The Boyce Farmer’s Market transformed into a holiday shopping spectacular on Nov. 19. Christmas music played over the speakers as shoppers carried their parcels through the crowd.
Christmas at the Market featured artisans from around Fredericton selling everything from ceramic mugs to socks.
The market ran on Thursday from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Oriana Cordido, a St. Thomas University graduate, attended the market as a vendor, selling necklaces, rings and butterfly bracelets.
“Thursday was better than Friday,” said Cordido. “But I’m happy to see people buy local.”
Cordido shops locally for gifts around the holidays. She said the sellers at the event are talented and the prices are fair for what the customer is getting.
Cordido sources the materials for her jewelry from Venezuela, which is where she’s originally from. Cordido said the name of her business, Las Amazona, is based on the first women in literature that believed in women’s empowerment.
A few stands over, Desiree Sherry from Springbrook Cranberry Inc. stood behind a stand of pillows, place settings and fleece-lined gloves.
“Everybody’s eager to buy Christmas gifts,” said Sherry.
She said this year is slower than past years because of COVID-19, but business is still good. Her mom sews everything and sold at the market for 15 years.
Her gloves are made from recycled sweaters that are thrifted or acquired secondhand.
Around the corner is Donna Perry of the Maryville Soapery, selling soaps made from local goat’s milk. She makes all the soaps herself, with scents including “Naked in the Woods” and “Maritime Gardens.”
“[I use] a significant amount of olive oil and castor oil,” said Perry. “They’re very moisturizing and nourishing for your skin.”
She sells wholesale to a few tourist shops and said out-of-towners like to see New Brunswick flavours like violet, blueberries and maple sugar.
She also sells natural deodorant, body butter and lip balm.
Perry said business was steady and she appreciates people buying local. She said that through COVID-19, her business and stores that carry her product maintained sales fairly well.
“I really think that people are going out of their way to support local businesses,” said Perry.
