LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON - An event that's become a staple figure in the passage of the year and a sign of the beginning of the holiday season took place in Fort Simpson over the weekend.

Wilfred Joey Klein, who offered some of his original artworks for sale, was one of many vendors at the annual John Tsetso Memorial Library's Christmas bazaar. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

For two hours on Nov. 20 the Thomas Simpson School gymnasium was a bustle of activity as vendors displayed their goods and residents moved from table to table examining and sometimes purchasing items. The frenzy of consumerism was the result of the John Tsetso Memorial Library's Christmas bazaar.

The bazaar was the largest librarian Lorraine Ocko has seen in approximately seven years.

"It did fabulous," she said.

Vendors purchased all 44 tables. The proceeds from table sales along with fundraising from a book sale and a raffle support the purchase of resources, such as new computers, for the library.

For vendors the bazaar offers the opportunity to get their items noticed and sold. Wilfred Joey Klein, a local artist, said he depends

on the bazaar every year.

"It's one of the biggest events in Fort Simpson," Klein said.

At his two tables Klein had original artworks as well as small prints and magnets of the works. Klein was also displaying mock versions of the new products he will have available in December including mugs, plates, calendars and art cards featuring his works.

"I've already had offers on the plates and cups." Klein said.

This was Klein's fifth year at the bazaar. Next year he plans to expand to have more tables.

Nearby Mary Neyelle of Wrigley was offering artwork of a different sort. Neyelle had traditional crafts including four pairs of moccasins, two vests, two pairs of mukluks and one set of gauntlets all made from hide and stroud for sale.

"Whenever I have time I sew," Neyelle said.

Neyelle said it takes her approximately a week to complete the beadwork on a vest. She started making the items for the bazaar in the summer.

Wendy Groat was one of the customers at Neyelle's table. Groat purchased a matching set of gauntlets and

mukluks she plans to use as decorations on a wall in her house.

"The amount of work that goes in these things

they shouldn't be worn," Groat said.

In addition to the artwork and crafts baked goods made up a large percentage of the items for sale.

Tony Deyoung watched the bustle of the bazaar from behind a table covered in 10 different types of baked goods including iced doughnuts, turnovers, muffins, pies and cookies while Shannon Cazon handled the sales. Deyoung had been up from 8 p.m. on Friday to 5 a.m. on Saturday morning baking the items from dough he'd made and frozen earlier in the week.

"I just kept throwing things in the oven," he said.

This was Deyoung's first bazaar. With a month of holidays from Cantung Mine where he works as a second cook, he decided he had the time to organize a table.

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