Minister of Development and Technology, Mike Currie, congratulates three Island craft producers for taking home awards in the following categories; the buyer's choice, the best product and the best booth, at the first annual craft and buyer's market held January 19 and 20, 2001.
Charlene Williams, an Island artist photographer from Tyne Valley, won the award for buyer's choice. "I have been extremely busy since the exposure of my products at the show." Williams said. "I am very pleased with the success of the show and the many new contacts I had the opportunity to meet over the two-day event. This initiative was a very smart and appreciated idea on behalf of the government."
Dorece MacMillan, owner of PEI Speciality Chips, received the award for the best booth display. "At the time of the event, I only had 12 bags to work with and I knew it would be too plain looking to display the bags by themselves," MacMillan explained. "With much appreciated help, I was able to design a creative background so that potential clients would take notice. The provincial government deserves a great amount of credit for providing Island producers with the opportunity to make contact with buyers that otherwise they may not have the chance to meet."
The best product award was giving to Carol Boyles, owner of a textile based company that produces visual and landscape art pictures. "For years, I had been trying to design a product that required creativity and was not just limited to one design," Boyles said. "I can mass produce my product even though each textile picture is different. I have not only made a lot of new contacts, but also received some orders. The event was a very successful venture for me and my company."
More than 60 Island craft and giftware producers exhibited their products to over 200 buyers. It is estimated that more than $200, 000 worth of products were sold at the Buyer's Market, with many more orders to follow in the not so distant future.
"Congratulations to those who received awards at the first annual PEI Craft and Giftware Buyer's Market." said Mike Currie, Minister of Development and Technology. "I was very pleased with the results of this first time ever held event and because of this great success, we plan on making this an annual event, helping to further the relationship between Island retailers and producers. "I am already looking forward to next year' s event, as new challenges and creativeness heightens surrounding these awards."
Planning for the Buyer's Market began following consultations with the Island's craft and giftware industry. Following those consultations, eleven initiatives were begun to encourage the further growth of craft and giftware businesses in the province.