contemporary craft fair that showcases the work of artists and crafters who use traditional crafting techniques mixed with a contemporary edge. The INDIEana Handicraft Exchange is a contemporary craft fair that consciously celebrates modern handmade goods, the relationship between creator and consumer, and local, alternative economies. The IHE has become a notable stop on the Midwest indie craft fair circuit, which includes events such as the Renegade Craft Fair in Chicago, IL, Crafty Supermarket in Cincinnati, OH, Craftin’ Outlaws in Columbus, OH, Art vs. The IHE began in 2007 as a way to highlight local crafters and artisans as well as to expose Indianapolis to some of the best vendors on the national indie craft fair map. Most of the products sold by IHE artists serve the dual purpose of art and function and range from the beautiful to the irreverent, from the adorable to the slightly sinister, from the hysterical to the just plain bizarre. Vendors may use traditional crafting techniques but they express contemporary themes and design. Vendors offer a range of unique handmade goods from wooden jewelry to fanciful undergarments, from custom vintage-inspired western wear to stationery, from plush animals to natural bath and body goodies, from hand-screened rock ‘n’ roll poster art to pop culture icon finger puppets and much, much more.
