Craft fan organizes local show for handmade items

Cloth diaper gift sets from Green Cakes will be available at the 2Hand Revolution DIY Holiday Craft Show in Vancouver. (Green Cakes)

When Vancouver’s Jessica Swanson did her holiday shopping she sought out “hipster” craft shows in the Portland area that featured handmade items made from recycled or sustainable materials.

Her frustration was that she didn’t know of any craft shows with that bent in Clark County.

So Swanson, 33, started putting together her own show. She invited crafters from Southwest Washington and Portland to participate. She reached out to organizations that promote fair trade and “purposeful purchasing” to join in.

“The bottom line is that I get a lot of joy out of purchasing something directly from the person who made it,” Swanson said. “So, I thought it would be nice to bring other people together for that reason.”

Swanson’s show, 2Hand Revolution DIY Holiday Craft Show, will feature handmade goods ranging from about $5 to $100.

Alongside the craft vendors will be booths hosted by Equal Exchange, Canaan Fair Trade, Cafe Femenino Foundation, Urban Farm School, Mint Tea Imports, Dee Creek Farm’s Locavore Delivery System and the Vancouver Food Co-op.

Shows such as 2Hand Revolution are an alternative for people who don’t have the time or inclination to make their own gifts, but still want to give presents that are handmade. The Dec. 6 show is just one of many held starting in the fall and throughout the holiday season.

For at least one vendor, 2Hand Revolution will be a way to make a debut of sorts.

Bethann Flack of Woodland recently launched Green Cakes to sell her handmade cloth diaper products.

Flack, 29, makes a variety of custom items from diapers to fasteners to diaper covers. 2Hand Revolution will be her first show.

Swanson said about 90 percent of the crafters at the show will be from Southwest Washington.