LINCOLN – While stores were preparing for the Black Friday rush of consumers, a smaller group was organizing their own type of sale. Area crafters had gotten together and formed what they hope will be an annual event called Craftzilla.
Located in the old Armstrong building at the corner of 48th and R streets, organizers planned for everything.
There were over 40 vendors and the event even featured food trucks and live music by local bands and was covered by local television news station KLKN.
It was an opportunity for a group of people who crafts for extra income to sell their wares in a public venue on the busiest shopping weekend of the year.
Many of the crafters involved in the project promote their products on a local Facebook group page called “Homemade Crafts For Sale.”
SCC student Bree Seybold attended with her family and said she was able to do a lot of Christmas shopping right there.
“What I like about this is that I send a lot of gifts to family out of state and it’s hard to know what they already have or don’t have,” she said.
“If I shop at places like this,” she added, “I can guarantee they’re getting something unique that they couldn’t have already received from someone else or purchased themselves. Plus, a lot of these vendors are taking special orders and they’ll do customization.”
Many area churches and organizations begin the fall season with bazaars and holiday craft events, and some are still coming in the weeks ahead.
One will be held on Saturday, Dec. 8, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. At this time, St. Mark’s United Methodist Church will be holding their Holiday Gift Boutique featuring many local vendors as well.
For information on the events listed here or other future events, visit the Facebook group page, “Lincoln, Nebraska Area Craft and Vending Events.”