Briana Hefley Shepard, founder of the Alliday Show/ Image by Dawn Thackray
In addition to featuring our Winter 2012 issue, this month we’re showing our love and appreciation to our sponsors.
Without their support, we’d be a group of women with hundreds (and I mean hundreds) of ideas with limited means to produce them. We appreciate those who are helping us make Prairie Hive the best online design magazine and blog it can be!
So, we wanted to give these sponsors an opportunity to share some insights about their local businesses all month, ergo our first “Meet Our Sponsors” series!
First up is Briana Hefley Shepard, founder of the third annual Alliday Show in Tulsa.
This is one of our favorite local events every year. The show began as a way for local artists and crafters to gather and sell their wares to shoppers hungry for unique, handmade gifts. Since it began, it has exploded and is a must for any discerning gift-giver.
And it’s a great excuse for a girls’ shopping day — beat the lines and traffic and browse through some wonderful vendors.
Not only do you get to meet and support local artisans, crafters and artists — but you also get to knock out a lot of holiday shopping in one place. Can’t beat that! Be sure to mark your calendars for 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 15 — the show is FREE — at the Tulsa Fairgrounds.
For more, check the Alliday website. We’ll see you there!
Here’s our Q&A with Briana:
Prairie Hive: How has the Alliday Show evolved since it debuted several years ago?
Briana: In many ways, the show has changed since the beginning. First, the event is held in December as opposed to June like when it first started. We’ve grown from 60 artists to 80-plus artists in addition to several community groups! Tulsa’s support continues to grow and for that, we are insanely grateful.
PH: What are some highlights shoppers can look forward to at this year’s show?
Briana: We’ll have more artists than ever before and an incredibly wide variety of wares to choose from! I’ve already begun my shopping list and it just keeps growing! Also, for the first 50 entrants in the door, we’ll be handing out free tote bags filled with swag from the artists! And just like our past shows, there are no entry fees! It’s a great place to finish (or start!) holiday shopping.
PH: How has the craft/handmade community changed in Tulsa over the last several years?
Briana: Gosh, it seems to me that the handmade community has boomed over the past few years! Not only are more people finding that creative side in themselves but also people in general are embracing and celebrating the handmade movement. People are seeking out handmade goods more than they were in the recent past.
PH: What has most surprised you since starting the Alliday Show?
Briana: The talent and creativity that our state has to offer. I am constantly amazed at what people can come up with and execute! It’s refreshing and inspiring.
PH: What’s the value, in your opinion, of buying/receiving a handmade item as a gift?
Briana: I love to have something with a story attached. Handmade gifts are full of these stories. Some of my favorite things about buying directly from the artist are seeing their passion, hearing about their creative process and supporting a fellow creative. You are able to find such personalized, perfect gifts for everyone when shopping handmade; even gifts for those hard-to-shop-for people!
This is a paid advertised blog post. For more about Prairie Hive’s ad rates, click here!
Image via deviant art from Pinterest
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