This Ain't Yo Mama's Craft Fair

By Sarah Dahnke in Miscellaneous on Nov 3, 2006 7:13PM

No, we're not talking about the DIY Trunk Show.

Although Chicagoist has a love/hate relationship with the "crafting a revolution" movement, we must admit that we do get excited over handmade goods, especially the affordable kind. We know that creating something by hand is time-consuming, and it's better to buy something made locally than some mass-produced crap made by a small child in Korea. We craft, too. We get it. But we often cry "bullshit!" when we arrive at a craft fair and find table after table of $50 knitted hats. Show us something unique and/or at a cheaper price than we could buy retail, and maybe we'll pay attention.

That's why the South Union Arts Market, coming up on Nov. 11 and 12, sounds appealing. The venue, a former church, is worth the trip to the Maxwell Street area anyway. For a suggested $3 donation, visitors can peruse tables of vendors, hang out on the alter under the neon Jesus, listen to one of the five bands on the bill, and if they're lucky, throw down $2 for a giant Dixie cup of wine. So far, the vendor list includes Souldier, which makes awesome guitar straps and belts, Klockau Illustration, which does comic illustrations while you wait, and Owly, which makes shadow puppets. Bands include Heligoats, Octagon Island, We/Or/Me, Hanalei and Kris Racer. Oh, and Tipsycake, the delicious new bakery in Humbolt Park, is going to be dishing up baked goods while they last. A full vendor list is available here.

SUA visitors take note: Last time Chicagoist headed down there, there was no heat. Dress appropriately.