Craft Sales Everywhere!

Nunavut claims more artists per capita than anywhere else in the world (source).  I think part of it is the culture of self-sufficiency.  If you want something, you make it.  No one mass produces things the Inuit place the most value on: sealskin clothing and accessories, fur, Inuit-style parkas, jewelry made from carved bone, etc.  Also, winters are very long and very cold.  You need to do SOMETHING or you will go stir crazy.

Notice to craft sellers: sell here on
Wednesday afternoons only!

One of the unusual things about the culture here is that there are often people walking around trying to sell you things.  Its like being in Jamaica on holiday at the beach, where people walk up and try to sell you touristy trinkets--except these aren't touristy trinkets and you are not on a tropical beach.

At many local buildings, (the bank, grocery store, restaurants) local craftspeople will come in and wander about, hocking their wares.  Common items include art on canvas, art on paper, beaver-pelt mittens, carved stone sculptures, antler or bone earrings, sealskin pins and headbands, etc.  One government building I went into had put a sign up (see photo on the left) stating that artists are welcome to sell their wares on Wednesdays only, from 3:30pm to 4:30pm. (I guess it was getting disruptive.)

JJ and I went out for dinner one night a few weeks ago and the volume of sellers seemed higher than usual.  Over the course of dinner (about an hour tops) our table was approached by 12 people selling things.  That experience was extreme, usually its much less. (Other times we have gone out and not been approached by anyone.)

Last week we went out for breakfast at one of our usual haunts (and one of the few places in town that sells breakfast on a week-day morning). There was a man there selling his art on canvas, so I asked to take a look.  I found his pieces to be interesting and colorful (the typical Inuit colors of purple and turquoise), so I bought one.

Would you like art with your eggs?

In addition to wandering craft sellers, there are numerous craft shows throughout the year (though none rival the annual Chrismas Craft Show which will be getting its own post).  Thanksgiving weekend there was a craft fair at the Iqaluit Community Greenhouse.

Craft fair at the greenhouse!

Table for Victoria's Arctic Fashion displaying her beautiful parkas.

Coraline wants a sealskin headband like
her friends at school. This one has been dyed
red.

I may end up doing an entire post on "Victoria's Arctic Fashion" (see photos above which were taken at her table at the craft fair).  You can't go very far without seeing local people sporting one of her winter parkas around town. They are gorgeous and warm, with a fitted silhouette and trimmed with thick fur (plus or minus sealskin). Other items for sale at an Iqaluit craft fair include pelts and furs, carved bone jewelry, beaded jewelry, knitted items, and baked goods.

Embroidered cushions, and metal caribou ornaments.

Knitted items are hugely popular.

Coraline found two pony tail holders (one for her and one
for her BFF). On the left is lynx fur, on the right fox.

At another craft show in November we found a lot of baked goods.  The most interesting "baked goods" were Gourmet Narwhal Dog Treats. Ingredients: narwhal meat, flour, corn meal, honey, egg, baking power, vitamin C powder, and salt. We picked up a bag for Buffy.

She was very interested in the bag.
Will she enjoy eating narwhal?

The treat disappeared in a nanosecond.

Another way to pick up crafts is through Facebook.  I know I talk about Facebook frequently, but that's because Facebook works up here like nowhere else.  (A post on the role of Facebook in Iqaluit is coming.)  Everyone sells everything on the Iqaluit Sell/Swap group.  I picked up a hand-made table runner (embroidered beautifully) and the coolest painted Christmas tree ornaments made from dried gourds.

In my best Ross Gellar voice: Could these BE any cuter?

I bought the one on the left.

Remembrance Day sealskin poppies.

I've chosen mainly to focus on crafts in this post, but art really is everywhere.  There are local authors, musicians, throat singers, sculptors, jewellers, fashion designers, and carvers.  Then there are specialty items made mostly by elders (or those trained by elders), such as kamiks and amautis. I'll try to hone in more closely on each of those in future posts.

Up next: OMG guys I have so many posts to share! I don't know where to start!  Maybe the one about the post office (sounds lame, but really it isn't), or the post about all the rock carvings downtown, or the one about the movie theatre........Tune in next time to find out!