Vancouver's Circle Craft holiday market opens with 315 Canadian makers — and a scam warning

The 52nd annual Circle Craft Holiday Market opens on Wednesday (November 11) for five days at the Vancouver Convention Centre, running to November 15, with more than 315 Canadian artisans, makers and designers exhibiting handmade jewellery, ceramics, textiles, woodwork, fashion and home décor.

Meet the makers face to face; emerging artists bring fresh ideas

Show manager Kristine Barton said this year is especially exciting as the market celebrates 52 years of supporting Canadian artisans, with more than 315 makers under one roof, giving visitors the chance to discover unique, thoughtful gifts and meet the artists behind the work. She highlighted the Emerging Artists, who bring fresh perspectives and contemporary designs. As Canadians place growing value on buying Canadian-made products, events like Circle Craft play an increasingly important role in keeping independent creative businesses thriving.

Fraudsters impersonate the market; losses top $15,000

Organiser Signatures Shows also sounded the alarm: fraudsters are impersonating Circle Craft and more than ten other Canadian artisan events, creating fake social media accounts, fraudulent event listings and convincing applications to sell exhibitor spaces that do not exist. More than $15,000 in losses has been reported in connection with scams impersonating Signatures events, and organisers fear the true figure is higher. Barton said artificial intelligence is making the deception harder to spot, allowing fraudsters to create professional-looking emails, social media profiles and promotional materials.

Official emails never come from Gmail; verify suspicious invitations

Barton advised artisans to be cautious of unsolicited messages offering booth spaces or additional fees, particularly if they create urgency or request immediate payment; official Circle Craft and Signatures emails will never come from a Gmail account. Anyone receiving a suspicious invitation or payment request should verify it directly through the contact information on the official event website; those who believe they have been targeted should stop communicating, avoid sending money, notify the organiser and report fraudulent accounts, and contact their bank immediately if payment has already been made. Sources: VITA Daily; District Local.