Jennifer Riddel finds inspiration and materials for her jewelry from nature, on walks around the Fairfield area.
“Beacon Hill Park is basically my backyard, so I’m there a lot,” said Ridell, 36, who picks up acorn hats and bits of bark and driftwood to incorporate with metals and stones for her handmade line.
“I don’t make the same thing over and over. I need to be constantly inspired. That’s the inspiration for my [business] name Wandering Hive.”
Riddel is one of the organizers and designers whose work will be featured this weekend at Craft Cartel in Vic West, a curated craft fair for locally made and design enthusiasts with plenty of Instagram-ready wares.
There are many craft fairs leading up to Christmas, but Ridell said this one, and several others over the next few weeks, are a departure from the traditional crochet and candles.
Designers like herself, who create fashion, housewares and foodstuffs, take part in the markets to connect with customers and each other.
“I really like having that connection with the people who are buying my work and finding homes for my work,” said Riddel, who works full-time for the provincial government and only sells in markets and stores.
Paige Coull is a full-time potter who runs Blackbird Studios and is a co-organizer of Craft Cartel, which she describes as “a really cool indie-arts market.”
Coull said this year marks the fifth for the fair, whose popularity is due in large part to the atmosphere — local beer and live music — as well as a swag-bag giveaway.
She said this fair and others she’s part of around town came about because designers and artists wanted to put a fun spin on the craft-fair circuit.
Many designers sell online and in some boutiques, but enjoy the social aspect of the fairs, said Coull, who gets most of her sales from Instagram posts that link to her website.
Out of Hand is one of the city’s biggest and longest-running annual craft fairs that attracts a range of artists and designers each year. Vancouver fashion designer Melissa Ferreira will bring her Adhesif clothing line, which was started in 2000 with vintage and reclaimed textiles.
“Not only are craft fairs our most lucrative form of business, they’re also a way for us to meet our clients, both old and new, face to face and share the stories associated with each of our individual pieces,” said Ferreira, 36, who sources materials and designs two collections a year, with staff helping with the sewing.
“People love our story and we also get a chance to discuss our role in the slow-fashion movement, as well as the benefits of shopping brands who support sustainable practices.”
Design and craft fair picks
Winter Market
When: Thursday, Nov. 23, through Sunday, Nov. 26, free
Where: The Spencer Mansion at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, 1040 Moss St.
Why: Handcrafted wares and gifts by local artists, live music by Sierra Lundy and Jon Middleton on Thursday night and it’s in a cool heritage mansion inside an art gallery.
Craft Cartel
When: Friday, Nov. 24, 5 to 9 p.m., and Saturday, Nov. 25, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., $4
Where: Leonardo Da Vinci Centre, 195 Bay St.
Why: Tons of trendy fashion, arts and crafts. Beer, food trucks and live music, along with 150 swag-bag giveaways.
Out of Hand
When: Friday, Nov. 24, to Sunday, Nov. 26, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m./6 p.m./4:30 p.m., $2/9
Where: Victoria Conference Centre, 720 Douglas St.
Why: This is the 29th year for the fair, which has a huge list and range of exhibitors, with interesting food and drink — including wineries and distilleries.
Owl Designer Fair
When: Friday, Dec. 1, 6-10 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 2, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., $4
Where: Fernwood Community Centre, 1240 Gladstone Ave.
Why: This hugely popular fair features an all-local lineup of fashion, accessories, housewares, kid stuff and art. The free craft workshops are also a hit.