Guild Show and Sale

scarves for sale

Our annual guild sale, Elegant Threads, will take place November 25th and 26th.  See the side bar for more details.
 As you can imagine, many of us are busy finishing, pressing and labelling items that we will bring to the sale.  The event is a 2 day affair once a year but pieces at the show represent a full year's work.  There is so much to see that shoppers need to allow plenty of time to browse.

 Elegant Threads is both a fund raiser for the guild and an opportunity for guild members to sell their works.  A percentage of the price goes to the guild to support activities.  Guild members volunteer their time to organize and staff the event which helps to keep down the costs and this is reflected in the pricing.

recycled trees

hand spun yarn

Pricing of unique hand crafted items is a topic of debate.  It is a bit like selling a home.  The seller and buyer can have very different views as to the monetary value.
Artisan works fall some where between classical art pieces and utilitarian items.  The value is part emotional and part concrete.
You can calculate the value of the materials in a piece and estimate the time involved.  The value of design and workmanship are subjective.

felted snowmen

 Then there is the difference between hand crafted and manufactured items.  Given the same level of design and workmanship some buyers may be willing to pay a premium for hand crafted items especially if they are produced locally.



Most of us do not expect to make a living from our arts endeavours.  We are happy to recover our costs and something for our time.  Few of us make even minimum wage but then spinning and weaving are a lot more satisfying than most minimum wage jobs.  The real reason we sell our items is for the positive feed back and the bragging rights when someone (not a family member) actually pays money for them.  It is confirmation that our work is valued.

 Elegant Threads will be held at Rotary House in downtown Qualicum Beach.  It is on the corner of Fern and Beach streets.  There is plenty of parking and admission is free.  The doors open at 11 am on Friday November 25th.  See you there.