Pop-Up Fair offers place for young crafters, artisans to sell their work

Ornamentea, the popular bead and craft store near downtown Raleigh, has a Pop-Up fair in its parking lot one Sunday a month. And, in the last couple of months, owner Cynthia Deis has added a unique component. 

The Indie Kids Craft Tent features a place where young crafters and artisans can sell their work to the public. 

"This idea grew out of chats with so many moms and dads of crafty kids - friends of mine, customers, employees - who want to encourage their children in an entrepreneurial experience," Deis, a mom, wrote me in an email. "Let's face it, kiddos aren't going to get juried in to the Carolina Designer Craftsmen! They do need a regular place where they can sell their work, show off their work, and meet other kids who are crafty and creative."

The first tent was in May. In June, Deis tells me that they had to make it a bit bigger. And this month, they may actually be adding a second tent because of the interest. The offerings typically include some items popular with kids (like those rubber-band bracelets everybody is making right now), along with other items including wallets, T-shirts, can koozies, baked goods and other handmade pieces. 

"It's really cool to see them running their own booths and making sales," she tells me.