This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Salt Lake City's craftiness was on full display Saturday. Shoppers at the fourth annual Craft Lake City could find everything from necklaces made of wine corks, zombie-filled landscapes, embroideries with attitude and dog diapers.
Yes — dog diapers.
"It's one of those things you don't think about until you need one," said Claudia Twede, who offers designs in polka dot prints for females and skulls for males. "I have people whose dogs go into heat and they'll call [and say], 'I need one today!' "
Twede sews the diapers — simple bands of fabric for males, inspired by her territory-marking dog, and full on diapers with a slit for the tail for females — full time. Saturday was her first time selling at the market.
"There [are] so many talented people. It's fun to see everybody's creativity," she said.
The market, presented by SLUG Magazine, featured 200 artisans and exhibitors at the Gallivan Center in Salt Lake City. The goal was to celebrate Utah's DIY talents — quilts and quilt racks, hand-made stationery, jewelry, picture frames, children's clothes, pillows and pottery.
Karen Peters loves shopping at arts and crafts shows and was impressed by the mix of jewelry — she bought earrings featuring tiny owls — art and clothing.
Her daughter bought a crocheted winter hat, designed to look like an owl, and a necklace with a small gold mustache, which she held over her lip.
"I love mustaches, and everything's better with a mustache," the 12-year-old said.
The Cotton Floozy booth featured stitched sayings like: "There is misery in the air. People are dying everywhere. So Happy Birthday!" and "Homo Sweet Homo."
Kat Martin was selling her landscapes with a twist: She buys paintings and prints at Deseret Industries, Savers and yard sales and adds characters such as Rainbow Brite, Angry Birds, zombies or her favorite, Sharktopus (a creature from a 2010 sci-fi movie).
"Usually people are delighted," Martin said. "Lots of laughing and 'Holy crap!' "
Steph Peterson said her son, Gage, inspired her Monster Patches.
Tired of buying new pants for her then-kindergartener, she started sewing creative knee patches last year. The patch looks like monster teeth, and eyes are placed above the hole.
"They look like they're talking when they walk," said Peterson, who also sews wedding dresses.
Steven May was selling his chainmail creations: earrings, wine bottle holders, key chains. His favorite are his ties.
"They're unique. You don't see too many chainmail ties," he said.