by Noella Noelophile®
(Image courtesy of Jackalope Arts, and used with permission.)
A “Jackalope” is headed our way!
And it’s about to make Christmas shopping fun, festive and filled with excellent food.
Of course, the “Jackalope” in question is the Jackalope Indie Artisan Fair. This Saturday and Sunday, this juried festival will bring more than 200 talented creatives to Pasadena’s Central Park.
That’s not all.
A second opportunity
(Royalty-free image by manseok Kim from Pixabay.)
If you can’t make it to Pasadena this weekend, you get a second chance–as Jackalope Burbank happens in the Downtown Burbank area, December 10th and 11th!
The Burbank show, according to an email from Jackalope Arts, will feature more than 180 artisans, offering their handmade specialties. A peek at Jackalope Arts’ “Exhibiting Artists” webpage is both tempting, and a fantastic way, if you can’t attend in-person, to shop virtually and support these talented indie artists.
Just a few of the unique items they’re offering:
(Royalty-free image by Richard Mcall from Pixabay.)
- Kitenge fabric notebooks, blankets, wrist purses and more from nonprofit Save the Rain. 100% of the purchase price on these items goes to fund clean-water projects in East Africa;
(Royalty-free image by Monika Schröder from Pixabay.)
- Cuddly knitted dolls and Christmas ornaments (and patterns!) from Meemoo;
(Royalty-free image by Gabriela Piwowarska from Pixabay.)
- Delicate resin flower jewelry from L&K Elegance.
Tempted yet? I know I am! Guess I’ll just have to spend some time browsing these online as I do my Christmas shopping.
And now–Pasadena
But, more immediately–with what sorts of treasures might the Pasadena exhibiting artists be waiting to tempt you?
Think sunny-looking modern prints (totes, scarves, wall art and more) from Antenna Art.
Plus, body-care products including my personal weakness–handmade scented soap!–from Francesco Palmieri. Goats-milk soap, lavender soap and the green-tea variety would be three very likely candidates for my shopping bag.
And yayyyy–Accessory Alchemy is exhibiting! I met proprietor Ali Krajewski in 2014, and fell completely in love with her Steampunk- and Victorian-inspired jewelry. Her miniature Christmas tree pendant, under a glass dome, is still one of my all-time favorite necklaces.
Those are just three of more than 200 indie artists involved in Jackalope Arts’ mission: bringing the local community together to meet the makers behind the creativity. Here, meanwhile, is their link to the map of Pasadena vendors, for a preview of all the other amazing artisans I haven’t mentioned.
And then there’s the food.
(Royalty-free image by kendallpools from Pixabay.)
I’ve never had a better cup of coffee than the chicory blend from one of the food trucks at Jackalope Pasadena (wish I remembered the name to give them a major virtual high-five here!). Plus the meals, from food trucks and artisan food booths, tend to be amazing. Maine lobster, Baja fish tacos, pork potstickers, kettle korn and ice cream are just a few of the offerings for this weekend’s show.
Have fun, stay safe, eat well and say “hi” to all the incredible artists for me! I look forward to a time when I can attend this again, in person.