The art of crafting is experiencing a resurgence in popularity and craft fairs are popping up all over the country. But these are not the craft fairs of the 1970’s. Today’s green craft fair focuses on unique art, clothing, jewelry and home décor pieces made from recycled or repurposed items.
Indie green crafts
In today’s lingo, the word “indie” can be used to describe anything hip or non-mainstream. For example, indie music is published by independent recording companies and indie craft fairs feature arts and crafts that may be a bit out of the ordinary. In fact, Indie crafts are in a category all by themselves. You are not likely to find patchwork aprons or a macramé plant holder at an indie craft fair. What you will see are lovely jewelry and beautiful artwork crafted from bottle caps and newspapers; wearable clothing made out of plastic bags or vintage fabrics and old CD cases become picture frames or hanging ornaments. Kitchen canisters painted with country geese have been replaced by skulls and other punk icons. Hand blown glass art is always popular but at an Indie craft festival the blown glass is often a more functional item like “smoking” paraphernalia. These crafters are expert at turning garbage and cast off objects into beautiful and functional art.
Regional green craft fairs
If mainstream is more your style, travel around our beautiful country and you will find crafts as diverse as the countryside.
• Areas that are near the water have the opportunity to repurpose or recycle items associated with boating and fishing, for example. Old sails may be turned into tote bags, sturdy outdoor cushions or window treatments like those found at www.ellavickers.com. Lobster traps become unique and functional picture frames or coffee tables. (www.lobstertrapart.com) Old rope can turn an ordinary lamp into a one-of-a-kind piece of art and large rope knots make perfect doorstops.
• Mountain areas offer different opportunities for crafters. Woven baskets and hanging wall art made from dropped pine needles and adorned with naturally shed animal horns is the perfect accessory in a casual home. Discarded sweaters are repurposed into blankets and quilts; fallen trees can be turned into beautiful and functional furniture.
• Even city dwellers can create green crafts. Bottles, cans, wine corks, newspapers, old furniture; all of these items can be repurposed, recycled, refinished or reupholstered into something beautiful and/or functional.
Green craft fairs often donate a portion of the funds collected to a local charity, offer a clothing swap or collect food for a shelter. Even the food booths are green—no hot dogs and French fries here—look for organic, locally grown food items along with a selection for vegetarians and vegans. My how times have changed!
