Does this tote bag from Richmond Threadlab look familiar? You might have seen it on our Instagram a couple weekends ago when we wandered through the local Handmade Holiday Craft Show. The fair is a biannual celebration run by the Richmond Craft Mafia, and it’s always packed with talented makers from around Virginia. Many vendors sell through Etsy, so you can browse their shops online if something catches your eye. Below are some of the highlights and new discoveries we enjoyed at this year’s event.
Spade Moderne showcased a great selection of graphic pillows and tea towels, but the mistletoe brooch stood out the most. It’s small enough to become an ornament or to display in a shadowbox as holiday art.
From the printed-fabric booths, Tiny Peepers offered charming screenprinted tea towels and a delightfully hip onesie that made me nostalgic for the baby-clothing phase.
We loved the 2013 calendar from Flytrap Studios—a reminder that it’s already time to think about next year’s calendars.
Tributary Handmade had adorable fabric rattles, and they even offer silent versions for quieter play. One featured a pears-and-apples print we recognized from one of Clara’s photos, which brought back a sweet memory. Tributary also carried whimsical dolls with a retro vibe that reminded me of the Beatles—perfect for a little boy’s room, especially the mustached figure in suspenders.
Nearby, Jessica Reed Artifacts displayed pillows, bags, and stockings made from reclaimed grain and feed sacks; the vintage texture gives those pieces a rustic, holiday-ready charm.
Found Studio presented mixed-media paintings featuring mason jars—modern takes on an iconic subject, a kind of Pinterest-era pop art. They also showed smaller canvases, including a long piece with a pennant banner and a tiny green bicycle that we really liked.
As regular attendees, we recognize many booths, but vendors are always introducing fresh work. Funnel Cloud Studio had a new New Jersey state print this year, and we couldn’t resist their clever animal and metallic prints—gold armadillo, anyone?
Clay artist Tasha McKelvey brought handmade gnome ornaments that sparked the idea of a gnome-themed Christmas tree or an annual “find-the-gnome” decorating tradition.
It was great to see Phil Barbato and his work again. His Baby Octopi pieces were especially charming; one even had a tiny gold accent that felt playfully pirate-ish.
Matt Butler had prints that made us laugh—his clever slogans and bike-themed items are always entertaining. He also hand-prints custom Toms shoes so the left and right connect to form a single image, which is a fun detail.
Silver Tree Art offered colorful pieces and “wisdom cards” that deliver little boosts of positivity—Sherry spent a good while flipping through them and picked a few to bring home.
Lucky Accessories displayed layered necklaces with interesting textures and shapes that caught Sherry’s eye.
We couldn’t buy everything we admired, but we did leave with a few treasures. I picked up part of a Christmas gift for a coffee lover from Lamplighter Roasting Company; their packaging design almost convinced me to try coffee-flavored treats. Sherry walked away with a handful of wisdom cards that now sit on her desk as daily reminders.
We also indulged in a few Funnel Cloud prints: shiny gold and silver animal prints (a gold armadillo and a rhino made us smile) and their new poster, “Things That Are Awesome.” We haven’t decided where to hang it yet, but guests were drawn to its intricate illustrations, and it’s already sparked conversations.
Huge thanks to all the artists and makers who bring local craft fairs to life. Your creativity fills these events with energy and inspiration—Sherry practically bounced from booth to booth with excitement. If you visited any craft fairs this season or picked up handmade gifts, tell us what you found and which pieces stood out to you.