Stitch Rock 9
The indie-handmade craft movement hasn’t always had a home in South Florida like in places such as Austin and Portland, Oregon. But with fine folks, such as the ambitious Amanda Linton, of Lake Worth, indie do-it-yourselfers not only have a burgeoning community to share tips and relish in support, these artisans have an outlet to sell their unique wares and mingle amid handmade fans.
Case in point: October’s Ninth Annual Stitch Rock will host nearly 80 vendors peddling wares created from old-school and new-school crafting techniques. This craft fair and bazaar brings forth items made with extra love and care, never of the mass-produced variety, ahem China, that shoppers can know that they are supporting the local economy while snagging fun items such as kitschy home goods, DIY fashion, hot rod paintings, pin-up photography, funky jewelry and so on.
Stitch Rock launched in 2007, when crafter Linton realized South Florida crafters and makers needed a local outlet outside of Etsy to sell what was dear to theirs hearts, making things by hand. Linton, a self-proclaimed third generation crafter, grew up in a family that she explains would, “If we wanted a cake we would bake it. And if we wanted a dress, we would sew one.”
The 37-year-old can embroider can sew up a storm, but she says her favorite things to make are resin jewelry pieces for her line “Forever Sprinkles,” which incorporates legit cupcake sprinkles, sparkles and fun Japanese stickers.
Her first Stitch Rock featured 40 vendors and drew nearly 800 hundred attendees. Those numbers have steadily increased making it the largest annual indie craft fair in South Florida. Due to its wild success, she has spawned off more inclusive annual artisan events that encompass different artistic styles and genres like Art Rock and Retro Indie Market. She also co-owns along with her husband JR, Ink & Pistons, Tattoos & Slushbox Art Gallery in West Palm Beach, where she curates art shows almost monthly.
Notable vendors to check out at the show, among the many talented, are Elisa Gomez of Committed Jewelry; Justine’s The Monster Cafe; and Sara Leigh’s Stitch of Whimsey… her art appears on this years PureHoney poster🙂
“It feels better to buy from the person who made the pieces,” says Linton. Think of how eating foods tastes better when you know how it was and were it was grown, like eating a strawberry right out of the field… it just tastes better.”
Stitch Rock will explode on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2015, from noon to 6pm at the Delray Beach Center for the Arts at Old School Square, 51 N. Swinton Avenue, in Delray Beach. First 100 people get a free swag bag. Admission is $5; free for children 12 and younger. Visit rockthestitch.com
~ Andrea Richard
WATCH SCENES FROM 2014
