Amid all the holiday shopping and preparation, we urban Americans tend to lean towards the corporate, easily accessed department stores to get all our necessary gifts and goodies for the season. If you’re not a native of Seattle and you’re trying to get all your purchasing accomplished, it’s easy to breeze pass the smaller, privately owned boutiques and shops that litter the Emerald City. This weekend you will have the chance to buy crafts of all sorts and styles from local artists and shop owners.

In its third year running, the Urban Craft Uprising (UCU) has become a place where local artists and craftspeople can display and sell their artwork, clothing or unique eclectic artistry in one large central location.

“This show is going to be our biggest yet,” PR manager Marisa Mouton said, who’s been with the Uprising since its beginning. “Every year it seems to be growing exponentially; this year we have over 120 different artists from all over the Pacific Northwest.”

More than just a chance for craftspeople to get their work out, UCU is a movement to reflect the city of Seattle through its local artists. Steering clear of corporate designers and tailors, UCU only has vendors who are from surrounding areas and who make their crafts and goodies by hand.

“We try and find artists who have original works and oversee all of their art production,” Mouton said. “We don’t want crafts made from some 10-year-old in Guatemala being sold by someone else.”

Originality and uniqueness are a huge factor for inclusion in the UCU. One local vendor, Tastie Pasties, sells fanciful underwear. Heaven’s to Betsie sells handmade potholders and other kitchen accessories made from retro fabric and material. Prints include 1950s ripped cowboys and risqué cowgirls as well as old-time Paris scenarios.

“Many artists like to take old fashioned, generational items and apply their own personality and artistic vision to them,” Mouton said.

One woman sews and makes her own quilts with retro and unconventional prints that cater to a younger generation. There are also many unique fashions for sale — parents looking for unconventional clothes for their baby or toddler will find vendors who make fun, eclectic items that veer away from the stereotypical norm. On the other end of the craft spectrum, Steel Toe Studios will present handcrafted metal belt buckles.

Besides the amazing shopping opportunities, there are lots of events happening at UCU this weekend. There will be fashion shows with pieces from local and regional designers Saturday and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. There will be random giveaways of items donated by the vendors every hour. There will also be 100 swag bags handed out each day, which will be filled with items and goodies donated by the vendors. “Those are a huge hit,” Mouton said, “last year we had 300 people line up for them, hoping to grab one.”

Needless to say, this weekend the Urban Craft Uprising is the perfect opportunity for locals of all ages and lifestyles to come and do some holiday shopping. “You’re not only supporting local vendors, but you’re also ensured that your gift is original and unique,” Mouton said.

Open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. this Saturday and Sunday at the Seattle Center Exhibition Hall (off of Mercer), admission is free and you better line up early to get the best buys. “We’re expecting about 10,000 people to show up this year,” Mouton said. “It’s going to be the best showcase ever.”

— Ben Schock