Two Sundays ago we visited the Richmond Craft Mafia’s annual craft show, Handmade Holiday. It felt like an in-person version of Etsy: dozens of talented makers under one roof, bright displays, and a steady stream of shoppers hunting for unique gifts. We went expecting a few fun finds and the chance to say hello to some local creatives, and ended up with a pile of handmade treasures and a long list of favorite vendors.
We love supporting local artisans, so we strolled through the booths with the aim of discovering original work that felt personal and well-made. We left with more than gifts—we brought home pieces that will live on our walls and shelves. Below is a rundown of the items we bought, along with some of the memorable vendors we met.
1. A print from Zou Zou’s Basement ($25). We picked a colorful mixed-media rabbit print that felt playful and bright—perfect for a child’s space. We almost chose an elephant instead, but Clara enthusiastically opted for the bunny at the last minute.
2. A robot coloring sheet from Turnerbots. Turnerbots kindly included this free with our ornament purchase. Clara, who’s currently obsessed with coloring, dove right in when we got home and loved every minute of it.
3. Two small canvas paintings by Amy Keith Barney ($15 each). Though Amy specializes in stained glass, these tiny canvases were bursting with color and felt just right for Clara’s frame wall. It’s rare to find original, well-executed artwork at such an affordable price.
4. A Virginia-shaped ornament from Funnel Cloud Studio ($7). We’re sucker for map-shaped items, and this little ornament was charming. Funnel Cloud had other state shapes as well—cute, local touches that make holiday trees feel personal.
5. Ceramic letter ornaments from Turnerbots ($7 for four). We grabbed letters for Clara, Sherry, Burger, and me—mini keepsakes that will hang on our tree each year. Turnerbots also showed candy-colored pottery and playful robot designs that caught our eye.
6. A stack of business cards from dozens of vendors—each booth was worth a look and often led to a conversation about materials, process, and inspiration. Keeping these contacts makes it easy to follow beloved makers online or at future events.
7. A letterpress card from Almanac Industries (free). This booth had one of the strongest presentations at the fair. Their deep appreciation for craft and attention to detail was obvious, and they were happy to share a small piece that showcases traditional letterpress work.
We were delighted to find our initials on display at several booths—little coincidences that made the experience more personal. Sherry, Burger, and I found letters that felt like tiny, handmade signatures of the day.
Even when we didn’t buy from every favorite vendor, we wanted to celebrate their work. For example, MonkeyDogStudio had amusing “Dangerous Animal” notebooks that split us into two camps: octopus-with-ninja-stars vs. squirrel-with-a-pistol. Both were delightfully cheeky and well-designed.
Bowerbox Press featured woodblock prints and greeting cards with bold, witty bird designs and clever text. Their stationery had a handmade, punchy charm that made the cards hard to resist.
Crochet artists brought a lot of personality to the fair. Needle Noodles offered whimsical crochet creatures like a jellyfish and a ray-gun, while Lazymuse Productions displayed crocheted ornaments and a delicate conch shell—each piece carefully stitched and full of character.
The New Woodsman had colorful faux antlers made from resin that felt modern and playful. Sherry favored the metallic finishes—pieces like these make bold, unexpected accents for a contemporary home.
Illegible Ink presented a detailed vegetable print that invited a long look; the line work and composition rewarded curiosity. There was also a humorous meat-themed print that made people stop and laugh.
Jewelry included thoughtful, nature-inspired pieces like a peapod necklace from Lucky Accessories. It came in versions with different numbers of peas—a small, personal way to mark a family or milestone.
We ran into a few familiar faces from previous events. Love Elaine had festive fabric goods, including an adorable kids’ apron that we immediately pictured Clara wearing while helping with holiday baking. Phil Barbato showed playful stuffed animals—his colorful ape toys were a hit with the little ones.
Back at home we arranged our new pieces in a small gallery near Clara’s room. The bunny print, a robot coloring sheet, and a summer print we’d bought earlier now hang together—each piece prompting a smile whenever we pass by. Clara’s favorite, unsurprisingly, is the robot picture. She points and says “Color! Color!” more than “Hi” or “Goodnight,” which is fitting for a house full of creative finds.
Our afternoon at Handmade Holiday was a reminder of how many thoughtful, skillful makers are creating beautiful, original goods right in our community. Are you thinking of shopping handmade this holiday season? We’d love to hear about craft fairs you’ve loved or special handmade items you’ve discovered for gifts or your own home.
Pssst—if you’re enjoying holiday gift ideas, check out community Secret Santa events and blog gift swaps for more handmade inspiration from fellow creatives.