The first two-hour window for shopping Wednesday night saw a crowd of about 900 people go through the Jack Byrne Arena in Torbay.
Vendor Bill Callahan of Knotty Creations said when he arrived 15 minutes before the event, people were lined up outside the door.
“There was an awful crowd. I was amazed at the numbers,” he said Thursday afternoon.
Callahan, from Winterland on the Burin Peninsula, is selling a variety of products carved from knots, or burls, from trees. Callahan has been carving bowls, ornaments, pens, vases and other items for 12 years, harvesting much of the wood from around his home.
Set up around the corner from Callahan is Elias Semigak, an Inuk carver who also harvests a lot of the materials used in his work. Semigak, originally from Nain and now living in Clarenville, has been carving since 1998.
“I started with my dad at the same time, and he got his own style and I learned my own,” he said.
Semigak carves a variety of subjects, but said his most popular carvings are dancing bears.
“I make a lot of bears, because that’s the first thing that I wanted to learn how to make, and I just stuck with it because I like bears,” he said.
Semigak and Callahan join dozens of others selling a variety of locally made wares. Among the numerous goods are books, knitware, paintings, sealskin garments, jewelry, skincare, ceramics and candles. The fair will also feature a raffle, demonstrations and the presentation of a best new product award.
The event continues today and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $5. There is an ATM machine on site.
Twitter: @TelyLouis
WEBLINK
www.craftcouncil.nl.ca/events/christmas-craft-fair/
The first two-hour window for shopping Wednesday night saw a crowd of about 900 people go through the Jack Byrne Arena in Torbay.
Vendor Bill Callahan of Knotty Creations said when he arrived 15 minutes before the event, people were lined up outside the door.
“There was an awful crowd. I was amazed at the numbers,” he said Thursday afternoon.
Callahan, from Winterland on the Burin Peninsula, is selling a variety of products carved from knots, or burls, from trees. Callahan has been carving bowls, ornaments, pens, vases and other items for 12 years, harvesting much of the wood from around his home.
Set up around the corner from Callahan is Elias Semigak, an Inuk carver who also harvests a lot of the materials used in his work. Semigak, originally from Nain and now living in Clarenville, has been carving since 1998.
“I started with my dad at the same time, and he got his own style and I learned my own,” he said.
Semigak carves a variety of subjects, but said his most popular carvings are dancing bears.
“I make a lot of bears, because that’s the first thing that I wanted to learn how to make, and I just stuck with it because I like bears,” he said.
Semigak and Callahan join dozens of others selling a variety of locally made wares. Among the numerous goods are books, knitware, paintings, sealskin garments, jewelry, skincare, ceramics and candles. The fair will also feature a raffle, demonstrations and the presentation of a best new product award.
The event continues today and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $5. There is an ATM machine on site.
Twitter: @TelyLouis
WEBLINK
www.craftcouncil.nl.ca/events/christmas-craft-fair/
