Kerry McCluskey
Northern News Services

Iqaluit (Nov 08/99) - Like so many other great things in life, Iqaluit's annual Christmas Craft Fair was borne out of two women talking.

Ten years later, hundreds of people annually pack themselves into two massive auditoriums at Inuksuk high school to check out what local purveyors are hawking.

And, if you can dream it up, chances are good that you'll find it for sale this Saturday afternoon, Nov. 13, at 1 p.m.

"If you call it crafts, we'll believe you," said Mary Ellen Thomas, one of the four-member planning committee who has dedicated several hours of her life to the Anglican Church's fund-raiser.

"There's everything under the sun. You'll find real crafts, baked goods, items companies have designed, people promoting their small businesses. There are no limits," said Thomas.

A total of 75 tables are up for grabs at a cost of $15 each and, due to the massive popularity of the fair among both Inuit and non-Inuit, people often double up or take over when an artisan depletes their stock.

"We usually have quite a waiting list," said Susan Black, another of the organizers.

"We end up telling people to bring their stuff because people sell out within an hour."

Shoppers hand over a loonie at the door and between the cover charge and the table fee, the church -- and whatever organization they choose to team up with -- usually brings in at least a few thousand dollars for their building and renovation fund.

But as Black put it, the chosen partner doesn't just get to collect their share of the winnings at the end of the day.

"People are coming to us and we want to share it because it's a big responsibility," said Black.

This year's lucky group is the Girl Guides and, along with the honour of being chosen, a representative has to sit at the planning table and they're given a fairly hefty list of tasks.

The return? Participation in an event that is a worthy cause and a community favourite.

"It does involve a lot of our personal time and it's major work, but it's a lot of fun and it's very rewarding," said Black.

And here's a tip for the thousand or so recent newcomers to the capital -- get there early because if you're not in line, you might just have to go home empty-handed.