I just attended two craft fairs in NYC the weekend of June 5-6. The Makers Market in Astoria, Queens was a curated/juried event. Many of the items were spectacular. Some felters were there, one knitter, lots of woodworkers, no weavers. Corporate sponsors were American Craft magazine, Readymade, and others. This was the second year for this fair.

Next, we went to the Renegade Fair in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Again, two booths out of a bazillion sold handspun, handdyed yarn. A few knitters. Some garments. No weavers. Corporate sponsors were Etsy (I saw several artists from the site represented there), Burda, and Rowenta. This was the 5th year of this fair.

Gee. I smell an opportunity for a weaver or two (if anyone is interested...)

 

 

 

Comments

Mon, 06/07/2010 - 00:04

sgt_majorette (not verified)

Renegade Fair booths were kind of pricey -- my spinning group was thinking of taking a booth.

We sold some handspun at the Queens Farm Sheep Shearing Day, and we'll probably be back for their Country Fair in September.

Any weavers' groups meeting in NYC?

Mon, 06/07/2010 - 00:16

crosstownshuttler (not verified)

Hi sgt majorette,

The New York Guild of Handweavers meets in NYC from September through April at the School of Visual Arts. We have speakers, workshops, field trips, a good sized library and sample library. We usually meet the last Saturday of the month with adjustments for holidays.

We're on summer break right now but please come visit us in September. We'd love to have you. Here's our website.

New York Guild of Handweavers

Carie

Mon, 06/07/2010 - 01:44

sgt_majorette (not verified)

Are there any meetup-style groups that just hang out and weave? I guess it's difficult unless you're doing miniatures, but our spinning group meets like that (you just can't bring a wheel to most of the places we meet, so it's spindles only) and it's a lot of fun. People have been known to bring small looms and weave with their handspun.

I'm not a proper weaver yet, but I'd love to get into a social weaving group. I have a tote bag just the right size for my baby Navajo loom!

Mon, 06/07/2010 - 02:08

sally orgren

Bring looms and weave...yes! 

There are a few of us crazies, and we have been toying with bringing our looms to Central Park for a weave-in. Of course, some of us are on the Jersey-side, so if you don't mind us lugging some of our small looms over on the PATH, we'll keep you posted!

Sally

 

Mon, 06/07/2010 - 12:06

claudia (not verified)

Oh, I love it. A weaving flash mob in Central Park to weave!  How excellent.  lol 
Do you think I can travel by train with my Baby Wolf to join the party?  Just kidding.  I'd bring my Emilia in it's sweet beige bag. 

Please be sure to post the date on Weavolution.  There are lots of us with easy access to NYC.

Claudia

Thu, 06/10/2010 - 22:08

sweltwoman (not verified)

In the last few years I also have not noticed any handwovens at "craft fairs."  I'm putting this in quotes because I mainly see people selling t-shirts, choclate and soap!  Maybe jewelry too.  The problem I've had in even applying to sell my work in these fairs is that handwovens start at a price that is beyond most of these fairs that are selling things well under $100.00.  And the much more exclusive markets (that are juried) are very expensive for vendors and require a rather expensive set-up and booth.   But even at those shows there are fewer and fewer weavers!

Group Audience
New York Area Weavers