Annual Spring Home Business and Makers Market

Annual Spring Home Business and Makers Market

 Rosanne Fortier - News Correspondent

 Unlike anything offered at a store, there was a plethora of authentic items for sale at the home-based market at the Senior Citizens Sunshine Club of Vegreville on May 3.

Twenty-six vendors with 31 tables were excited to showcase their creations and products to around 250 attendees.

Linda Richter from St. Paul was selling items made from repurposed lariats. She created trays, clocks, different types of baskets, and more. Richter explained that she learned this craft when she went to Arizona. “I have been doing this for about three years, and it takes about an hour to make one.”

Another seller, Jane Drummond, for Hook and Needle from Ardmore, has been making hats for six years. “They are fun to create, and people who buy them love them. I always lean into what people love and make it from there.”

Julie Hewitt from Vegreville, vendor for Waxetty-Wax Melts expressed that all the products were handmade by her. These items are made for scent-sensitive people and are pet-friendly. “I have been doing this for two years. There has been so much interest, as I have 125 scents. It is a lot of fun and takes about six hours to make 100.”

Greg Haslehurst, a school teacher from Vermilion, was selling pictures he captured for his photography business. “I have been doing this for 20 years. My favorite part of photography is capturing the moment.”  

Darlene Brousseau, vendor for Bear All Wellness from St. Paul, made copper-woven gemstone jewelry for seven years. “I love working with wire; the health benefits are it helps to reduce pain and amplifies energy. As well, I love the public.”

Coordinator Jennifer Hladilo explained that most of the vendors were local to Vegreville. A few were from St Paul, Lac La Biche, and other towns. A specialty photographer fellow from Vermilion. “We hold it and they come because it's a great place to shop, visit, and sit for lunch or coffee.

The highlights were the happy, fun atmosphere, the generosity of the vendors for donating to the door prize, and local businesses for donating coffee and doughnuts. I love the noisy chatter and laughter-filled room!

We're grateful to the Sunshine Club board and construction workers for being able to accommodate us during their big repair project,” Hladilo added.