Flint Handmade brings makers and community together for 18th Annual Spring Craft Market

FLINT, Michigan — What began as a small effort to build community through crafts has blossomed into one of Flint’s most beloved creative traditions. On Saturday, April 26, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Flint Handmade will host its 18th Annual Spring Craft Market at the Flint Farmers’ Market — welcoming thousands of shoppers to celebrate local artisans, handcrafted goods, and nearly two decades of creative impact.

Founded in 2007 by Crystal Pepperdine, Flint Handmade was born to bring a creative movement closer to home.

“In the mid-2000s, I was attending a lot of craft events in Metro Detroit,” Pepperdine shared. “I met a woman from Davison at a crafters’ meetup in Ferndale. We both drove that far because there just wasn’t anything like that in Flint at the time.”

Originally part of the Greater Flint Creative Alliance, the Flint Handmade Crafters’ Team launched with modest beginnings — a handful of events, about 100 attendees, and a mission to make space for crafters, makers, and artisans. That vision has since flourished into a beloved institution.

Today, Flint Handmade hosts four major Craft Markets each year: Valentine, Spring, Halloween, and Holiday, drawing crowds of up to 1,500 attendees per event.

“When I founded Flint Handmade 18 years ago, I had no idea how popular the organization would become and how much the community would love all of the programs we offer,” said Pepperdine. “Our Craft Markets are the backbone of our organization.”

In addition to its hallmark markets, Flint Handmade runs year-round programming that includes craft supply swaps, coloring parties, and the Yarn Brigade, a social and charitable knitting and crocheting group.

The organization also launched a free Community Art & Craft Supply Closet at Creative Cafe, reinforcing its mission to make art accessible to all. This year’s Spring Craft Market continues that legacy with new energy.

“Attendees can expect eight vendors who are brand new or who have only vended with us once before,” Pepperdine noted. “After 18 years, we want to keep things fresh and highlight artisans who may not have been creating almost two decades ago. Some of our newest vendors were small children or weren’t even born when I founded Flint Handmade.”

That intergenerational connection is a hallmark of the market’s success. It’s also a meaningful contributor to Flint’s creative economy. According to Pepperdine, Flint Handmade vendors earn more than $55,000 collectively across all four seasonal markets each year — a powerful boost for small local businesses.

“We also bring a lot of business to the vendors at the Flint Farmers’ Market,” she added. “Even our volunteers get into the spirit by welcoming people to the event and then often shopping for themselves.”

For Pepperdine, the spirit of the Spring Market is about more than just supporting artisans — it’s about helping the community bloom alongside the season.

“We want visitors to feel refreshed and inspired,” she said. “Spring is a time to let go of the old and welcome in the new. People might want to check out a new candle or soap scent, buy a new item to decorate their homes, or try some new jewelry for an updated look. All of this and more can be found at the Spring Craft Market.”

Flint Handmade’s 18th Annual Spring Craft Market will take place on Saturday, April 26, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Flint Farmers’ Market. The event is free and open to the public.

For more information, visit flinthandmade.org or follow Flint Handmade on social media.