The Charles Dickens Christmas Craft Faire is the first major craft fair in the Comox Valley each autumn.
This successful Faire in its 19th year has become a tradition in the Valley as shoppers have the opportunity to do their Christmas shopping early in a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere filled with the sights and smells of Christmas. The Faire offers two floors of outstanding arts and crafts.
Organizers have lined up an exceptional variety of quality, handcrafted gifts made by over 60 well-known artists and crafters. As well as many sought-after favourite crafters and artisans who have been with the show in previous years, shoppers will discover 20 newcomers this year.
For that nature lover on your list, be sure to check out the fine selection of Comox Valley scenery photography, cards, and calendars from award-winning photographers. There will be artists with their artwork and mixed media.
Bobbie Momsen with her feather paintings and featured artist Jennifer Scott can be found upstairs. Gwen Monnet with her children’s art is in the lower lobby.
Also expect to see a great variety of wood including intarsia from A Crafty Couple, cedar furniture from Bloomfield Flats, crib boards from Riddle Woodworking and painted wooden ornaments from Chris Kupiak. The show will feature a range of different beauty and bath products, soaps, lotions and organic essential oils, bath minerals and gifts of relaxation.
Back again this year is the popular Schoolhouse Quilters Guild with exquisite quilted items. New this year is the group Eclectic Fibers, weavers and spinners on the stage upstairs. Also on the stage is last year’s featured artist Steve Williamson, a local award-winning wildlife photographer.
And whether you are shopping for children or an avid toy collector, look forward to the selection of novelty toy art, Santas, puppets from Give a Little Giggle, and beautiful teddy bears from Dianne’s Crafts. The Faire will feature a wide range of handcrafted apparel, woven and felted, clothing for children and adults and a great selection of home décor items like table runners, aprons, tea cosies, and baby items from Doodlebaby and Nightie Nite Naturals.
There will be a beautiful selection of handcrafted jewelry.
For the avid cook, there will be cranberry preserves, condiments and sauces produced locally by Cranberry Mama, flavoured vinegars, chutneys, spices and Artisan Focaccia from Fabulous Focaccia, jams, jellies, gourmet specialty foods, teas from Wild Harvest Native Teas and British desserts from Island Highlander and hand-made chocolates and truffles from Dark Side Chocolates and for that sweet tooth, hand-made fudge from Garibaldi Fudge Company.
On Friday, members of the Co-Val Choristers will sell tickets to their production of Les Miserables. You can find them in the Evergreen Seniors' Lounge from 3 to 8 p.m.
At the Faire this year, YANA (You Are Not Alone) will be there with their Christmas crackers for sale. YANA volunteers will be in the Evergreen Seniors' Lounge from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 10 to 4 on Sunday.
The Faire is open this Friday from 3 to 8 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Florence Filberg Centre is wheelchair-accessible and there is free parking. For more information, phone 250-339-9891, e-mail dickens.faire@gmail.com or visit www.dickenschristmascraftfair.com.
— Charles Dickens Christmas Craft Faire