Craft Alliance

Little art gallery and shop. Nice selection of pieces at decent prices. We picked up a ceramic mug by a local artist. There were jewelry pieces and a nice art exhibit. Nice stop for a 20 minute break to check out some cool items.

I signed up with a girlfriend for an embroidery class conducted by Tom Lundberg. It was a Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. class.
All of the attendees seemed to be quite experienced in embroidery. My girlfriend and I – although we’ve both done numerous other sewing, textile and crafting endeavors — were the newbies.
Attendees were given an extensive list of supplies to bring. I didn’t know how half the items would be used.
I learned a lot — but because I was new to this experience, there were some extended periods where I just sat not knowing what to do next. With one instructor and 12 attendees, Mr. Lindberg was spread pretty thin to give personal attention.
We had a couple extremely interesting and educational slide presentations on the history of embroidery, as well as slide examples of Mr. Lindberg’s work — which were darned impressive.

Amazing art space that hits all sorts of notes! Contemporary art, pottery, jewelry, special exhibits, and fashion. I love the diverse mix of exhibits that come through here, and there are some beautiful beautiful pieces for purchase.
The location is small, so perfect for popping in on a Delmar stroll.

I stepped into Craft Alliance for the first time a few weeks ago and was happy to see a sticker on the door that said « Unilocal loves us!». I’d heard about Craft Alliance mainly because I received a wedding gift from Craft Alliance and was curious to see what other things they sold.
I enjoyed browsing through the artwork, jewelry, pottery/​kitchenware, cards, vases, and miscellaneous items on their sale table. I might have to come back here when I go gift shopping next time! We heard footsteps above us because of the art classes going on that day as we were walking around the art gallery, which also had prices for the items on display.

Craft Alliance is one of St. Louis’ gems. It’s literally a treasure trove of creative items that people will delight in and cherish.
Most people know Craft Alliance as a store. Sure it is, but it’s a store with heart. The shop specializes in items made by local and national artists, and these items are chosen and curated with great care. From ceramic vases to glass coasters made from pop culture memorabilia, from purses made from the Sunday funnies to cuff bracelets fashioned from retired license plates, from delicate scarves of hand-​woven fabric to beautiful blown glass ornament orbs of fascinating colors and shapes, Craft Alliance has something for every taste and budget. Before I head east to my family in Ohio and Pennsylvania for the December holidays, I always hit up Craft Alliance for gifts. Family members especially can’t get enough of the glass ornaments, and at $ 15 – 30 each, they’re affordable, beautiful keepsakes.
But after you buy stuff, don’t forget that Craft Alliance also is an art gallery! Roam around the various nooks and you’ll see art grouped as exhibitions. Currently, Craft Alliance features a tea pot exhibit in its main gallery — teapots from every medium, every shape, every size.
But the fun still doesn’t end there! Head further into the store (the building is way bigger than you think) and you can learn to create art yourself! Craft Alliance offers individual and group lessons in pottery, jewelry making and so much more. You also can host special events like birthday outings there.
This review is for the Delmar location, but Craft Alliance also has a location on Grand in the SLU-​Midtown neighborhood. They offer more galleries and classes there, and they coordinate a lot of events with local college classes.
This is definitely one of the more unique places for gifts and adventures in St. Louis!

Who doesn’t love art galleries? There is always a cool exhibit going on. Whenever I come in, the staff are so friendly and answer any questions. If it’s not busy, they’ll even point out cool tidbits about the artists as you look at the buyable art in the front room. There is a good range of prince ranges, and types of art. Cooking utensils, earrings, scarves, bowls, plates. A little something for everyone. I love stopping in to see what’s new.

This place has awesome classes– everything from flameworking to pottery. The exhibits are really cool, and the wonderful staff is willing to help pick things out or tell you the story behind each piece. The majority of pieces are created by local artists, which is also cool. The only reason I’m giving it three stars is the prices. Even the classes seem expensive. Definitely worth checking out, though!

