Vancouver Island Market is back this month for what’s bound to be another successful ‘Grow, Bake, & Make’ show.
Passionate about supporting a thriving local market scene, Vancouver Island Market (VIM) brings together the best of the Island’s growers, bakers, and makers under one roof.
Who or What is VIM?
VIM started as a passion project by Mei Dunlop, owner and creative behind Etchythings and Accents Inc.
Upon moving to Vancouver Island in 2014, the first thing Mei noticed was how much talent the Island held. As an Etsy seller since 2011, and top 1% in her category, she quickly got into the market scene herself. From there she planned and orchestrated marketing workshops for fellow Etsy owners, as well as planned a few local Etsy Markets.
She realized that many of the crafters she’d come to know and love needed help with their marketing skills. As well, it was noted that not all crafters want to be an Etsy Shop owner. With all of this in mind, Mei knew she had to create something with a big vision in mind.
That big vision is what helps propel Vancouver Island Market to what it is today – a
“When a shopper comes to VIM, they are supporting the growers, bakers and makers on Vancouver Island; they are contributing back into VI’s economy and helping small businesses – the mom and pop home-based businesses, the side hustlers, and the full-time passionate artisans – who work hard to do what they love. ”
“When a vendor comes to VIM, they know they are being supported and have the opportunity to showcase their wares to thousands of local shoppers and small businesses from all over Vancouver Island. Vendors see first hand what it means to start their own business and network with 100’s of other like-minded artisans who work hard to fulfil their dreams. ”
~ Mei Dunlop
Their inaugural Spring Kick-Off event held at the end of March 2018 proved worthy of all their hard work and dedication. Over 18,000 people took part in viewing and shopping at the 70+ vendors.
Their follow-up 3
VIM has truly morphed into a successful show that both customers and vendors alike are eager to attend.
What to Expect at the VIM Spring Market 2019
This Spring we get to experience the wonders of VIM once again.
When: March 30 & 31
Where: Held inside the old Sears building at Nanaimo North Town Centre. (4750 Rutherford Road)
There you will find over 150 vendors, food trucks, liquor sales, free educational workshops, painting classes, wall climbing, silent disco, goat yoga and walks, and plenty of giveaways.
Not to Mention…
- Margarita Romano, a local Canadian author, will be doing a short reading on her new book entitled, Sitting on the Fence.
- A gratitude wall for anyone who would like to add what they’re grateful for
- A community area where local clubs and businesses, such as Yellow Point Farms, Jonanco Hobby Shop, and Wildwood Ecoforest share their stories.
- and more!
Expected Vendors
Over 150 vendors are expected at the Spring Market. We’ve broken it down into categories and kept it in alphabetical order to try and keep it as simple as possible.
A few of the vendors fit into several categories, however, for the purpose of this article, we’ve only mentioned them once.
Bath, Body & Wellness
- Backwoods Soap & Candle Co.
- Bluebird Pads
- Blyss by Laura
- Changes by Jenna
- Cold Mountain Spa
- Dosha Den
- Ease Natural Remedy
- Facial Clay Masks
- Glitter Girl Hair Bling
Floraa & Fauna- Hamsa Organic Spa
- Hightide Designs
- Island Life Soap
- Melts 4 Mutts Senior Dog Rescue
- Miiko Skin Co.
- Sarah’s Soap Garden
- Saraphina Soapworks
- SeaTree Body and Home
- West Coast Hydrosols
- White Night Apothecary
- Write Nature
Fashion & Accessories
- Azariah Designs Jewelry
- Bat Fish Studio
- BC Pinecone Love
- Beads of Joy
- Bijoux Beads
- Black Cat Stitches
blinkymuffin - CoolMe Creations
- Creeker Survival Gear
- Der Zaster Designs
- Dyan Made
ebbandflo designs- Fontana Leather Designs
- Hot Rocks Jewellery by Susan Stevens
- In Stitches of love/
cozy stitches - In Vintage Style
- Island Java Bag
- Jewelz of the Isle
- Little Rad Jack
- Kid-o’s Clothing Accessories
- Kindred Coast
- One of a Kind Leather Bracelets
- Little Thao Studio
- Long Lake Studio
- Metalynngems
- Made by Maggie
- Marlo-Coulson-Metalsmith
- Simply Straight Forward Clothing Co.
- Mermaid Tears Jewelry
- Miss Bumble
- Mixed Metal Mimi
- modestmaverick
- Orka Gems
- Ozay Jewelry
- Party Animal Pet Gear
- Prim Stargazer
- Rose Pedals Jewelry
- Roxy Hurtubise
- RR Designs
- Studio 35
- Sunspot Paracord 550 Creations
- Taylor’d Metals
- The Wild Diamond
- Tiny Tillies Tots
- unearthed
- Urchin Bags
- Van Isle Style
- Vanessa T Cunningham
- West Coast Gypsy
- Wild and Raven
Food & Beverage
- Bake My Day
- Bean Boy Creations
- Buttercream Bliss Bakery
- Brazilian delicacies Inc.
