Arrowview Elementary School’s first all-student craft sale was the brainchild of, well, a child.
Mercer Falvai, 7, a Grade 2 student at the school, brought up the idea late last year with his mother Joanne, who happens to be on the school’s Parent Advisory Committee (PAC).
“My mom and I go to markets a fair bit,” Mercer said last week while standing on a stool in front of the family’s stovetop and stirring a pot of bowtie chicken soup. “I like trying the samples, seeing all the displays people have.”
This Saturday, Mercer will have his own display, along with 30 other students, when the inaugural I Made It craft fair debuts from 10 a.m. to noon in the Arrowview gymnasium.
“Mercer asked me if we could do a market at the school,” Joanne Falvai said. “I took it to the PAC and they all loved it, and the principal loved it.”
The school’s PAC will raise funds through a concession for shoppers, and each market vendor has been asked to donate one item for a set of gift baskets to be raffled off.
Otherwise, though, the students, ranging from Kindergarten to Grade 7, will get to keep their proceeds from the event.
“We encouraged parents and our classroom teachers to use this opportunity to teach children about costs, profits, economics and entrepreneurship,” Joanne said. “We’re hoping the students get a sense of just how much work goes into a small business, from setting up their displays to interacting with the public and describing their products. Even making change on the day of the market provides learning opportunities.”
Some of the items that will be sold at the market include baked goods, preserves, soup, eggs, arts and crafts, cards, candles, jewelry, bath bombs and body scrubs, knitting and sewing, mini flower vases, pet treats, bird houses and more.
“I really like cooking, and I like baking with my grandma,” said Mercer, who will be selling his soup, lemon butter and pickled eggs.”
His father, Mark Falvai, himself an entrepreneur who has placed booths in craft fairs, designed the poster for the craft fair.
He looked on with a bemused smile as his wife and son worked together on the soup Mercer will take to market.
“They’re not doing anything different than they do here all the time,” said Mark.
Saturday’s I Made It fair is open to the public. There is no admission. Be aware all sales are on a cash-only basis.
Mercer Falvai of Qualicum Beach, 7, cooks up a pot of soup that will be canned and offered at this weekend's debut craft fair at Arrowview Elementary School. — Image credit: J.R. Rardon/PQB NEWS