February 5–12, 1998
six pick
One of the funkier craft shows Philly has to offer is Traveling Wares—a group of 20 or so artisans who sell their goods in various hipster hangouts. Beginning last February at the Latest Dish, this flea market of fashion and art has vagabonded from Dirty Frank's to Tattooed Mom to the 700 Club selling handmade hats, jewelry, bags, scarves, steelwork, tilework and even shoes. The prices range from thrifty ($5) to pricy ($300), and you're bound to snag something you like (at a Sugar Mom's event I snagged one of Jodi Sweitzer's red, black and white dice bracelets for a mere $20). The idea for Traveling Wares was conceived by four women—Sweitzer, Kim Raznov, Nickolette Phillips and Susan Morris—who wanted a comfortable, more intimate outlet in which to sell their work.
"We felt like there was a need for this kind of sale in a friendly environment, as opposed to selling our stuff in stores or doing a big craft show," says Raznov.
Appropriately, this edition of Traveling Wares will be held at the comfy-chair-filled bistro Lucy's Hat Shop, named for its former life as a 1920s millinery owned by a woman named Lucy. Added bonus—Lucy's owner Avram Hornik (who also owns Quarry Street Café) says he'll be serving tapas while shoppers browse the goods.
Sat., Feb. 7, 4-8 p.m., Lucy's Hat Shop, 247 Market St., 413-1433.