This year’s Spruce Bog Craft Fair features a wide array of crafts, from quilts that mirror paintings, to paintings that mirror nature, to knit designs that are seen in current fashion, or to locally-made gourmet coffee

Spruce Bog. Two inspiring and motivational words that bring back many pleasant memories, both of crafting and shopping; they evoke a sense of excitement in so many Yukoners who have an appreciation for the incredible talent and variety of our northern artisans. Many local craftspeople—quilters, sewers, candlemakers, weavers, painters, beaders, bakers and countless others—are preparing their giftwares to display creatively, while masses of Christmas shoppers are eagerly preparing their lists and checking them twice.

This year, the Yukon Craft Society (YCS) will be hosting the 43rd annual Spruce Bog, truly a Whitehorse Christmas tradition. There has been tremendous growth in this organization over the years, both in terms of membership and in the size and number of events hosted. Over the past year, there have been many changes in the structure of the YCS. There is a new board of seven directors, with more coming to lighten the workload. They have spent many hours working as a group, brainstorming new ideas and then working on the distribution of the myriad tasks that will make this year’s Spruce Bog and other events even better.

Sheila Matechuk is the marketing spokesperson of the board. She is a native Yukoner, returning to Whitehorse after more than 25 years of experience in the advertising and digital marketing field in Vancouver and California. She helped Jolie Patterson, a Spruce Bog vendor and graphic designer, to revise the logo that has been familiar, for many years, and to create a new Spruce Bog website to make it easier for vendors. The Facebook and Instagram pages have also been updated.

As Sheila said, “People want a story to go with buying locally-produced gifts—gifts with a northern flair, gifts that can’t be bought elsewhere.” The items at Spruce Bog are true originals, handcrafted with love and care, definitely different than what’s found in traditional box stores. The sale is held early in the Christmas shopping season, so there is plenty of time to get your precious parcels ready for shipping.

The YCS board is excited to announce that this year’s Spruce Bog will be held on Sunday November 18 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Kwanlin Dűn Cultural Centre, using every meeting room. Doors will open at 10:30 a.m. for seniors and for those with mobility issues. The new location will be easier for both vendors and shoppers, with much more space, better parking, accessibility for those walking downtown, and better lighting.

There will be an astounding 76 vendors present this year, with an amazing diversity in products for your Christmas giving: First Nations art, moccasins, cards, quilting, knitting, wood products, photography, baking, dog coats, sweaters and other fur-baby treats, rope baskets, wool dryer balls, jewelry, candles, paper crafts and decorations, to name just a few. More male products than just beard oil are available this year, such as fishing lures and hooks. And, of course, there will be a plentiful supply of cards and stocking stuffers of all kinds.

The industrious vendors have been working hard on their booths, again, with much attention to aesthetics and accessibility, to create displays that look professional, attractive and appealing, to entice shoppers. There will be something for everyone on your list, with prices for the size of just about every budget and pocketbook.

You can even win big prizes this year. The board will be giving the faithful Cadets, who have volunteered at Spruce Bog every year, punch cards to hand out to shoppers to take to each vendor. When the card is full, it can be entered into a draw to win gift certificates each of $50, $75 and a grand prize of $100 to spend at the Spruce Bog boutique in the Whitehorse Westmark Hotel. This year’s event will be held from December 7 to 22.

For more information, check out the Spruce Bog website, www.sprucebog.com.

Come have a look … You’re sure to find some gifts here.

Twelve days of holiday cheer

 


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