I've just returned from the Make It! Vancouver "craft fair" at the Croatian Cultural Centre, and I'm pleased to say I've just about finished my Christmas shopping.
Now I used the term craft fair in quotes because this isn't your average collection of vendors. Everything from paintings to jewelry, from silk-screened tshirts to handmade bath products, from plush children's toys to chocolate and everything else in between is available at Make It! I didn't see anything particularly tacky. And best of all, it's all hand-made by Western Canadians.Admission is $5 at the door, but follow this link: http://makeitproductions.com/vancouver/2010/02/20/2-off-admission/ to get a discount of $2. Just print the page or show it on your phone/iPod and you only have to pay $3 at the door. Children under 12 are free.
The place was an absolute crush, but everyone was in good spirits and what could have been a crowded hell was a festive experience.
Some highlights for our group included Trendy Boutique, which sold beautiful hand-made hair bands and accessories made by a cheerful young woman based out of North Vancouver. The designs were simple but elegant, and she used freshwater pearls to adorn many of the hairbands. I also loved Sunshine Coast Natural Care Co., which sold hand-made bath and body products that were far from ordinary. Many of the herbs and flowers used in the soaps were grown in the vendor's garden, and she had an amazing assortment of products including dog shampoo bars and aftershave for men.
Samples were plentiful - ciders, cookies, chocolate and teas.
And to top it all off, no tinny, overplayed Christmas music. There was a DJ spinning some chill tunes (see photo).
It was fun, festive and enjoyed by the guys and girls in our group.
Make It! Vancouver is open until 6 p.m. today, and runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday at the Croatian Cultural Centre (Map to Croatian Cultural Centre) and parking is free (although the parking lot is rather crowded).
Sounds like a great idea. Duke me in!
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