lost their job or can't afford to buy something so they'll try and make it themselves. Also, a lot of people are starting their own business.
People following a passion - out of financial necessity of because of a need to change one's life direction - that's what I find so interesting. It's empowering and inspirational. You do this full-time, don't you?
For the first four years, yes. Up until a year ago - basically when the recession hit - I was doing it full-time, selling right across Canada. There were eight or ten boutiques just in Vancouver that carried my line. Some of them have unfortunately closed. I do quite a few markets too - whether it be Portobello, Blim, or small independent ones like mine (Melanie is the brains behind tonight and tomorrow's Niceballs). It's really important to get out there and have people see your stuff. Magazine editors, fashion editors, stylists from TV and film - they all come to the markets.
Where are the hubs? It's really big in Portland, right?
I think Vancouver is a little bit behind - but that's my opinion. It's starting to catch up though. Portland has an excellent designer/handmade craft culture and there are many people that work from home, have their own studios and are really successful on Etsy and sell all over the country. Portland also has Crafty Wonderland. Seattle isn't far behind; I've done Urban Uprising Craft there, which is very similar to Renegade Craft...
How many shows do you do a year?
Over the holidays ... pretty much every weekend from mid-November until end of December I've had a show. Maybe ten shows? And once a month I do Blim.
How many stores do you sell in in Vancouver?
Eight.
What would you say to somebody who was thinking about dipping their feet into the entrepreneurial side of craftiness?
Go to shows. Go and see what's out there. See if there's a market for what you're interested in making. When I first started there really weren't that many making jewelry, but now there's a lot of people starting their own lines. Small lines even, from just a few (items) a year.
I wish there was something that was offered (instruction) that was well-established, that offered seminars and information for people.
You know how there's BookCamp? Maybe Vancouver needs CraftCamp. What I find so interesting is the number of women involved...
Well, it's definitely starting to turn over. Within the last year I've had more men buying jewelry, who show up and say, "Why isn't there anything here for men?" Then I tell them that there was, but they're too late!
There are more men starting their own lines, too. There's a label called Black Duke - he does antler jewelry. He gets all his antlers from his parents' in Saskatchewan. He chops them up and puts little charms in them. More men are doing leather work, which is very intricate work that requires a real skill set. You have to play around with it, it's a real skill. Also, t-shirts and clothing lines, male-based clothing lines.
I love that people can get away from the 9-5 and do something creative, beyond just a hobby.
It's very therapeutic. When I make jewelry I am watching TV, a movie, listening to music.
It's a terrarium and a necklace. With a skull. Very One-Eyed-Willy meets Angelina Jolie.
What was the last thing that you bought for yourself at a craft fair?
A leather bag. From Ora bags. It was a gift. Come see them at my show!
Friday Night at Features at Niceballs:
Black Duke
Saturday
Sassy Vintage
Chanda Stallman
