Wheeling Heritage will host its fifth Handmade Holiday on Saturday, Dec. 2 on the third floor of the Wheeling Artisan Center. The event will run from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will feature 46 juried artists selling their work. The best part – admission is free!
Handmade Holiday is inspired by the independent craft fair movement throughout the country. This marketplace of unique and creative handmade goods supports local artists while providing an opportunity to meet the makers behind the products sold at the event. “With over 45 vendors, this will be our biggest Handmade Holiday to date!” said Alex Panas, Wheeling Heritage program manager. “Whether you are looking for original artwork, jewelry, ceramics, or holiday decorations, there will certainly be something for everyone on your holiday shopping list this year.”
Many participating artists have been a part of Handmade Holiday for the past five years and enjoy the festive atmosphere and opportunity to talk with their customers. Local artist Logan Schmitt shares that “being a part of Handmade Holiday means seeing so many of my friends and family all in one place, celebrating art. I always have such a good time showing my new work and chatting with folks all day at such a spectacular local event.” Schmitt is an illustrator whose work is inspired by animals and natural elements.
Colleen Cominsky, owner of Colleen’s Craft Creations, notes the importance of markets like Handmade Holiday for businesses like hers. “Events like Handmade Holiday help my business reach new local customers and connect with returning customers too! In-person events allow customers to small, see and purchase presents for loved ones rather than shopping online or in big box stores,” said Cominsky. “I love talking about my products to people and enjoy the in-person sales aspect of events like this.”
Logan Schmitt
While several artists will return to Handmade Holiday this year, there are also plenty of vendors making their debut at the market. “Being a part of Handmade Holiday is an incredibly huge deal for me as a newer business. I’ve always wanted to participate in this event as a vendor and I’m thrilled to showcase my work and see some new faces this weekend,” said Alisha Thomas, owner of 16th Street Clay Company. Thomas started her polymer clay jewelry business in 2022 as a way to cope with stress and anxiety, which she has incorporated into her business’s mission to raise awareness of mental health and the benefits of art therapy.
There will be plenty of artists to explore this Saturday at the Wheeling Artisan Center – the hardest part will be sticking to your budget! Browse through the list of vendors below and get ready for a day of shopping small and supporting local artists!
- 16th Street Clay Co. (jewelry)
- A Frayed Knot (macrame)
- Acute Peach Art (original art and jewelry)
- Apartment Two Art (candles)
- Art by Janet Lynn (paintings, jewelry)
- Woven (handwoven goods)
- Be Kind Ceramics (ceramics)
- Bejeweled Trees by Barbara Bland (holiday decor)
- Buffalo Bed Leather (leather accessories)
- Colleen’s Crafty Creations (natural soap and body products)
- CrapBagBananaHammock (upcycled jewelry, accessories, and more)
- Double J Farm (goat milk soap and body products)
- Friendly City Freeze Dried (candy)
- Fuzzy Whale Paper Co. (paper goods)
- Georgia Tambasis (ceramics)
- Hawke Design Shop (fiber art)
- Jimagination (woodcraft)
- Lambros Pottery (ceramics)
- Logan Schmitt Illustration (illustration)
- Lone Stone Designs (jewelry)
- Lydia Grimm Art (hand-embossed jewelry)
- Lynn Allan Designs (assemblages)
- Mary Stitches (embroidery)
- Morning Light Studio (ceramics)
- Mycro Forest (home decor)
- Opossum Pouch Soft Goods (outdoor goods and accessories)
- Papa Faith (prints and hand-carved relief prints)
- Primal Pickles (food)
- Rachel Dennison (canvas and woodcut paintings)
- Ready Aim Fire Ceramics Studio (ceramics)
- Rust Belt Stained Glass Works (stained glass)
- Savannah Schroll Guz Studios (jewelry and mixed-media art)
- Shea Rose Soapery (soap and body products)
- Shortcake Crafts (crochet gifts and accessories)
- Stone Cottage Apothecary (candles and home products)
- Spore Print Press (screeprinting)
- Tacet Coffee Cart (mobile cafe)
- Tea Towels by Kerryn Carney (embroidery)
- The Blended Homestead (food and wood serving boards)
- The Boord Potter (ceramics)
- Wanderland Creations (jewelry)
- Wild + Wanderful (hand-sewn goods and accessories)
- Wild Fringe Leatherworks (jewelry)
- Wild Lotus Studio (jewelry)
- Windswept Chimes (recycled metal art)
- Witty Voyager (jewelry & trinkets)
- Yardscape LLC (ceramic and metal lawn ornaments)
Learn more about Handmade Holiday by visiting wheelingheritage.org/handmade-holiday.