A new craft fair is quietly building itself up for its first event next month and its creator is reaching out to local artists and artisans to sign up for vendor booths.
Amy Roy Gratton is the organizer behind the Ardent Sparrow Craft Sale. It’s designed as a small event that hopes to appeal to small-time craft makers who want to test the waters to see if they can make a go of it in larger marketplaces.
“Craft sales are so expensive!” she exclaimed, elaborating that the Butterdome Craft Sale costs $1,100 per booth, she added, while a cheaper booth is only $880 “if you want a smaller booth in the back corner.” The Royal Bison is $70 to $110 for tables while the St. Albert Farmers’ Market charges $55 per stall.
“Do I want to invest that money in case I don’t sell anything? No. By doing it in a community league, I’m only charging $30 a table and I’m inviting people like me who don’t make a living out of it but just want to take it to the next step, just to try and see … without risk.”
Roy Gratton explained the meaning of the name of the sale. “Ardent means enthusiastic and passionate and sparrow is an Alberta bird that makes indestructible nests out of mud.” That’s fitting as she is a rather crafty type herself. She has spent several years working on her collection of purses and handbags, a line that she calls BEABS: Bags to End All Bags.
“That was way before Justin Bieber was cool, just for the record,” she clarified.
This sale is a bit of a dream for her, something that has been brewing for quite a while.
“I’ve wanted to do it a long, long time.”
The Ardent Sparrow Craft Sale is set for Nov. 16 at the Woodcroft Community Hall located at 13915 115 Avenue. The deadline to apply for a vendor table is Oct. 10. There are still several openings left. She is appealing specifically to the diverse craftspeople and artists in this city, especially as the St. Albert Farmers’ Market comes to a close next Saturday. She’s looking to put a strong mix of goods up for sale at the event.
“The point is to keep it local and St. Albert’s artists are the perfect addition to the craft fair.”
To find out more, contact the organizer at [email protected] or 780-492-0498 (before 4 p.m.) or text 780-974-6959 (after 7 p.m.)
She is also hoping to enlist volunteers who, she promised, would get first peek at the sale before it opens.
People can learn more and see a list of vendors at amyroy8.wix.com/theardentsparrow.
