THUNDER BAY - From flowers made out of wood to hand-made Indigenous crafts, there is something every mother will love at the annual Mother’s Day Arts, Crafts and Vendors show.
Now in its 10th year, the annual craft show is being held at Victoriaville Mall from May 6 to 10.
“It brings in Indigenous artists, crafters, and local artisans from around Northwestern Ontario and beyond, so it’s a good time to come in and buy something for mom,” said Victoriaville manager, Brian Phillips.
“We have a lot of the Indigenous artisans who come in from all over Northwestern Ontario with their unique crafts, moccasins, gloves, and slippers, so it’s kind of unique to Victoriaville. They come twice a year, so if you miss them at Christmas, you can catch them here for Mother’s day.”
Patti Newmen, a Mi’kmaq woman originally from Newfoundland, runs her home-based business White Owl Unique Crafts where she sells handmade earrings, medicine wheels, bags, beads, pouches, necklaces, drum bags, and dresses and shawls.
She said she enjoys the opportunity to share Indigenous culture with other people through her products and she always sees success from the arts and crafts show at Victoriaville.
“It’s the best benefit to it because it gets more people to come out and look at the products,” she said.
David Bachynski of Wooden Roses also sees success every year during the annual show because everyone always buys mom some flowers for Mother’s Day, but his flowers will last a lot longer.
“They are hand crafted, made out of birch wood and the paint is water coloured based and they are scent free, so they are great for hospitals, homes, offices,” he said. “They last a long time and I always have a joke that when the flower wilts and the leaves fall off, you just glue them back on.”
“Homemade gifts give that much more sentimental value and it shows that you care a little more than just going to the big box retailers,” Phillips added. “Victoriaville prides itself on being family orientated and for the community, so this art show really sets that tone.”
The Mother’s Day Arts, Crafts, and Vendors Show will be held at Victoriaville Mall from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. until May 10. There will also be changes to the vendors on each day, so Phillips said it is worthwhile to come down more than one day.
