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It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Craft fair in Saltair also embodies the spirit of other upcoming holidays
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Victoria Robinson with her daughter Olivia Robinson, who turns 14 on Oct. 21, and their selection of hand-painted pumpkins. (Photo by Don Bodger)

And you thought pumpkin spice lattes came out rather early this year.

The calendar was fast-forwarded at the Saltair Community Centre Sunday for the first Saltair Christmas Craft Market, featuring a variety of goodies and crafts to enhance Christmas preparations, events, celebrations and decor. Admissions at the door were donated to the Chemainus Harvest House Food Bank.

While it was billed as a Christmas event, the other holidays and special events still upcoming weren’t precluded.

“We’re a bit early for a Christmas fair, but other organizations start advertising and holding events in November, so we thought we would get a head start,” noted Nadi Bottomley, president of the Saltair Community Centre Society.

“We’ve had an excellent response from crafters and artisans from Courtenay, Ladysmith, Saltair, Chemainus, Duncan and Maple Bay, all with different products to sell.”

Unique items for sale provided gifts for any occasion.

“It gives people an idea what’s out there,” said Bottomley.

“The turnout’s been great. It’s been steady since nine o’clock.”

The event ran until 4 p.m.

Just to show the holiday spirit was still alive for the harvest season, Thanksgiving and Halloween, Olivia Robinson was there with her mom Victoria Robinson selling painted pumpkins that proved quite popular.

“It’s the first time we’ve sold these,” said Victoria. “Olivia does the Duncan market on Saturdays.

“Olivia thought so close to Thanksgiving, we should be selling these pumpkins.”

“Painting and balancing homework,” Olivia says has kept her rather busy.

Stephen Gage and daughter Aurelia Gage, 8, were at the craft market with some Christmas decorations for sale.

“I’ve been learning stained glass for about five years,” said Stephen.

“I had ideas for things I’ve done previously. Most of the stuff has been done right up till (Saturday) evening.”

It’s quite an art to making stained glass, Stephen conceded.

“It’s multiple stages to get there - lots of cut fingers and burned hands.”

As a first-timer at such events, it was an eye-opener for him.

“It seems to be quite a few people here,” Stephen said. “I don’t really know how these things work or they usually are.”

Kathy Chilcott came from Cowichan Station and got into the spirit with a small Christmas tree decorated with her ornaments as well as offering jewelry and even fishing flies.

“A lot of my stuff is recycled,” she pointed out.

“I love the craft fairs. I love the atmosphere, I love talking to the customers. It’s great.”

Janine McKay from Courtenay was joined at her table by friend Kellie Spence from Ladysmith with a selection of sparkly Christmas balls and bowls.

“From now till the end of the year, I’m in about seven (craft fairs),” McKay pointed out.

Bottomley was glad to see so many people attending and getting a look at the centre.

“We’re very proud of all the hard work from our members and volunteers past and present who have helped make the centre look the way it does now,” she pointed out.

“It just gives everybody a chance to know we’re here, this is what we’re doing.”

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Janine McKay of Courtenay has some sparkly balls for sale that are ideal for the Christmas tree. (Photo by Don Bodger)
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Stephen Gage and daughter Aurelia Gage, 8, a Grade 3 student at Chemainus Elementary School, with a variety of items for sale, including stained glass Christmas decorations. (Photo by Don Bodger)


Don Bodger

About the Author: Don Bodger

I've been a part of the newspaper industry since 1980 when I began on a part-time basis covering sports for the Ladysmith-Chemainus Chronicle.
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