Handmade BU
Craft fair showcases student talent
Looking for the perfect knit scarf, a painting to hang on your living room wall, or some attractive new jewelry, all while helping to support a worthy cause? Stop by the first annual Handmade BU Craft Fair at the George Sherman Union Link tomorrow, Friday, February 18, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Students will be displaying and selling handmade arts and crafts, with items ranging from vegan baked goods and homemade chocolates to silk-screened T-shirts, original jewelry, and assorted knitwear. There will also be 20-minute workshops throughout the day on all manner of crafting skills, such as how to fold origami lotus flowers, with all materials provided.
Handmade BU is raising money for the nonprofit Warm Up America, which teaches children and adults how to knit and crochet afghans and clothing for those in need.
Handmade BU coordinators Ariana Katz (CAS’12) and Sarah Merriman (CAS’12) say they decided to organize the event because of the impressive crafting and artistic talent they saw during their weekly Make Stuff Hour at the Women’s Resource Center. Katz, who runs her own design company, Ariana Makes Things (for You!), says that “buying handmade is such an easy, ethical way of consuming. Supporting artists however we can is a wonderful thing, and Handmade BU is one way of doing so.”
Katz says that most of those selling items at Handmade BU will take commission orders, so talk to the vendor if you have something special in mind, but don’t see what you’re looking for. Also, be sure to bring cash (credit cards aren’t accepted) and arrive early in the day for the best selection.
Students interested in becoming involved in BU’s crafting community have plenty of opportunities. BU Central hosts Crafternoons one Sunday a month, from 3 to 6 p.m., where students join together to do arts and crafts. More information is available here. The BU Knitting Club meets regularly as well; for more information, contact Brooke at morganb@bu.edu. For information on the new student group Crafts for Charity, contact Anna at wu.annay@gmail.com.
Whatever your artistic interests, be sure to check out Handmade BU for inspiration, advice, and that perfect knit scarf.
Handmade BU: A Craft Fair is being held tomorrow, Friday, February 18, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the GSU Link, 775 Commonwealth Ave. The event is free and open to the public. More information is here. Information on vendors is posted on the Facebook event page.
Erin Thibeau can be reached at ethibeau@bu.edu.
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