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Handmade crafts on sale at the Smithsonian: ‘It’s not your grandmother’s doilies’

Are you thinking of getting way ahead on your holiday gift shopping? The Smithsonian’s annual Craft2Wear show is underway at the National Building Museum through Sunday.

Kelley Gillespie, a member of the Smithsonian Women’s Committee, which organizes two crafts shows a year, said some of wearable art pieces for sale takes weeks or months to make.

“When you walk through, the colors are bright, there’s beautiful wool. You really want to touch everything,” Gillespie said.

She said around 100 artists were invited to take part in the fall show: “This is a really exclusive group of people. These are the top artists in the country.”

One of those artists is Holly Anne Mitchell, of Indianapolis.

“All of my jewelry is made of different sections of the newspaper, comic strips, crossword puzzles, pretty much every section,” Mitchell said.

Mitchell is selling earrings starting at $119 and bracelets at $199.

Gillespie said there are many items for sale at the show for under $100.

The Smithsonian has a second larger crafts show in the spring.

The Smithsonian’s Craft2Wear 2024 show is at the National Building Museum. Show hours are Saturday until 5 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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