What is it?
Now in its 3rd year, Crafty Bastards(sm) Arts & Crafts Fair is a juried exhibition and sale of handmade alternative arts and crafts from independent artists presented by the Washington City Paper Classifieds Department. The fair is all-day, outdoors, free to attend, and will offer goods for sale, food, entertainment, prizes, and more!
Why are we doing it?
As an alternative newsweekly, City Paper aims to seek out underground art and to connect the voice and vision of the independent craft community with our readers. In our Classifieds section, in print and online, we have a special Crafty Bastards advertising section through which craftspeople can sell their wares. Once a year we hold the juried fair and create a unique experience where the urban consumer is able to shop for singular, hard-to-find artwork and crafts, meet the artists in person, as well as enjoy an outdoor event with loads of fun and entertainment!
When is this event and how do I find it?
Sunday, October 1, 2006 at the Marie Reed Learning Center at 18th & Wyoming in the hip Adams Morgan neighborhood of Washington, DC.
What kinds of crafts will I find?
You won't find knitted teapot cozies, floral wreaths, carved wood ducks or batik jackets here. You will find unique, unconventional handmade items such as dead Elvis statues, gumball machine ninja necklaces, restructured vintage clothing, screenprinted tees and handbags, punk rock baby clothes, duct tape wallets, tampon dolls and burnt toast plush toys, zines, sculpture, collage, photography, and much much more!
Event History
In 2004, City Paper held the first Crafty Bastards(sm) Arts & Crafts Fair at the Columbia Heights Community Marketplace. We featured 150 vendors, food, and bands.
In 2005, Crafty Bastards moved to the Marie Reed learning Center and featured 100 talented vendors, over 10,000 attendees, food, sponsors, prizes, a b-boy battle, a fire-eater, belly dancers and more!
Our third year running, we expect another fabulous array of creative vendors, larger attendance and more fun for all!
Crafty Bastards Buzz
Style on the Go, Washington Post. (9/29/06)
Washington Blade Best Bets, Amy Cavanaugh. (9/29/06)
Wonkette. (9/29/06)
The Weekend Guide, Daily Candy. (9/28/06)
Event Highlights, Baltimore City Paper. (9/28/06)
Northern VA Art Beat, Kevin Mellema, Fall Church News Press. (9/28/06)
Craft blog, Natalie Zee. (9/27/06)
DCist.com, Heather Goss. (9/27/06)
Adorn Blog, Adorn Magazine. (9/22/06)
American University Eagle, Rebecca Armendariz. (10/03/05)
Friend or Foe Photo Album, Friend or Foe Industries. (10/1/05)
University of Maryland Diamondback, Victoria Markovitz. (9/30/05)
“All Things Considered”, NPR, Neda Ulaby. (12/7/04)
Mypapercrane.com, Heidi Kenney. (10/3/04)
Ilikeseamonsters.com, Tina Henry-Barrus. (10/3/04)
“Weekend's Best” Exhibitions, Washington Post Weekend. (10/1/04).
