Review of the Craftin' Outlaws 3rd Annual Alternative Craft Fair in Columbus, Ohio

Yesterday my friends Carla and Diana and I headed on to the 3rd annual Craftin' Outlaws alternative craft fair, held at Skully's Music Diner. As a born-and-bred city girl and aficionado of all things hip and urban, I had been anticipating this event for months. Although not a craftster myself (although perhaps someday), I appreciate the whimsical, clever, handmade creations that have sprung forth from the talented people comprising this now-burgeoning underground arts and crafts movement. I also dig the DIY (do-it-yourself) ethic promoted by the craftster movement as a means to provide an alternative to mass produced goods, which is why I would much rather purchase my jewelry, stuffed animals, baby clothes, housewares, and other various sundries from a craftster.

The event was held inside Skully's as well as outside behind the building, providing ample space for the 61 artist vendors (90 percent of whom are Ohioans) hawking their wares. The weather couldn't have been better - sunny and crisp - conducive to lingering among the tables housed within the outdoor tents and chatting with the artists who had set up shop.

Shortly after we arrived, I convinced Diana to purchase a pair of teardrop-shaped earrings created with pieces of brushed green glass and a funky wraparound bracelet made from stiff wire and a multitude of small, colorful beads. As she looked around, noticing the preponderance of facial piercings, dreadlocks, and tattoos, she joked how she was starting to feel like a redneck, a little old country girl visiting the big city. The artist from whom she bought her jewelry laughed and asked her where she was from. When Diana said, "Lancaster," the artist grinned and waved her hands in a gesture that echoed her reply, "oh, you're not a redneck compared to where I grew up, a little town in Ohio with only a few hundred people!"