Kingfield Gets Crafty With Local Market

Editor's note: This article was edited to correct an error in the listed price range of items sold at Art Next Door.

Those attending the this Sunday can pick up a handmade quilt or a set of homemade soaps with their rhubarb and kale, courtesy of Art Next Door, a neighboring monthly craft fair hosted by .

“It’s a nice complement to the farmers market,” said Heather Lawrenz, a jewelry designer and a vendor at Art Next Door. “There just seems to be a natural connection between local food and local art.”

The craft fair is in its third season. Art Next Door takes place on the last Sunday of every month between May and October, when the framing shop offers its retail space and parking lot to vendors from throughout the metro area. The event is scheduled specifically to correlate with the farmers market, which is held across the street. Art Next Door’s organizers see the fair as an opportunity to bring in new customers and to become involved in the neighborhood and accessible to community members.

“FrameUps has always been supportive of the local community,” said Adrienne Rochester, a merchandise coordinator for the store.

Art Next Door originated when a group of crafters from Handmade Minnesota, a local collective of Etsy sellers, expressed interest in using FrameUps as an event venue. Today, the fair consists of a diverse group of local vendors, many of whom live within walking distance of FrameUps.

“It gets people to come out and shop locally and see what’s going on in their neighborhood,” said Rochester.

The fair typically hosts 10-12 sellers, although FrameUps has enough space to accommodate up to 30. Available merchandise includes fabric and knitted items, jewelry, photography, cards, handmade wooden objects, soap and recycled or upcycled goods. Items typically cost between $5 and $20. Many vendors accept credit cards.

FrameUps also sells locally crafted goods throughout the year. Items for sale include letterpress cards and jewelry. Capstone Gallery, the store’s display space, shows only local artists.

Interested vendors can contact FrameUps at 612-870-1292 or email info@frameups.net to apply.

Art Next Door will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday at FrameUps.