The Legion Trade Show at the mall attracted vendors from all over including Joan Skevington of Flin Flon.
She was selling crafts made from things she and her husband collect while on long walks in the bush around that mining community.
The materials are made into what she calls a shadow box for wall decorations.
“We go into the bush and collect bark, trees moss and rocks,’’ she said. “I make a picture in a shadow box or I take and collect different types of birch bark for the different looks.
“It’s hard work, not just twigs in a box.”
While it takes about an hour and one-half to make a box she said the craft involves skill and lots of patience.
The twigs are washed, rinsed with vinegar and rinsed again before being put in the decoration.
“I thought about doing this 10 years ago and I just finally got the courage to do it.”
She and her husband, who retired after 39 years working in the mines, have made this a retirement project, travelling to craft shows around Saskatchewan.
“It’s just a hobby; it’s good for the soul.”
The trade show was good for the Legion’s finances with strong attendance on the first day, less the second day due to snowfall.
The show featured an array of items from Christmas gifts and decoration to clothes, sports memorabilia, snack dips, candles and so on, as well as tables of baked goods from Legion members and a concession.
Ron Walter can be reached at ronjoy@sasktel.net
