Iqaluit Christmas Craft Show

Yes, I've talked about craft shows before. There are always crafts and art to be found in Iqaluit. The Christmas Craft show, however, is something special.  I first heard about it last fall when JJ and I were up visiting in November.  "Drat", a person would say to us. "Too bad you won't be here for the Christmas craft show."  It got me thinking, just what IS the Christmas craft show?  And what is so special about it?

First off, its HUGE.  The high school holds the Christmas Craft show as a fundraiser for the graduating class every year.  They make money on the tables being rented, and on the $2 entry fee everyone pays to get in.  This year tables sold out early.  Crafters who missed out were begging on Facebook to share half of someone else's table, even offering to pay for the whole table if they could share.  Artists and crafters make things all year specifically for this craft show. After hearing so much buzz about it, my mother actually planned her visit back up to Iqaluit around the date of the Christmas Craft Show.  It was announced months ago, back when we booked her flight. 

On Saturday, December 2nd, the craft show was scheduled to start at 11am.  We decided to follow the advice of locals and get there an hour early.  When we got there we went into the main doors and were immediately turned away.  "The line is at the door around the corner", said a friendly woman helping to set up.  We walked to the other door and found this:

Line-up at 10am for craft show.

This was a first for me.  All those chairs had been arranged specifically for people waiting to get in. And we weren't the first by far.  One third of those seats were already taken. We settled in and got comfortable for our one hour wait.

The view from where we were sitting toward the
back of the hallway.

The same view 20 minutes later.

By 10:30 all the seats were taken and there was standing room only.  By 10:45 we heard that the line stretched outside the building halfway to the main road.  (The parking lot had been completely full by 10:15.)  JJ reported that when he drove Captain Jack to hockey at 11am there were cars parked along both sides of the road causing a traffic jam.  It took him nearly 7 minutes just to drive past the building.

As my mother and I sat there waiting, I perused Facebook on my phone.  People setting up were posting photos from inside the craft show as teasers on the site. "Psst!", said the woman next to me. "The best crafts are in the gymnasium!"  The people in the waiting area/line up spot were anxious and excited, but also Canadian--so it was very quiet, friendly, and respectful.  No one tried to butt-in, or race ahead of the line, etc.  No one complained about the wait.

A teaser from Facebook for those of us in line.

And another teaser showing us vendors setting up.

Finally, at 10:59, there was an announcement over the high school's public address system: "Good morning everyone! The craft show doors will be opening in one minute.  Vendors, you have one minute to have your tables ready. Merry Shopping and Happy Spending!"  This was one serious craft show. Exactly one minute later the doors opened and everyone shuffled in, in a very orderly, polite fashion.

There were 3 large areas of vendors: the school cafeteria, the gymnasium, and the tisi (a "tisi" is an Inuit gathering area that can be used for multiple purposes. At the high school it is a large, sunken space with a stage in one corner.)  There were well over 100 tables of items ranging from sealskin mittens to jewelry to Christmas ornaments.  If the shopping got to be a bit too much you could take a break with warm bowl of chilli or caribou stew.

Hand-made sterling silver jewelry next to paintings.

Ulu

Halfway through the craft show there was another Facebook post.
Craft Show happening now!

Sealskin mittens (edged with fox fur).

More jewelry.

Mom and I made sure we saw everything.  Baked goods, candles, craft supplies, aprons, knitwear, books from local authors, imported cheeses, narwhal dog treats, photography, etc. It was fantastic, but also stressful.  There was no time for pondering about a gift, or walking away to "think about it".  If you saw something you liked, and didn't buy it, chances are it would be gone within minutes.  After only an hour some vendors had packed up and left, having sold out of whatever goods they brought.  Most items such as jewelry, clothing, and Christmas ornaments had Inuit designs on them like ulu's or qamotiiks. There were amautis for sale too! (If you don't know what those are, go to my previous post here.)

Possibly even more fun than the shopping (at least for me), was the people-watching.  Chubby little Inuit toddlers were running around, and tiny babies nestled into amautis.  There were kamiks (Inuit boots) everywhere, sealskin parkas, and enormous fox fur-lined hoods.

After a day of shopping this is what we brought home:

No idea what these guys are: owls, maybe? Made of sealskin
and SO CUTE.

Toy seal made of sealskin.  Ironic?

Another seal in black.

Dyed sealskin holly pins.  The fur is arctic fox.

Stretched leather left over from making
traditional drums, made into miniature faux sealskin
Christmas ornament.

Wolf teeth earrings.

Walrus tusk ivory earrings. The ivory is carved
 into the shape of Greenland (which is close by,
lots of people have family there).

The craft show was fantastic.  I'm exhausted.  I'm glad this craft show only comes once a year.  The next big one is apparently in April, during the spring celebration known as Toonik Tyme. During Toonik Tyme many artists from outlying communities like Cape Dorset, Pangnirtung, and Kimmirut come to the "big city" to sell paintings and other art. 

Up next: JJ's post is finally done! Check back Monday to read about his trip to Kimmirut, when you'll discover what its like to work in and visit an arctic community of four hundred people.