There’s an image from the early days of Indie Craft Parade, Greenville’s own juried craft festival, that seems especially apt to recall as they move into their new digs at the historic Judson Mill: a sewing bee of the most modern sort, a bunch of friends bent over a bunch of sewing machines, making band after band of bright fabric garland to decorate and define that first show. “We made miles of it,” says cofounder Lib Ramos, “and it serves us very well even now.”
In 2010, Judson Mill was still in business making textiles as part of the Milliken family, full of people with their heads bent to their machines, their work responsible for a great deal of the identity of this region. It’s this kind of reference, reinvention, and rebirth that fuels Indie Craft Parade; that makes work into art.
Indie Craft Parade celebrates handmade goods of all kinds, from ceramics to stationery, jewelry to decor, and more. It’s the brainchild of friends and creative souls themselves, Erin Godbey (an event planner in her other life), Jen Moreau (of Dapper Ink custom screen printing), and Lib Ramos (of Good Printed Things, Greenville’s own indie publisher). In their 15th year, they are the definition of going strong in their new location, with 111 artists presenting their wares across the entire campus.
With participation and support from the businesses already thriving at Judson Mill, the feel of the new space is exciting. “It’s a block party,” says Ramos. The Foundry will host music this year, and there will be beer at Magnetic South Brewery, as well as vintage arcade games. There will be food trucks, more space to gather, to meet up and soak in the festival.
40% of the show is new each year, and with more than 600 applicants, competition is strong. The jury’s criteria for selection is simple. Work must be handmade, of high quality and innovation, and the person who makes it must be the person in the booth.
“We don’t care if you’ve had education, if you’re 12 years old,” Ramos says. “We don’t see you until you show up to set up your booth.”
Launchpad for Emerging Artisans
One of her favorite parts of the show is the section featuring emerging artists working in a cross-section of genres. They might be introducing a new line, returning to art after careers in other fields, or recent grads from art programs. Their section is free and open to the public, which offers them greater exposure. In turn, their work offers a fresh taste of what Indie Craft Parade is all about.
Last year’s event featured 12 emerging artists. George Stone studied plein air painting and drawing in the 1970s. He retired three and a half years ago, now pursuing a second career as a professional artist. Sarah Schools is a painter from Charleston, and Indie Craft Parade will be her first show. You might recognize Samantha Taylor’s whimsical mugs from local coffee shop daydrinkers; she’s recently transitioned from her day job to making ceramics full time. Please note that the 2025 roster may be different.
See who will be participating in the 2025 Indie Craft Parade.
These kinds of transitions have a bigger business impact than you might expect. Four million dollars worth of handmade goods have been sold over the life of Indie Craft Parade, those dollars going directly into the hands of the artists themselves. Artists routinely meet and make new wholesale customers here, which in turn makes their careers more sustainable year-round.
The show draws both artists and customers from across the Southeast, sometimes permanently. Letterpress greeting card makers Ink Meets Paper relocated to Greenville after years participating in the Indie Craft Parade, and 2024 marked their first year without applying to be exhibitors. “They’ve outgrown us!” Ramos says. “And that makes me really happy.”
“We want Greenville to become known as a hub for this,” Ramos says. Reinvention and rebirth, indeed.
Indie Craft Parade at Judson Mill
September 12: First Dibs Party, $25, 5-9pm
September 13: General admission, $8, 10am-5pm
September 14: General admission, $8, 10am-4pm
16 and under are free
Tickets available in advance at indiecraftparade.com
Meet your makers