- Chateau Wolff Estate Winery & Vineyard
Cultu -Rice- Ed’s Soup Shack
- Fat Chili Farm
Fermentum Foods- Forest For Dinner
- Grill IT
hOMe Grown Living Foods- Island Guy with Chai
- Island Jerky
- Island Skalliwags
- Karuna Vihara
- Korean Kick
- Martha’s Delectables
- Motovino Wines Inc.
- Nourish – Mama Fuel
- Pappys Creton
- Rocky Creek Winery
- Rockin Risotto
- Rootside Provisions Ltd.
- Salt Spring Artisan Vinegar
- Stillhead Distillery Inc.
Sweetlicks - Sweets 4U
- Tasteful Essentials
- Tayrex Food Truck
- The Candy Empire
- The Plum Tree
- The Salt Dispensary
- Wayward Distillation House
Housewares & Decor
- A Little Nut Tree
- Amaluna Boutique
- Anchored By Arlene
- Bernadette McCormack
- Brian’s Art and Designs in Wood
- Bullock Artwork
- Cindy’s Concrete
- City Crib
- Coal Town Creations
- Cruickshank Creative
- Diamond Decals
- Etchythings
- FaeGarten Clay
- FunkyFungusCreations
- Garden Clay Pottery
- Glimpse Glass
- Haunted Coast Flutes
- Heart & Hearth
- Honey Pot Wraps
- Island Beeswax
- JBM Woodworking
- Kastawayz Art
- Laura McGlone Photography
- Little Thao Studio
- Macklem Design and Metalwork
- mad monkey metal
werx - Maritime Blues Hand Printed Fabric Designs
- Marlee Rae
- Maven Metal Designs
- Miss Bumble
- Nose Kiss Candles
- Photography by Randy Hall
- Pot Mama
- Retro Repurposed
RobbART Boutique- Round Woman Studio
- Roy Hancliff Photography
- SCOTWOTS
- Skookum Prints
- The Entomopho & Soupcan Betty
uff screen printing- Umbrella Recovery
- Uschi Design
- VI Dryer Balls
- Vintage Rings and Tings
- Westholme wonder works
- Within the Grain Rustic Decor
- West Coast Art
- WOODWARE Home & Fashion
- Yvonne Acheson Artwork
To find more info on any of these vendors, please visit the VIM website.
Giveaway!!
We couldn’t write an article like this and not provide our readers with a great giveaway!
With thanks to VIM, we have 10 entry passes to giveaway. That’s right, you have a chance to enter this fantastic market for free! (Tickets at the door are $5.00 each).
So here’s how it works…
Entering the Giveaway
Scroll through the vendor lists above and tell us in the comments below who you are most looking forward to seeing. If a company name strikes your fancy, I urge you to look up their bio (again, you can find more info on the VIM website).
It really is an incredible vendor lineup, so I understand that it’s hard to choose. So if you really can’t decide, just tell us what you liked best about the other VIM Markets (if you attended either their 2018 Spring Market or 2018 Winter Market).
Either answer made in the comment section below gets an entry into the giveaway.
Only one comment per person please.
Prizes
5 people will be randomly selected to receive 2 tickets each.
Which means, winners – you AND a friend get to enter the Spring Market for free!
Enter below and best of luck!
Contest Rules
- As mentioned above, only one comment per person
- Must use a valid email to enter the contest (otherwise, we won’t be able to contact you should you win!)
- The contest is open from now until Thursday, March 21 at midnight.
- Winners will be randomly chosen and announced via our newsletter on, or shortly after, Friday, March 22.
Want Even More Chances to Win?
Over $2500 worth of prizes (total) will be given away through VIM. So make sure to follow along on FB and/or visit the blog on their website to keep up to date on the latest information.
Their website also gives you an opportunity to purchase tickets at a discounted price. Use your smartphone to scan the QR code on the image below for a direct link to the ticket page (yes, we are extremely high tech around here ????).
Website: www.vancouverislandmarket.com
Facebook: Vancouver Island Market
71 Comments
Bead of Joy and all the other vendors too!
I loved 2 Drunk Witches from the last market. I have been a repeat buyer since. Wish they were a vendor again.
Party Animal Pet Gear
Stillhead Distillery Inc.
Tasteful essentials and Ed’s soup shack
Heart & Hearth
hOMe Grown Living Foods
We plan to check out work by Yvonne Acheson to purchase art ???? for a room in our newly renovated home.
Ed’s Soup Mix
Island Beeswax!
I just cant pick only one because Im new new new to Nanaimo. Excited about every vendor. Can’t wait to spend the weekend at the market!
Totally understandable, Karen! I think you’ll be impressed by what you find at the VIM market.
