TIMMINS - With Christmas craft show season in full swing, a variety of artisans took over the museum today.
After the success of the Niska Noel Indigenous fashion show on Friday, Nov. 29, the Niska Noel Artisan market filled the Timmins Museum: National Exhibition Centre today (Nov. 30). The show is on until 4 p.m.
Jody Vaillancourt is taking part for the second time and said crafts have been part of her life for a long time.
“I’ve been doing this since I was little,” she said.
Creating is a family tradition for her in her business, one she’s passing down to her son as well.
“My mom and my grandmother knit everything,” she said. “They did everything.”
Over 20 vendors have filled the museum with beadwork, leatherwork and all kinds of art for sale, including the designers from last night’s event.
The Timmins Native Friendship Centre provided Indigenous tacos for $5, and bannock is also available.
A beading workshop os also on until 4 p.m.
The setup for the event was a little chaotic after the fashion show last night. Still, Mennonite Central Committee Indigenous neighbours program associate Clara Wheaton said it was a shorter night than she expected.
“We turned it over faster than we thought, and everything was ready to go for today,” she said. “People are coming in, the music’s on, there’s good food, wonderful people, and beautiful things!”
With the show set for another year, organizers are taking a breath before they set their sights on next year.
“Next week will be looking at the aftermath and figuring out what this will look like next year,” said Wheaton. “There’s lots of excitement about what this looks like next year, and how do we keep the momentum going.”
