Blue Island Holds Mai Fest 2022 Arts and Crafts Fair

By Carol Flynn

Just in time for Mother’s Day, craft fairs are coming back in a big way with Mai Fest 2022 Arts and Crafts Fair.

This event will be held on Olde Western Avenue in Blue Island on Saturday, April 30, from 12 noon to 5:00 p.m. Eighty-eight artists and crafters are planning to participate as vendors. They will be set up indoors at the Blue Island Beer Company and outdoors in tents along Olde Western Avenue and on the patio of the Rock Island Public House.

The event is co-sponsored by the Blue Island Arts Alliance (BIAA) and the Streetz Artz Alliance (SAA).

According to Joe Leamanczyk, head of the BIAA, the name “Mai Fair” was chosen to honor the German heritage of Blue Island, and the event represents the City of Blue Island coming back to life after the COVID pandemic.

The BIAA has several goals with the event, said Leamanczyk.

“We want people to see there is a creative community here, and we want to keep building and supporting that community. We hope to make this an annual signature event. We also want to bring awareness to the businesses in Blue Island. The City of Blue Island has been great to work with for Mai Fest,” said Leamanczyk.

John Streetz is the head of the SAA and is the organizer and manager of the event. He is a crafter himself, making pop-art-themed items from perler beads through his business Bead Streetz. Streetz is also a lover of craft beers, and it was selling his goods at events in breweries that gave him the idea to form the Streetz Artz Alliance and to approach breweries to hold more of these events.

The SAA has grown to almost three hundred members, all hand crafters, and many shows are now held throughout the year in the Chicago area – there were four in April alone.

“The goal is to advocate for the artists and the breweries. It’s about hand crafters, and it’s about people coming out and having a good time,” said Streetz.

For their part, the vendors are happy that the in-person craft fairs are returning.

One vendor who feels this way is Dee Castro, who calls her business Boothy Chicago, and will offer t-shirts and canvas bags with handmade, unique designs, and barrettes, bracelets and necklaces made from resin and acrylic at the Blue Island fair.

“Everyone is excited about getting out and doing things again,” said Castro, “and what a wonderful way to do it, celebrating art and community. Things are slowly coming back and it’s wonderful to see. It’s an honor to be part of it, and I look forward to it.”

Many of these crafters and artists rely at least in part on the income from selling their handiwork, and many saw a downturn during the pandemic. Although some were able to rely on Internet or store sales, this was not a viable option for everyone.

For Katherine Einhorn of Reflections with Kate, who produces 3-D artwork on canvas using modeling pastes and paints, and also offers gemstone items, large and small handsewn fabric bags, and art created through pyrography, a burning process on wood to create items like earrings and plaques with sayings, the in-person shows are the best way to go.

“Selling on the internet has not worked for me because people need to see my work in person. It’s three-dimensional. I am very tactile, and when people walk into my tent, I say, ‘Touch it, work with it, pick it up.’ My stuff is meant to be handled, and I love talking to people,” said Einhorn.

Likewise for Nicole Burns of NiBu Design, known for her bags and other items made from vintage, repurposed fabrics, as well as her “little critters.” At this show, she will also be premiering her garden-themed photography.

“In-person contact is very important so people can actually experience your art and the details of your craftsmanship. Pictures online cannot capture this as well,” said Burns, who pointed out that although a larger and broader audience may be reached by selling online, shipping and other costs and issues also have to be considered.

Susan Larsen of Susan Larsen Design has been selling her fine art jewelry for twenty years at art shows. She works in sterling silver and copper, and mixes in other materials like gemstones, wood, and pearls.

To Larsen, who does not yet sell on the Internet, “There is nothing like the in-person shows, being able to talk to people, to discuss how you made the item and your influences. I’ve really missed that and I’m eager to get out this summer and participate in the shows.”

Another benefit for the vendors is that the interaction between the artists that goes on at the shows leads to additional opportunities. This passes down to the shoppers in the form of increased availability of and new items from their favorite crafters.

Lovely Ortiz of Lovely’s Magickal Treasures, who will be showing wire-wrapped jewelry using crystals and stones, and intentional brooms and wreaths, that is, items with messages or intentions included on them, learned about the Streetz Artz Alliance through another vendor.

“I’m super excited to participate in this show. The networking is very important. It helps you grow as an artist, plus I get referrals from other vendors at the show,” said Ortiz.

Olde Western Avenue will be closed from Broadway to Canal Streets for the Mai Fest. There won’t be any food trucks because visitors are encouraged to visit Blue Island’s food and beverage establishments. Inclement weather could cause changes to the plans.

Mai Fest is free to the public, but a donation of $5 will be appreciated by the BIAA to help with other programming for the year.

The following is the list of vendors scheduled to be at the event. There is sure to be something to please everyone.

ABasqueArtist

Adara Selene Creations

AngMir Hecho con Cariño

Aqueos Creations

Art by Devan

Aubrey's Attic

AWE Sauce / Comics

Axial Creations

Bella beauty

Belonio Doodles

Beverlycraftco

BoothyChicago

Canal Woodturning

Castillo & Co. Jewelry

Cats, Crafts & Cooking

Ceramics by Leo

ChiCityCrafts

Cositas de Clay

Decor Candles

DESSERTS FLORES

Dive Bar Soap Company

Dk custom woodwork

Dust Bunny Mafia

EncinoMane Publications

Fine-A-Lea

Fleeting Obsessions

FrankenWerks Studios

Galaxy Skincare

Gary Price, Artist

Gigawatt Coffee Roasters

HeadCase Studio

Heidy’s Krafts

I tumble for you

Intuitive Visions

Jason Michael West art

John Tamulis Art

Jonathan Grimm Art

k cute creations

KP’s Candy Factory

Laura Lynne Art, LLC

LeonMechelle Artist Studios

Libra Rising By Yoali

Little Love Affairs Boutique

Lovely’s Magickal Treasures

Luna’s Loops

Madame Soto

Mejor Sana Shop

Moonlight BEEN

MrAntihero

NiBu Design

OG Clothing LLC

Owl Bee Creative Studio

Pastry Sue Sue

Penca De Nopal

Phoenix Rising Art

Rabbit Hole of Research

Raven Feathers and Bat Wings

Rebel Ice Cream Co.

Reflections with Kate

Reisha Rhapsodies

Rocco bee Collective

Rosemarys31Treasures

Ruta Spencer

Sage & Sunflowers Crystal Kitchen

SamanthaPaintsOften

ScarabSanctuary

SCARY TERRI'S CRAFTS

Self Made Body & Soul

Sid Sauce

Sir Winslow's Zoo

Smelly Melly Soaps and Candles, LLC

South Side Pod

Spliff Society

Stray Cats

Susan Larsen Design

Susanscraftstudio

Tarot by Ptah

Tasty Pickles

The Classics Pomade Co

The Smile On A Dog, LLC

The Waxy Lab

This Miss Bakes

Tiendita Recuerdos de Patzcuaro

Unique Creations by Rachel

Ursula Naturals

Vintage Stems

Vision Clothing Co

Z'inked Exquisite Designs