Nice Things Handmade and The Philly Free School announce the first annual “Superfantastic Craft Bazaar” on Saturday, December 7, 2013, from 11:00am to 5:00pm, at 2001 Christian Street, Philadelphia. Over 35 local artisans and crafters will transform the school’s roller-skating rink into a holiday wonderland filled with one-of-a-kind gifts, sculpted jewelry, home décor, handmade paper, art prints, hand painted glassware, aeriums, apparel, stuffed toys and much more. Family fun will include face painting, caricatures, make-and-take ornaments, paint-your-own ceramics and free candy canes. Ultimo Coffee, Weckerly’s Ice Cream, Philly Free School and other vendors will provide hot beverages, seasonal treats and lunchtime snacks. Admission is free. Proceeds benefit the programs of the Philly Free School, where kids rule (for real). For more show information, visit www.nicethingshandmade.com or www.phillyfreeschool.org, call (267) 455-0256 or follow @nicethingshandmade.

“Santa says shop local, shop handmade and shop early at the first ‘Superfantastic Craft Bazaar’ to support the Philly Free School,” said Elissa Kara, owner/artist Nice Things Handmade. “We’re pleased to bring the region’s best talent together to support a school where kids help guide their own learning. One-of-a-kind shopping will support a one-in-a-million educational experience.”

Over 35 local artisans and crafters are expected for this first-year show, including the following early list of vendors:

3 Star Studio – designed homegoods from resalvaged wood
Adorned by Aisha - vintage inspired jewelry
As the Crow Flies –unique upcyled jewelry and clothing
Bee Vintage Redux - new and vintage finds
Bicycle Benders - custom bike spoke jewelry
Black Heart Letter Press - custom design letterpress printing
Box Turtle Press- handmade paper, paper-based jewelry, miniature books, prints
The Brothers Pannell - prints and canvases of Philadelphia
Hands and Pages – handmade books
Jane Broadbent Pottery - Pottery
Jay Alex Creations – hand painted glassware
Krista Peel Jewelry - handmade jewelry
Laura Murdoch Fine Art Prints - prints and drawings
Shera P - beauty products with flair
Stitch Prism - aeriums, handmade jewelry, embroidery, 2-d art
Threadscape - custom brand apparel
Tooth of the Lion Apothecary - local botanical medicinal products unique to the bioregion
Useful and Beautiful Handmade - handmade stuffed toys
wild child work – children’s apparel
Wise Owl - upcycled eco-friendly neckwarmers

Edible treats, family fun and other surprises will include:

Ultimo Coffee will serve award-winning coffee and hot cider
Weckerly’s Ice Cream will debut Caramelized White Chocolate Cranberry and other new holiday flavors, plus sell their own label of apple and pumpkin butters (make local, with local produce)
Philly Free School will sell seasonal baked goods, hot chili and other tasty treats
Free candy canes for kids of all ages
Face painting and caricatures by Leah
Craft station for kids with make-and-take ornaments
Paint your own ceramics with Stephani Threet

Admission to “Superfantastic Craft Bazaar” is free. Proceeds benefit the programs of the Philly Free School, where kids rule! For more show information, visit www.nicethingshandmade.com or www.phillyfreeschool.org, call (267) 455-0256 or follow @nicethingshandmade.

ABOUT PHILLY FREE SCHOOL

At the Philadelphia Free School, located at 2001 Christian Street, students aged 4-19 are empowered to govern the school and their own learning. School officials envision a learning community that maximizes freedom and responsibility and is available to any Philadelphia-area child. Through self-initiated activities, students learn the delicate balance between individual freedom and community responsibility. Along the way, they develop the internal resources to navigate, assess, and utilize the information and tools needed to thrive in modern society. For more information, call 215-218-9586 or visit www.phillyfreeschool.org.

ABOUT NICE THINGS HANDMADE

Nice Things Handmade, located at 1731 East Passyunk Avenue, is a South Philadelphia gift boutique and art gallery curated by artist Elissa Kara. Nice Things supports 75 top artists from around region, and across the country, that sell handmade ceramics, jewelry, clothing, prints, accessories and artwork. While other artists have turned to the internet in recent years, Kara provides a physical space where customers can see the details of the stitches, appreciate the variations in color and, most importantly, appreciate the quality found in the handmade. Kara herself is a featured artists at Nice Things Handmade, specializing in textiles and fibers. She even hand spins and hand-dyes her own yarns!

Every month, Nice Things hosts artwork from one or more artists in the boutique’s gallery space. Each show opens with a free reception during Second Saturday on East Passyunk Avenue. Nice Things currently is planning the fourth annual ornament show featuring 50+ artists that will present a variety of handmade ornaments in a variety of mediums. Everyone can share a little piece of art for the holidays. The show opens on Saturday, December 14, 2013, with a free reception from 6:00pm to 10:00pm. For more information, call (267) 455-0256, visit www.nicethingshandmade.com or follow @nicethingshandmade

ABOUT ELISSA KARA

Elissa Kara is the owner and a featured artist at Nice Things Handmade. Kara organizes the successful Bang! Boom! CRAFT and Fall Festival Craft shows on East Passyunk Avenue. Kara hails from South Philadelphia where she grew up surrounded by a family of artists. She attended Bradford College outside of Boston and received a BA in painting, with a minor in ceramics. After school, Kara returned to Philadelphia and sold hats in the Italian Market and at independent retailers around town. When Black Cat (by Judy Wicks) and MEW Gallery (in the Italian Market) closed their doors, Kara wanted to provide an outlet for the city’s creative community and she opened Things Handmade in the heart of East Passyunk’s growing retail and restaurant scene. The store opened in February 2010 in honor of her mother who passed away from cancer. “Nice Things” paid tribute to a shop her mom owned before Kara was born.