Two Sundays ago we hit up the Richmond Craft Mafia’s craft show called Handmade Holiday. As one of my friends described it, it was like Etsy… only in real life.
We love supporting/meeting local (and not so local) artists and artisans, so we went expecting to see some cool things, bump into a few people we knew, and maybe even to snag a gift or two. Instead, we saw LOTS of cool stuff, bumped into DOZENS of friends and blog buddies, and snagged a BUNCH of gifts. Well, I guess I should clarify. They were gifts for ourselves. Here’s a snapshot of our handmade bounty after we returned home and laid everything out on the counter:
1. A print from Zou Zou’s Basement ($25) which is a print of a mixed media rabbit painting. We thought it was fun and colorful. We actually almost got this elephant, but at the last minute Clara said “Bunny rabbit!” and the switch was made.
2. A robot coloring sheet from Turnerbots which they threw in for free after we purchased a bunch of ornaments (see #5). So nice! Clara had a blast coloring it when we got home because, as you may have here in our desk-building post, Clara is a coloring fanatic as of late.
3. Two small canvas paintings from Amy Keith Barney ($15 each) who mainly specializes in stained glass – but the bright colors of these felt perfect for Clara’s frame wall. And can you beat $15 for such amazing little original paintings?
4. A Virginia-shaped ornament from Funnel Cloud Studio ($7). The ornament had us at hello (yay maps!) and we almost got one of her Virginia prints too, but managed to practice a smidge of restraint. She has Maryland and DC ones too for anyone interested…
5. Ceramic letter ornaments from the aforementioned Turnerbots ($7 for all four), one each for Clara, me, Sherry and Burger. Turnerbots mainly specializes in candy-colored pottery like these cool vases and cheeky robots:
6. A crudload of business cards for all sorts of vendors – every booth was seriously worth stopping for!
7. A letterpress card from Almanac Industries (free) who had one of the coolest booths at the whole fair. You could just feel their passion for what they do.
And we loved that our initials were coincidentally on display (doesn’t take much to excite us). Well Sherry’s, Burger’s and mine were – and if that P had been a C we really would have been downright giddy.
And since we couldn’t support every vendor that we admired with a purchase, we thought we’d at least show them some love by sharing their cool stuff here. Like these “Dangerous Animal” notebooks from MonkeyDogStudio. Sherry and I disagree on which one we think is the funniest. I vote the octopus with the ninja throwing stars, but Sherry died when she saw the squirrel with the pistol.
Speaking of cheeky animals, there were also cool woodblock prints and cards featuring some chic birds with fresh, punny attitudes (Yo Momma!) from Bowerbox Press.
Continuing the theme of craftiness with a sense of humor, we loved all of the funny crocheted items – like this jellyfish and ray-gun from Needle Noodles…
… and more jellyfish (this time as ornaments) and a crocheted conch shell from Lazymuse Productions.
There were also this awesome assortment of colorful faux antlers (they were made of resin) from The New Woodsman. Predictably, Sherry my Jersey wife was most in love with the metallic gold ones (sadly not pictured).
Illegible Ink‘s print of vegetables was really charming and detailed. You could stand there and study it for hours. There was a really funny meat one too.
There was also lots of jewelry at the fair, like this peapod necklace from Lucky Accessories that Sherry mentally bookmarked for the day that we have more than one child (it was available with one pea, but she figured she’d rather wait and beef up her pea quotient before jumping the peapod gun).
We also saw some familiar faces, like Love Elaine (who gave away a fabric wreath back in May). She had lots of Christmas fabric goods, but what caught our eye most was this festive kids apron. Clara would look so cute rocking this while making cookies.
And there was Phil Barbato, another giveaway alum, who makes these funky ape stuffed animals amongst other things (Clara said “buh-bye monkey!” when we walked away):
We actually bought a print from Phil this summer at another Richmond art event (the First Friday Art Walk), but it wasn’t until returning home with our new crafty treasures that we finally figured out the perfect place to hang it along with two of our Handmade Holiday finds (don’t mind the frames, they’re just what we had around).
This little frame collection is on the short wall right outside Clara’s bedroom door, opposite the playroom door. We thought she’d love saying “Hi” and “Goodnight” to the bunny, but instead her favorite thing to do is point at the robots and say “Color! Color!” Figures…
So that was our adventure in handmade arts and crafts. Are any of you going handmade for the holiday this year? We’d love to hear about any craft fairs in your area, or if you’ve snagged any crafty gifts or items for yourself or the ones you love.
