Glowing wood, reflective clothing, and more at Circle Craft Holiday Market, to November 15
Delicate bird jewellery, West Coast Cameos, and tiny crocheted pieces can be found amid 300-plus artisan booths
Corin Flood’s painted wooden bowls
Joanna Lovett sterling silver jewellery
C the People Visibility’s reflective Dragonfly vest
Circle Craft Holiday Market runs to November 15 at the Vancouver Convention Centre West
FROM DELICATE JEWELLERY to rustic pottery and wood-turned homewares, Circle Craft Holiday Market is showcasing well over 300 artists at Vancouver Convention Centre West through the weekend.
That makes it Western Canada’s largest holiday craft market, spanning apparel, jewellery, décor, ceramics, fine art, gourmet foods, craft spirits, and much more—including items that are as uncategorizable as they are unexpected. Think C Yarn Hut’s tiny knitted, crocheted, and amigurumi’d cameras, bunnies, lemon tarts, and ramen bowls. Or Janice Wu’s Hotties hot-water bottles in the shape of whimsical cactus characters and other shapes.
Elsewhere, wood craft is stronger than ever. Corin Wood serves up smartly painted maple bowls, while Jin Yong (Gene) Park makes intricate cutting boards that form boldly graphic patterns out of different colours of sturdy end-grain woods—maple, cherry, black walnut zig-zag across one style. And wait till you see artisan Jorge Izaza’s sculptural LED ambient table lamps, glowing, organic forms that feel utterly unique.
Glowing lights at the Circle Craft Holiday Market. Photo by Maya Pankalla
As ever, the jewellery selection is vast and original. Irit Sorokin sources semi-precious gemstones, metals, and findings from around the world—think Nepalese inlaid turquoise or antique coral—to create statement pieces that feel ancient and contemporary at the same time. West Coast Cameos reinterprets the iconic Victorian-era jewellery with images of towering cedars and squiggly jellyfish. And Joanna Lovett looks to birds for some of her dainty handmade necklaces in silver and rose gold, featuring baby owls, hummingbirds, chickadees, and a collection of nests—some with birds in them, and others holding three tiny eggs.
The selection if artisan fashion and wearable art offers up some of the most innovative finds. Cyclist commuters will love C the People Visibility’s Dragonfly and Crisscross vests with neon-yellow reflective fabric that looks cool and keep bike riders safe; Vancouver-bassed designer Susan Alexander also makes mod bike dresses that pull easily over bike shorts—a chic twist on the classic spandex cycling jersey, only in a technical-wool blend.
There's much more, all crafted here in B.C. and across Canada. Look for daily artist demos, festive music, and treats to fuel your shopping—and get the jump on gift season. 
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