10/16/2026
What a weird and scary ride into autumn I've had! It all started with several unsolicited emails from craft sales all over Winnipeg and even several from Ottawa! I vetted them all, thought one was legit, sent in my e-transfer to secure a spot and then my bank called me to let me know that I was scammed! I mean, WHAT??!!
You have to be so careful these days. One extra letter in an email address or one dot missing can mean the difference between the real thing or a scammer's email. Scamming seems like a new career choice for many and that is a very sad state of affairs, especially for artists, makers and crafters because we work hard and the financial gains are not that big.
My FB and IG accounts were hacked. I have changed my passwords, secured my accounts, and done somersaults to make sure me and my business are safe.
While searching for an apartment in August I was nearly scammed on 5 different occasions! From fake video walk throughs to being asked to send an application fee (illegal in Manitoba!) to being asked to provide my SIN number, I was nearly in tears on a daily basis. Hot tip: Use the Renter's Guide found in libraries across the city. Stop using social media to find a place to live. It's not easier using Facebook. It's like walking through a mine field.
It's exhausting for me as a small batch potter to do as much research as I have been doing just to find a place to sell some pottery, and I don't even have my studio set up yet here in Winnipeg, which means I'm not making pots at the moment other than when I am teaching classes. It's become a full time job for me to wade through emails, websites, research craft sales and the people who run them, just so I can spend 4-5 hours on a Saturday selling $500 worth of pottery. BTW, I have 7 crates of pottery ready to sell! That is more than enough to get me through the Christmas Holiday season.
So, in light of that, here's what I propose:
If you know of a legit craft sale in Winnipeg or close to Winnipeg that you think would be good for me, PLEASE let me know. If you would like to be a HOST for an In-Home Pottery Sale anytime between October 22 and December 20, send me a DM and let's talk. What's in it for you if you host a sale for me? Free pottery, of course!
Here are a few photos showing my process.
