Local Artists Hold Crafts Fair

The Second Annual Holiday Shopping Boutique has returned to the at 1229 MacArthur Boulevard in San Leandro. 

The boutique will feature handmade notebooks, toiletries, stained glass, bags, purses, greeting cards and other accessories made by artists from San Leandro, San Lorenzo, Oakland, San Francisco and other Bay Area cities

The event will take place on Friday, Dec. 9, and Sat., 10, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

The event will repeat next weekend during the same hours on Friday, Dec. 16, and Saturday, Dec. 17.

The crafts fair was born out of the mind of local artist Lei Hocking.

She said she used to display her works at the Dunsmuir House Festival but it  stopped providing a holiday venue for local artists. 

“I already knew Rosa-Carreto-Fung, Level 5’s owner, and told her of the dilemma,” Hocking told Patch.  “We both called a few artists and threw it together.”

The boutique features a different kind of art every year, Hocking said. This year it is focusing on handcrafted items. 

“I want to offer people good quality local products," she said.  "I find many people are interested in buying things like this.”

Hocking said handcrafted art is different because it is driven by love.

“It’s more than a business, it is a passion," she said. "I love it when a woman’s face lights up after trying on that perfect piece.”

Handcrafted jewelry is Hocking’s speciality.  “I have been involved with art all my life,” Hocking said.  “I paint and work on glass as well as the jewelry."

She owns a motorcycle repair shop in Hayward with her husband, where she manages the finances. 

“I try to split my time between the shop and jewelry making,” said Hocking, who estimates that she works about 25 arts and craft shows a year.