I know you’re thinking of really making this year a handmade holiday right? You’ve probably already gathered your ingredients for all the cookie platters you plan to make for parties, clipped all the necessary recipes from various resources and maaaaybe didn’t look away from the TV while some lady named Martha prattled on about ‘easy table centerpieces’.

But now you’re too tired to knit that hat or solder that pair of earrings right?  So where can you find people who have done all the crafty hard work for you?

You’ll find them at the Bloomingdale Holiday Art Market! This annual holiday market returns to the Big Bear Cafe in Washington, DC on Sunday December 5th.  6 top-notch, DC-based crafters  have done the work for you and will be selling unique handmade goods from 4-9pm (full disclosure, I am one of them but I assure you, we are the notchiest).

Organized by the artistic husband and wife team of Goshdarnknit’s Rania Hassan and Scenic Artisan’s Sean Hennessey Big Bear Cafe (now with alcohol!) is hosting this event with many things to do. Caroling! Buy a Christmas tree! Have a Bloomingdale photographer snap your holiday portrait! And let’s not forget the spiced rum… let’s never forget the spiced rum.

Other vendor offerings include luxe, one-of-a-kind handmade bags by Eve VanDalsen , the green (as in recycled) jewelry of Figs & Ginger and the kid-centric embroidery of  60 Bugs. And… oh yeah, me! I make plush animals out of recycled sweaters .

The Bloomingdale Holiday Market is Sunday, December 5 from 4-9 pm at Big Bear Cafe located at the corner of 1st and R street NW in the adorable Bloomingdale neighborhood.

I asked her where she finds her inspiration (you’ll see when you check out her wallets, there’s a small tag indicating where she’s lived) and she said “Sitting on the Metro checking out my fellow commuters, walking my dogs in and around Eastern Market, all of these free museums, etc. I am a fairly utilitarian gal, probably my sensible mid-western upbringing. So for me the greatest adage is ‘necessity is the mother of invention’ “.


Eve is currently learning Portugese for her move in February, splitting time between learning, her studio in the basement (she points out that the Portugese word for basement roughly means ‘cave’) and her work as a dietitian. This is one busy (and amazingly talented!) lady.

Check out Eve in the vendor gallery and at Crafty Bastards on October 2, 2010!

I can’t seem to stop purchasing these beasts for my own home, and have thus become friends with their maker (and thus rendered myself ineligible from jurying her for Crafty Bastards) & will say this: If the world runs out of color, we needn’t worry. There’s a stockpile of rainbows in Strunge’s utopian Baltimore studio. I’ve seen it firsthand.

Check out Cotton Monsters in the vendor gallery and at Crafty Bastards at October 2, 2010.

I recently found and can’t stop thinking about these awesome converted toy guns by River Wraith.

Can you believe this is a converted Nerf gun, made of plastic? It has been painted, aged, and sealed with a gloss. The gun no longer fires Nerf bullets. It is strictly a prop or costume gun. For just $28.00, this gun makes me want to write and film my own little space opera.

And look at this one!

Seriously, these are amazing. Check out River Wraith for even more.

They are actually really cute, but they make me think of a future when we all have wear shoes made from noodle wrappers.

The awesome thing about MoJo Trashion’s shop is that she not only sells the shoes for $20, but you can also buy the pattern for just $6.75. That way you can make your own shoes when you no longer have $20 to buy them or when the internet is gone and the cannibals steal your last pair of baby shoes.

These lovely seahorses ($40 for the set) by Snaulkter are made from 99% recycled materials; old (washed) sweaters and plastic shopping bags in the fins to make them crinkle. Not only do I love these guys because they are upcycled, but they are totally kid friendly. I could see my kids spending hours making up stories about the Papa Seahorse and his babies. What an awesome use for an old sweater!

In the listing for this ring, they write:

A sustainable and artistic approach was used to make these pop art jewelry pieces. The lighters were found on the street and were carved, sanded, shaped and finally filled at the top with acrylic to finish the look. Colors vary depending on what Nate happens to find in the street.

These seem like lots of work and are only $17.50!

Librarian Barbarian in Glasgow, Scotland, makes unwanted tapes into the cutest little change purses ($20). These would be even more awesome with a strap to turn them into wristlets.

This one has a cute little strap, making it perfect for a small camera:

Here, Kate Black turns an old tape into a notebook ($20):

And this rad necklace ($155) from Goblingblinggo has a tape as it’s focal point.

Tina Seamonster blogs her life and craft at I Like Seamonsters.com.

Fisticuffs Leather specializes in cuffs and watchbands decorated with pieces of found art. Not only are the cuffs distinctive in their style, they make use of recycled and reclaimed leather. John Davis is the man behind these unique designs. Visit his booth this Saturday and wrap one around your wrist. It’ll make you feel strong. You might not be able to walk away without it!

1. Using just three words, how would you describe your work?

Bad Ass Leather!

2. What are you doing to prepare for Crafty Bastards? Are there any new products or techniques that you will be trying out for this show?

Yep, I’m working on some new stock as we speak. I have a whole new Cuff to show off but you’ll have to wait until the show.

3. Is your craft widespread in the handmade community? What makes your stuff different from others in your craft genre?

It isn’t widespread. I have seen something similar but not in the craft community.

4. Starting an independent shop takes a lot of dedication, planning and hard work. At what point did you realize you had the chops to start your own indie craft business?

It all came to fruition at the beginning of 2008. I had been building it up and doing more shows. I finally realized how much I disliked working the 9-5 and decided to just go for it.

5. Where are your favorite places to find your supplies?

That would definitely be thrift stores. I love to thrift in general. Finding supplies at the same time makes it really convenient.

6. Crafting is a grassroots revolution of sorts. It’s catching on as people appreciate all things handmade, original, recycled and environmentally/socially conscious. Does this influence/inspire your work? If so, how do you incorporate it into your craft?

Actually the Green aspect is what inspired me to begin with. All my Cuffs are made from 100% re-loved leather. The only thing new is the fasteners holding them together. I also like to incorporate fun stuff I find in my travels such as washers and other interesting things.

7. After seeing your work, many would-be crafters are inspired to start their own creations. Will you have any DIY kits available for sale at Crafty this year? Could you provide any simple how-to’s or tips for readers who want to get started on their own designs?

I will not have any take and make this year but I’ve been thinking about what that could be. Perhaps the September show? There are several places that offer kits. Stop by my tent and I’ll tell you about them.

The Craft Mutiny Arts and Crafts Collective is having a Supply Swap at Crafty Bastards Silver Spring on June 28th at Pyramid Atlantic. If you have left over arts and crafts supplies taking up space in your house, here is your chance to recycle them! Never got the hang of a certain craft, but still have all the supplies? Trade them in for something else. Just want to get rid of all those beads or fiber or fabric? Donate them to the swap and maybe someone else can do something with them! You will be able to recycle or rescue all kinds of things from yarn to fabric to paint to beads. Please leave house paint, toxic materials, and old clothing at home. Other than that, if you think someone can make something from it, bring it! Don’t have anything to swap? You can still pick up new-to-you-supplies crazy cheap even if you don’t donate/trade. Also plan to get in on the fun with demonstrations of Gocco printing and yarn spinning, plus zines and how-tos. Email Craft Mutiny if you have questions!