Pssst- For more gift-related fun, check out Mrs. Limestone’s post about the whole Secret Santa thing that Sherry and a bunch of other fellow bloggers have been having fun with. You can even guess who had who to win a prize over there!
Rachel says
Cute! I wish they had something like this in Memphis!
bridget b. says
the peapod necklace was so adorable and fitting for your family! would be so cool if they had an expandable version.
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yeah, that would be cool! Or some sort of trade in process where you could exchange them as the fam grows!
xo,
s
Jennifer says
Where did you get that “c” on Clara’s door? It’s adorable!
YoungHouseLove says
That was a clearance find at Anthropologie this summer. I knew it was meant to be when they only had a few letters left and one was a C!
xo,
s
kristin jo says
Sherry is correct — the squirrel with the gun wins. Sorry John. ;-)
YoungHouseLove says
High five.
xo,
s
Elizabeth says
That letterpress quote is fantastic!!!
YoungHouseLove says
Isn’t it great? They were so passionate and inspiring!
xo,
s
Lesley AKA Artsy Forager says
So many great finds! The bunny print is awesome, I bet Clara will love growing up with him/her(..? Has she named it yet? )
Thanks for mentioning and supporting so many local artists and artisans!
YoungHouseLove says
Right now the bunny has a formal name “Bunny Rabbit” – haha. But maybe that’ll get a bit more playful as Clara grows and gets used to seeing him there. I happen to like Fred but it’s her call. Haha.
xo,
s
Amanda C says
I advocate for Fred, that’s my cats name! :)
YoungHouseLove says
It’s a great name!
xo,
s
Lindsay says
I bought the awesome Maryland print on funnelcloud, and I let the seller know that I found her shop from your blog. Super super fun stuff!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks! So glad you guys are showing them some love- they really are awesome and talented people with gorgeous wares!
xo,
s
BrookeJ says
Thanks for sharing these vendors, I’m a complete Etsy junkie and I’m going to add these sites to my “want” list!
sophie says
I’ve been eyeing these woodcuts made by a local craftsperson/musician/doctoral student:
http://www.grahamblairdesigns.com/woodcuts/
I’m still lusting after the octopus and the whale.
YoungHouseLove says
Wow- those are amazing!
xo,
s
Melanie @ Mailbox Journey says
I’ve never been to a craft fair that had cool things like that! Around PA they are always selling handmade soaps, candles and wood crafts.
Funnelcloud Rachel says
The secret is looking for “indie craft fairs.” They typically have hipper and edgier stuff than the old-lady-crocheted-toilet-paper-holder craft fairs of yore! ;)
(I haven’t done any craft fairs in PA, but I hear there are some cool ones in Pittsburgh and Philly.)
Janette@The2Seasons says
I suppose you know that lots of lefties are artistic. It’s that whole left brain/right brain thing. I am not surprised that Clara loves to color. She is lucky to have parents like you who will encourage her love.
YoungHouseLove says
That is beyond exciting for me! Art was always my favorite thing and I even went off to art school in NYC (I got a BFA, but ended up in advertising). I’m ecstatic that my little girl seems to love drawing as much as I do!
xo,
s
Tanya says
Love your finds and how you’ve already mixed them into your home! Last year we made the switch to handmade gifts. We gave out wood coasters, wine charms, cedar grilling planks and fun foods. And my husband made me a beautiful cutting board! This year I was bit more lazy and half my gifts are from an international fair-trade craft fair, and Im making the other half! :)
YoungHouseLove says
Aw such sweet ideas!
xo,
s
Jessica C. says
What a great craft show! Do you know how I can find out if they would have something like this in my area? I wonder if there is a website that lists all craft-type shows in the US…
YoungHouseLove says
Anyone have any idea about this? Maybe just google your city and “craft show” or “craft fair” to see what comes up?
xo,
s
Funnelcloud Rachel says
Hello Craft has a good list of indie craft shows across the USA:
http://www.hellocraft.com/2011/01/2011-indie-craft-show-dates/
(That’s the list for 2011, but I’m sure most of them will happen again around the same time of year in 2012.)
Hope that helps! (And sorry for answering all your comments today, Sherry & John!)
Meghan, RVA says
Hi Jessica,
There are tons of places to hunt for shows, and I have the best luck with putting in “Indie Craft Fair” + a town’s name into the Googles and seeing what pops up. There’s usually something that happens in every big city once or twice a year. You can also look at the Renegade Craft Fairs page – they host about a dozen shows in different cities around the world.
Seriously, there is so much crazy good art out there, and once you start looking for it, you’ll find shows all over the place.
Good luck!
