Blessing local economy and empowering women through crafts

The Scattered Seeds Craft Market is back in person this year and is extended over the course of two weekends. 

Deb Schwartz is the owner and CEO of the annual Scattered Seeds Craft Market in Winnipeg. Her daughter, Emily, helps with coordinating the market. 

"Scattered Seeds started over 30 years ago in my living room," says Schwatrz. "I used to work for the government and my sister needed some extra money for Christmas, she was a stay-at-home mom at the time, so I set up her paintings in my house."

The first few years the event was simply out of Deb's house with a few more craft makers, until one year she had 600 people going through her living room. Then she decided to move it to the Transcona Country Club which was also too small a vendor. 

"It's grown and grown. Now we have 300 makers which I think makes us the biggest craft event in the province, maybe even the country."

October 14, 15, and 16, there will be 150 makers and vendors set up at the Red River Exhibition Grounds for the Scattered Seeds Craft Market. Tickets are $10 and people can choose which two-hour time slot they want. The following weekend, October 21, 22, and 23, the other 150 vendors will be set up for another round of the event. 

Giving Back in Numerous Ways

Part of the proceeds will go to locally to help Riverwood House, a 40-suite Supportive Recovery Housing facility being developed for those in recovery from addictions, facing unstable housing, and desiring a substance-free environment. Another local organization that benefits is The Refuge, a collection of programs that provide support and mentorship to women maneuvering through domestic violence and difficult situations.

"My pastor John and I came up with the idea of supporting and empowering women," says Schwartz. "It's primarily women coming to the show, exhibiting, and we are women so it made sense. He also runs the cafe at the event and uses all the profits from that to empower and support women here in Winnipeg and in Africa."

Partial proceeds go toward empowering women in Eswatini, Africa through loan programs, vision screening and eye surgeries, menstrual kits, and sewing machines. 

"The whole 'buy local movement' is so good for our economy. When we can support these people the money goes right back into Winnipeg's economy."