The first time I went to the Circle Craft Christmas Market was the year we got married, 1999. It was about two weeks before our wedding, so my Mum and my girlfriend Jo were here. We spent quite a bit of money.
For 2-3 years I went with Nicola and Barb. We made a full day of it. Window shop in the morning, stop for lunch and then go back and buy in the afternoon. Then Nicola moved away. Kyla and I went for years, sometimes on a day off, sometimes after work, sometimes with our mother in laws, sometimes just the two of us. This is the first year I went on my own.
This year is huge. The market is in the new Vancouver Convention Centre, very nice. Although I can't get from the train station to the new centre without going outside. This is important as it always rains in November.
Blarneys from Milsean Shoppe
I've become very efficient at shopping the market. First I went directly to the booths were I knew I wanted to shop...Tickleberry's, Studio 10 Arts, Custom Crafts, and Milsean Shoppe. This meant that the cash I had left was my budget for the rest of the day. I browsed all the aisles, taking business cards from each artists that I wanted to come back to, then I shopped. I was there for about 3 hours tops.
Jessie Turner Jewellery Design
I'm not telling you exactly what I bought, because the recipients may be reading, but I can show you some of the things I looked at, you'll have to guess what I did and didn't buy.
(The artists ask that you not take photos so all images in this post are from the artists - if you click on the comment next to the photo it will take you to their own website)
Maison Cote Vancouver Sea Salt
Pretty much everything I bought was a gift for a friend or family member. I did buy one thing for myself. But you'll have to wait to see it.
Happy Christmas Shopping to all.