By Hannah Rivers
Dec. 6, 2016
With dark mornings and even darker nights comes the holiday season. That means a lot of planning and, inevitably, some anxiety. Although for that there is also a silver lining. In this day and age, we have many choices for how to go about purchasing gifts for our loved ones. We can shop online or in-store; we can buy from department stores or buy local; we can make gifts ourselves or purchase homemade items.
The possibilities are endless. It just depends on what kind of shopping experience you’re seeking. For those who want a selection of gifts made by local artists and crafts people, the eighth annual Lincoln Holiday Craftacular will be Thursday from 4 to 9 p.m. at Embassy Suites, 1040 P St.
With over 70 booths, Craftacular supplies local artists and crafts people with a space to showcase their work. It also gives the community an opportunity to purchase items that they wouldn’t be able to find at regular chain stores. Instead, they can choose from a wide variety of unique pieces that were made locally.
Not only does Craftacular provide a singular array of gifts, but it also provides an exceptional shopping experience. This is the first year that the event is being held at Embassy Suites and, as a result, there will be a cash bar. In addition, local musicians will be performing acoustic sets. Cocktails, music and shopping: the perfect way to obtain all the gifts you need, while unwinding after work.
Started eight years ago by Jen Landis, Craftacular began as an art show that had a party atmosphere — with Landis bringing together a group of 12 of her artist friends at Zen’s Lounge. Over the years it has grown to become a more organized and professional event, although the enjoyable nature of it has remain unchanged.
This year Meredith Killion and Amy Holman joined Landis in organizing Craftacular. With three people doing all the planning (they also have booths of their own), it has been much easier to get everything done. Landis is in charge of contacting vendors, sending them updates and doing the seating chart. Holman’s role involves working with the media and handling the printing of the swag bags — which are filled with a variety of handmade objects from the event’s vendors and will be given to the first 50 people in line. Killion is in charge of social media coverage and booking the live music.
To decide which vendors will have tables at Craftacular, artists must first apply for the show. Then a group is chosen specifically to ensure that the event has a wide variety of handmade wares. The goal is to have something for everyone.
Although Craftacular is all about being fun and unique, there is a lot of planning that goes into it.
“We divided tasks and also collaborated as a team throughout the year to make this event as amazing as possible,” said Holman.
The event is open to the public, with a suggested donation of $1. The money raised at Craftacular will benefit Camp Summergold, whose mission is — in the words of Holman — “to bring a diverse group of teenage girls together to explore creativity, knowledge and stewardship through arts and science-based mentor centered workshops and collective girl power.” Specifically, the money will go to the Send a Girl to Camp Scholarship Fund.
“I like to give back to my community and Camp Summergold holds a huge place in my heart,” said Landis, a member of the camp’s board.
With busy schedules making weekend craft shows hard to get to, Craftacular is perfect because people can just come right after work or school, do their holiday shopping and still get home in time for a late dinner. Not only is this event unique in its frame of time, but it’s also very different from the usual craft fair in that it offers entertainment as well.
“You can come enjoy some cocktails and music while purchasing unique, local, handmade items,” said Holman.
Craftacular provides crafts people from Nebraska and beyond with exposure to over 1,000 potential buyers, while offering shoppers an alternative to mass-produced items. It is a place where you can find unique gifts and have fun at the same time.
“We want people to have a fun night out with friends and family while supporting local artists and buying handmade items,” said Holman.
Find out more about Craftacular on its website and on Facebook.
Hannah Rivers is one of KZUM’s fall interns.
