The Village of Abbey recently hosted its Christmas Craft Fair and Tradeshow. 

Featuring 30 vendors of both local and out-of-town origin, there were plenty of great homemade, professional, and craft goods to choose from. 

Cookware, books, chocolate and cookies, pottery, skin care products, gag gifts, and more were available for savvy deal seekers to peruse. 

The woman behind this year's event was Abbey Economic Development Officer, Jenn Biensch. 

Jenn Biensch, Economic Development Officer for the Village of AbbeyJenn Biensch, Economic Development Officer for the Village of Abbey

"We've got vendors from all over the southwest, which is nice," said Biensch. "Bringing different flair to things and lots of new vendors that we haven't had here before, which is great."

Traders came from Swift Current, Gull Lake, Leader, Cabri, and further abroad to take part in the Christmas shopping bazaar.

"Lots of young entrepreneurs here who have handmade things, which is awesome," shared Biensch. "That's exciting to see; young people starting up little businesses and it's nice for us to be able to support them in that." 

Local youth making a sale.Local entrepreneurs making another successful sale, raking in the profits. 

There was also a thrift market, with various clothing articles, decorations, and other general goods available.

And adding a third element to the already bustling Abbey Business and Community Centre, was a soap kitchen selling lunch for the hungry folks coming into the market from the cold. 

Originally, the Craft Fair was put on in order to raise money in support of the local church. Nowadays, the money goes back into the community centre.

"It's a way to support local entrepreneurs and get their business out there," Biensch said. "People can get a head start on shopping and shop local, which is always fantastic."