Maple Creek Winter trade show: Show rebounds from COVID curbs

Journeyman carpenter: Jamie Sheppard with some of the cutting boards that he makes in the woodshop at his home.

You probably know him for his work at A & B Hardware. Or perhaps you associate him with the Maple Creek Youth Darts League.
Yet, how about as a carpenter?
Visitors to the Maple Creek Tradeshow on Saturday and Sunday would have seen Jamie Sheppard behind a table adorned with his woodwork.
There was a range of cutting boards, made from three woods – maple, walnut and cherry – being sold for different prices.
Although not on display, he also makes furniture, which has included a coffee table, end table, and computer desk.
“I am a journeyman carpenter, but carpentry is just a hobby for me,” he said. “It’s something I love to do.”
Acquiring his wood from Cutting Edge, Sheppard works in his woodshop at home, often making items for his family.
At the weekend, he sold his cutting boards under the brand, “79 Woodwork”, and was pleased with the public response.
“79 is the year of my birth,” he said.
His table also contained wood pieces made by Don Glascock, including a horse racing game.
Sheppard was among 27 vendors at The Armouries for a winter show that has become a staple for traders in the area. While business was good on Saturday, coinciding with Cowtown Christmas, it slowed on Sunday, which is usually the case, according to vendors who spoke to the News-Times.
Another show newcomer was Sheppard’s aunt, Rowena Baker, a distributor for Super Dips, which offers herbs and dried vegetables used for dips, spreads, sauces, dressings and soups.
She began the job two years ago. Over the last two months she has attended markets at Golden Prairie, Vauxhall, Brooks, Bow Island, Medicine Hat, Coaldale, and Lethbridge.
At the weekend, husband, Darwin Leismeister, helped run her table. Maple Creek’s market has proved one of the more popular ones for the couple.
“It’s been great,” Baker said.
The Doyle family – Shane, Dawn, and their son, Max – also spoke of a great first experience at the Maple Creek show.
They run Freedom Wellness, Inspired at a studio in Swift Current. It offers foot care and health and wellness products, including Christmas organic packs.
“It has been a very successful weekend,” said Shane. “We get great support from people in southwest Saskatchewan.”
Later on Facebook, the business reported an “amazing” tradeshow in Maple Creek.
It said the stock of Powerstep Archwear shoes and slippers had been very depleted.
“The great news is our supplier has shipped us new inventory this morning so our shelves will be full again by mid week.”
The Facebook post said 37 new foot clinic clients had been booked into the studio.
The Phillips family from Maple Creek’s Art House was also at the show.
Geoff and Connie’s artwork was spread out on the stage at the back, while their daughter Grace’s clay sculptures attracted plenty of attention too.
Grace has been honing her skill at creating miniature dragon creatures.
For Danielle Glass, tradeshow organizer, the weekend was a welcome return to a two-day event; last year, COVID-19 pandemic restrictions kept trading to one day.
“It feels nice to have a regular show again,” she said.
Glass hopes there will be another tradeshow in April, 2023. For traders like the Doyle family, the possibility of a spring show is welcome news.
“We definitely want to come back to Maple Creek,” said Shane.

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