Those Crafty Bastards

Crafty Bastards 2009

By Elisabeth Grant

I can’t vouch for whether they’re bastards, but the vendors at the 2009 Crafty Bastards Arts and Crafts Fair, held this past Saturday from 10am to 5pm in Adams Morgan, sure were crafty. We’re not talking your grandma’s crafts though. If you’re into doilies, tea cosies, and anything made out of popsicle sticks, this was not the event for you. These crafts were funky, fabulous, and overall very cool.

Looking for a plush cupcake monster? Or nibble-worthy jewelry perhaps? How about art that your mom won’t understand? Well, then Crafty Bastards is right up your alley.

Annually, Crafty Bastards (put together by Washington City Paper) descends on Adams Morgan, which is better known for its shots and shootings than for its knits and purls. This was the sixth year of the event, and brought together 147 artists to hock their wares in an overwhelming sea of tents and people next to the Marie Reed Learning Center at 18th and Wyoming NW. As if that wasn’t enough, there was also food, music, and a doggie adoption drive.

It’s a little unfair to blog about this event in the past-tense, but your disappointment in missing out will lessen thanks to the magic of the internet. Recreate the Crafty Bastards event (sans the crowds, the hot sun, and the sensory overload) by visiting all the participating vendors online either through the Washington City Paper’s Vendor Gallery or the Etsy Crafty Bastards Gift Guide.

Mark your calendar, and check back at the Washington City Guide, for next year’s crafty event (probably to be held again in October).