Hooorraaay!! I am SO excited about this craft show, Crafty Bastards, happening on October 3rd, this coming Saturday. I’ve always heard great things about it, so I finally got up the gumption to apply for it this year, and lo! I made the cut. Since this is my first time, I don’t have a lot of firsthand info or chat, so I will let the spectacular crew of Crafty Bastards do the talking. From the Crafty Bastards website, all of the information you will ever need. Mention that you saw this post on my blog, and receive a free bookmark & sticker pack OR $5 off of my newest art print, Fall 2009, your choice friend.

Hope to see you there! Here is a great list of the participating vendors for 2009, searchable by name, alphabetical order, or craft type, how helpful and rad!

All about the Crafty Bastards Arts & Crafts Fair:

What is it?
Now in its 6th year, Crafty Bastards(sm) Arts & Crafts Fair is an exhibition and sale of handmade alternative arts and crafts from independent artists presented by the Washington City Paper. The fair is all-day, outdoors, free to attend, and will offer goods for sale, food, entertainment, prizes, and more! Crafty Bastards will take place Saturday, October 3, 2009 in Washington, DC.

Why are we doing it?
As DC’s premier alternative newsweekly, City Paper promotes underground art and strives to connect the voice and vision of the indie craft community with our readers. In our Classifieds section, in print and online, we have a special Crafty Bastards advertising section through which craftspeople can sell their wares and throughout the year we post craft related info on the Crafty Bastards blog, Cut the Craft, where we invite talented crafters to share their knowledge and expertise with the public. Every fall we hold the fair which creates an experience where the urban consumer can discover unconventional, hard-to-find arts and crafts, meet the artists, as well as enjoy an outdoor event with fun and entertainment! In 2008 we hosted a spring show that focused on learning, workshops, up-and-coming artists, and those newer to the indie craft scene.

When is this event and how do I find it?

Saturday, October 3, 2009, 10am-5pm at the Marie Reed Learning Center at 18th & Wyoming (Google Maps) in the hip Adams Morgan neighborhood of Washington, DC.

Read the FAQ for more information.

What kinds of crafts will I find?
You won’t find mass produced or imported goods here. You will find talented vendors handpicked by a select jury for their DIY chops and singular vision selling things you never knew existed and that you may never see again! There’ll be surprises at every booth including reconstructed clothing, punk rock baby clothes, handcrafted jewelry, whimsical and demented plush toys, handspun yarn, screen-printing, avant-garde art and much more!

Event History
In 2004, City Paper held the first Crafty Bastards(sm) Arts & Crafts Fair at the Columbia Heights Community Marketplace. We featured 150 vendors, food, and bands. In 2005, Crafty Bastards moved to the Marie Reed Learning Center in Adams Morgan, and has since featured more than 100 indie craft vendors, over 20,000 attendees, food, sponsors, prizes, a b-boy battle, workshops, and entertainment that’s included a fire-eater, kid-friendly rock shows, a fashion show, belly dancers and more! Our sixth year running, we expect another exciting display of creative talent, entertainment and fun for all!

Still have questions?
See our Frequently Asked Questions.