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BLESSINGS COLLECTION & HENNA TATTOOS BY SEEMA CHOUHAN

 

Blessings Collection will be offering hennas at their artisan booth. They will also have a changing room which will allow festival goers the fun of trying on clothes and going home with a new colorful outfit.

 

Blessings specializes in women's or unisex clothing (tie dye tops, dresses, haram pants, skirts, ponchos, etc.), furnishings, handmade jewelry, crystal rocks and jewelry, handmade bags, wall hangings, and an assortment of knick-knacks and decors from India. They also carry lovely handmade soaps, face/body/skin care items, and candles made in Manitoba. Most of the products are handmade and support the artists who make them.  

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"All my stuff comes from India (i.e. clothes, jewelry, personal items)," says owner Seema Chouhan. "Most of the products are handmade and fair trade, supporting local businesses in the regions these items are made. Henna is a natural ink made out of natural henna leaves, so it has no side effects; tattoos last for a few days. In India, we have used henna as part of festivals since ancient times; the colours of henna remind us of festivals and joyfulness."

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NATURAL FRAGMENTS

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An assortment of deliciously-fragrant soaps and beauty products made by Manitoba's Dawn Kitching, who grows and wild-harvests many of her own herbal ingredients. Natural oils like olive, coconut, grapeseed, and castor soothe the skin, and pure essential oils provide a sensory experience.

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WOOD SPIRITS BY DOUG FRASER

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I create “wood spirits," which are fantasy figures that evolve from trees. They are made from various species of wood including softwoods such as pine and cedar, driftwoods from the lakes and cottonwood bark. These are created with rotary tools, dye grinders and chainsaws for larger figures. They take anywhere from an hour to five hours to make. 

 

 

HIDDEN TALENTS

 

Owned and operated by clients/staff of Visions of Independence as a social enterprise, Hidden Talents will delight you with some of their artisans' new merchandise (handmade crafts, decorations, artwork, and household items created locally in Portage la Prairie and area). Don't forget to stop by Sawmill Catering for some good food (also run by Visions).

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BOB'S 3 STRINGERS

 

Bob’s 3 Stringers will be offering Canjo’s, Diddley Bows, Chuggers, 3 string Cigar Box Guitars, fretted and non fretted, electric and electric/acoustic, 4 string electric and 6 string electric/acoustic. I will have an amp on site so you can find your forever Cigar Box Guitar.

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COPPER FLAME ARTWORKS

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​Cheryl Apperley makes unique pottery mugs, bowls, candle/string light holders and other artistic pieces. She also creates multi-media canvas paintings using rice paper techniques and different mediums to create depth and texture. 

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RACHAEL CLARKE (LOCAL AUTHOR)

 

Join Rachael for a reading of one of her books at 3:00 pm under the Big Top.

 

Rachael Clarke is an author/illustrator living in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba. Her multi-genre fiction has won international competitions such as the Write Fighters 3-Day Novella Challenge, The Writer's Workout's 'Writer’s Games', the Writers Weekly 24-Hour Contest, and Red Penguin Books’ Humour Contest. She was a 2021 Futurescapes Award finalist, a 2022 Dark Sire Awards finalist, and her children’s book The Big Ol’ Bike was a Hindi’s Libraries finalist in 2021. Her debut sci-fi novel Race to Novus released in April, 2024. Visit: www.rachaelclarkewrites.com.

 

Owned by local author/illustrator Rachael Clarke (or R.A. Clarke), Page Turn Press is a teeny tiny indie publisher offering a growing list of children’s literature, creative writing books, themed short story anthologies, as well as speculative fiction novellas and novels. No matter the style or genre, we aim to share quality tales for all ages that pull you in and never let go. Stop by to snag yourself a signed copy, and even pick our brains about writing, illustrating, or publishing.

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TREE TALKS WITH RICHARD WARKENTIN

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For over 25 years, Richard Warkentin has worked for Stanley Soil Management Association which is a not-for-profit organization that provides shelterbelt planting and maintenance services. He is looking forward to sharing information about the benefits of shelterbelts, and trees in general. He will also have tree seedlings available for sale at the event. Be sure to join his "Tree Talks" workshop at his booth at 2:30 pm on Saturday!

 

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FESTIVAL & ARTIST MERCH (CAPS & T-SHIRTS) Whoop & Hollar caps and t-shirts will also be on sale at the Info/Audience Services Tent behind the mainstage (along with children's and youth story books by Jane & John Miller, creators of the Whoop & Hollar logo.

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And don't forget to SUPPORT THE LOCAL PERFORMERS by purchasing their music and merchandise (CD's, tuques, shirts, etc.) at the merch table beside the stage!

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