Everything Glendale

Filed Under: Art, Events, Michael's

I hate craft fairs. Actually, let me rephrase: I hate receiving useless, pseudo-art, so-called crafts that are mere replications from instruction manuals purchased at Michael's. I just had a yard sale last Saturday to clear out junk inherited from my mom, and I can guarantee that half of the tsotchkes on the one-dollar table originated from a craft fair. My mother was a good woman, but she loved her junk. I, in turn, hate it.

So when I heard that the MOMS Club of Glendale West was holding a "Holiday Boutique," I wasn't just skeptical; I was mortified. I joined our local chapter of MOMS Club in January 2007 after my daughter was born and found the group of moms to be fascinating, vibrant, and classy. I couldn't believe that these same women were organizing a cheap craft fair, all the while shrouding it with the euphemism "Holiday Boutique."

I didn't want to go. I only went because friends of mine were considering moving to Glendale, and I wanted to introduce them to the neighborhood. I will readily admit: the MOMS Club proved me wrong about craft fairs—well, except that the Holiday Boutique is not a craft fair; it is a specialty fair, one that is truly distinct.

According to this year's flyer, the boutique offers "a variety of handmade and unique quality items," but I would venture to say that they offer more than "items." They offer "art," in the true sense of the word. Each vendor is an artist in his or her own right, each offering beautifully inspired pieces that represent their unique human perspective.

This year, three visual artists—Julie Caplan, Dacia Lamb, and D'Jeff Baker—will be offering original paintings, photographs, and studio sessions. Other vendors will offer handmade scarves, jewelry, vintage frames, and children's clothing. Also available will be Sunny Cannon's super-cute hand-knit purses and Sarah Barrett's unique cardstock creations. I am especially excited to see the return of Swirl Syndicate, a line of tongue-in-cheek tees inspired by "multi-culti-cuties."

This year, 24 vendors will be participating, including Eve, a daughter of the Glendale West chapter, who will be celebrating her 50th birthday with the grand opening of the Frou Frou Bunny Shop, featuring handmade items she's made throughout the year and whose proceeds "will go to help the earth," namely the Surfrider Foundation and the Sierra Club. They will also have a concession table, offering coffee, hot apple cider, and other simple food items.

Besides supporting local artists and entrepreneurs, you will take heart knowing that proceeds from the entry fee will be donated to Glendale Healthy Kids, Child Share Program, and Hillsides.

In this tight economy, one of the greatest things you can do is to support local vendors, those tough and firm individuals who are struggling to pursue their dreams for an artistic world amongst a sea of mass-manufactured chaos.

MOMS Club of Glendale West 3rd Annual Holiday Boutique

Saturday, December 13, 2008
10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

Grandview Presbyterian Church
1130 Ruberta Avenue
Glendale, CA 91201
www.momsclubglendalewest.org

Entrance Fee:
$2.00
(Children are free)

There will be plenty of fabulous gift items under $30.00 and wonderful gift baskets that you can win in the raffle!