Artisans offer an eclectic array of wares

With the festive season about a month away when the event takes place each year, many people take advantage of the opportunity to stock up on decorative items for Christmas.

Last Saturday and Sunday, the main auditorium of Victoria Hall was alive with some early Christmas spirit, as the annual exhibition got underway, featuring some of the best creations by artisans from Westmount and nearby.

Flora-Lee Wagner, who has been organizing the festival in recent years along with Ilyse Segal, said there were 88 applications from artisans this year for the 34 places available. The selection was made by a jury last May. There were nine new artisans from various disciplines, including pottery and textiles.

"People are saying it's the best show we ever had," Segal said.

"It's very busy," said Wagner, noting the café on the Victoria Hall stage was doing a lot of business. "People can come in and sit down. Even if they don't eat, they can have a coffee and sit there and enjoy. Being on the stage they can see everything else that's going on."

Annie Legroulx, at her booth in a coveted spot opposite the hall's front entrance, had a display of colourfully hand-painted bicycle bells that retailed for $20. Some, made to look like cupcakes with shiny enamel white icing and a red cherry on top, looked so scrumptious that it was tempting to take a bite. "All the paints are baked to make them resistant," she pointed out.

Truus Roest-Chapman, a ceramist from NDG, was showing off her wares created using the Japanese ceramic technique known as raku. "They're all one-of-a-kind unique pieces and I make my own glazes and my own designs," she said. Part of the work involved is done in her home studio, while another more complex stage has to be completed elsewhere. The final product is known for its unique look and texture.

Barry Gaiptman, an expert in collectible coins, had developed an interesting sideline to his usual interest — crafting pendants and other types of jewelry out of silver dollars and large copper coins. "We take a coin and we cut out the field where there's no design," he said. The principle design is then left attached to the rim. He also creates miniature jigsaw puzzles from coins.

Celine Armstrong, a de Maisonneuve Boulevard resident who creates accessory items for dogs, was inspired by Stella, her pet bulldog, to launch her Big Girl brand. "People are investing on accessories and toys and beds and clothing for dogs," she said, commenting on the phenomenon. "Westmount is a very dog-friendly neighbourhood so I thought I'd tap into that."