The name matches the vibe perfectly.

At least that害羞草研究所檚 what vendor and committee member Laurel Fredin said of the 43rd annual Creative Chaos, which overtakes the Vernon Recreation Complex Friday through Sunday, June 1-3.

The biggest of its kind in western Canada, Creative Chaos brings in the work of more than 200 vendors from across the country for a weekend of all things artisanal.

害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 (Creative Chaos) a real staple in Vernon,害羞草研究所� said Fredin, who sits at booth 134 this year. 害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 kind of well-needed chaos. It害羞草研究所檚 a great sale. You害羞草研究所檙e not in it to make money.害羞草研究所�

For Creative Chaos, Fredin害羞草研究所檚 first sale every year, she has been hard at work creating more than 500 items with which she will adorn her booth. However, crunch time is upon her and other artisans.

害羞草研究所淭hat害羞草研究所檚 where I am 害羞草研究所� the panic mode,害羞草研究所� Fredin laughed, adding that she made 180 mugs in April. 害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檓 fairly efficient with my time. I害羞草研究所檓 someone who pots on high.害羞草研究所�

Fredin picked up her craft while she was in college about 25 years ago, but it wasn害羞草研究所檛 until about 2008 that she truly put her all into it.

While living in Vancouver and working as a graphic designer, Fredin would spend her Wednesday nights at the arts centre and churned out crafts. Now residing in Vernon, Fredin pulls out the wheel every opportunity she gets.

And as a beginner wheel-throwing instructor at the Vernon Community Arts Centre, Fredin knows that discipline is what pushed her work forwards and lives by the saying that pottery is 75 per cent practice and 25 per cent artistic ability.

害羞草研究所淧eople don害羞草研究所檛 realize how much is involved. You have to put your hours in. There害羞草研究所檚 a lot to learn,害羞草研究所� Fredin said. 害羞草研究所淲hen you get past that then you can create your own style.害羞草研究所�

Fredin害羞草研究所檚 style borrows from her past graphic design career and current freelance work in the field for a modern and clean aesthetic.

While she loves the classiness and simplicity of a crisp white in pottery, Fredin 害羞草研究所� clad in a purple cardigan, purple pants and with a purple purse in hand 害羞草研究所� is also an advocate of colour.

害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檓 a little bit sassy now in my 40s,害羞草研究所� Fredin laughed.

Fredin pots out of a small home studio and the grand Vernon Community Arts Centre facility, though she hopes to soon finish building a substantial home studio for her and her boys.

害羞草研究所淢y happy place is pottery,害羞草研究所� Fredin said.

And, when she sees people enjoying the products she crafts, Fredin knows it害羞草研究所檚 time well-spent.

害羞草研究所淧eople drink coffee from my mugs every day,害羞草研究所� Fredin said. 害羞草研究所淚 love knowing that I害羞草研究所檓 part of making their day.害羞草研究所�

To ensure everyone at Creative Chaos has a chance at purchasing a mug, however, artisans work overtime and many 害羞草研究所� Fredin included 害羞草研究所� run an extra kiln Friday night to replenish their stock.

害羞草研究所淗undreds of hours go into the event every year,害羞草研究所� Fredin said. 害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 amazing we get it all done.害羞草研究所�

Vendor preparation begins in the fall when artisans put their applications in the pot. Names are drawn in the spring and vendors discover the status of their application in March.

害羞草研究所淲e get a lot of return vendors,害羞草研究所� said Fredin, who has exhibited her work at the show for five years and been on the committee for four.

Live entertainment graces the stage and a Scottish pipe band tour the three buildings, but Creative Chaos is about more than just celebrating art: it害羞草研究所檚 about community.

During the three-day event, Creative Chaos collects both money and non-perishable food donations for the Salvation Army food bank. The Society also awards three scholarships to Vernon graduating students who are pursuing post-secondary studies in the arts. Each year, a local elementary school is also awarded $500 and student artwork is displayed in the curling rink entrance. This year害羞草研究所檚 student showcase award winner is Lumby害羞草研究所檚 JW Inglis Grade 4 class.

And, Fredin said, it害羞草研究所檚 all made possible through a love of art.

害羞草研究所淲e害羞草研究所檙e a non-profit doing a craft sale for the sake of crafts.害羞草研究所�

The 43rd annual Creative Chaos takes place at the Vernon Recreation Complex June 1 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., June 2 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and June 3 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free but food bank donations are appreciated. For more information, visit . For more information about Fredin and to purchase her work, visit or sign up for her VCAC classes online at .

parker.crook@vernonmorningstar.com
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