Bags made of colourful duct tape, critters created out of felt and bonsai trees formed from wire and precious stones were a few of the items up for grabs at the Cross My Art Craft Market at the Red Deer Public Library Saturday.
There were picture frames artfully decorated with buttons and shells, clothing of all sorts and pins and magnets with sayings like “Mother Nature is my home girl” and “nerd-lover.”
Valerie Turbak was one of the more than 10 designers who took part and she also helped organize the event.
She is part of the group Red Deer Stitch ‘N’ Bitch, which has its own Facebook page and around 30 members who gather in the city to do crafts and chat.
Turbak’s items had a vintage Wild West feel, with her table of wares consisting of silkscreened pistols on messenger bags, cowgirls on T-shirts and other items.
She said she wanted the event to bring people together who like to do crafts and give them a venue to sell their items.
“There are a lot of people who do this sort of thing, but don’t know what kind of outlet they can have for it,” Turbak said. There were handmade aprons, crocheted bags and even cupcakes on hand.
Jan Poliakevitch and Stephen Dahl had a display of necklaces and bracelets they’d made.
The Grade 10 students, who go to Notre Dame High School, were also making jewelry on the spot to suit people’s specifications. Poliakevitch said there was some pretty tough competition at the other tables, but he hoped to interest people in a personalized piece.
The two high school crafters have been making jewelry for about a year, after joining a necklace club at school.
Rachelle McComb, youth services assistant at the Red Deer Public Library, said having an event like the craft market shows that the library is about more than just books and movies. She said the event helps to promote culture, opening people up to a new avenue.
sobrien@www.reddeeradvocate.com