Wouldn’t you rather own a collection of Monica Stroter’s handmade rickrack stationary instead of a box of embossed thank-you cards from Target? Or how about some of SpaTherapy’s Dead Sea Mineral Mud Soap in place of your Neutrogena? At this year's new DIY section of Artscape, you will indeed find handmade stationary, soap, handbags, jewelry, comic books, pottery and much more – all from local artists and crafters who live according to the ‘do it yourself’ ethic.

(From left: "Oh My Darlin" by Kiss My Crafts, screenprinted cotton dress from Red Prairie Press, "So So Pretty" by Sugar Paperie).

In the words of Sara Allred, a member of the Charm City Craft Mafia, this new DIY section is going to breathe new life into Artscape. "The DIY movement is alive and well and this new section showcases artists who truly value the idea of ‘craft’ and have a fresh approach to making and selling handmade items."

Artist Jen Menkhaus, who is a co-founder of the Baltimore Etsy Street Team, has a broad perspective on what it means to be DIY. "I was telling someone the other day that I just didn’t understand the ‘do it yourself’ term because for me, the most critical element of the DIY movement is the community. For me, it’s awesome to be involved in a community that is interested in making choices that are environmentally and socially responsible, that supports independent businesses of all kinds, and that is so encouraging of other artists rather than competitive."

(From left: Dead Sea Mineral Mud Soap by Spa Therapy Works, "Drop-O Honey" by Jill Popowich Designs, umbrella brooch by Jen Menkhaus).

The Charm City Craft Mafia did the decorations for the DIY section, including all of the signs and flags that indicate where it begins and ends. "We do think (and hope) that the DIY movement will grow tremendously in the future. We live in a world where it is too easy to go to a big-box store and buy everything for cheap," says Sara. “There is something much more pure about purchasing an item from the person who created it. You are directly supporting an artist or independent business, which is something to feel really good about."

(From left: clothing for toddlers by Sweet Pepita, "Sex Pot Mug" by Pink Kiss Pottery, handmade book by Bowerbox Press).

For a complete listing of this year’s DIY artists, visit the Artscape website.

See you there!