-Meghan (from the Richmond Craft Mafia)
Connie says
I made hand painted tote bags for everyone this year. Each one is unique and personal to each person, and also promotes being green since these can be used for groceries rather than plastic bags! I’ll be opening an etsy shop of them after the holidays.
YoungHouseLove says
Such an awesome idea!
xo,
s
Missy G. says
Such a fun post. FYI, your link for turnerbots is missing the ‘h’ in the http. :)
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks! Off to fix that!
xo,
s
Barbara says
You guys inspired me to make handmade favors for my daughter’s fifth birthday party last weekend. My husband, daughter and I made snow globes out of little 6 ounce glass jars, mini penguin figurines, small pieces of plastic holly, and glitter. We spray-painted the lids gold to make them more festive. The kids at the party loved them, and we brought paint pens so that they could each write their own name on the bottom. It was fun!
Thanks for all you do and share!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw, those sound so cute!
xo,
s
Ashley says
I’ve bought quite a few teeny little mini-prints from DimDimini on Etsy (http://www.etsy.com/shop/dimdimini?ref=top_trail). The artist, Irene, is based in Italy and makes the most charming, gorgeous watercolor depictions of animals, then sells the prints for $5(!!!) in palm-sized form. I’ve picked up a few groupings and framed them for peeps. Obsessed!! So charming. Check her out.
YoungHouseLove says
Love it so much!!!
xo,
s
Laura says
I don’t know if you guys have caught it already, but Chop Suey in Carytown hosts the annual Bizarre Market holiday market on the second floor. The bizarre markets happen at a studio or cafe several times a year, but the holiday market is more of an installation and is something not to miss. I think it runs through Saturday, if I’m not mistaken.
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yes we caught it while there for our friend Noah’s book signing! So much fun!
xo,
s
Shelley says
My favorite thing is that you put Clara-esque things on the wall leading to her room. I don’t think I would have thought of that. Love that you thought of the journey to her room.
Madeline says
I went to this after I saw your post on Facebook about it that day, and LOVED it!! So glad you shared! I had been waiting for your post on all the loot you got :) Weird question…do you have a way to organize all the business cards you collect of vendors/people you like? Mine are starting to go everywhere… Thanks!
Madeline says
ooohhh I forgot….Team Sherry! Squirrel notebook is definitely the best!
YoungHouseLove says
Woot!
xo,
s
YoungHouseLove says
So glad you were able to go! I have one of those clear plastic envelopes with velcro (like people use for coupons) that I toss them all into. I still have to sort through all of them but at least they’re all in one place!
xo,
s
Meghan, RVA says
Woot! My waiting days are over! Not one but TWO photos with Phil’s drawing, AND a Clara shoutout for Baby Apes.
My day is done.
(And thanks, y’all. It was fun to see you at the show, and thank you so much for writing about it! See you at Spring Bada Bing in April, mayhaps?)
Merry Christmas!
YoungHouseLove says
Yes, it’s on for Spring Bada Bing!
xo,
s
Jen says
Aw man! I wish I’d known about this. It sounds like you had a blast! I love stuff like this!
RLR @ Mom's Magic says
I’m making a pinterest find for my sis for Christmas! Also luggage tags for my aunt, who’s going someplace tropical after the holidays. Can’t craft for everyone, but I’ll plan ahead so I can do more next year.
Barbara says
Your Turnerbots link is missing its “H”…
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks! All fixed!
xo,
s
Rad Designing says
What cute finds!
MonkeyDogStudio says
Thanks so much for featuring my Dangerous Animal notebooks on Young House Love! I love it when people get as big a kick out of seeing them as I do out of making them! They’ve been so popular this season that I have plum run out of all the ones I had! But I promise to have more in January!
Hope to see many of you at the Richmond Craft Mafia’s Spring Bada-Bing show in April!
-Janet (MonkeyDogStudio, Richmond Craft Mafia, and apparent lover of exclamation points!)
YoungHouseLove says
So fun to see you here Janet. Love your stuff!
xo,
s
Katherine H says
We decided to do a homemade Christmas this year. I made vanilla extract for all my friends and family, clay jewelry for the ladies, personalied aprons for the guys, and my husband made lamps out of a birch tree. I am so anxious to see what everyone else came up with. If all goes well, maybe we can keep this tradition going. SO much better than heading to the crazy crowded shopping mall.
YoungHouseLove says
Such a fun tradition!
xo,
s
Hollie says
Very cool indeed. We have something similar here in Sarasota, FL, called the Atomic Holiday Bazaar. It’s a fantastic way to support local artists and pick up unique holiday gifts.
http://atomicholidaybazaar.blogspot.com/
YoungHouseLove says
Looks like so much fun!
xo,
s
LaVerna DuBois says
Sorry John, I’m with Sherry the Squirrel w/ the gun had me at hello.
