Ferndale Represents at the Detroit Urban Craft Fair This Weekend

On Saturday and Sunday, artists, crafters and fans from throughout metro Detroit will descend onto the massive Masonic Temple in Detroit for the Detroit Urban Craft Fair.

The Detroit Urban Craft Fair, created by and sponsored by Handmade Detroit, is in its sixth year. It happens on Saturday, from 10 a.m.-7 p.m., and Sunday, 11 a.m.- 6 p.m., at the Masonic Temple in Detroit.

The event will be two days, bringing nearly 100 vendors for your shopping pleasure. A number of those vendors call Ferndale home -- including Handmade Detroit and Detroit Urban Craft Fair co-founder Carey Gustafson.

Vendors from Ferndale include:

• Carey Gustafson, Glass Action!
• Chris Gorski, Detroit GT
• Austin Shyu, AusGerCo
• Amy Bem, bem & gene
• Mark Heggie, Defiant (No online shop)
• Jodi Lynn Burton, Emporium of Doodles
• Kirsten Buys, La Femme Monkita
• Yvonne Spampinat, VONNANOUVEAU (No online shop)

...and a few of them even answered a couple questions we had:

Carey Gustafson from Glass Action

Ferndale Patch: What do you do?

Gustafson: I'm Carey Gustafson, co-founder of Handmade Detroit and Detroit Urban Craft Fair, and I'm also a stained glass artist and crafter under the name Glass Action. I work in non-traditional themes but building and fabricating using traditional techniques.

Ferndale Patch: Why should Ferndale residents attend the Detroit Urban Craft Fair at the Masonic Temple?

Gustafson: There are over 80 makers at the show this year that are doing some of the most inventive and high quality original work toy will ever see. These are gifts that aren't forgotten when the tree comes down. They are cherished!

Ferndale Patch: What's your secret?

Gustafson: I try to make things that I've never seen before. Take some chances and shine as an individual and you'll definitely stand out!

Kirsten Buys of La Femme Monkita

Ferndale Patch: What do you do?

Buys: I'm a knitter and I make yarn wreaths for the holidays. I also have some small accessories like bobby pins and rings made with Scrabble tiles and vintage buttons.

Ferndale Patch: Why should Ferndale residents attend the Detroit Urban Craft Fair at the Masonic Temple?

Buys: The Detroit Urban Craft Fair was how I tapped into the talent and creativity happening in Detroit when I first moved here from Chicago a few years ago. It inspired me to keep creating and was a great way to shop local. The fair is a lot of fun, whether you're shopping or just browsing. But if you ARE shopping, you're supporting a member of your community by shopping local and you don't have to pay shipping fees, etc.

Ferndale Patch: What's your secret?

Buys: I have no secret -- I just try to have fun! I love meeting both the shoppers and fellow vendors. It's become an annual reunion of sorts with the people who seem to be there every year. It's great when they say, "Oh, this is perfect for my mom!" or they are wearing something they made from my hand-dyed yarn (it's happened twice!), but I have a good time talking with all different people whether they buy from me or not.

Austin Shyu of AusGerCo

Ferndale Patch: What do you do?

Shyu: I make paper action figures.

Ferndale Patch: Why should Ferndale residents attend the Detroit Urban Craft Fair at the Masonic Temple?

Shyu: I'm a picky shopper, but I always find things at the DUCF that I like.

Ferndale Patch: What's your secret?

Shyu: I only do this when I'm having fun doing it.  If it ever feels like a job I'll probably stop.

Chris Gorski of DetroitGT

Ferndale Patch: What do you do?

Gorski: I'm Christopher Gorski of DetroitGT, I hand draw and design a collection of Detroit and automotive inspired graphic apparel for men, women and kids.

Ferndale Patch: Why should Ferndale residents attend the Detroit Urban Craft Fair at the Masonic Temple?

Gorski: This is my third year for the event and Handmade Detroit handpicks the greatest collection of makers, crafters and inventors. Some of these artist only come to Detroit for this event and from across the country to bring the craft to us.

Ferndale Patch: What's your secret?

Gorski: I make what I want to wear – if I need a hoodie, I design it, make it and make a few extra to sell to my friends and customers. Printing in limited low volume gives me the opportunity to create new designs all the time.

Jodi Lynn Burton of Emporium of Doodles

Ferndale Patch: What do you do?

Burton: I make pen and ink illustrations of scientists on shrink plastic and turn those into pins, magnets, and jewelry.

Ferndale Patch: Why should Ferndale residents attend the Detroit Urban Craft Fair at the Masonic Temple?

Burton: Everyone should go to DUCF to support local artists and crafters in the area.

Ferndale Patch: What's your secret?

Burton: #6 Plastic and an over temp of 325 degrees, and a sense of humor.

Kristin LaLonde of Team Librarian

Ferndale Patch: What do you do?

Lalonde: I am part of the Team Librarian collective at the DUCF, we are an epic conglomeration of librarians and book sellers who craft. Some our items are literature themed but not exclusively. For example, I make Sci-Fi themed refrigerator magnets but there are also knitted Jayne hats and Jane Austen themed ornaments from other crafty book jockeys in our group.

Ferndale Patch: Why should Ferndale residents attend the Detroit Urban Craft Fair at the Masonic Temple?

Lalonde: If the success of the Rust Belt Market and the other amazing small businesses in Ferndale are any indication, Ferndalians love buying unique things and supporting independent people doing their thing. The people of Ferndale also love libraries and Team Librarian can give readers advisory as well as sell our amazing wares at DUCF, what more could you want?

Ferndale Patch: What's your secret?

Lalonde: Librarian Power.

The Detroit Urban Craft Fair is Saturday 10 a.m.-7 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m.- 6 p.m. at the Masonic Temple in Detroit.

Read last year's coverage of the Detroit Urban Craft Fair .