Great work! Classes of all kinds and tons of local craft work for sale. Always something to ogle.

Craft Alliance literally made my Christmas. None of the neat things I found in other stores, especially on the Loop, compare to the amazing things that can be found on the shelves here. The eyecatching glass ornaments ($ 20) are a special addition during the holiday season, and I’m looking at one hanging up in my parents’ house now — it made for a great gift for my mother.
The selection might be grand, but equally wonderful is the helpful and friendly staff that’s always friendly and upbeat when I walk in. They do a great gift wrapping job and are very patient when I want to look at that bracelet under the glass «just one more time.»
If you’re gift shopping, make Craft Alliance your first stop. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

I am unbelievably lucky to be able to walk to Craft Alliance in the U. City Loop. My pocketbook, eh – maybe not quite as lucky, but who’s asking that thing, anyway? ;)
Craft Alliance offers some stupendous art classes – everything from pottery to weaving, from flamework (for making glass beads) to metal-​smithing, from drawing and painting to wood-​turning… You’re bound to find something that gets those creative juices flowing. And if you’re too busy or too afraid of commitment to sign up for a lengthy class, they offer intensives as well. I took a wire-​wrapped jewelry intensive at Craft Alliance and learned some nifty skills right quick – and it left me hungry for more! Once I figure out my 5 month old’s schedule (ha), I hope to jump into another class as soon as possible.
The free exhibits at this location are really quite good. I love the annual teapot show and there’s always something new and interesting to check out. And it’s FREE.
My favorite thing about Craft Alliance (and this is a dangerous thing) is the gallery shop. Oh. My. Goodness. There are far too many fabulous items in that shop that I’d like to buy. Gorgeous jewelry. Functional & beautiful pottery. Unique stationery. Lovely scarves (the t-​shirt scarves are so soft and comfy!) and felted handbags. All those hand-​blown glass ornaments that decorate the shop’s picture window during the holidays… A girl could totally go broke shopping at Craft Alliance, but you know, artists have to make a living, too, right?
If you need a gift for just about anyone who’s even remotely cool, hit up Craft Alliance. If your desk job is sapping the creative life right out of you, sign up for a class. If you’re just wandering the Loop and want a quiet spot to stop and see some fabulous free art, well, here you go. And if you want to make fast friends with me, buy me some fab jewelry, will ya? ;)

I enjoy Craft Alliance but I’m only giving it 3 stars because it is so damn expensive. They have wonderful exhibits and it is a fun place to browse and window shop but man are they high on prices. I picked up a mug and it was $ 38 bucks. WOW… a pretty bowl for $ 88. Just too high for me. Keep your wallet home so your not tempted to spend your money!

I have been here a few times to view their exhibitions and gallery space. They display work from st. louis and around the country (and maybe internationally too), and it’s a good place to see some fresh crafts.

I’ve always wanted to take a pottery class here. Sometimes when you walk by, you can see students spinning their clay at the wheel. Looks like fun.
I have gone in before to browse their wares, as they’re a studio as well as a gallery. Lucky for me that today, along with the last time I went in, they were showcasing their tea pots in the show, «Infusion 10×10.» It’s Craft Alliance’s 11^th biennial teapot exhibition, which is appropriately sponsored by The Republic of Tea.
I love the curious and uniquely designed tea pots. This year, there was one of a bunch of peaches in a basket. It took me several minutes to figure out where the spout was. I love art that makes me think.
On the other side of the gallery they’ve got lots of other lovely things. Not as expensive as you might expect in a gallery in U. City.

Craft Alliance is a gallery/​education center in STL and I can’t express how grateful I am that we have programs like this in St. Louis. Craft Alliance has a great mission statement; you can read it on their website which includes clauses about acceptance of diversity, commitment to the community, and belief in artistic freedom. (If you’ve been in any kind of art class before, you know how important this is.) Craft Alliance offers a gallery where you can walk through and see some great local crafts and it also offers inexpensive classes where you or your children can go to learn a new skill.