In Charm City, the unique presence of trendy neighborhoods, a vibrant art community, a communist bookstore, and a church-that-isn't results in the natural emergence of events and fairs that make Baltimore an indie hub. Last weekend, the Charm City Craft Mafia and friends gathered at the 2640 space on St. Paul Street for the second annual "Holiday Heap."
According to the Craft Mafia, the Holiday Heap is a fair that dares us to "skip the mall and the mass produced, and shop local and handmade this year." It featured over 50 artists, with wares ranging from purses made from old books to chili-flavored chocolates.
The atmosphere of these fairs is mostly predictable. The Holiday Heap was DJed by Sleepy records, who spun classic holiday tunes covered by modern indie artists, as well as their year-round mainstays (can we all just agree Vampire Weekend is good, and get over it?). The crowd sported patched clothing and hand-knit goods, and, as is common in Baltimore, seemed all to know each other.
Vendors were almost universally helpful and friendly. However, there seem to be a few crafters who can smell a "privileged" Hopkins student a mile away, and turn up their noses. Fortunately, they are few enough in number that even the premium-denim wearer can feel welcome.
It does take a certain amount of capitalistic success to afford some of the crafted items. Take, for example, the wonderfully crafted stuffed animals by Jennifer Strunge of Cotton Monster (www.cottonmonster.com). She hand-makes each bright and colorful monster without a pattern, for a truly unique objet d'art. However, such care comes at a price: The smallest runs $35, and the largest can run $100. No doubt worth the tag if you're looking for that unique gift. However, we are not in the realm of cheaply made arts 'n crafts.
High-end specialty products were more common than might have been expected. Another fine example was the culinary work of Chocolaterra (www.chocolaterrashop.com). The $2-a-pop truffles are divine, and unexpected flavors like chili (suprisingly delicious, by the way) add an extra bonus for the gustatorily adventurous.
Craft staple/superstar Squidfire (www.squidfire.com) was also present, selling their screen-printed clothing. Squidfire is your regular hard-work, rags-to-riches success story. Duo Jean-Baptiste Regnard and Kevin Sherry began their business selling out of the back of their car in 2004 and now have recently opened their own store in the old Atomic Books building in Hampden.
Close on Squidfire's heels is Popidiot (popidiot.com). The clothing brand has "removed all the attitude and pretense to leave you with nothing but pure, unadulterated silly." Shirts feature space rockets, monkeys and the like, with no discernible clever messages or symbols. They have an impressively inclusive line of clothing, with prints on long-sleeved, thermal, infants' and many other types of shirts.
Despite torrential downpours, the Holiday Heap was a success. As the fair wound down, a helpful volunteer stood out in the street, trying to entice last-minute patronage from passing cars while wearing a Cotton Monster on his head.
"That working?" he was asked.
"Eh." was his response.
"Fun though?"
"Hell yeah."
For future events, keep an eye on charmcitycraftmafia.com.
