Saskatoon craft fairs

[prairietransplant]

Hi all,
In the aftermath of Christmas sewing and spending, I'm beginning to think about trying my hand at sewing for craft fairs.  I make handbags, aprons, lingerie bags, clothes...anything I think my family and friends would like.  With wedding season coming up, I'm thinking that anything wedding-themed would be good too. 

Does anyone have any comments about the Saskatoon craft fair scene, or feedback about selling these kinds of items?  Where do people sell besides the Fringe and the Saturday market?  I'm still relatively new to the province, so any suggestions about the craft fair scene here would be much appreciated!

[lisa_zacharias]

What a freaky coincidence!  Yesterday I spent two hours trying to find any kind of fair  in Saskatoon, but was unable to find anything except the Fringe.  I would love to try having a booth at a fair, but I moved here last year, and I don't don't any of the "scenes" yet. Prairietransplant; any interest in sharing a booth once we figure out where these fairs are?  I make handbags, clothing, and crocheted slippers and hats mostly.  Please, Saskatoonians, help us! you're our only hope! -Lisa

[aliasgracie]

Well I hate to disappoint but besides the fringe there isn't anything around until October and the xmas ones start up again.  The one in the summer at the Mendel gallery is only open to members of the Craft Council and to be a member you have to be judged on your work. 

I wanted to started up one in the summer but I am to busy to organize.  Maybe we should unite and rent a seniors hall or something.  Have are own funky craft sale and beer night

[prairietransplant]

Thanks both fellow Saskatooners for your replies.  I'm disappointed there aren't more venues...but then again, I don't know if crafting is often a real moneymaker anyway. 

For the record, I did find this link from the Government of Saskatchewan on "Starting a Craft Business."  It says that I can order a listing of craft fairs from Tourism Saskatchewan for $10.  It sounds like it's not worth it, though?
http://www.cbsc.org/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=CBSC_SK%2Fdisplay&lang=en&cid=1102419629975&c=GuideHowto

Just finished an apron for my aunt's birthday, and am thinking I'll just stick to the gifting for now.  I'm too busy to organize too!
Need some other way to fund my fabric addiction...

[aliasgracie]

I have given up too.  I have wanted to try the Wilson's (Greenhouse) Craft Fair and there is the WDM if you want in on that start asking for a table in the spring!  The bad thing is that tables for these are around $100-$150, and I am a procrastinator!

[equisetaceae]

My mum used to do the craft circuit in SK for weaving, so don't give up! there's lots on the go in the summer,  just not alot specific to craft fairs.  If you were interested there's pretty much an event a weekend (sometimes two!) during the summer, it would be work, but you could contact each venue independently and set up a table at each.
ideas....
There's one craft fest, that i'm not sure if it still goes on in North Battleford at the beginning of the summer.  It's an agricultural fair that has booths and demos etc.. if i can remember the name I'll post again. Most small towns have agricultural fairs during the summer so if you're willing to drive a few hours, booths are usually cheap.  Now of course, the chance of selling things at a decent price is also less, since people in smaller towns are less likely to spend $$$ for handicrafts.  I know that sounds like a biased generalization, but that is just the sum of my mother's 20 year in the craft circuit.

river roar, dragon boats, jazz fest, taste of SK/Saskatoon, Shakespeare on the SK, the Ex, Canada Day in Diefenbaker Park, Folkfest ...etc. 

there's also the music festival up near meadow lake in the summer, whose name has completely left me.  Lots of fun- hippie-ish fest that definitely has craft table sales.  if you are willing to move around, there's lots of those around the province.

if you're interested, there's also lots in the fall/winter that i can tell you about. Including, specificly 'craft fairs'.

GOOD LUCK!

[zreekee]

There is the flea market held every Saturday in the old Aldleman building on 20th.

But those usually don't get you your money's worth as they are looking for sales.

For real craft fairs, I only know of Sundog.

[lisa_zacharias]

The Ness Creek Music Festival is coming up; July 19th.  I'm trying to get a booth there, but I would love to share with someone.  Anyone interested?  It's in Big River; check out more about it here:
http://www.nesscreek.com/

[aliasgracie]

Sorry lisa, I just got your message, I wonder why it is just showing up now... anyway.  I am teaching in the fall and the summer is a write off this year.  My thoughts were having one off broadway at the Cosmo seniors center (by the hose).  I wonder if a Winter one would fly? Late November?  Someone could sell goodies and hot chocolate.  I like to do handbags and little things. 

[lisa_zacharias]

I am IN for a november fair; we could do it on broadway maybe, and I LOVE the idea of hot chocolate and stuff.  Anybody else interested?  If we can get even 5-6 people, we can start looking into location, and city permission and stuff; I love it!! YAY!!