Rhiannon says
What an awesome collection, I would love to find something like that in our area! I have made most of our gifts this year. (had to start nearly a year ago!) We’re on a really tight budget, so most things are personalised, sewn, re-done or baked! I have a few here if you fancied checking it out?
http://myhandcraftedhome.blogspot.com/2011/12/some-christmas-present-ideas.html
Though try not to look at the awesome things you found and then at mine! :)
YoungHouseLove says
So charming! I love them.
xo,
s
jeannette says
color! color!
i knew i liked her.
T-La says
My family and I all agreed on making our presents this year as my sister just had her second baby and I am a poor college student. It’s been great fun and gives such a feeling of accomplishment after you complete a project. I’ve made canvas photos for everyone that turned out really good, tea cup candles, some cute typography things and of course dog biscuits for my favourites pooches. :)
YoungHouseLove says
Sounds like so much fun!
xo,
s
Katie Fuller says
I’ve been working on some fun handmade Christmas gifts:
A few small animal pillows for my siblings. The sharks are a throwback to a stuffed animal my brother loved as a kid, and the panda is just for fun.
http://flic.kr/p/aZkqYF
http://flic.kr/p/aZkpVe
I also painted a silhouette portrait based on a photo of my hubby and I from our engagemenyt shoot. That one is already wrapped, so no photos yet!
So excited to give these gifts! (Even more excited for these than the new table saw!)
YoungHouseLove says
So creative! Love it!
xo,
s
Rebecca says
Just bought the bunny print- LOVE it! :) I hope to eventually get the porcupine too.
Jenna at Homeslice says
this might sound silly, but I love the robot coloring page. They’re so quirky and fun. I’m glad you guys framed it!
YoungHouseLove says
Isn’t it cute? Clara loves it so much!
xo,
s
alex says
Im torn. I think the actual thought of an octopus with ninja throwing stars is wildly hilarious…because, wow, how deadly…if their aim is right…but…if I saw a squirrel holding a pistol I’d probably laugh and then wonder how strong that squirrel is..ha.
Love me some crafts.
Mallory says
I LOVE that elephant print! The Turnerbots stuff & Bowerbox Press cards are great too!
eileen marie says
Great stuff! I was sorry to have missed Chicago’s version -Renegade Fair, but I do have one of Funnel Cloud’s “Embrace Messy Hair” prints in my bathroom. I forgot she lives in VA too!
NotJune says
Question: (And I swear I checked all over the site for the answer before asking) Is there some trick you use for ease of switching framed images all the time? Those little prongs all along the back of frames make me nuts and I can’t imagine doing it more than once but love the idea of changing out pieces!
YoungHouseLove says
I just use a screwdriver to flick them open and closed. Oh and I plan to store the holiday stuff behind the other regular art in the frame (so it’s easy to switch back and forth and keep track of in there). Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Diane says
Wow… that bunny print is so amazing to me, as a long-time rabbit owner. It really captured the mix of serious and whimsical that my bunny embodied while he’s zipping around the house. I went onto the artist’s Etsy site and there were a lot of amazing animal prints. I picked up an owl, and of course the bunny, and can’t wait until they arrive and I can hang them up in my office.
Cari says
Thanks a lot! =) I just bought a pea in the pod necklace for myself and a friend =), an apron, and a owl print. OH! and the ceramic alphabet.
Well… doing my part to stimulate the economy I guess =).
LOVE YOUR BLOG!! BIG fan!!!
Cari
Jody says
LOVE LOVE it all! Anyone aware of a craft fair like this in Kentucky? The ones I have been to do NOT have cool items like this. I only see very country-like items! No mod twist like these! HAHA!!
YoungHouseLove says
Someone commented with a tip to search for “indie craft fair” or “indie craft show” which might turn up less country-ish items. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Sam says
Love your new purchases from the recent Richmond Craft Mafia event. So disappointed I missed it! I will definitely check out the spring event. I was especially thrilled to see you highlight my dear friend Susannah’s work from Zou Zou’s Basement. She is sooo very talented!! Love Funnel Cloud Studio’s Virginia print. Definitely will have to check out their site.
Katy says
Love seeing how much cool stuff there was in little old Richmond for the holidays! Glad to be finally catching up with EtsyGreetings news after a crazed holiday. I’ll send a link to a crafty Richmond friend–too late for this season, but maybe you guys will make a connection!
Trista says
I think the different colored frames look rather neat together!