Got Craft? They do! Vancouver's upcoming craft art fair

Vancouver’s DIY scene is a pretty awesome one, and it gets stronger with every passing year. That doesn’t mean, however, that we can’t celebrate the DIY initiatives that we love. With that in mind, may I present Got Craft?

This twice-yearly celebration of indie artisans and crafters descends upon the legion at Commercial Drive next Sunday, May 6. Like previous incarnations (they’re usually one each spring and winter) this promises to be a huge affair, bringing dozens of vendors and over 5000 attendees (!!!) to a day-long event in the heart of the Drive. This year, they’ve added a sewing lounge run by awesome local sewing shop/school Spool of Thread, so you can learn to sew while getting your craft on. Oh, and there will be DJs too, in case you feel like dancing while you shop (don’t we all?).

What’s awesome about the crafting revolution, in my mind, is that events like this—along with websites like Etsy and awesome stores that choose to carry local, handmade products—take crafting out of the fussy, grandma realm and into coolness. I have a few pieces of handmade jewelry and some scarves from fairs past, and I never get so many compliments as I do when I wear stuff that’s unique. It’s a measure of pride to say “this piece was made here by a local artist.”

The other cool part about Got Craft, specifically, is its run by a husband and wife event planning/crafting team, who put on the fairs both in Vancouver and in London. Because they are DIY-ers themselves, there’s a level of care and fun in their events that you might not find at the larger craft/DIY fairs.

So, next Sunday, come on down to the Drive, have brunch (I recommend Havana), grab a coffee at JJ Bean, and head in to pick up some lovely local stuff at Got Craft. It only costs $3 to get in (kids 10 and under are free). First 50 people get a FREE swag bag as well, so it pays to come early! I’ll see you there!