Tag: Immaculata High School

It’s MAC time again!

Once again, we’re heading in to one of our favourite Ottawa shows: the MAC Fair.  Clear your schedule this Saturday, December 3rd, because Drakestail Jewellery, along with over 100 other local makers, will be showcasing our fabulous wares.  MAC Fair is strictly handmade, and there’s definitely something for everyone on your Christmas list.

mac-fair-2017

10 Questions with Heather Bryce: MAC Fair

MAC Fair, my first craft fair of 2015, is coming up in less than a week, and I wanted to learn some new tidbits about this fantastic show.  It’s one of my favourites, and one of the best in the Ottawa area.  I love how well it’s organized, so I went to the organizer, Heather Bryce, and asked her a few questions.

 

1. How long have you been involved in MAC Fair?
It’s been five years since we started with the Christmas event, and this is our third Mother’s Day event.

2. When do you start planning for the Fair?
I’ll take a month off after this one, and then jurying for Christmas happens in June.  The heavy work starts up again in September till December.  For our spring fair, jurying is in February.  It takes about 9 months of the year in total.

3. How many volunteers are involved?
That depends – we had 8 students groups benefitting from our Christmas event – so roughly 80-90 students, our Mother’s Day event is a bit smaller and we have 4 groups benefitting – so about 40 – 50 students.  There are also about half a dozen other staff who help with setup and are there on event day.

4. What is your favourite aspect of the Fair?
I love seeing out students step up and help out, and the way that they interact with the guests and artisans.  I love hearing our guests and artisans rave about our great kids here at MAC!

5. What is the most challenging aspect of organizing MAC Fair?
Not buying everything!  Being part of the selection process, and then promoting the artisans year year round, I am constantly looking at fantastic handmade items.
About a week before each week, I can’t sleep because my head is swimming with details and when I do sleep, I have nightmares about nobody showing up, or event day coming and realizing that I haven’t set anything up.

6. Share a favourite story/anectode about a past Fair.
It was on my mom’s bucket list to make it out to MAC FAIR, (she lives out of town) and she finally made it here last Christmas. I had shared with the artisans that this needed to be our best event yet, and it was heartwarming to see how many of them made the effort to introduce themselves to “Heather’s mom.”
For our first two events, I lost my voice, and now for a couple of weeks before each event, I get emails from our veteran artisans teasing me and asking if I still have a voice!

7. What’s one thing that people should know about the Fair that they may not already know?
That when it started, I knew absolutely nothing about craft fairs, and that is has grown and expanded through listening to the feedback and suggestions from the artisans who really know their stuff.  Our goal is not just to raise funds with this event, we want to ensure that it is profitable for our artisans and becomes one of their favourite events to attend, and that our customers feel the same way.  We try to really think about the needs of everyone involved.

8. What’s new for the 2015 edition of MAC Fair: Bloom?
We are having a DEMO TABLE, where our artisans are running mini-seminars on their craft.  Some will be run as an info session, and others will be hands-on where you’ll actually make something under their guidance.  We’re pretty excited about it!

9. If the sky were the limit, what would you add to the Fair?
A bouncy castle, a traditional high tea for Mother’s Day and a huge light in the sky like the bat signal!

10. How do you see MAC Fair evolving in the future?
It’s becoming a pretty well-oiled machine.  I hope it will become a top choice for local artisans.

I hope you enjoyed that peek into the MAC Fair!  Visit the Fair on May 9th, 2015, and pick up a unique and handmade gift for Mother’s Day, or splurge on yourself.  I look forward to seeing you there!
-Robyn
MAC Fair Poster

Christmas Craft Fair Season and a Fundraiser

This past Saturday I was at the Heart, Home, and Handmade Indie Craft Fair. Located at the gorgeous Glebe Community Centre, there were over 50 vendors and I had a lovely time looking around and picking up a couple Christmas presents. I even had a lovely visit from a friend I hadn’t seen in a while.

Drakestail at Heart Home and Handmade Indie Craft FairI have only one more show until Christmas. I’ll be at the MAC Fair on December 6th. Regular readers and fans will recognize the name – I’ve participated in the MAC Fair Craft Fair at Immaculata High School for a couple years now, and it’s one of my favourites. It’ll be spectacular again, with over a hundred vendors, all local artists, artisans, and bakers. I always end up buying lots of gifts, and I’m counting on clearing off most of my list there.  🙂  I’m looking forward to closing out the Christmas craft fair season with a bang, so come by and check it out!

In other news, a local dog rescue, Sit With Me, is holding an online silent auction to raise funds. I’ve donated a necklace (you might recognize it as Day 74 from the 100 Day Challenge), and encourage you to visit the auction and make a bid or two. There’s quite a variety of items up for grabs, and it’s for a fantastic cause.

Sit With Me shelter dog rescue-Robyn

MAC Fair: BLOOM Edition – A Review

It has taken a few days to recover, but I had a fantastic time at the MAC Fair last Saturday.

The MAC Fair takes place at Immaculata High School.  I got there bright and early, and when I pulled up to the door, student volunteers unloaded my car and took all my gear right to my table. (This is one of my favourite parts of the show, the awesome support from the student volunteers.)  I parked, found my table, and got set up.  Meanwhile, more students were grilling up a pancake breakfast, which was very tasty!

There was a steady stream of visitors through the day, especially considering how bright and sunny the weather was outside.  The show was well advertised, and Heather Bryce, the main organizer, even appeared on CTV Morning Live and Rogers.

Happily, I was neighbour once again to Carolyn of Maiden Star.  We ended up with some great neighbours to either side of ourselves, and the room was full of a wonderful mix of vendors.  I didn’t leave empty-handed, getting some gifts and a little treat for myself.  I love to buy local and buy handmade as much as possible, and these shows are a great opportunity to do just that.

So, a great big thank you to the organizers, to everyone who came out to shop and spend the day, and especially to the volunteers who helped keep everything running so smoothly.  I had a wonderful time, and can’t wait to be back again. (I apologize for the blurry photos, I was rushing when I took them!)

– Robyn

Ready to set up at the MAC Fair
Ready to set up at the MAC Fair. The volunteers stacked everything neatly for me to set up.
My neighbour across the way and their amazing vinyl record crafts.
My neighbour across the way and their amazing vinyl record crafts. I’m kicking myself for not getting the Paul McCartney handbag.
Our little corner, with Drakestail, Maiden Star, and some adorable diaper cakes!
Our little corner, with Drakestail, Maiden Star, and some adorable diaper cakes!
Robyn, all set up and ready to go!
Robyn, all set up and ready to go! I love my new apron, and the new table setup.

A New Show and a New Feature

The MAC Fair

Coming up this weekend I’ll be at another show: The MAC Fair.  This is my first time at this fair, at the Immaculata High School, and I’m excited to go!  With 124 great handmade vendors, there is plenty to see and do.  I’ve heard great things about this show in past years and am thrilled to finally get to be there.  Proceeds from the fair help ensure all students, regardless of financial situation, are able to participate in school events.  Admission is just $1.

MAC Fair Poster Shipping Upgrades

Just in time for holiday shopping, we’ve added shipping upgrades to our Etsy store.  There are two options, one for residents of Canada and one for those in the United States.  Just add the appropriate upgrade to your cart before checking out, and we’ll get your order to you right away!

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