St. Paul Craftstravaganza

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More About

• Friend London
• Textile Center

Craftstravaganza puts together two seemingly unrelated words (crafts are not generally associated with spectacular entertainment, after all), but the name seems fitting considering they've managed to pack 75 vendors into the State Fair's Fine Arts Building. The fair returns for its fifth year with plans to be even bigger than before. Nearly a third of the local sellers are new to the show, including St. Paul's My Friend London, who spins vibrant wool from Wisconsin sheep; heavy-hitters Burlesque, graphic designers who create—among many other things—posters and moustache bandanas; and Workerman, whose stunning wooden bicycle handlebars turn a two-wheeler into a work of movable art. A handful of vendors use repurposed and up-cycled materials in their work, with vinyl billboards turned into bags, bike tires as belts, and scrap fabrics getting a second life as men's briefs. Craftstravaganza also offers workshops from organizations including the Textile Center to help further at-home creation. Early-bird bonus: The first 100 visitors receive a bag with samples of exhibiting crafters' work. For more info visit www.craftstravaganza.com. (Pictured: Last year's I Like You booth)
Sat., May 1, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., 2010