Indie Craft Experience

Looking for some spectacular handmade merchandise or gifts? Maybe wanting to start up an art collection of originals or find new artists? I.C.E. seems to have it covered.
Walking around and getting my brief looksie at all the vendors for I.C.E. shopping spectacular 2015 I was barely able to hold onto my money… First off, I wanted all the succulents and plants and cool looking tapestries, and don’t get me started on unique art pieces. But yeah, gorgeous terrariums. Ugh.
The overall atmosphere of this place is indie and has a flair of nature, nostalgia, and bohemian dashed with pop and magic. At least that was what this Nov’s collection of artists brought to the front. Couldn’t get enough of that rustic look, and I’m not complaining.
It was first time ever being able to attend. I actually went as a vendor, so I’ll kinda mention my experience on being both vendor and just looking around.
Vending at this show was really fun. The people, the vendors, they all were generally very friendly. Staff had free coffee for vendors setting up Sat. morning, and free cocoa to vendors and attendees (til it ran out.) The coffee was okay. It was brought in by a small coffee shop, but by far, I enjoyed the free sampling of cocoa. Haha. It’s the small things, no?
Food wise, they had Yumbii, Doggy Dogg, falafels & gyros, and then there were cookies from Dough Re Mi, and caramel cotton candy. My biggest grip is all these events don’t really have much for the non-​alcoholic beverage lover. Sunday, was a bit desperate as the coffee vendor from before was not there and replaced with something more Spartan. There was a Kombucha vendor which was nice, but it’d have been nicer to have some specialty teas or drinks that were non-​alcoholic at the event.
The organizers really out do themselves with all the attention to detail. I originally was a little worried about the layout of the venue since the floor is split in two where a small group of vendors are placed in the garden room and then the majority of vendors are in the more industrial room. I was really worried everyone would flock to the larger room upon entering, but thought it was really cool how they have the ticket booth set in an «L» shape to funnel visitors into the garden room. It’s these little things. Been to a lot of shows that just seem to throw you to the wolves — i.e. selling you a table at the back of the show floor facing a fire exit. What? So yes, big kudos to just how organized everything was. The venue, Georgia Freight Depot, was really nice too!
I did end up purchasing a thing or two, and extremely happy with them. Met some amazing artists and crafters and in general had a great time.
I highly recommend a visit to I.C.E. if you’re looking for any gifts or handcrafted goodies & art. The entry is $ 5 and as long as it’s at the GA. Freight Depot you can find parking at The Underground parking garage for $ 3 All Day.

Let me start by saying I have attended other ICE events and found them to be great, Salvage, a unique modern vintage marketplace was not one of them. The selection at the booths were uninteresting and over priced. The saving grace of the experience was a peach ice cream sandwich from
I’ll keep an open mind for other ICE upcoming events but next time I’ll ask for patrons feedback before paying my entry fee.

Last year, or the years before, I may have only given ICE 4 stars. This year, I’m really impressed with the growth of the show, the quality and variation of artists, and the amount of reasonably priced potential gifts (and treats-​for-​self).
There had to be about 10 – 15 more vendors than last year, and the biz cards I picked up for things in which I’m interested in finding out more about are many.
Ambient Plus Studio proves to be an excellent location — with appropriate space for a DJ, an awesome LeahAndMark photobooth in an old shaft elevator with awesome exposed brick, food and drinks (which conveniently hang out in a kitchen area, and of course a ton of vendors. There are usually 2 – 3 food trucks out front as well.
In my opinion, the best resource for finding out more about their vendors and goings-​on is Instagram:

This year they raised over $ 1100 for the Atlanta Community Food Bank. Rad!

Indie craft experience was good. My first time. I spent way too much money. The dj was amazing! People would literally stop and stare up at the dj like — wtf is happening that is so HOT! I got almost all of my Christmas gifts at this place and met lots of nice vendors. It’s always nice to go to a part of town that you’ve never been to before. I still don’t know where I was. I just know that I got there and was like wtf am I!!! The Yumbii truck was there… don’t Yumbii… it’s not good.

Very disappointed with ICE. I understand why there is a a $ 5 fee to allow for parking and a venue, but there were SO MANY people crowded in the venue I had little chance of looking at items or even have a short «get-​to-​know» the artist conversation. I was at the event for about three hours early in the day and the crowds got worse as the time went on. PLEASE look into another venue. What I love and appreciate about a craft show is being able to actually look at the items and get-​to-​know a bit about the artist. There was no way to do that at ICE. I would not recommend this event to others. Also, strollers should not be allowed at this event!!!

What a great place to shop for gifts and interesting stuff for yourself. Doesn’t hurt to be wandering the aisles with a cold craft beer. We’ve been going for several years and will continue to attend.

