By Linda Demers
No more waiting until the holidays for glittery, handmade art and craft: Craftland is now open year-round! Craftland Shop, located at 235 Westminster Street, is the city’s premier destination for handmade goods by independent artists–from one-of-a-kind craft items to fine art pieces.
The new, year-round Craftland offers a large variety of items from more than 70 local and national artists. Shoppers will find merchandise such as jewelry, stationery, housewares, ceramics, plush toys, clothing, prints, paintings and sculptures. But customers need to be quick to snap up the items they want as Craftland features a rotating roster of work by talented artisans. Once an item is gone, it’s gone.
In addition to the shop, the space at Westminster Street houses the Craftland Gallery, with exhibitions that focus on contemporary craft, and the Craftland School of Craft, where professional artists teach craft classes (for all ages) several times a month. Class topics vary and include sessions such as printmaking, sewing, jewelry and bookbinding.
“Rhode Island artist and shoppers demanded a year-round Craftland, and after seven annual holiday shows, each bigger than the last, we listened,” says Margaret Carleton, director of Craftland. In addition to increased consumer demand, the Craftland shop is a reality thanks to the generous support of the people of Providence, Cornish Associates and the efforts of all our artists.
Upcoming Craftland events:
Opening Party
Friday, September 18, 5 – 9 pm
AGES: Open to all ages
COST: FREE
Class: Crafty Kids Take on Treasure Boxes
Saturday, September 19, 11:30am — 1pm
AGES: 6 to 12
COST: Find more details online at Craftland.com. Parents can register their kids by stopping by Craftland or online.
The Details:
Craftland – 235 Westminster Street, Providence, Rhode Island
Open Monday-Saturday 11-6 and Sunday 12-5.
For more information or to purchase goods online, visit www.craftlandshop.com.
Linda Cox Demers moved to Barrington from Chicago with her husband and her two boys, ages 12 and 7. She runs her handbag and accessories business, à la mode, from home and has recently discovered a passion for blogging. As an independent designer, Linda enjoys promoting local artists and the “buy handmade” movement. Visit Linda’s blog at http://alamodestuff.blogspot.com.
I agree! Last year I did all of my holiday shopping there.
What a great community and artist resource!
The shop, is of course, awesome. I got a wool iPhone holder from Littleman ($16) and a handmade Bedbug (tiny stuffed animal with a bed-$12) to give as a gift. I found the fire-breathing panda T-shirt in the right size for my son who wanted to match his dad, and a hilarious T-shirt featuring bacon strips emoting. ($20 each.)
And I’m signing up for a class on how to use the sewing machine gathering dust in your closet because you know not how to wind a bobbin.