Two downtown Phoenix boutiques hosted their sixth annual Crafeteria event Friday night at Medlock Plaza to showcase more than 40 local crafters.
The boutiques Frances and Smeeks, both owned by Georganne Bryant and located on Central Avenue and Camelback Road, featured local artists with unique gifts for the holidays.
Kara Roschi has been attending Crafeteria for two years, but this year she represented Practical Art, one of the local shops featured at the event.
This was Practical Art’s first year being a part of the Crafeteria.
“This is our first year having a booth and kind of representing what we do and it’s exciting,” Roschi said.
Roschi said she did not feel different as a featured vendor rather than an attendee.
“It’s a really supportive community,” she said. “You know everybody through one avenue or another.”
Stinkweeds, a record store next to Frances and Smeeks, hosted Tetra String Quartet for the night’s musical entertainment.
Stinkweeds employee Dario Miranda said events like Crafeteria give shoppers an opportunity to interact with crafters.
“I feel like its much better when you give something that is either handmade or somebody put their love into it,” Miranda said.
Communication junior Mimi Ringness said she enjoyed looking at the different crafts featured, especially the jewelry.
“It's really art when it’s not processed or manufactured,” Ringness said.
Ringness already found some holiday gifts for friends and families.
Lil’ Basket Case, owned by ASU alumna Meghan Martinez, makes antique forks where all, but the middle prong is bent downwards.
Her business also produces kitchen linens and bags with the fork design or sayings such as, “Fork cancer.”
“If you have to get a gift for somebody that has a great sense of humor and appreciates good quality, handmade (gifts, done by) local artists — then it’s the perfect gift,” she said.
Martinez said it was important for people to buy locally and felt fortunate to be a part of the event.
“It’s the greatest reward for American creativity,” Martinez said.
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