The idea for Maven: Urban Design + Craft Fair was born from the final project in Adjowah Brodie’s graphic design class at San Francisco City College. The professor asked the class to design a two color poster that captured the essence of a place or event, and Adjowah, an Oakland based jewelry designer, made a poster for the fictitious Women of Color Crafts Fair. She loved her poster so much she wanted the fair to be real. Although she has decided not to continue with her studies in the Graphics field, Adjowah was able to make the craft fair a reality.
Maven: Urban Design + Craft Fair is an indie boutique style craft fair featuring the Bay Area’s most exquisitely skilled and ultra crafty women artisans, held the second Saturday of every month, starting Saturday, September 9, from 12p.m. – 5p.m., at the corner of 1700 Dwight and McGee in Berkeley. Maven is a Hebrew word, which, loosely translated, means “One who is skilled in any field”. Adjowah chose the name because she felt it best described both herself and the artists she’d met over the years at various fairs & festivals. “Off the top of my head I can name a local Soap Maven, a Felt Maven, even an Angel Maven.” Adjowah describes her customers as mavens, too. “When you shop this fair, you officially become a Shopping Maven, because you will be choosing from an eclectic assortment of gifts you just can’t find anywhere else. You’ll be an exceptionally gifted giver.”
The Maven Craft Fair seeks to promote the businesses of all women, with a special emphasis on women of color in the arts/crafts/handmade/D.I.Y. communities. The Maven Craft Fair presents the best of the best, with a strong commitment to locally handmade arts, crafts, goods and services. Although Adjowah has gracefully exited the world of graphics, she is enthusiastic about her new project and looks forward to seeing it grow. “There’s nothing else like it in the East Bay.” she explains. “I know a lot of great women crafty types and I already have a waiting list for the October show. There is a need for this kind of marketplace, and I’m glad to be a part of it”. Link.
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