Fall kicks off with mall craft show

Betty Thompson stands at her table, filled with handmade clothing for babies. Photo by Martin Irvine

By Martin Irvine

BELLEVILLE – Local artists and artisans will got an opportunity to sell their arts and crafts during an annual show held at Quinte Mall last week.

It isn’t the first time an event like this has been organized at the mall. A craft show was held last February, and a Christmas one will begin in early November. These shows always try to feature local artisans as well as exhibitors from out of town.

Betty Thompson, who is from Oshawa, knits clothing and blankets for babies and says she visits the Quinte Mall twice a year.

“I get a lot of repeat customers, and they know when I’m coming and they’re waiting for me when I get here,” she says.

As she talks, she’s knitting something. It’s unclear what it could turn out to be.

Thompson says she has come to these craft shows for the past four years, and says there is a lot of foot traffic.

“People always love handmade things, and there will always be more babies,” she says. “People come from all over.”

She says she likes the mall, and adds that her favourite part of the craft fair is hard to choose – but it’s a toss up between the sewing and the people.

Jamie Boyer, who sells pillows and aromatherapy jars, says, “dealing with the public is just like opening a box of chocolates – you never know what you get.”

Like Thompson, Boyer says one of his favourite parts of the business is the people. Koichi Minami is selling handmade lamps and says his favourite part of the job is bringing joy to people.

The craft shows are overseen by a company that organizes them. Sellers follow the craft shows – wherever the organizer goes, they go. They say it’s an easier way to discover places where they can sell their wares. It’s also an easy way to meet new people and make new customers.

Despite putting out an ad calling for local crafters and artisans, however, the fall craft show was lacking in a local presence. Business owners came from Oshawa, Stayner, and even as far as Montreal, but, as of Tuesday, no one from Belleville has set up shop.