Back to Check It Out

Fantastical Festivus Faire

Handcrafted and vintage collectibles from the Olympia community

FANTASTIC FESTIVUS FAIRE: Of course you need a glowing fan and ray gun.

Email Article Print Article Share on Facebook Share on Reddit Share on StumbleUpon

With old-timey Christmas music on vinyl and delicious food to munch while you browse an assortment of crotchet goodies, handmade jewelry, ornamental art, perfume and wearable art, the Fantastical Festivus Faire promises to be a good time with great finds.

From the ladies of Pistols and Petticoats and Tush! Burlesque, who gave you the Dragon Lady Bizarre last summer, the Fantastical Festivus Faire (the ladies are suckers for alliterations) takes place noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec 15 at the I Love Olympia building at 119 Olympia Ave., in you guessed it - Olympia.

"It's the same idea as last time," says Mileen Gilkey, co-founder, and member of Tush! "The items are handcrafted or vintage collectibles. Basically the same guidelines as Etsy."

One of the merchants will be Pat Tassoni, who has been building and crafting his recycled lamps and ornamental designs since the '80s. (Fun fact: Tassoni created this year's Olympia Film Festival Lifetime Achievement Award.) While shoppers can expect to see Tassoni's signature lamps, they can also expect to see his car emblems made into pendant necklaces, telephone earrings, and ray guns.

Yes, ray guns.

"Often times parts are too small for lamps, so I had to find use for them," says Tassoni. "After I went to Comic-Con and met Leonard Nimoy, I wanted to get more into the space thing.

"This way is a little safer than the real thing," he adds with a laugh. "It runs on imagination."

Fifteen vendors will have items for sale, including Nani Poonani with her perfume and soaps, ladies of P & P with their shirts and stickers and three vendors from Tush!

Local lady legends, Meg Cunningham, Stacie Jascott and Brandi Hughes will also bring their talent to the table.

(Another laugh from Tassoni, "I think I'm the only guy.")

Gilkey, along with her co-founder, the community-minded Maureen Maples (ooh -another alliteration!) created the event in the spirit of professional procrastination (no stopping me now) and designed an affordable option with easy entry (some craft shows require essays and/ or waiting lists) to allow vendors accessibility and flexibility.

"I like it a little loose," says Maples. "It's comfortable, its just Olympia. I think it will be fun."

So come down and see for yourself, support your community and find that perfect gift.

I LOVE OLYMPIA BUILDING, SATURDAY, DEC. 15, NOON TO 5 P.M., 119 OLYMPIA AVE., OLYMPIA

Read next close

Kids

4-H workshops offer fun for kids

comments powered by Disqus