Trade shows are a strange mix of chaos and opportunity. Walking into any unfamiliar place packed with vendors, attendees, and the constant hum of conversation can feel overwhelming, but then there’s the energy, a chance to connect—to put our work in front of new people, have real conversations, and plant seeds that may not sprout immediately but may grow over time. It’s truly about POTENTIAL!
Reflections on the Trade Show
This past weekend, and foreshadowing the coming month, we took Unique Soapstone Experiences (USE) on the road. Destination? The Stockmans Bonanza in Cochrane. Now it’s not exactly a road trip nor is it really a trade show but a great place to meet young and well travelled people. Thursday evening we set up. My children all came with me to help setup. On Friday I had the pleasure of interacting with teachers and students from 3 different local schools, taking them on small stone carving journey’s before they departed for their next experience at the show. Saturday, my daughter Brooklyn and I engaged with visitors, and introduced people to the hands-on experience of working with stone. Some had never heard of soapstone carving before, while others were drawn in by the tactile nature of the work—the ability to shape something with their hands and see an immediate result.
What stood out was the number of conversations about creativity, belonging, and the need for something tangible in a digital world. People weren’t just interested in carving—they were interested in what it represents: a break from screens, a connection to something real, and the simple satisfaction of making something with their own two hands.
There were also challenges. Some people didn’t quite get it. Others hesitated because they weren’t sure they were “creative enough” to try. These are the barriers we keep running into—people being so disconnected from their creative instincts that they doubt their ability to engage at all. But this is why USE exists. To remind people that creativity isn’t about skill—it’s about experience.
What’s Next for USE
The trade show wasn’t just about showcasing what we do—it was also about shaping what comes next. Conversations at the booth confirmed what we already knew: people want more than a product. They want experiences. They want opportunities to do something, not just passively consume.
With that in mind, here’s what’s coming:
Mini Series: The Creative Core
📅 February 5th & 19th
🕛 12:00 PM – 1:15 PM
Explore the foundations of The Creative Core in this engaging mini-series.
Valentine’s Workshop for Couples
📅 February 14th
🕡 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM
💲 $25 per person | $45 per couple
📅 February 15th (Saturday)
🕛 12:00 PM – 3:30 PM
💲 $40 per person | $75 per couple
Create something special with your loved one in this memorable workshop experience.
Candle Holder Workshop
📅 March 1st
💲 $60 per person
⏳ Time TBD
Carve and shape your own unique candle holder in this hands-on session.
Introduction to Stone Sculpting for Kids
📅 March 15th
💲 $24 per person
⏳ Time TBD
A fun and educational workshop designed to introduce children to the art of stone sculpting.
Introduction to Fingerweaving
📅 March 4th
💲 $25 per person
⏳ Time TBD
Learn the traditional art of fingerweaving and create your own textile masterpiece.
📍 Location: Route 22 Gallery
📌 Registration: Eventbrite Route 22
Don’t miss out on these enriching creative workshops!
But that’s not it! We have:
• More hands-on workshops—We’re refining our school-based and public programs to make them even more accessible.
• New partnerships—Connections made at the trade show may lead to collaborations we hadn’t considered before.
• Limited Edition Valentines Soapstone Carving Kits—While our kits are undergoing a transformation to bring you even more value for your dollar we are still offering limited edition kits for your Valentines sculpting pleasure. Check them out in our online store!
• Sculpture Restoration—Do you have soapstone sculptures that need some TLC? Unique Soapstone Experiences is now doing full restorations on soapstone sculptures. Contact us for more details.
• More Upcoming events—We’ll be hitting the road again soon, bringing USE to more conventions and educational spaces.
If you’ve been curious about soapstone carving, weaving, or creative workshops but haven’t taken the leap, now’s the time. These aren’t just activities—they’re opportunities to reconnect with yourself in a hands-on way.
We’re creating spaces where people can step outside the chaos of daily life and into the flow of making something meaningful. And we want you to be part of it.
Check out our upcoming workshops, and if you have questions—reach out. Creativity is for everyone. You just have to show up.
