P.E.I. Witch Market promotes positivity, acceptance over scares
CBC
Spooky dolls, magical supplies and oddities were all on offer over the weekend at the P.E.I. Witch Market.
But as the 17 vendors at The Guild in Charlottetown will tell you, having a safe space to celebrate all things witchy and occult isn't just about Halloween.
"It's honestly the only place I can show my things without being severely judged and feel like I can be 100 per cent myself," said Natasha Clayton, a vendor with White Witch Cottage.
"Most people are just really nature-centred and willing to help people. Whatever they do is just based on that practice of love and self-acceptance and just goodness."
Saturday's market was themed on the television anthology series American Horror Story, which featured a coven of witches prominently in its third season.
Customers could discover what their future holds via crystal ball, astrology, palm reading or bone-throwing — think tea-leaf reading, but with small skeleton pieces.
The crafts include knitted eyeballs, the candles feature macabre designs, and the porcelain dolls could have a starring role in a horror movie should they happen to come to life.
But like most everything at the witch market, the dolls are less about creating scares than they are about allowing folks to let their "weird" show.
"When we think of dolls, we think of something perfect. We used to think that they have to be well-dressed, well-behaved, they need to have perfect hair, perfect skin," said Vinnie Love, the doll maker behind Belladonna of Magic.
"It's really easy to love the good parts … but it's harder to let yourself be who you are. I wanted to create something symbolic of that."
If you missed this weekend's market, the good news is there's plenty of opportunities to prep for Halloween next year.
In fact, the witch market thrives in the summer months, said organizer Blair Holloway. The event will be held again next year in May, June, July and October.
"Have an open mind when you come here," Holloway said. "Every vendor is very friendly and we are all open about talking about our craft… and we do not bite."
The event will be held again next year in May, June, July and October.
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