Handmade Holiday

As observed on Black Friday, people are prepared to physically abuse each other for a good deal. Purchasing handmade goods at a vegetable and fish farm sure sounds less painful to me.

“Through the experience of buying goods directly from a member of the immediate community,” said Cortney Heimerl, one of the Hover Craft event organizers. “We hope that residents will come to understand that shopping local is an important aspect of life and one that will benefit the city of Milwaukee directly.”

Hover Craft was started last year as an event to support the emerging creative arts community in Milwaukee by providing them with a space to exhibit their talents and wares. This year’s exciting craft fair with over 50 vendors takes place tomorrow (Dec. 3) and will include a variety of products from homemade jams to vintage fabrics to woodworking pieces and more!

“We enable people to speak with those who create, and if a gift is purchased there’s more to share than just an object, there’s also a story,” said co-organizer Alyssa Schulte.

Tyler Maas, who runs www.forwardfabrics.com, will be selling his Wisconsin sports-themed t-shirts this Saturday and says he jumped at the chance to take part in Hover Craft and get more exposure. “I’m looking forward to walking around and seeing all the other booths and probably doing a lot of my holiday shopping,” Maas says, “More than anything, though, I’m excited to talk to local people who walk by and check out my stuff.”

Amateur and professional vendors will be exhibiting at this year’s event, and some will be selling their goods in a public space for the first time. Schulte notes that this can be a daunting but rewarding task. “Everyone I spoke with changed me in a small way,” Schulte continues, “I really want all involved to see how much fun sharing art and craft work can be.”

To add to the amusement, there will be a bar offering Bloody Marys, beer, a signature Hover Craft cocktail, and soft drinks for your shopping pleasure. Food vendors will also be present and include Satellite Crepes, Mamasita’s Tamales and Stacy Plumely’s baked goods. And, of course, there will be music. Schulte says holiday shopping is stressful enough, so you might as well have a good time while you’re doing it.

The event will be held at Sweet Water Organics, which was an intentional choice on the part of the event organizers. Heimerl says they’ve always wanted to work with Sweet Water and the use of their space is a collaboration in support of raising awareness not only to the craft fair and its vendors but also to this unique urban vegetable and fish farm. Short tours of the space will be offered throughout the day.

And don’t forget to bring your cash money! Many vendors do not accept credit cards and there is no ATM on site. Check out the list of vendors and get more information on the event at http://hovercraftmke.blogspot.com/

Hover Craft ($2 admission) is at Sweet Water Organics at 2151 S. Robinson Ave. on Saturday, Dec. 3, 12 – 6 p.m.