Celebrating local artisans in a seasonal pop-up shop downtown

 

There are many very talented individuals here in Whitecourt, who spend hours perfecting their crafts and creating all kinds of different, and unique products.  Thanks to a new temporary venture, local artists have an opportunity to reach the community in a way they might not have otherwise.  Located beside Whitecourt Stationary, in the blue and white building, the Christmas Pop Up Shop is filled with art and products made by local artisans.

“Dina and I both have had businesses for a long time and are very into promoting things that people themselves are creating.  There are so many people in the area that create things, and don’t necessarily have outlets, because people don’t know they are here” explained Shawnna Knight-Iggulden, who co-owns the pop-up with Dina Elliott.

Currently the store has 16 different artists, showcased in four rooms, and are quick to point out that new things are coming in all the time as different artists join in and current ones bring in new stock.  “It will constantly change in here” said Shawnna.

Open until Dec 23, the space is very unique as there isn’t one style, or one type of product.  It’s a literal smorgasbord of awesome!  For an example, you can find candles, teas, cookies, jewellery, incense, pottery, wire art, soap, creams, oils, wooden signs and much, much more.  Dina says that the store has been very well received by the community.  “It’s been very popular, and everyone likes that it’s locally-made, and handcrafted.  We have some things from Ontario, but it’s all Canadian-made but mostly its locally made here in Whitecourt.”

The 16 artisans on display as of this writing are:  The Earth Nook & Co, Twig & Spoke, Wild and Free, Ethics, Made with Love by Gabrielle, Karen Rhebergen Pottery, Kindred Wolf, Jezlynn Jones Soaps & Twisted Art, Grandma Darling Linens, Body & Bones (Corry Pepper Pottery), Manipura Pillows, Cavell Designs, Tracey McKinnon Trigger Point, Samantha Ayles (A little piece of De East), Holly Herbals and Linda Mitchell Photography.  There are also two artists from Ontario as mentioned and they are Two Friends Chocolates and Silver Hells Metal Art.

Another of the local artists to mention, also happens to be the youngest.  Emmersyn’s Pretties, are bracelets made by Dina’s 4-year-old granddaughter, and are part of a fundraiser raising money for the Stollery in Edmonton.  “Her dad, my son-in-law, has had five open heart surgeries, four of which were at the Stollery.  With the raised money, they will be delivering gifts to kids who have had open heart surgery” said Dina, smiling with pride.

Both Dina and Shawnna are contemplating doing another pop up in the spring and continuing the business as an event that occurs twice each year.  Any local artisans who are interested in joining the fun are invited to pop by the store during open hours, Tuesday-Friday 11-6 and Saturday 12-5.  “To give a gift that’s very unique, and you can say, that was made here, I picked this for you.  That’s special!  These items were made with love by local people and are given with love by you” said Shawnna.