I always love going to First Friday. There’s always so much to see and so much to do...especially in terms of crafts. The next time you attend First Friday there are a few crafty must-stop destinations that need to be on your list.
First off, check yourself into MADE on 5th Street and Roosevelt Road. This one-of-a-kind art boutique sells amazing hand-crafted items from locally artists in and around the Phoenix area. Some of the handmade items at MADE include, but are not limited to jewelry, ceramics, pottery, books, and woodwork. Every craft in the shop is taken in on consignment and co-owner Cindy Dach is always looking for new artists. For anyone interested in crafts or the handmade world in general, this is one store that has been a catalyst in the explosion of the Phoenix art scene.
Open until 11 p.m. on First Fridays, the creative boutique the Grow-Op Collective shares their great collection of boutique artistry. The store itself sells unique, handmade items as well as clothes, and home décor. Among this great collection of items are handmade accessories, shoes, purses, woodwork, candles, lighting, and vintage craft supplies. Like MADE, the Grow-Op features local Arizona and Phoenix artists. The boutique also offers areas of their courtyard to be used for vendors during First Friday to sell an crafty related items they may have.
First Friday always has great vendors along the streets, especially down Roosevelt Row. Many of the vendors sell handmade items, such as cute jewelry accessories like bracelets, rings or necklaces. A few years ago when I first attended First Friday, this was the main attraction, but since then, there are less crafty vendors lining the streets. Outside of Conspire, as well as other places on Roosevelt Row, there painters constructing pieces right before your eyes and selling others for your pleasure. Other artists, like glass blowers and spray paint artists, also create their masterpieces for an audience during the First Friday festivities and sell them to any passerby who is interested.
Besides all of these great crafty stops, there also many galleries in the area that are a must see for anyone who appreciates urban art.
Make sure you head on out to First Friday at some point in the near future! There are too many great crafty finds that you don’t want to miss!
