A Stitch in Time

For seven years and running, South Florida's much-loved indie craft fair Stitch Rock has continued to help boost the numbers of folks leaving behind corporate consumerism for the DIY community. Each year as the bazaar approaches, the line of devotees ropes around the exterior of Delray Beach Center for the Arts (in Old School Square at 51 N. Swinton Ave. in Delray Beach) a little tighter, and creative types hoping to score coveted booth space craft their pitches to Stitch Rock creator Amanda Linton with a little more passion. At this year's Stitch Rock, 80 local vendors will be on hand, offering everything from bath bomb and sugar scrub creators 143 and Me to Box Collective -- a mother, daughter, and son trio who create their very own (veggie) Cheeseburgers in Space T-shirts. What's even sweeter about the growth is that previous years' customers leave with all kinds of ideas for their own small-time operations -- be they pinup photography, hot rod paintings, handmade potions, do-it-yourself T-shirt creations, revamped vintage home decor, Mason jar pies, and the like. "The fact that Stitch Rock continues to grow every year both in attendance and vendor interest hopefully means that people really do want more handmade local wares in their life and less Wally World China crap!" enthuses Linton. Stitch Rock returns Saturday with free swag bags for the first 100 people, free parking, and door prizes. Doors open at noon and stay open until 6 p.m. Admission is $5, and children under 12 get in free with an adult. Visit rockthestitch.com.
Sat., Oct. 4, 12-6 p.m., 2014