Arts Educator Jennifer Davis will lead a portrait-painting workshop based on characters from the movies “Elf” or “A Christmas Story” during the Nov. 25 Crafty Mart event. (Photo: Jenn Kidd)
Crafty Mart is well known for its selection of uniquely artistic handmade items, but the upcoming holiday market, Saturday, Nov. 25, also will offer attendees an opportunity to create their own handcrafted gifts. From Christmas trees made from discarded jewelry and woven necklaces to “Elf” portraits and kids’ crafts, the Crafty Mart 9th Annual Holiday Show includes a number of hands-on classes during the upcoming market, which will take place at Summit Artspace, 140 E. Market St., in downtown Akron.
Deranged Easter Buddies, Elf Portraits
Arts educator Jennifer Davis will lead a portrait-painting class from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., during which people may select their favorite character from the movies “Elf” or “A Christmas Story” as their art subject. Participants also will learn how to transfer photos onto canvas.
Davis, who also is owner of smARTStudio and co-founder of Akron Craft + Social Club, makes art accessible and fun through her many avenues of outreach, and she encourages people of all abilities to participate. “Learning a new skill, exploring techniques and manually manipulating art-making media are beneficial activities that foster self esteem, inspire creative thought, encourage innovation and elevate mood,” she says. “Making art makes you happy!”
And along with attending the workshop, Davis encourages residents to shop the Crafty Mart itself, which has so many benefits. “Shopping small is an investment in entrepreneurship, encourages our local economy and supports future growth.”
Class is $20 and includes materials. To register, visit http://ticketstripe.com/paintingparty.
Woven Necklaces
Lindsey Jo Scott’s “Intro to Weaving,” from 1 to 3 p.m., will offer attendees the basics for art weaving, from setting up a loom and using varying stitches to adding fringe and creating one’s own wearable work of art.
“The whole workshop is really an introduction to hand-weaving, because participants can use the techniques I’ll be teaching to make larger woven tapestries too, or really, anything they can dream up,” says Scott, an artist, designer and yoga teacher who taught herself this old-school craft by by checking out nearly every book available at the local library.
Like her fellow teachers, Scott believes that making things with our hands makes us better people, by helping us relax and be creative. “Weaving on a tabletop loom is an accessible hand craft, and I think everyone who participates will walk away feeling accomplished and inspired. We get to use pretty yarns too, which is such a treat,” she adds.
Class is $20 and includes materials. To register, visit http://ticketstripe.com/wovennecklace.
Upcycled Jewelry Trees
Danielle Hupp likes to take ordinary objects and convert them into extraordinary pieces. Her upcycled jewelry tree workshop, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., will help participants convert broken, costume or surplus jewelry into framed Christmas Tree collages.
Much of the supplies she’ll use are procured from ACCESS, Inc.’s Jewelry Box fundraiser event, during which the homeless shelter for women and children sells costume and high-end jewelry.
“If you don’t have the supplies and you’ve always wanted to make one of these trees, everything is provided and it’s a guided lesson,” says Hupp, who by day works as senior associate director of Kent State University’s Annual Giving Program. “And you get to take home a beautiful piece of art that you made.”
This class is currently sold out, but interested participants are encouraged to email [email protected] to be added to a waiting list.
Kids Drop-Off Workshop
Parents will have a chance to shop stress-free while their children explore different artistic mediums as part of the Kids Drop-Off Workshop, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Under the instruction of Marissa McClellan, Crafty Mart’s director of Education, children will be able to create dream catchers, tissue paper art, paper plate noisemakers and yarn-stamping.
Fee is $5. To register, visit http://ticketstripe.com/kidworkshops.
Also available at this year’s Crafty Mart is a parent and child yoga class at 9 a.m. Cost is $10. To register, visit http://ticketstripe.com/parentchildyoga.
Crafty Mart takes place Saturday, Nov. 25, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Musica, Summit Artspace and the Akron Art Museum in downtown Akron. For info, visit www.craftymart.org/9th-annual-crafty-mart.