I am looking forward to seeing butter cream bliss bakery
Sounds delicious!
Honey Pot Eraps
Yes, they do sound interesting, don’t they!
Hi Susan, you’ve won two passes to the VIM Spring Market! Congratulations! I’ve already sent you an email on how to claim your tickets. So if you haven’t received it, please check your spam folder.
Too many favourite vendors to choose from! So my favourite thing about the 2018 Winter Market was when the power went out and all the vendors and shops kept up the amazing atmosphere and everyone was so accommodating- it really felt like a community.
I’m so glad you mentioned this, Caitlin! I too was there when the power went out at the last Winter Market. And, like you, I was extremely impressed with how it was all handled. Truly a testament to the level of professionalism seen at a VIM Market.
West coast art
Always a great choice.
Tasteful Essentials, sounds interesting. This will be my first time going…looking forward to it.
I just know you’ll be able to find something unique at the market!
Skookum Prints!!
Great choice, Sarah!
There are so many amazing artists, but I am looking forward to getting something from Within the Grain Rustic Decor, to go with a previously acquired piece. Thank you for the chance.
Sounds like a great plan, Robbin
I’m looking forward to seeing Glimpse glass because I love stained glass pieces and Westholme Wonder Works because this is the name of the street I used to live on growing up in England (Westholme Court) so I’m curious and looking forward to seeing their stall. The whole market sounds like a lot of fun!
Oh, I love those kinds of little connections. Hopefully you can find something special at one of those shops.
I love Roy Hancliff Photography. Such a talented photographer. Can’t wait to see his spring photos!
Ooh, yes, stunning work!
Thank you Jerry we look forward to seeing you there. Our first time showing at VIM the Hancliff Team are gearing up and getting excited
Best of luck at the market, Hancliff Team!
I haven’t been to this market yet but would love to! Looking forward to seeing Miss Bumble (just did a wonderful felting workshop with her in Cumberland!), Bat Fish Studio, Island Guy with Chai and Nose Kiss Candles (just cause the names sound awesome!), but honestly will see as much as I can in one day!
It looks to me like you’ve made some great choices!
Alisa, you won two tickets to the VIM Spring Market! Congratulations! I’ve sent off an email to you. If you haven’t received anything, please check your spam.
Miss Bumble is the one place I would like to see.
Yes, actually, I just checked out her website and it does sound like she makes some interesting products.
Forest for Dinner sounds awesome because mushrooms rock my world!
Ha! Love it! Well, I’m sure you will enjoy Forest for Dinner, then.
Looking forward to sampling Korean Kick
Yes, Korean Kick does sound good.
Blue Poppy and Dosha Den sounds interesting!
Yes, they really do!
Looks like a good show. Looking forward to seeing Maritime Blues Fabric and Garden Clay Pottery.
Sounds like you know where to shop!
I have never attended this market before, so looking forward to finding new favourite vendors.
I know you will enjoy it!
looking forward to the food!! Butter bliss Bakery sounds like it will be great!!
Yes, me too!
What a lineup! Will be checking out Fontana Leather Designs & Made by Maggie. Goat yoga! Can’t wait. I’ll be there with an appetite. Thank you VanIsle View for putting this in my inbox.
I know, right!? Such a great lineup. Yes, the Goat Yoga sounds very intriguing.
Can’t wait! So much talent! I’m looking forward to getting some treats from ‘Blyss by Laura’.
Laura’s products are aptly named. Blissful indeed!
I saw Backwoods Soap & Candle at a previous market and got some candles after getting to smell them all so I know I’m going to enjoy doing that again!
Yes, I have a few of those lovely candles too.
Hi Tina, you’ve won two passes to the VIM Spring Market! Congratulations! I’ve already sent you an email on how to claim your tickets. So if you haven’t received it, please check your spam folder.
In Vintage Style……..the name speaks right to my heart! Can’t wait to check it out, along with all the others????
Love that the name speaks to you!
Hi Audrey, you’ve won two passes to the VIM Spring Market! Congratulations! I’ve already sent you an email on how to claim your tickets. So if you haven’t received it, please check your spam folder.
I would love to see all the new items that this company has added to there inventory
especially welcoming Mats
This “company”, as in VIM? There will be plenty of fun new activities to take part in at the Spring Market!
You’ve won two passes to the VIM Spring Market! Congratulations! I’ve sent off an email to you already, so if you haven’t received it please check your spam folder.
So many faves. WE love this company we found at the last market. Their Thai soup is incredible!
Karuna Vihara
Ooh, yes, I remember how excited you were to discover their soups. Now you get an opportunity to purchase again!
In stitches of love sounds nice….
It really does.
Rockin Risotto. Yum. Looking forward to seeing them there.
Have you tried them before? Yes, I’m definitely curious about checking them out.
Garden Clay Pottery
First one to enter! Good luck in the contest!