P.E.I. wholesale market helps artists

Friday is the first day of a two-day buyers market in Charlottetown — a crucial market for producers.

The 12th annual Craft and Giftware Buyer’s Market is where about 50 Island artists and craftspeople have a chance to show off some of their items to potential wholesale buyers.

It was Linda MacCausland's first time selling wholesale, and on Friday her handmade paper was named Best New Product by Culture PEI.

"It was a total delight. And I'm getting my lion's share of people coming over and saying congratulations and placing orders, which is just delightful," she told CBC News.

Jewellery maker Jeannie Gallacher has been selling at the market for the last three years.

"It does define your spring and summer. You do have your returning customers from the year before, but you do get new ones," Gallacher said. "I would say it's pretty important for me."

Sandra Jeffery, who manages and buys for the Showcase Gift Shop in the Confederation Centre, said putting buyers and producers under one roof makes it easier to arrange the Island deals.

"It is important you don't have time go studio to studio, find the people and to visit them and they don't have time to come to you because they're producing the product," Jeffery said.

The buyer's market continues Saturday at the Delta Prince Edward Hotel.