If you're the kind of person who
shudders at the thought of Black Friday or abhors malls altogether,
chances are you'd be a good candidate for buying handmade this
year. Not only do you avoid fighting your way through obnoxious
crowds of sale-hungry consumers, but when you buy handmade, you'll know that you're
buying a unique item that wasn't manufactured by underpaid workers under sweatshop conditions.
In an age
when everything seems to be imported from somewhere else, it's
nice to know exactly who made something and even begin to form a
relationship with the seller if you decide to purchase from them
again.
Behold these three
upcoming South Florida indie craft fairs where you can satisfy your
handmade hankering and buy something really awesome for everyone on your list this year.
South Beach Indie Craft Market
Not only is this fair in an awesome location -- the beach! -- it's also run by the same guys who produce the Lincoln Road and Coconut Grove antique markets. The South Beach Indie Craft Market takes place the second Sunday of the month and boasts over 40 vendors selling handmade, repurposed, and vintage goods. It's a relatively new fair, but is bound to have something for everyone on your shopping list.
The South Beach Indie Craft Market is open Dec. 11 from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Art Deco Welcome Center, 1001 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach. Admission is free, and parking is available at meters and nearby garages.
Indie Craft Bazaar: Let it Sew
This popular fair has been around for over a year, but has moved from its previous home at Cinema Paradiso to a new indoor one at Revolution Live. Shoppers and vendors at the Indie Craft Bazaar will have access to a full cash bar as well as vegan and non-vegan snacks. Additional highlights include DIY craft stand, a henna artist, tarot card readings, and a photobooth by Penelope Lane Photography. If you haven't been before, be sure to check out artist Edau's
cute designs available on totes, shirts, prints, and stickers or pick
up a fun zippered pouch from Heartbeatz Accessories.
The Indie Craft Bazaar is open Dec. 17 from noon to 5 p.m. at Revolution Live, 100 SW Third Ave., Fort Lauderdale. Admission is $5 and there is free, though limited, parking nearby.
Downtown Open Market
This indie-fest is brought to you by Sugar Circus, which also puts on Stitch Rock, Art Rock, and the Retro Indie Market. The Downtown Open Market's over 50 vendors will be selling bath goods, vintage clothing, pet items, art, and more,
both inside and outside the Civic Center. In fact, the front street will be closed off to make room for eight to 10 gourmet food trucks serving up munchies for the whole family. There will also be live music and a small playground nearby to keep the kids entertained.
The Downtown Open Market is open Dec. 18 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Boynton Beach Civic Center, 128 E. Ocean Ave, Boynton Beach. Admission and parking are free.
--Liana Minassian
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