The resurrection day is a whole week away, but for a group of women who call themselves "The Blissful Banshees," it comes a week early. Only, it's the Resurrection of the Rabbits.
The Resurrection of the Rabbits is an alternative craft market that was conceptualized by Quitterie, Sienna and Artemis — the Blissful Banshees — who wanted to give a platform for artists who are not part of the mainstream.
The title is clearly a play on the resurrection day of Jesus or Easter — a festival observed by Christians all around the world. But unlike Easter, the Resurrection of the Rabbits will have no all-night vigil or prayers, but just an evening dedicated to handmade crafts that feature bugs, skulls and Krampus.
The idea for the event was born when Quitterie and her friends (Quitterie makes clay jewelry, and Sienna and Artemis are silversmiths) were participating artists at another craft market.
"It was a slow day at the market, and we got talking. And because I love to organize events, I asked the other two, ‘What do you think about organizing our own craft market?’” said Quitterie, who works in interior design during the day.
Thus was born the Blissful Banshees (referring to the wandering spirits who are associated with death in Irish folklore).
Quitterie and her two friends first organized a market under their new banner in September 2022 and called it When Summer Dies. In the afterglow of its success, came the Disobedient Elves Alternative Market, in November. The Resurrection of the Rabbits is their third.
Over the months, the market has grown from just a little over a dozen artists to about 20 now; from happening in a small room inside Bully’s Studios, a rehearsal rental studio in New West, to occupying the studio's entire space now, as per Quitterie.
What can people expect?
The market is a destination for those who are looking for things that are uncommon — like stickers of alien Sasquatches by Phat Cow Cartoons, framed cat skulls and mantids by the Bug Girl, and décor featuring a dead cockroach by the Paper Nest.
For those who are not into aliens or bugs, the market also features crocheted pumpkin pies by Chromatic Crochetier, Krampus ornaments by Seductive Perils and earrings made out of squirrel vertebrae by Sugar Fayce Art.
Given the positive reception so far, the Blissful Banshees plan to make the craft market a recurring event at Bully’s Studios.
“We love what we are doing and will continue to bring more alternative art to New Westminster.”
Resurrection of the Rabbits is on at Bully’s Studios (67 Sixth St.) on April 2, between 12:30 and 5 p.m. For details and to RSVP, log on to Bully's Studios website.