I guess Addy C. beat me to adding this spot! ;)
I’ve been coming to this event since it was outdoors in the hot summer sun out in Centennial Park. As in July summer heat kind of hot. Thankfully it has since found a home in Ambient Plus Studio (though word to the wise — the summer show can be a little stuffy due to the heat index outside)!
The people behind ICE always find great Atlanta talent. I love going to chat with artists I know and meet new ones. I always walk away with at least one goodie and am one of the first in line to get a swag bag. That’s right; there is always a swag bag full of treats and business cards which often have coupons on them. The artists really know how to roll out the red carpet for this one!
They currently do three shows in the space: A summer show, a holiday show, and a wedding show. I’ve been to them all and my favorite is holiday, but all three are fabulous. Occasionally the vendors seem to run on repeat, but lately ICE seems to be shuffling it up a bit and letting in some great new artists. I love my favorite booths but seeing fresh faces is always a pleasant surprise. Keeps me from feeling like I’ve been there, done that.
Oh, and you’ll almost always find Leah and Mark — our resident Unilocal photography duo! — manning a photobooth with great props. I will never, ever turn down a photobooth. EVER. You shouldn’t either if you know what’s good fer ya.
Some items are costly, some are not. Artists who hand make items are worth the cost and it’s local people (mostly) that you’re supporting, so you know your money is going to a good place and you’re getting a quality piece. Plus they’re all so nice. Seriously, talk to them. They won’t bite. :)

I loved, loved, loved it here. There was so much to choose from, I know some of the vendors probably got annoyed by my repeated visits to their booths trying to narrow down my choices. Ha. It was really great, though. They even had beer! And I SO enjoyed buying Christmas presents that aren’t mass produced, therefore giving my friends and family members something that 16 of their friends won’t have as well.
The downside to shopping locally is (of course) the price. It really would help to be fabulously wealthy when buying handmade goods. But I’m henceforth choosing quality (and supporting local businesses) over quantity. I could get more for my money at Target or Wal Mart — but the same thing could be said for eating at Rathbun’s compared to McDonald’s. Any time I have the option, I’m shopping local (or small) from now on. I just might not get to have as much stuff going forward. LOL.
The Good Food Truck was there, and naturally, it didn’t disappoint. Local goods AND food?! I wish this place were around more often!
Oh, and most of the vendors accepted credit cards, and they had set up an ATM in the space. Parking was. .. interesting, but not terrible. They had a large lot available, and there’s lots of street parking available BEFORE you get to Ambient Plus.

I love shopping at Indie Craft Experience — not only b/​c it supports local businesses and individuals, but also the great selection of creative handcrafted goods. I overheard a guy say «it’s like Pinterest except not on the computer screen.» The event is held over a weekend at the Ambient + Studio warehouse, and there were probably close to 100 different booths — plus they had a few food vendors like King of Pops and Good Food Truck, and the fabulous
photo booth :) I think this was the 3^rd time I’ve gone to ICE.
I got a few things this year:
— Magic Unicorn Sea Salt from «Beautiful Briny Sea Salt» — after taste testing a few different flavors (e.g., Lavender, Rosemary, and Truffle), my favorite was Magic Unicorn. Haha, suspicious name but honest ingredients — pure ocean salt, celery seed, rosemary, granulated garlic, smoked paprika, and lemon juice powder. I also liked their Truffle Sea Salt.
— Port Wine Caramel from «Sweeteeth» — I’d never tasted such good caramel like theirs … I went w/​the port wine b/​c I liked the the smoky «brulee» type flavor and it also tasted kinda chocolately even though there’s no chocolate. Can’t wait to use the sauce on apples, ice cream, pies, cakes, and more … just don’t tell my doctor.
— Cute bonnet and bib from «Owlette Collective» — some lucky baby’s going to get this super cute set. I couldn’t resist.
— Goat Milk and Lavender Oatmeal Soap from «Belle Terre» — smelled several of their soaps and this one was my favorite. First I love anything lavender, I’d never heard of goat milk used in soap (and the lady said they are sourced from happy goats who are well-​treated), plus the oatmeal is supposed to be a good exfoliator :) I need to hurry and finish up my Ivory.
What I didn’t get but really liked (and may get later):
— Red Fascinator Hat from «LaCocoRouge» — they had a great selection of fun mini-​hats that looked like something Carrie Bradshaw would wear … or anyone attending a Royal Wedding. I just need to find an occasion to wear them :)
Definitely worth a visit, esp. if you love «unique» items :) Oh and they always have great jewelry. Last year, I got one of my favorite necklaces from «Katherine Smith Jewelry» that always gets many compliments.
FYI — there’s $ 5 admission to get in.