Local makers offer unique crafts for Black Friday in national showcase

In the Northeastern part of the country, one craft show stands out every year for its variety of gifts spanning local one-of-a-kind finds to expertly crafted trinkets that can’t be found anywhere else — and this year, four Philly artists are being featured.

With CraftBoston Holiday Online, the eagerly anticipated annual showcase, nearly 90 artists from New England and across the country are featured. The show boasts home decor, jewelry, wearable textiles, sculptural works, and basketry in a variety of price points, ranging from small gifts to spectacular showpieces. This year, joining the line-up of the talented crafters are Seth Carlson, Barbara Baur, Linda May and Danielle Siegelbaum—all four native to the City of Brotherly Love.

Baur primarily makes jewelry, as does Carlson but with a maritime feel. May makes textile jewelry, and Siegelbaum crafts multidimensional pieces from paintings to photo art to beguiling objects and much more. Black Friday is perhaps one of the busiest days for the showcase, with deals and offerings running until Jan. 30.

But, shopping is not the only focal point this go-around for CraftBoston.

This year’s craft show also includes educational and entertainment programming designed to enhance shoppers’ interactions with the makers via artist demos, live-streamed conversations offering direct access to artists, and workshops where viewers can learn craft techniques. It’s a win for makers and for audiences around the country.

CraftBoston Holiday’s online format and extended timeline also offers an advantage to participating artists, says Executive Director Brigitte Martin in a statement.

“By providing access to a well-respected destination show like ours, without the costs of booth rental, travel and lodging, CraftBoston Holiday offers artists an incredible opportunity to showcase their work to a nationwide audience without the overhead an in-person event requires,” Martin says. “As a result, we provide a supportive platform for a wider variety of artists to reach buyers and tell their stories.”

The showcase comes from the Society of Arts + Crafts. Incorporated in 1897, the Society has been at the forefront of the American craft movement, fostering the development, sales, recognition and education of crafts for more than 100 years. As their website states, the Boston-based nonprofit’s mission is to support and celebrate craft makers and their creativity, to build and sustain a vibrant and diverse community, and to shape the future of craft.

Other standouts from the showcase with deals on Black Friday include Sammia Atoui, co-founder and director of MiraMar Print Lab, an art gallery and printmaking studio; Stephen Strout, whose finely-detailed food presentation and cutting boards come to life through intricate layers of wood in a variety of colors and styles; and Rhode Island ceramicist Ian Buchbinder.

To find out more information and to shop through CraftBoston, visit societyofcrafts.org