What a Load of Craft
Johnson County Fairgrounds – Saturday, Dec. 14 (11 a.m. to 6 p.m.)
Chances are if you’ve lived in or been around Iowa City for a while, you’ve heard rumor of What a Load of Craft (WALOC)–our local, cutting-edge, alternative craft fair. Now a staple of the holiday season and the perfect option for doing the bulk of your holiday shopping, WALOC was started in 2006 out of sheer necessity. At that time, there weren’t places like that focused largely on local handmade goods, Etsy didn’t exist and Iowa City was rather bleak with no outlet for it’s growing number of alternative crafters. So Susan Junis and Grace Locke Ward decided to create their very own punk-rock, DIY craft fair as a place to showcase their own work as well as other local artists, crafters and musicians.
Initially, any artist looking to participate was granted a booth, but as the fair has grown and expanded, it’s become a juried show with over 90 applications submitted this year. Submissions are filtered through the WALOC review panel that selects the best crafters out of the bunch. Their current space at the Johnson County Fairgrounds houses 35 booths, but this year, expect to see close to 50 vendors gettin’ cozy with each other as the show offers vendors both full and half booths.
While many Iowa crafters will be in attendance, WALOC also welcomes vendors from around the country. You’ll find three of my favorite vendors attending this years show and selling their creations–which all make great gifts for you or someone else. Here’s a sneak peek:
Andrew Kingsbury, Decadence
etsy.com/shop/DecadenceStyle
Ames, Iowa
Andrew got his start creating jewelry by cutting up leather belts from thrift stores. He sells reconstructed jewelry for both men and women. When you trot past his booth, look for leather cuffs, necklaces and earrings, and recycled or salvaged pieces. Using his unique eye for potential, he breathes new life into discarded objects and brings value to relics from the past.
Crowd Favorite: Leather cuff bracelets decorated with vintage items such as drawer pulls or old beer bottle openers.
My pick: That ruler bracelet would look nice on my wrist, yeah?
Genevra Bell, Genevra Bell Illustration
etsy.com/shop/genevrabell
Fairfield, Iowa
A newbie to WALOC, Genevra sells original illustrations, prints, cards and ceramics. You can also commission custom pet portraits of your own furry friend dressed up in fancy attire. She draws on endless inspiration from illustrated children’s books and the tiny magical details of those imagined worlds to create some terribly adorable little critters.
Crowd Favorite: A print of a tiny mouse asleep in a walnut shell.
My pick: Gregory Pickles print. It’s a rabbit wearing a suit! C’mon, you guys!
Danni Trester, Innad
innad.etsy.com
Madison, Wisconsin
Two-year WALOC veteran, Danni puts her textile design degree to good work creating wallets, backpacks and pocket-sized notebooks. With a bold taste in pattern and color, Danni’s products truly stand out and are great for ladies and fellas alike.
Crowd Favorite: Ultra Slim flat wallets
My Pick: Totally want her printed notebooks and one of those bad-ass backpacks.
What A Load Of Craft 10 happens Saturday, Dec. 14 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Be sure to stop by for musical treats from local performers, delicious food and a bunch of cute loot from the vendors.
