Story and photos by Angelique Weger
Saturday’s Pile of Craft event was a spectacular opportunity to hob nob with a diverse group of of Mafioso from Baltimore, craft Mafioso if you can believe it. The craft show, organized by the Charm City Craft Mafia, included monsters, fashion, eco-conscious beauty products, letterpress and printed goods running the gamut from elegant to down right peculiar.
The 64 vendors at Pile of Craft represented the diversity of the craft/DIY community not only in their physical wares for sale, but also in terms of their experience and business models. Some, like Jacob and Whitney Cecil of Almanac Industries and Jonathon Poliszuk of Pelinore Press, are MICA graduates making a go of their careers here in Baltimore. Others started out in fine art before transferring their talents to craft. In the case of Jennifer Wilfong, she was making large-scale paintings when her mother-in-law gave her the push to try jewelry design. She now says that it’s not only easier to sell her jewelry work than her paintings, but that “the lifestyle is better. I don’t have to go out all those evenings to art openings.”
Many of the vendors hold down day jobs separate from their crafty businesses, which they pursue as a labor of love they hope to build into a sustainable and full-time careers, like Danamarie Hosler and Cat Audette Holt have. Full-time crafters Hosler and Holt have been running their businesses for 12 years and are well versed on the ins and outs of running a small business. Hosler began making her plush creatures before the recent trend of indie plush toys, so early on, she had to explain exactly what her creations were. Now, however, she has to spend more energy on differentiating her products and her methods from other toy makers.
“It’s a challenge to have to explain what it means when you buy handmade,” said Hosler. “That when you buy from me, I’m buying my materials from the person who took the wool off the sheep and that the result is ecologically responsible, one-of-a-kind art for children. The upshot is that because there is so much of it [handmade plush toys], people are more aware and there are more opportunities to reach them.”
Other vendors just seem compelled to be makers or crafters. For example, Gary Godbey, who manages TROHV in Hampden, says he’s “obsessed with yard sales and antiques,” and his assemblages are the obvious byproduct of that love. The 1950s and ’60s are the obsession of Kristen Rigney, who finds sewing period-inspired aprons and clothing to be a creative outlet compared to her career as an environmental scientist.
Organizations like Charm City Craft Mafia and Hello Craft, who also had a space at the show, provide support to crafty business owners in the form of workshops and opportunities to network and learn from other crafters. The Craft Mafia also organizes December’s Holiday Heap and partners with other local groups working with artists and the DIY community. Of running her own business, Rigney, a Craft Mafia member, said, “Having the support of rowdy, rambunctious crafters who have been very welcoming makes it feel very reachable.” Hello Craft organizes both DC’s Crafty Bastards and the Summit of Awesome, a national conference for the handmade community which will be held in Baltimore this October. “It’s basically an excuse for us to invite all our favorite crafters to give a talk and make stuff,” said Sara Dick, board president and marketing director.
She noted the growth of the handmade community since the first Crafty Bastards in 2004, sharing that some small businesses are experiencing the tension of how to stay true to their DIY roots and run a sustainable business. While sites like Etsy and Artfire provide crafters a worldwide marketplace, some local crafters like Hosler and Kelly and Kasey Evick are even seeing their items stocked on shelves nationwide. Organizations like the Craft Mafia and Hello Craft play an important role in growing the indie craft community by providing opportunities for crafters to share the lessons they’ve learned as they’ve started and continue to grow their businesses. While the goods they make and sell are diverse, the crafters can learn from each other about things like purchasing bulk materials, marketing and promotions, social media and e-commerce.
Baltimore, too, seems to be playing a role in the success of these handmade businesses, and several local crafters had positive things to say about living and working in the city. “I think because it’s so inexpensive, it draws artists,” said Poliszuk. The friendliness and accessibility of the art/craft/DIY community were also celebrated by Craft Mafia member Phuong Pham. “Everywhere you go, I feel there are people excited to talk to you about their art and about what you’re doing.”
Story and photos by Angelique Weger
