The Art Market was relocated to inside Eau Claire mall this year due to the flood damage to Prince’s Island Park. We at Notable have a soft spot for local artisans and went to check out their digs for 2013 during this year’s Folk Fest.
While most don’t expect the relocation to become their permanent temporary home, the artisans were overall positive about the space. Also, when it rains during Folk Fest, there’s no need to worry about protecting your crafts from the elements. While the feeling of grass under the merchants’ feet was sorely missed this year, the Art Market also benefited from their relocation, as it was open to more than just Folk Festers. As Eau Clare is open to the public, traffic included attendees of the Franco Festival Calgary and other passersby.
While most artisans reported lower sales this year, some were on par with prior years and all were glad the show went on a short time after the Flood of 2013.
We’ve rounded up some of the notable merchants from this year’s market:
CMBPrintWorks
From Edmonton, AB
Caitlin Bodewitz uses the medium of silkscreen to explore concepts of natural elements versus imposed environments. Materials involve everything from paper, sheet music, old vinyl records, barn wood, old doors, and windows. Read: graffiti trees silkscreened on an old record. Super rad Albertan art for your pad.
Raven Mountain
From Golden, BC
Raven Mountain offers high quality one-of-a-kind wearable art. She specializes in leather moccasins, tooled corset, and belts. Raven Mountain’s corsets and accessories are made using an incorporation of traditional leather techniques, with a modern twist in the imagery.
Winston & Fidel
From Calgary, AB
Authentic hand-crafted cigar box guitars. So cool.
Alberta Fine Leathers
From Calgary, AB
A distinct collection of high quality leather goods, available in distressed (buffalo) leather or black (cowhide). They’ve got wicked duffle bags that are perfect for a weekend trip to Banff or wherever your travels take you.
Majesty Industries
From Edmonton, AB
Julie Morrison’s vegan-friendly bags and wallets are super rad. A gold glitter mustache keychain and a Lincoln Screenprint Travel Wallet is the perfect combo for your bestie’s birthday present. Find them on Etsy here.
Sylvan Temple Drums
From Errington, BC
Canadian Freestyle Handmade Drums look as beautiful as they sound. SylvanTemple salvages Aldar, Maple, Arbutus, Cypress, Yew, Oak and other kinds of beautiful wood from various burn and industrial waste sites on Vancouver Island, BC.
STASH
From Calgary, AB
The needle art lounge in Inglewood (Woodstone Studios, #1B 1215 13th Street SE, Calgary, AB) was on hand at the Art Market with yarns, accessories, knitting bowls and woolygigs. Check out their shop and sign up for a class. STASH Lounge is the place to knit, crochet, sew, or just get your craft on.
