IQALUIT - There was something for everyone at the Christmas craft sale at Inuksuk High School in Iqaluit on Dec. 6 with vendors selling everything from jewelry to dog sweaters.

Carver Oopaka Nowdlak shows Melanie Genest carvings at the craft sale at Inuksuk High School in Iqaluit on Dec. 6. - Kassina Ryder/NNSL photo

Community members began arriving at the school a full hour before the doors were set to open at 1 p.m., according to French as a second language teacher and craft sale organizer Samantha McDermott.

“It officially started at one but people started showing up at 12,” she said.

Students and teachers worked together to organize and run the sale to fundraise for both the French class’s trip to Egypt and the graduation ceremony for Grade 12 students, McDermott said.

“This is a joint venture between the graduating class of 2010 and the 2010 French trip,” she said.

Between 17 and 22 students are expected to participate in the trip, which is scheduled to begin in April, McDermott said. McDermott said the sale also benefited local businesses and charities, many of which had booths at the school.

Guidance counsellor and organizer Sheila Levy agreed.

“I think it’s going very well,” said Levy. “It’s a way to get the community together.”

Vendor Oopaka Nowdlak sold carvings he and his mother make, including earrings, pins and other items. The items were almost sold out within two hours of the sale beginning.

“It’s very good,” he said. “I’ve only got a few left out of 32 carvings.”

Nowdlak said his mother taught him to carve.

“I learned from my mother; some of these are my mother's.”

They use polar bear bones, soapstone and ivory among other materials to make each unique piece, Nowdlak said.