October 16, 1997
(Development and Rural Renewal)

Newfoundland Craft Producers win at Halifax and Toronto

A St. John's woman has won two prizes for best new product at two national marketing shows. Beaton Tulk, Minister of Development and Rural Renewal, noted today that Karen Pottle, owner operator of the craft business Exploits, was honoured at Halifax and Toronto last month for her design and manufacture of a new line of oil skin clothing based on Newfoundland's maritime heritage.

The judges awarded her first prize for Best New Product at the Halifax Atlantic Craft Trade Show, and second prize for Best New Product at the Toronto National Gift Show.

"In the spirit of the true entrepreneur, Ms. Pottle has taken an everyday Newfoundland item and made it the basis of a fashion statement in the international market," said Mr. Tulk.

Karen Pottle, previously a costume designer for theatre, film and television, says this is her first full season of crafts production. Her new line of oil skin coats have unmistakable marine origins with names such as the Avalon Great Coat, the La Scie Anorak, the Canso Jacket, the Cape Race Pea Coat, the Bonaventure Hat and the Shippigan Toque.

At the two shows she sold coats to retailers in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Ontario and western Canada. "People are looking at the product seriously and seem very excited that there is a new east coast design coming into fashion," says Ms. Pottle.

Another Newfoundland producer, Deborah Redfern of Landmark Pottery in Portugal Cove, received the Best Booth award at the Atlantic Crafts Trade Show.

Mr. Tulk said there is a growing interest from commercial distributors in other provinces in Newfoundland craft products which combine value with good design. He also noted that craft production has been identified by the Department of Development and Rural Renewal as a strategic growth area for the provincial economy, one that allows people to turn their skills into a business and employ people.

"Over 2,000 people in Newfoundland and Labrador make their living as craft producers generating over $15 million in sales annually," said Mr. Tulk. "Exports are an important component of Newfoundland's economy and I am pleased to see crafts producers increasingly penetrating national and international markets with first-quality products."

Newfoundland and Labrador craft producers exhibited at trade shows in Halifax, Toronto and Edmonton this fall and many received assistance to attend these shows under the Craft Industry Development Program that is supported under the Canada-Newfoundland Strategic Regional Diversification Agreement and administered jointly by the Department of Development and Rural Renewal and the Newfoundland and Labrador Craft Producers Association.

Contact: Clifford Grinling, Communications, (709) 729-7066.