Rene Trim: Talking to Heather Bryce from MAC FAIR

Her resumé lists her as Heather Bryce, English teacher at Immaculata High School, but most people know her as “Heather from MAC FAIR”. Five years ago, Heather decided it was time to lend a helping hand to the parents of some of her students who couldn’t afford to have their kids participate in certain school activities such as athletics and excursions.

Heather came up with the idea of organizing a craft fair that would involve the students while at the same time raising money for them. A wonderful idea with just one challenge: she knew nothing about craft fairs. Bryce recalls: “When we started running the event, I was desperately trying to find enough crafters to fill our tables, while at the same time begging students to come out and help.”

Things have changed significantly in five years: local crafters love being a part of MAC FAIR so filling tables is no longer an issue – nor is finding students to assist. Bryce: “Now I have kids approaching me in September and October to ask me if they can help with the fair. Many of the them already have their required Community Service hours; they’re just awesome kids who love to help out and really look forward to the event. What I see is that this event builds a sense of community and pride within the school. Artisans are thrilled to have help with unloading their vehicles. They often mention our “elves” as being a highlight of the day for them. Teens these days don’t get enough of that.” MAC FAIR is on this Saturday at Immaculata High School on Main Street from 10 am to 3 pm. Proceeds from the event go to 9 groups within the school community, whereas the admission ($1) supports the Christmas Hampers program for hungry families, as well as a charity in the Dominican Republic.

** ** ** Open House ** Congrats, you have survived Black Friday – which, in actual fact, should be referred to as “Black Long Weekend” as most stores start lowering their prices on Thursday and keep them in effect over the weekend – as well as Cyber Monday and Giving Tuesday! Time to reward yourself to a unique shopping experience: the 3

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annual Open House & Art Sale by artists Pam Cunningham (water colours and mosaic glass), Natasha Walsh (acrylics), Rosemary Driscoll (fusion glass), Catherine Timm (fabric artist) and Eva Gallagher (pottery). The location is 49 Lapierre Lane in Chapeau, QC , where the ladies will welcome you on Saturday, 6 December between 10 am and 4 pm. For more info please call (613) 585-6450

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“The Barn so Red” by Pam Cunningham , one of the participating artists in the Open House & Art Sale in Chapeau QC[/caption]

** What NOT to do at a craft show ** This week’s faux pas goes out to vendors who spend more time looking down at their cell phones than up at their (potential) customers. No matter how great your product is, you simply cannot expect people to show an interest in it if you don’t show an interest in them. Always acknowledge people who walk by your table with a smile and a simple “hi”. If they stop to look at what’s on your table, ask them if they are looking for something in particular or tell them a little bit about your work. When they seem interested in an item, pick it up and hand it to them; this will forge a bond between the customer (who is already interested) and the item, and more often than not it will persuade the person to pull out their wallet.

** Upcoming events ** ** ** Three weeks to go until Christmas and plenty of events that offer one-stop shopping this weekend! Here goes: ** “Gifts of Light” ** , a Christmas gift and bake sale featuring 20 local artisans, will be held Saturday 6 December from 10 am to 2 pm at the Kirkman House B & B on John Street South in Arnprior.

The Ottawa Farmers' Market kicks off its second indoor weekend at the Aberdeen Pavilion at Lansdowne on Saturday at 9 am. As yours truly found out last Sunday, parking is limited and your best bet is to drop off your vehicle at Brewer Park and hop on the free door-to-door shuttle bus that departs every 20-30 minutes.

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Joshua Tree Jewellery is one of the participating artisans at the Ottawa Farmers' Market this weekend.[/caption]

The Ottawa Mixed Media Artists' latest (and greatest!) show “Small Wonders III” is now up at the French Café in Manotick until March 30th. Go enjoy a lovely coffee, good food and great art! (Manotick Mews, 1160 Beaverwood Road)

Also in Manotick, Watson’s Mill Annual Christmas Market and Fine Art Sale is drawing to a close this weekend. They’re open Saturday and Sunday from 10 to 4 so don’t miss out on this lovely local event in a unique setting. Urban Craft returns to the Glebe Community Centre on 3rd Ave on Saturday for its 2014 Holiday Edition. The show features 50 indie & gourmet makers from Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal & beyond!

Although closed for the season, The Cumberland Farmers' Market returns one more time in 2014 for their annual Christmas Market. More than 60 local vendors will be featured in two locations: 1115 Dunning Road (hall A/B on the main floor and hall C on the 2nd floor) and 2557 Old Montreal Road (Church Hall of St. Andrew’s United Church). Open Saturday from 9 am to 4 pm.

Foodies can munch away at their heart’s delight at the Locavore Artisan Food Show this Sunday, December 7

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from 10 am until 3 pm at the Terry Fox Youth Centre on Gaspé Ave in the East End. 25 Local vendors await you with a large selection of edible delights!

Lastly, the Ottawa Tea Festival hits the Library and Archives Canada building on Wellington Street this weekend (opening hours are 11 am to 5 pm both Saturday and Sunday). This cultural event is a must for tea sippers who can enjoy live concerts and dance performances by artists from tea producing countries such as India and Indonesia. Needless to say there will be tea sampling as well as a marketplace where visitors can purchase tea related products and locally produced artisan foods.

That’s all for now - have a creative week, folks!