RSS FEED
Holiday Heap, one of the most anticipated indie craft fairs of the season, features over 40 renegade crafters from the area. Organized by the Charm City Craft Mafia crew and held at St. John's Church at 2640 St. Paul Street, it's a pseudo-rebellious way to get your holiday shopping on. (Take that shopping malls!) It's one day only—Saturday, December 4th from 10-5, free of charge, and there will be snacks and delicioso drinks from Red Emma's and Curbside Cafe.
Intern Shabdiece Esfahani reached out to Shannon Kline, the founder and executive director of Charm City Craft Mafia, to get the lowdown on the organization and the event—here's what they said:
Q: What makes the Charm City Craft Mafia different from other arts organizations in the city?
A: We are a small group of independent art business owners, dedicated to promoting ourselves and the Baltimore craft community through craft fairs, blogging and arts events in Charm City.
Q: How can a crafter/artisan join the CCCM?
A: We don't accept new members at this time. Because our focus is on promoting and producing events, we feel that our group is at it's maximum size to be able to function efficiently, and keep all members involved.
Q: Why do the shows?
A: All of the vendors at Holiday Heap are working artists. We don't have individual storefronts, but we come together once or twice a year to create a collective storefront. In this way, the CCCM helps give artists and crafters and makers the ability to make a living. We want to bring our shoppers and supporters the best of the best handmade goods and show that art doesn't have to be inaccessible. Everyone should have the opportunity to buy art, be it a print, a collage, made of fabric or metal.
Q: What is the community's reaction?
A: Definitely, the best part is hearing the shoppers say how awesome all the vendors are, what great gifts they're finding and how much fun Holiday Heap is. It feels so good and is quite an honor to be part of such a supportive community.
Q: Who are some favorites to look for while navigating the show?
A: Bowerbox Press lithograph bird cards- including a parrot saying "YO MAMMA"—so perfect for the little brother.
Red Prairie Press' printed scarves, tees and onesies are uber cute.
And, of course, the popular Broken Plate Pendant Company—who knew broken dishware could be so pretty.
(Top photograph—the collection belongs to Hillery Sproatt and was taken by Matthew Yake.)
