State of Craft

The alt craft caravan is in full swing this time of year. Markets across the U.S. dedicated to the handiwork of alternative crafters draw shoppers from all corners of society. The handmade movement has been propelled by sites like Etsy, but it's the face-to-face encounters these markets offer that are at the center of the hobby. Buying directly from the person who crafted your stuffed animal, sewed your skirt, letterpressed your stationery, or hand-dyed your vegan yarn is as eye-opening as it is gratifying.

One of the biggest stops on the DIY circuit is the Crafty Bastards Arts & Crafts Fair here in Washington, DC. It's a one-day bonanza full of crafting, eating, bartering, how-tos, music and breakdancing. This past weekend I had the honor of sitting on the jury to decide which applicants from across the country get to hawk their handmade wares. I've done this for the past 3 or 4 years, enjoying the perspective it offers into the changing tastes of the craft world. And there's no hobby that lives by trends more than the craft community. These folks are cutthroat when it comes to appropriating whatever fashion tops the sales chart on Etsy. If you're selling a ton of pirate-themed tampon cases, you'd better bet that 20 crafters will copy your idea and start selling them, too. No idea is immune to this blatant theft. (Ever wonder so many craft collaboratives refer to themselves as "craft mafia".)

So what's a fledgling crafter to do? In the spirit of helping out those who want to cash in on the latest craft trends, here's a quick guide to what's soaring and what's waning, based on this year's jury:

OUT: owls
IN: octopuses

OUT: Abe Lincoln
IN: Edgar Allen Poe

OUT: ninjas
IN: wild animals in formal wear

OUT: recycled
IN: upcycled

OUT: heart shaped hearts
IN: anatomically-correct hearts

OUT: bacon
IN: wood grain

OUT: anything cupcake
IN: anything drunk or piratey

Now hurry up! This list will soon be outdated.