Those looking for gift inspiration this season would do well to take a visit to Deep Cove this Saturday, where a new annual winter market showcasing local crafts will be setting up shop.
The market, located at the Bridge Church, will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will see more than 35 vendors showcase their artisan wares. Emerging and established artists will join food vendors and drink stalls, with butchers and bakers and candle (wax) makers set to please the crowds.
“There will be a lot of high-end pieces of pottery and jewelry,” said Marcia Garries, the market’s creator. "There’s some health products too, and there will be candles, woodworking and even charcuterie."
As a resident of Deep Cove for more than six decades, retired teacher turned event organizer Garries knows the area, the community, and the local creatives better than any North Shore devotee. She put together the market, with a little help from family and friends, to shine a light on those artists and creatives she has long championed.
“The idea was to get together and bring our local artisans into the spotlight. Deep Cove is an area pretty rich with with talent and skill,” she said.
Market goers can expect to see local businesses like nature-inspired jewelry maker Dancing Leaf Design, canvas painter Flowing From Grace, Métis bead artist Boulier Beads, and ceramicist Wild Heart Wheel Works. The Deep Cove Lions Club will be onsite with lunch offerings and hot chocolate, while the market’s sponsor Cedar Springs PARC will be serving up Moja coffee brews.
While the offerings are “high-end,” Garrie assures there is something for everyone, with prices varying from “$30 to $300,” and all proceeds from the non-profit event going towards a local charity.
There will even be opportunity to support the next generation of artists at the junior makers corner, where students from local schools will be selling their hand-crafted creations and designs.
Garrie said the interest is so strong – from vendors and the community alike – that there are already talks of running a spring iteration of the market next season.
“We’re already getting rave reviews just through the general community,” she said. “More than 200 tickets have already sold. It started out as this little idea and it’s just blown up into something huge, it’s great.”
When: Nov. 19, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.
Where: Bridge Church, 1384 Deep Cove Road.
Cost: $5, purchased via the market’s website. Each ticket will be entered to win door prizes valued at more than $500.
Mina Kerr-Lazenby is the North Shore News' Indigenous and civic affairs reporter. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.
