About
Both Atlanta natives, Christy Petterson and Shannon Mulkey Green founded the Indie Craft Experience in 2005. “Hey Y’all” mural painted by Broken Window Theory Co.
craft@ice-atlanta.com
Once upon a time in Atlanta, Shannon and Christy were vendors at a monthly craft market called Kraftwork at Young Blood Gallery in Grant Park. It was the first time they'd ever met, but by the end of the evening they had decided to make a trade, a necklace made by Christy for a shirt by Shannon, and to keep in touch. A few weeks later they ran into each other at Sevananda, a local natural foods store in Little Five Points. During this chance encounter they decided to set up their booths next to each other at Chomp N Stomp in Cabbagetown, where they were both selling their handcrafted creations the following weekend. By the end of the festival, they were most definitely friends ready to make some big things happen the following year.
In January 2005, they set out to organize an indie craft market in Atlanta with their friend Susan (who later moved to Brooklyn). Inspired by the Renegade Craft Fair in Chicago and Stitch in Austin, Shannon and Christy wanted a market where they could sell their creations in their hometown. On the patio of Elmyr in Little Five Points, they came up with the name, Indie Craft Experience (ICE). The first event was in June 2005 at Eyedrum and drew 800+ attendees. And so it began.
“Imagine, if you will, that Pinterest and Etsy fell in love, shacked up in Atlanta and made (er, handcrafted) a wee babe. We imagine that the fruit of their loins would look a lot like our beloved ICE, which shines a light on the best of the A’s local crafters.”
Today, the Indie Craft Experience produces craft and vintage markets throughout the year. During non-pandemic times these include: Spring Market (March/April), Summer Market (June), Fall Market (September), Holiday Shopping Spectacular (November) and Holiday Market (December). These events feature talented crafters, artists, makers and vintage sellers from all over the country with an emphasis on the Southeast. A wonderful selection of local food vendors, DJ Zano, and shopping bags for the first attendees are also signature ingredients of Indie Craft Experience markets!
The Indie Craft Experience’s mission is to provide opportunity to craft and vintage sellers. Educating shoppers on why they should buy handcrafted is a big component as well (Why? Because you are using your money to directly support someone using their talents to make a living, instead of a big box store and a chain of middle-men. What you buy will be unique! Mass produced items are often created using cheap materials in poor working conditions by people who are not compensated properly.). Encouraging people to create and to explore their own creativity is another important aspect of the Indie Craft Experience’s mission through workshops, retreats, summer camp, field trips, hands-on art activations and more!
Photography on the site is by Bonnie J. Heath, Revelry Photo House, David Bardis, Step Right Up Photo, LeahAndMark.com, Isadora Pennington, David Batterman, Raftermen Photography, and Indie Craft Experience, unless otherwise noted. Photos on vendor lists are provided by the vendors.
