Vendors wanted for The Bazaar of the Bizarre

Toronto industrial cyberwear designers Plastik Wrap have announced their popular Bazaar of the Bizarre will be returning for a show this April.

Known in Toronto for their Halloween marketplace of curious crafts, The Bazaar of the Bizarre offers handcrafted goods from local designers who have made the exotic, whimsical and macabre an artform.

This is the first Spring edition of the popular artisans market, and its Circus Side Show theme is sure to draw crowds from near and far.

An inspired theme

Plastik Wrap co-owner and one of the organizers of the Bazaar, Adriana Fulop drew upon her involvement in the Toronto Circus community to come up with the theme for the Spring show.

“We were looking for a theme that would be as much fun and allow us as much creative diversity as the Halloween theme did,” Fulop says. “We know a lot of performers, crafters, costume folks, musicians and just all over fun ‘freaks’. In the end it was sort of a natural choice.”

The growth of the DIY scene

With many local boutiques, such as Nathalie-Roze and Co., as well as studios and shops such as the workroom and Sew Be It Girl offering artsy workshops, Toronto has a wealth of diverse artists and artisans to bolster our artistic footprint.

The growth of the local handcrafted arts scene is not lost on Fulop, who is enthused by the impact homegrown artisans are having on the cultural diversity of our city.

“With all the DIY projects you can find, either on the net, in magazines or even at your local coffee shops, there are a lot of talented people out there trying to do something fun and maybe even make a business out of it. It is a great thing and we wholeheartedly support it.”

Bazaar of the Bizarre details

The Bazaar will be held at the Pia Bowman Ballet School, located at 6 Noble St., on Sunday, April 25th, 2010.

An online application form is available for designers who want to take part. The deadline to fill out the application for the juried show is February 26th.

In the coming weeks, organizers will be posting a volunteer sign up form to their website.

Fun for the entire family

Fulop sums up the appeal of this eclectic marketplace best. “The Bazaar is not just a retail event, it is a great place to hang out. It is free to get in, with life music, entertainment, giveaways, a snack bar and treats for the kids. You can think of it as an art lounge, supporting your local talent.”

For more information, visit The Bazaar of the Bizarre webpage.

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