10^th Annual Provincial Wholesale Craft Show a success

The Department of Industry, Trade and Rural Development hosted the 10^th Annual Provincial Wholesale Craft Show in St. John�s yesterday and today. The two-day event showcased 50 producers from across the province. More than 100 retailers attended the show to network and purchase locally made craft products for their retail stores.

Products represented at the event included dog leashes made of hemp, Innu tea dolls, beeswax lip balm, hand-dyed silk ties, jalapeno jelly, pewter earrings, handcrafted leather gloves and soapstone carvings, among others.

The wholesale show is being capped off by a craft seminar series for producers that will be held this afternoon and tomorrow. Topics for the seminar series include Marketing Strategies and Exporting to New England.

The provincial craft industry employs more than 2,000 people and is worth an estimated $38 million, with the potential to double within five years and create an additional 500 jobs.

Media contact: Josephine Cheeseman, Communications, (709) 729-4570.

NOTE TO EDITORS: Photographs to accompany this release are available below:

Photo #1 / Photo #2: Tammy and Samantha Wells started their company, Sheep Soap Girls, in August 2001. This is Tammy�s first show. Tammy and her husband John have 375 sheep at Robinsons in western Newfoundland which they sell for meat and wool and they are now making soap from sheep�s milk.

Photo #3 / Photo #4: Karen Matthews designs and manufactures clothing at her company, Nortique, in Corner Brook. Traditionally she has made coats in wool, and has now added a range of stylish lighter coats in cotton and synthetic materials. She has recently added embroidery to her woollen coats. Her polar bear motif is particularly popular.

Photo #5: Sterling Creations by Blaine from Isle aux Morts produces handmade sterling silver jewelry featuring many Maritime themes.

Photo #6: Pool�s Cove Crafts, producer of hand knits, is aptly named for its location in Pool�s Cove, Newfoundland and Labrador.

Photo #7: Nycki Temple of EcoWise in St John�s manufactures a range of goods from natural hemp including dog leashes, chews and a collapsible, plastic-lined dog drinking bowl. Also tiny change purses that are as popular with men as with women, and a range of shoulder bags and shopping bags with interior compartments.

Photo #8: Labrador Traditions from Happy Valley-Goose Bay is well-known for its beautiful Innu tea dolls, handmade moccasins and soapstone carvings.

Photo #9: Steve and Gwen Knudsen use local berries and plants to manufacture jams, spreads, relishes, teas and vinegars in Griquet on the Northern Peninsula. Travellers have discovered Dark Tickle jams served as far away as the finest hotels in Japan.

2002 04 09                4:25 p.m.