WILLIAMSBURG — Hate the thought of traditional gift shopping? You can paint a candle holder, browse handmade clogs and munch on vegan strawberry mousse cupcakes instead this weekend, at the Williamsburg waterfront's first DIY holiday craft fair.
At East River State Park's first Renegade Craft Holiday Fair artists plan to show off iPhone docks made of driftwood, fashion-forward fabric dolls, seashell-shaped locally made pottery and patterned sneakers — plus hundreds of other creations, the festival's website notes.
"We'll be presenting a curated collection of some of today's best and brightest indie makers," the site says, and lists a line-up of many craftspeople found on DIY sales forums like Etsy. "You can expect a vibrant and festive atmosphere in our crafty tents."
The outdoor holiday festival — which has already found homes in San Francisco, Chicago, Los Angeles and Austin — will also include booths where visitors can try their hands at making crafts, and a DJ and photobooth also promise entertainment.
"The Renegade Craft Fair differs from traditional craft fairs by focusing on DIY and indie-crafts culture," the site explains. "Each individual fair is juried from hundreds of applications to purposefully feature a curated, eclectic array of young and emergent designers producing original and handmade goods in a wide variety of media."
A summer Renegade Crafts Fair has already come to the Williamsburg waterfront the past eight years, but this is the first winter market, the festival page says.
But no matter the season, many makers at the fair hope to provide products that transcend time.
"I want to make clogs that in 20 years, your daughter will pull out of the closet and want to wear because they are beautiful and timeless," writes Isobel Schofield of her shoe brand Bryr.
The free public fair runs 11 a.m. — 6 p.m. each day this weekend at East River State Park. A list of booths can be found on the festival's website.
