At the Detroit Urban Craft Fair, artisans sell everything from beef jerky to psychedelic rugs

All weekend long you can enjoy the wares, activities and drinks at the Detroit Urban Craft Fair, now in its 16th year. 

Hosted by Handmade Detroit, the fair opens Friday at the Masonic Temple and showcases more than 100 jury-selected vendors selling traditional handicrafts with a contemporary spin — perfect to tackle your holiday shopping list.

Crafters from Michigan and around the Midwest and beyond will sell a range of handmade goods, clothing and art pieces. We picked out a few makers vending at the Urban Craft Fair whose booths we’re most looking forward to visiting: 

Danni Little is a self-published author and Detroit-based creator, known for her candid literary style. She’s offering handmade books, knit hats and scarves. Shop on Etsy.

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Essence by Noble, founded by Aaron Noble and Jai Machen-Whitworth, is a bath and beauty product line in Detroit. Their soaps and other personal care products are 100% vegan. With a focus on sustainability, they replace plastic with biodegradable packaging whenever possible so that the products can be an easy step in reducing everyday waste. Shop on Etsy.  

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Located in a community home in Detroit, The Glastonbury Collective is a group of artists and creatives living and working together. They are a ceramic-based studio and make a variety of functional pottery: mugs, cups, plates, vases and more! See more on Instagram.

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Jodi Lynn Doodles is an illustrator from Oak Park who creates fun and colorful illustrations inspired by her passion for learning. She refers to her work as a visual encyclopedia of people, places and things peppered with fantastical characters and sunshine. Shop on Etsy.

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The psychedelic offerings from Mooju Rugs would add a bit of flair to the most neutral living space. Find rugs, mirrors, prints and more. Shop online.

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Mend on the Move is a non-profit social enterprise that employs survivors of abuse in Metro Detroit to create jewelry to provide them with an income while in recovery. Their jewelry is crafted from salvaged auto parts and car seat leather. Shop online.

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Shayla Johnson is a print, pattern and surface designer who creates home decor and accessories through her Detroit-based brand, Scarlet Crane. Pick up a colorful set of floral tea towels or a throw blanket with illustrations of Detroit landmarks. Shop online. 

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Peruse the rest of the fair’s vendors for toys, clocks, woodworking pieces, stickers and everything else handmade under the sun — and yes, that includes beef jerky, from Detroit Jerky, LLC.

Admission starts at $10 on Friday evening, and is $5 later in the weekend — more details here. Hours: Friday, Dec. 3: 6 – 9 p.m. / Saturday, Dec. 4: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. / Sunday, Dec. 5: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.