Crystal Pepperdine, founder and executive director of Flint Handmade, considers herself a “recreational” crafter. And while she’s a talented crafter, her skills extend further yet. “I was definitely a creative child, but my real talent is organizing things,” she laughed. By blending her organizational skills with her creative side, Crystal helped create a local conglomerate wherein crafters can showcase their talent.
While serving on the Board of the Greater Flint Creative Alliance, Crystal attended the Detroit Urban Craft Fair by Handmade Detroit. Inspired by her positive experience there, she decided that Flint needed a modern, independent craft fair and thus, Flint City Handmade (now Flint Handmade) was born. The first annual Flint City Handmade Holiday Craft Market was held in December 2007 at The Lunch Studio in Downtown Flint, with just 20 vendors packed tightly into the small space. About 150 shoppers attended and everyone loved the fresh, hip, handmade goods. And it’s only grown from there!
Flint City Handmade added their now-annual Spring Craft Market in 2008. An open craft social called craftLAB was also begun, and now takes place on the first Sunday of every month. In May 2009, Flint City Handmade became Flint Handmade, and as an independent organization, they launched a blog and expanded their network. Craft Supply Swaps began and Second Saturday Giveaways became popular on the blog. CraftLABs also evolved into craft workshops, with all materials and instruction provided. As the organization has grown in both membership and reach, it has received more recognition. In 2011, Flint Handmade became an official 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and received a grant from the Ruth Mott Foundation in partnership with the Greater Flint Arts Council to offer domestic arts and crafts workshops called SkillShare. In 2012, Flint Handmade won a recycling award from Keep Genesee County Beautiful for its Craft Supply Swaps.
Crystal looks forward to the seventh annual Flint Handmade Spring Craft Market, scheduled for Saturday, May 3 at Downtown’s Masonic Temple. The event will feature 45 Flint Handmade members selling unique, modern, handmade items such as foods, art, glass, vintage-inspired jewelry, knitted and crocheted goods, hand-poured soy candles, paper crafts, natural bath and beauty products, plush toys and much more. “I love bringing creative minds together to share their work with the community,” Crystal said. “Visit our Spring Craft Market and see what we’re all about!”
Handmade Highlights
Talented crafters from the Greater Flint area showcase their wares!
Come to the next Flint Handmade event to experience the joy of unique, handmade creations.
PHOTOS BY SARAH SZUMANSKI AND MIKE NADDEO
