Art as Craft

Indie Craft Parade returns for a second year

Indie Craft Parade returns for a second year

A revolution is growing of a different sort— it’s a revolution of craft.

Long gone are the days when being “crafty” meant making popsicle-stick sculptures and bedazzling your blue jeans. Today, the worlds of quality design and do-it-yourself projects have collided to make crafty synonymous with trendy. Independent artisans are showing off their handmade wares at juried art fairs and festivals across the country, and Greenville’s art-forward community is a prominent stop.

The Indie Craft Parade was born of the idea of two friends who recognized Greenville’s demand and decided to do something about it. Elizabeth Ramos and Erin Godbey were fascinated by the modern craft movement and the success of Etsy, a Web site allowing vendors to set up online “shops” to sell handcrafted goods. Ramos and Godbey set their sights on bringing this new breed of artists, with their close-knit community and passion for quality craftsmanship, to Greenville.

The result: the Indie Craft Parade, a juried art festival featuring high-quality, handcrafted art by more than 70 regional, independent artisans in six categories (2D Fine Art, 3D Fine Art, To Wear, Fiber Art, Paper Goods, and Everything Else). Last year’s inaugural festival was a huge success, bringing more than 4,000 people to shop and meet the artists.

This year’s Indie Craft Parade will offer a new selection of crafts, food, and music. A special VIP gala will be held Friday night, September 9, allowing ticketholders to have a first look at the crafts and mingle with the artists.

For Ramos and Godbey, the personal touch of a handmade craft and the connection between artist and consumer are what make this revolution worth fighting for.