Pitcher, Laurie. Audio interview about making sealskin products and the importance of the seal hunt.

• Main Author: Crane, Katie
• Other Authors: Pitcher, Laurie
• Format: Audio
• Language: English
• Published: 2020
• Subjects: Knowledge of the land/water and environment; Hunting; Fishing; Newfoundland
• Online Access: http://collections.mun.ca/cdm/ref/collection/ich_avalon/id/8595

Laurie Pitcher discusses her business in Heart's Content making sealskin products, and the importance of the seal hutn in Newfoundland and Labrador. 00:00 Introductions; 01:02 How she got started working with sealskin; 01:50 Worked with tannery OCI, formerly Seacrest and Earl's Tannery; 02:17 Makes everything from keychains, purses, hats, mitts, gloves, scarves, and jackets; 02:50 How she comes up with her designs; 03:44 The differences working with seal hide than other materials; 04:38 Working with industrial sewing machines; 04:56 Employs other people in her area; 05:20 Redesigning her business to make gowns and mask for Eastern Health for Covid-19 epidemic; 05:48 Challenges of being on the road marketing the business working at craft fairs; 06:48 Business allows her to work from home, make a living; 07:33 The process of making a product, how long it takes to make a product; 09:41 Makes products for Newfoundlanders, but has sent product to every Canadian province and around the world wherever it is legal to do so; 10:44 Sell product online, through craft fairs, mall kiosks at Christmastime; 11:17 Family were seal hunters so she