Quesnel artisan, Jodi Ballinger, gets A LOT of help from husband, Rob, at the UNBC Artisans of the North Fair

Prince George, BC – Upcycled…that’s the how Jodi Ballinger describes her handcrafted critters being carefully selected for their unique features by shoppers at UNBC’s annual Artisans of the North Fair.

At right, 10-year-old Chloe Mercier grins after finding the perfect pet, a badger, with mom, Billi.

Ballinger, from Quesnel, recycles clothing and textiles to create her stuffed characters and ornaments.  She’s been attending the fair for the past three years and says day one of the two day event was off to a strong start yesterday. 

"Last year, we were just wiped out on the first day," she says, as she paused from hand-stitching behind her booth, while husband, Rob, chatted with customers.  She says she’s watched the stock of wooden birdhouses at a nearby booth whittle quickly away.  "The support in this town for local artisans is absolutely phenomenal."

Vanderhoof painter, Mary Lynn Lawrence, agrees…

"There have been lots of people and lots of positive energy," she says.  "It’s just awesome."

This is the first time Lawrence has participated in the local craft fair, after just recently returning to the region from Alberta. 

She has been painting for the past 15-years and began displaying and selling her pieces about eight years ago.

Photo at right shows a painting of a stand of birch with just a couple of leaves left, which Lawrence just finished in time for the fair.

Day two begins at 10am this morning, and wraps up for another year at 4pm.