Growing up in Tuktoyaktuk, Debbie Boudreau remembers that the Northern art scene wasnSA国际影视传媒檛 as big back then.

SA国际影视传媒淭here is definitely an increase with the internet (and) Facebook,SA国际影视传媒� said Boudreau, who is now the Beaufort DeltaSA国际影视传媒檚 economic development officer for the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment.

SA国际影视传媒淲hen I was growing up, you had the craft shop or people that you know that did their sewing and sold it out of their home. There werenSA国际影视传媒檛 a whole lot of outlets for them, but nowadays you can buy any kind of craft on Facebook if youSA国际影视传媒檙e a member of the right page. ThereSA国际影视传媒檚 a definite increase in the amount of crafts coming out of the region.SA国际影视传媒�

Small items seem to be the most popular.

SA国际影视传媒淟ittle things like a hot pad would probably sell faster than a pair of moccasins that cost $500,SA国际影视传媒� said Boudreau.

She was speaking at an Arts Week celebration at Ingamo Hall Saturday, Oct. 28. The annual event is usually held in late September, but Ingamo Hall wasnSA国际影视传媒檛 prepared to host it until just recently.

More than a dozen people came out for the afternoon event, which offered artists an opportunity to either work on their own crafts or make projects from prepackaged materials. It also served as a chance to get the word out about some of the GNWTSA国际影视传媒檚 offerings for artists, such as micro-business funding that can help offset the costs of materials. Boudreau said itSA国际影视传媒檚 not the biggest dollar value program the department offers SA国际影视传媒� usually up to a maximum of $5,000 per person over three years SA国际影视传媒� but it is the most widely used.

SA国际影视传媒淭he cost of living, as everyone knows, in the NWT is very high and if you can have a side hustle or a way to supplement your full-time job and make a little bit more money, thatSA国际影视传媒檚 always encouraged,SA国际影视传媒� said Boudreau.

This year, she brought buffalo hide for artists to try out and see if it could be a cheaper option to moose hide.

Buffalo hide typically goes for about $7.99 per square foot while traditionally smoked and tanned moose hide can be $132 per square foot.

Jolie Wolki was busy creating a hot pad.

SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 for your coffee cup or hot chocolates,SA国际影视传媒� she explained.

Michel Lemieux, manager of trade and investment for ITI, said supporting the arts is very important.

He hoped some of the eventSA国际影视传媒檚 participants considered other opportunities for crafts and projects.

SA国际影视传媒�(The event) makes all the artists aware that they can do something else (from what they usually do),SA国际影视传媒� he said.