4 minute read
Christmas Home Business and Makers Market
Christmas Home Business and Makers Market
Rosanne Fortier - News Correspondent
It was a local one-stop shopping experience which around 250 people enjoyed! This home-based market featured 25 vendors with a variety of authentic items at the Senior Citizens Sunshine Club of Vegreville Centre on November 15.
There were new and long-standing entrepreneurs, who were all friendly and ready to explain their products.
Organizer Jennifer Hladilo, a vendor for Pampered Chef, was also behind the table of Busy Buddy Creative Crafts, which had a variety of handmade items created by Hladilo and some of her friends. Hladilo shared that this sale is hosted to showcase local home business vendors, direct sellers, and crafters. The Sunshine Club also opens their cafe and gets a little extra exposure during this sale.
“It's always a new and unique experience for the customers... from local people with new start-ups, to regular vendors bringing in family and friends as new vendors, to the old favourite vendors.
The variety makes it a great place to buy unique and special gifts you can't find in a store. It's cool to know exactly who you're buying from and that the small business person really appreciates every sale!” Hladilo added.
Vegreville Men’s Shed was selling homemade wooden birdhouses, which members said were a lot of fun to make. All proceeds will be used to cover the club's operating expenses.
Vegreville Preschool Association was another non-profit organization hosting a raffle. The proceeds will be used for renovations and equity to build a new playground.
At another table, a new vendor, Lindsey Walters from ‘3 Little Birds Gourmet shared that they have been doing this baking for over five years, and have been doing a variety of Canadian staples and southern favourites, which include pull-apart breads, loaves, cakes, buns, cornbread, and more.
Tamara Lupul from This Baba’s Kitchen was selling Ukrainian foods, which she cooks. “This is my second market. I used to sell to family and friends. The best part of cooking this is when people eat it and they like it. It has become a huge stress reliever for me,” Tamara explained.
Sarah Chmilar from ‘The Sisters’ Guild-Knots by Sarah and The Stress Crochet Project was selling handcrafted items she made with her sister, Erie Melnychuk, who have both been doing this for around six years. “It has been a way to destress and have something to keep my hands busy while watching television.”
Vendor Sam Palsitt-Lefler was selling products from A Busy Crafter. This included sublimation tea towels, car coasters, and tumblers. She also had, socks, and funny toilet paper which she has been making for five years. She enjoys it because it allows her to be creative.
Author Ellen Jorgy, who works in Vegreville has been writing books for 10 years. Ellen always told stories in her head and decided to put them down on paper because she wanted to share her ideas, and people told her to write them down. Ellen expressed that the best part of writing is the joy she brings to readers when they read her stories and really get into them. “I hope I am creating emotion when people read my stories, and that they laugh and cry.”
