Art vs Craft

Okay, here’s what’s great about Art Vs. Craft: The people watching. The venues. The people watching. I once described Art Vs. Craft as *the* place for checking out the latest in hipster styles, and you can quote me on that. I know people get all upset about the word «hipster,» but it describes a certain aesthetic. You know it when you see it, and you see a ton of it at this event.
(This past year I went with my very non-​hipster mom, who said, as soon as we walked in: «So many men here have beards!» Oh, mom.)
Anyway, there’s some cool stuff at Art Vs. Craft, mostly the prints, T-​shirts, some jewelry, and, this year, some really well made aprons and kitchen things. But there’s also a lot of random cutesy crapola like little hand-​made journals and coasters. I dunno, it’s like the indie version of Precious Moments figurines made by a friend of a friend of a friend.
My mom, who learned to knit and sew in Russia – where it was done out of need rather than a hobby – pointed out some poorly made goods, like gloves with huge loopholes.
But these crafters mean well, and they’re local, and the goods are stylish and stylishly arranged, and, yeah, the people watching. So, more like 3 stars for shopping and 4 stars for the event itself.

This is not your Grandma’s (nor your Momma’s for that matter) art & craft show! People our age (for the most part) selling their hand made arts, showing off their craft. It was a little chilly waiting in line at the Harley Davidson Museum but it only took around 25 min or so. The event was held in two buildings. Once inside you got stamped, then you could just walk into the other building without waiting in another line. I’m not going to lie, it was crowded, like insanely crowded! It was hard to get into a few booths (which, really only hurts the booth owners). Other then that, I have no complaints. I don’t know how it was last year but the free parking was really nice. Overall, there was really neat stuff made by really neat people (super friendly and chatty). I didn’t want to carry a lot so I got business cards and emailed them or went to their websites. If this is around the same time of year every year, I wouldn’t mind coming back for some holiday shopping. Nothing like hand made, one of a kind gifts.

After waiting in line for about 20 minutes (was not expecting that!), I was introduced to a contemporary and entertaining craft event! No, it is nothing like the craft fairs in the late 80’s/early 90’s. There was handmade jewelry, beer soap, handmade cards, various size bags, art prints, original t-shirts…such a plethora of items offered!
It was at the Harley Davidson Museum and took up two different spaces. I was told that this event has been growing, since it started a few years ago.
If I happen to be in Milwaukee the same time next year, I would swing by in a heartbeat, and treat myself to more one-​of-​a-​kind gifts!

Art vs. Craft, held on Small Business Saturday, keeps getting bigger each year, and moving to two buildings at the Harley Davidson Museum was a good idea. It’s still hella crowded, it might be nice to have this over two days from now on.
Handmade soaps, screen-​printed tees, dish towels and bags, artisan jewelry, art prints… these are a few of my favorite things… to buy at Art vs. Craft and give for Holiday gifts! Love it– but there’s enough interest now to have it over two days!

See that soap that looks and smells like cheesecake? Well it sure don’t taste like cheesecake!
My first time to this huge event. Also my first time to the Harley museum. I must say, the complex is really impressive. I definitely need to explore this area of the city more closely.
As to the event itself, the best word I can use to describe it is CROWDED. I know this is a really great thing for all the local (ish) vendors to sell their wares, but it really was hard to navigate. I’m not really sure if there is a venue that could alleviate that. SO MANY people come out for this every year, and it just keeps growing. There really should have been a 3^rd or even 4^th giant room set up to spread things out more.
It seems many vendors have added credit card capabilities with their smart phones/​pads/​tablets. Very cool. Otherwise, cash only.
I didn’t end up buying anything, but there was a lot of cool stuff I could have considered buying. Wasn’t in the mood, I guess.

I picked up a Little Friends of Printmaking t-​shirt that says «I’m a Good Eater». Can’t wait to wear this to Old Country Buffet.
New venue this year — the Harley Davidson Museum. FREE PARKING! The first 300 shoppers got a tote bag design by the above mentioned design rock stars. The Mrs. and I braved the frigid temperatures and got a free bag. I’m sure this is only .3% less tough than seeing a Packers’ game in January. NOT.
I liked that there were two split entrances to the event this year. The craft crazed shoppers mixing with the tourists visiting the HD museum mixed like used Pennzoil and organic coconut water. The former probably got beat up in high school by the latter.

This was my second bout at AvC… It moved from the Masonic building to a MSOE building this year. It brought a plethora of crafty and arty pieces ranging from cat homes to scarves to soaps to art to screen printed t-​shirts and more.
The cost to get in was definitely worth checking out all of the great vendors… the prices… ehh. they are what you’d expect for homegrown gifts.
If you are looking for something to get for someone who has everything for the holidays. there is definitely something there for them.
I think next year they should do it in a two day segment or something because it was SO crowded in there that it made it hard to see everything that this great event had to offer! A lot of vendors had sold out of a lot of stuff (and I guess thats no reason to discredit the event itsself, but) by the time we got there– which was 30 min after it had started.
Im still trying to find the vendor who made the «Made Locally» onesie. but to no avail. We passed it on our first lap but it was getting more and more crowded so we decided to duck out half way through our second lap, and missed out on the cute little thing. I did pick up the cheeseburger cloth ornament as a gift… it was so cute!

I had a pleasant time at the Art vs Craft event this past weekend. Although, I wish I had left my coat in the car, it was so dang warm in there!
We worked the isles methodically (saving the perimeter for the end) and then going back to finalize purchases. Didn’t want to make a decision without exploring all options! My favorite was the rock coaster dude. I bought one for me, but am debating giving it away for a gift this year. And the screen-​printed, Milwaukee-​themed place mats at Rustbelt Fireworks (I’ll be visiting Leah’s store to mix and match the 4 that I want). I also liked the place with the slits of colored wood (but it was too pricey, I’ll just do that myself, inspired by their art).
I’ve always called this event «Art vs Crap» (did i make this up, or did it used to be called this?) Having said that, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Much of what I saw I would consider to be crap. But one person’s crap is another person’s overpriced handmade gaudy necklace that they just love! So who am I to judge?
Honestly, its a great event and wonderful to see everyone so passionate about their art or craft.

I adore this event!
Art vs Craft is now, I think, a true Milwaukee staple. Eight years running, it’s a ‘thing’ now. Lots of folks know about it, it gets lots of press… Faythe’s done a good job of organizing and getting the word out. Everyone knows that if it’s turkey time, AvC is right there, following up on Saturday.
What I love about AvC?
100+ independent designers, crafters, artists and the like selling their wares personally… that interaction between consumer and creator is so important, IMO. I also love that, if you take your time perusing, chances are you’ll find something for everyone on your list. Your mom loves Amethysts? Those hand-​crafted earrings are perfect, unique and fabulous. Dad’s into home-​brewing? Why not snag him some beersoap? (The hardest part about attending AvC is that it’s super hard not to buy stuff for yourself!)
This year, I dealt with one particularly snotty vendor, but aside from her rudeness (which is certainly no fault of the event’s!) I thought it an awesome fair. Excited that we have such a great, annual extravaganza that celebrates local and DIY as opposed to the chain gang.
#ShopLocal, y’all!