CRAFT CULTURE
THE INDIE CRAFT EXPERIENCE REVVS UP FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Founded by crafters and entrepreneurs Christy Petterson and Shannon Mulkey, the Indie Craft Experience (ICE) boasts fall, holiday and vintage markets— held at venues such as the Yaarab Shrine Center, Colony Square, the Georgia Freight Depot, the Hudgens Center for Art & Learning and the Margaret Mitchell House—as well as pop-up shops and workshops at ICE’s Candler Park headquarters. ICE markets now host crafters, artists and makers from across the country, all of whom sell handcrafted or vintage products—everything from clothing and accessories to home goods and perfumes.
One of ICE’s more intimate events is Holiday Market Atlanta at Midtown’s Yaarab Shrine Center, a last-minute holiday shopper’s dream featuring more than 50 craft and vintage vendors. Though ICE holds a larger Holiday Shopping Spectacular market at downtown’s Georgia Freight Depot in November, Petterson and Mulkey realized they needed a December show to accommodate those still on the hunt for gifts at the eleventh hour.
“We started thinking about those people, like myself, who work best under pressure, as well as people who kicked it off at our November show and then needed to complete the process,” says Petterson. “It has a much more intimate feel to it. There’s more opportunity to talk with the vendors and visit every booth to find that perfect gift.”
Held December 10 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., the one-day market is now in its second year. In addition to craft and vintage products, guests will find local food vendors, a DJ and swag bags for the first 100 attendees, a signature perk at ICE markets. It’s this fun, personalized energy that Petterson and Mulkey hope market goers will associate with buying handmade. “Our goal during the holiday season is to encourage people to buy handcrafted gifts,” Petterson notes. “We want to give shoppers ample opportunity to do this with a real emphasis on having fun. Buying a gift for someone should be a sweet occasion and not one full of dread and drudgery. When you buy handcrafted, your money is going directly to an individual who’s using his or her talent, time and skills to create something unique. That uniqueness makes the handcrafted gift you give exponentially more special.”
STORY: Claire Ruhlin
