This Was Not Your Grandma’s Craft Sale (the Fourth)
Tuesday, December 15th, 2009Beforehand, I wondered if the below-normal temperatures would put any sort of damper on this year’s This Ain’t Your Grandma’s Craft Sale. I should have known the answer to that question. The answer is no. There were 500 people through the doors… in the first hour alone! And everyone’s $2 admission fee went to Art City. Win!
I have prepared this image for you. Click to see a larger version.
TAYGCS is held each year in the Park Theatre — an old movie theatre transformed into a concert venue, coffee shop and movie rental place. In between some of the rows of seats there are tables (back in the day when you could set your snacks on a flat surface in front of you rather than balancing them on your knees!), and vendors set up their wares there as well as on tables brought in for the occasion.
Last year was my first year at TAYGCS, and I made the mistake of thinking I could run my table alone. This year I brought help, and good thing, because it was even busier than last year! Also, having a helper meant I could browse the other vendors more. I bought a couple of gifts, but of course I indulged in items for myself, including this:
Manatee stuffie by marathon1981
I love manatees (they are so fat!), and Kami sold me a sweet ornament (actually, her husband Mike did).
Adding to the festive and fun atmosphere: Wanda June’s clutch of little girls, who would appear from beneath the rack displaying her wonderful handmade clothing. Also, Grumble Toy’s adorability was in full effect even with the absence of Ainsley, one half of its two person creative team. Still, Chris was there with his big smile and fantastic plush as well as his Japan-made, self-designed, hand-painted plastic toys!
Grumble Toy plush
Speaking of plush, a thrilling new discovery for me at this year’s sale was Jill Zurzolo. A maker of bags and handmade buttons (right up my alley, obvs!) she has recently ventured into doll-making, and the results are nothing short of wonderful.
Drew Bear by Jill Zurzolo
As I write this now, I’m kind of regretting not buying one of these rice-bag weighted dolls. She also makes girl-shaped and rabbit-shaped ones!
Last year’s sale was such a success, I couldn’t imagine anything topping it, but Roy, Dallas and Kylie continued the tradition with force, curating a diverse and fantastic combination of crafters. No wonder people flock to this sale — it’s solid gold in terms of content, and you’re guaranteed no sellers of Norwex or gourmet dips. (Don’t get me wrong: I love Norwex and dips are delicious, but they don’t belong at a “craft” sale.)
