Judy Lynn Sorrie sat smiling at a table covered in paintings, sketches, dolls and sock monkeys. The retired art teacher created everything on the tidy table she had set up at the craft fair in Oromocto, New Brunswick last weekend. Her love of art takes many forms but began years ago, when she was just a child.
“Growing up with epilepsy, I couldn’t do a lot of other physical activities like other kids,” said Sorrie. “I was retreating a lot to music and art.”
Sorrie sold her first painting in 1977, then took up a career as an art instructor shortly after. Her work has been on display in art shows across Nova Scotia, but she’s also taken part in craft fairs and sold her work in stores and restaurants around Fredericton. The artist says social media has helped with showcasing and selling pieces, but many of her paintings and sketches sell by word of mouth.
“I don’t call it a hobby because I base my life on it, but I don’t call it an occupation where I could support a family on it,” said Sorrie. “I call it a vocation, it’s kind of there, but you make a minimal amount.”
Sorrie still teaches workshops at the Oromocto Galleria – a shop for local artists to display and sell their work in the small N.B. town. Her skills are diverse – Sorrie plays music around Fredericton. Her mother first made her a sock doll out of her grandfather’s socks when she was little. Since then, she’s made them for her own kids, a tradition that continues every year.
“As an artist I do it for the love of doing it, the fact that it’s in me. I probably won’t stop until I’m in the grave,” Sorrie laughed.
Courtney Williams owns and operates Legs For Days. Her display featured baby bibs, leggings and shorts. She also makes children’s sized leggings and headbands and has almost every design imaginable – including camouflage and Sailor Moon patterns.
“I started with the bibs first,” said Williams. “My grandmother used to make them for my kids about four years ago or so and then she taught me how to sew.”
Since then, Williams has made leggings for her own children. After so much interest in her products, Williams decided to start a business. It’s since grown to include casual and activewear. She only started selling the leggings in March but has grown – with 5,000 “likes” on her Facebook page and now her own website.
“I just opened an Instagram page actually,” said Williams. “And I find that’s networking out to not just Canada, but the US as well.”
Williams now ships across North America but still does well in Fredericton thanks to social media and says a lot of people are drawn to the handmade aspect of her work. Williams is able to customize products, sizes and designs and says quality is key – importing from as far away as New York.
As of right now, Williams’ business is part-time – she’d like for it to be fulltime, – eventually.
“I’m trying to reach out to some celebrity people to try and get some endorsements,” said Williams. With this being her first full winter off, she’s also trying to expand her product line. This is only her second craft sale, but she plans to sell at three more before Christmas.
“Hopefully it grows big enough, I’ll try and make it a big business.”
