Looks like Union Market is the hot shopping destination in DC this weekend. While Amanda McClements previews her Salt & Sundry shop inside, Crafty Bastards takes over the parking lot. Historically held at Marie Reed Learning Center at the base of Adams Morgan, Washington City Paper’s annual gathering of independent artisans and retailers moves Northeast this Saturday, November 10. The arts and crafts festival runs 10 to 5, with one important change in admission costs—this year, there actually is one. Entry will set you back $5, but if you buy tickets online in advance, your ticket will admit two. And now, on to the stalls you’ll definitely want to hit up. Mark your maps for these booth numbers, people—we scoured the vendor list, and these are our favorite of the lot.
#16: Herban Lifestyle
You may or may not see this NOVA-based soap and bath product company pop up in our December issue. Mary Kearns’s beer-scented soap bars are a great gift for guys, and everything is made in small batches using natural, organic, and fair-trade ingredients.
#18: Amira Jewelry
This Portland-based jewelry outfit weaves together colorful thread and seed beads to create colorful, detail-laden pieces. Our favorites items are the woven leaf earrings and the drop necklaces—a perfect pop of color on a slouchy sweater for the weekend.
Get your holiday card shopping out of the way early at booth #32. The women behind Grey Moggie Press, Fancy Seeing You Here, and Lennah Press all met at the letterpress studio at the Pyramid Atlantic Art Center in Silver Spring, and occasionally come together for fairs exactly like this one. Expect cats with bows, cheeky compliments, and all sorts of other twee designs.
#33: Yellowcake
There are some playful coats and long-sleeve fall dresses coming out of this Cleveland clothier. Consider stopping by if your style veers more girly and colorful than chic and severe.
#43: Fabric Horse
We first came across Fabric Horse’s super-useful bike-lock holsters when the company had a storefront in Philly’s hipsterfied Northern Liberties neighborhood. The brand has since expanded to totes, utility belts, iPad cases, canvas backpacks, wallets, and some seriously handsome rucksacks—most of which are still bike-friendly.
#45: Fritz & Fräulein
We’re digging the heritage feel of these iPad and MacBook cases, especially the ones made from repurposed industrial grain, salt, and cement sacks.
#62: Jay McCarroll
If you’ve been a Project Runway fan from the beginning, you should remember McCarroll—he took home the top prize in the very first season. He’ll exhibit a mix of eclectically patterned men’s and women’s accessories and separates—we especially like the oversize totes and the men’s socks.
#77: Georgia Varidakis Jewelry
We love the raw, industrial look of this Brookyln-based jeweler’s “hunter” collection —and this coral cuff is mighty pretty, as well.
#88: Home Sweet
The bright colors and graphic patterns of this Delaware artisan’s hemp fabric swatches, pillows, buckets, table runners, and even lamps are guaranteed to brighten your day, especially when coming in from a long day out in the cold.
#96: The Small Object
Here’s a great wedding idea: Commission one of the Small Object’s adorable clothespin cake toppers for the day of, then order a display cloche to keep so you can hold on to them long after your big day.
Sarah is the Editor-in-Chief of Washingtonian Bride & Groom, and writes about weddings, fashion, and shopping. Her work has also appeared in Refinery29, Bethesda Magazine, and Washington City Paper, among others. She is a Georgetown University graduate, lives in Columbia Heights, and you can find her on Instagram at @washbridegroom and @sarahzlot.
