Maker’s Market 2010

This Saturday was the first annual Maker’s Market at the InsideOut gallery in Traverse City, MI. I know it was the same weekend as DIY, but as a former Northern Michigander I could not resist the call of my homeland. I set out with a car full of Puff Buns and Pirate Bunnies and headed to… my mom’s house, but from there I set out for a lowbrow gallery wonderland.

Although I spent my teenage-years in Northern Michigan, I’ve been living in Detroit for the past seven years and it is truly my home now. Because of this I’m really drawn to InsideOut. It is an amalgamation of both my Up North side and my Detroit side. While it is located in beautiful downtown Traverse City, the place is filled and covered with signs of the D. The outside has some gorgeous graffiti that I was really enamored by. On closer inspection I saw that it was by the illustrious BrownBagDetroit.

I think the coincidence of DIY being the same weekend kept most of the artists from the southwest part of the state away (Maker’s Market decided on and posted about their date before DIY came out with theirs). Hell, I think I was the only person based out of anywhere near Detroit. It was interesting to see what is going on in Michigan crafts outside of the reach of Detroit.

One of my favorite booths was that of MAIepicCREATIONS. She had customized skate decks, as well as some paintings and painted coat hooks. She is clearly a graphic designer who has a love of paint. She has combined her strong eye for design with a sense of color that I just love.

This was our favorite painting.

I had some pretty good success in sales, especially considering that it was a small, standalone event. People who came through were specifically coming to see Maker’s Market. InsideOut is downtown, but it is off the beaten path. You can’t just wander by it while shopping.

The most exciting part (for me, personally) was that the gallery owner wanted me to leave a bunch of my work there, so now you can see my Puff Buns and buy a bunch of my products at InsideOut all the time!

My lovely booth assistants.

I had more art on display than is show in this picture, but this is my favorite pic because it shows my mom and boyfriend chatting it up. Hopefully I will be back next year. They have a great thing going on up there.

Heather Hansma is a Detroit lowbrow artist and freelance illustrator. You can find her on Tumblr, Twitter, Facebook, or you can e-mail her at heather (at) hansmaillustration.com.

Last Minute Christmas Shopping in Detroit

For those of you (myself included) who have procrastinated on their holiday shopping there are a couple craft/art fairs happening this weekend.

First is is the annual Holiday Crafternoon, which had previously been held and the Woodward Avenue Brewery, but this year will be located next door at The Loving Touch. It is this Saturday, December 19th and runs from 12pm – 5pm.

Also this Saturday, 5E gallery, located at 2125 Michigan Ave will be have an artist market from 10am until 6pm featuring many local artists. On display will be a variety of work, including photography, mixed media, abstract, pop art, and graffiti inspired work.