HOMESPUN CHARM. Tacoma artist Laurie Cinotto makes boutonnières, brooches, cake toppers made out of paper flowers, ribbon and other vintage and upcycled materials. Her unique, handmade and lovely works of art will be available during the upcoming Tacoma is For Lovers artist craft sale, taking place June 13 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at King’s Books. (Photo courtesy of Laurie Cinotto)
The Tacoma is for Lovers (TIFL) craft fair is back and ready to get rolling into 2010 and arm locals with crafts and homemade wares made by local artisans to enjoy themselves, and share with loved ones for a worthwhile cause.
Event planners Jennifer Adams and Katy Evans chose to raise money for their friend Colleen Malone, a former Tacoman who was diagnosed with thyroid cancer for the last TIFL event. Both women are happy to report that Malone is cancer-free now, and thus they are switching gears with their funding cause and raising money for King’s Books during the next craft fair, as the iconic neighborhood shop is currently going through transitions and still trying to stay afloat with the down economy. This upcoming craft fair came a little earlier than anticipated, Adams affirmed via phone.
“King’s Books approached us and asked if we would hold one, and we were thinking it might be fun to do a summer one. I’d been thinking about it anyway, so we decided to do it.”
Prior to the last TIFL fair in November 2009, Adams noted that she was planning to only do one holiday, end of the year craft fair a year, but due to certain collaborations and opportunities that have arisen, plans have changed, and locals will surely benefit.
One such connection is between TIFL, King’s Books and a new group currently in planning stages called Indie Tacoma, which will be holding a series of craft fairs with an anticipated first in September. Though Indie Tacoma is not involved with this upcoming craft fair, Adams said that Indie Tacoma creator Megan Irving had wanted to hold artist craft fairs in the area for some time.
“We know some of the same people, and when she found out I’m in charge of Tacoma is For Lovers, she wanted to make sure she wasn’t stepping on toes,” Adams said. “So we decided to work together. The two of us and King’s Books would work well together, we all bring our strengths to the table and take it to another level.”
Artists who are scheduled to have tables at the next TIFL craft fair include: Kelsy Parkhurst, who sells repurposed children’s clothing at the 6th Avenue Farmers Market; Maggie Roberts of Uncommon Envelope; Miranda Pollitz, a jewelry maker; letterpress making duo Chandler O’Leary and Jessica Spring; Mirka Hokkanen; Jessica Bender, who overdyes vintage napkins; letterpress artist Lisa Hasagowa; Oliver Doriss of Fulcrum Gallery; Ryan Loiselle and Rachelle Wells; Connie DeBruler; and embellished children’s clothing maker Lindsey Barnes from Seattle, among others.
In addition to checking out tables filled with great homemade pieces of art, visitors will be able to take part in button-making, a silent auction, which will include a Source Yoga gift certificate, Arbonnes Skin Care gift package, a jewelry class courtesy of Amy Reeves and the Tacoma Metal Arts Center and many more enticing items. Tacoma’s newest poet laureate, Tammy Robacker, will also be in attendance and will be holding down a poetry station, where individuals can have her create a totally unique poem, where she can even autograph it, too. Tacoma is for Lovers T-shirts will be on sale as well, for those who were not able to grab one at the last craft fair.
Starting this year, every second Thursday of the month, TIFL has been sponsoring an artist craft night at King’s Books, highlighting a different project and local artist, furthering the collaborations between the group and the bookstore. For a small fee, participants are led through a project by an artist complete with supplies, and leave at the end of the night with a homemade, one-of-a-kind craft. The next artist-led craft night will be a bookbinding event with Jessica Spring and will take place June 10 from 7-9 p.m.
In addition to creating working relationships with King’s Books and future collaborations with Indie Tacoma, Adams is going to take TIFL to the next level. She was recently awarded a retail space downtown as part of Spaceworks, a program through the city of Tacoma, which will allow her to set up a retail shop to sell many artists’ wares on consignment, in addition to holding more craft fairs in the space.
Tacoma is for Lovers’ artist craft fair will take place on June 13 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at King’s Books, located at 218 St. Helens Ave. For more information about Tacoma is for Lovers, visit King’s Books’ website at www.kingsbookstore.com or “like” Tacoma is For Lovers on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TacomaIsForLovers.
