Dez Loreen
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Nov 28/05) - Artists and hobbyists from all over the Beaufort-Delta gathered in Inuvik for the annual craft fair on Nov. 18.

Co-ordinated by the Great Northern Arts Festival, the fair is held in the Sir Alexander Mackenzie school gymnasium.

Annie Felix from Tuktoyaktuk said her sales were very good, as usual, at the annual Inuvik craft fair. Felix owns and operates the Nautchiaq fur shop in Tuk and also represented artists who couldn't travel. - Dez Loreen/NNSL photo

It's a mine for collectors of knick-knacks and household items, anything from tea cozies to parkas can be found.

Crafters and seamstresses from the surrounding communities come into Inuvik to sell their wares, like Annie Felix from Tuktoyaktuk.

Felix owns and operates the Nautchiaq fur shop in Tuktoyaktuk, and sells her crafts through the business, which was handed down from her mother.

The fur shop also assists other local artists, who use the location as a gallery for their art.

Felix said that travelling to Inuvik for the craft fair has become tradition for her. "I've been coming here since I took over the fur shop in 2000," said Felix.

Felix believes that starting her crafts early pays off, especially when she's expecting big sales. "I start making my pieces in October for the fair. Just to stay prepared."

Decorative items aren't the only crafts that Felix offers. "I make mukluks, slippers and gloves for outer weather," said Felix.

Tuktoyaktuk was also represented by carver Ronnie Taylor. It was Taylor's first craft sale, and he was encouraged to go by his father, who taught him to carve.

Taylor works with stone, bone and ivory.

For 38-year-old Taylor, carving has been his niche for a while.

"I started about seven years ago," said Taylor. "When I'm not on the land with my dad, I'm usually carving out some bears."

Taylor also believes in passing on the tradition of carving to youth in his community. "I spent some time last year with kids in the school and we carved," said Taylor.

Travelling to Inuvik can be expensive and Felix took some pieces for other people in Tuk.

The craft fair ended on Sunday afternoon, and was a big attraction for shoppers in Inuvik.