Jack of All Trades Market at Jack London Square

     Jack London Square is a beautiful area that resembles a ghost town many days of the week, but great fairs and markets are starting to bring the foot traffic it deserves. Besides Patchwork and the Sunday farmer's market, Jack London also hosts the Jack of All Trades Market on the second Saturday of every month. This market is from the same folks who do Treasure Island Flea. My sister and I visited January's market, and we were impressed by the variety of vendors and pleased to see some of our favorites like OodleBaDoodle and hrvst/3D.
     Jack of All Trades is really one of the best markets in the Bay Area to find craftspeople from, you guessed it, all trades, and judging by foot traffic and shopper enthusiasm, I think this market will only keep expanding. There are vendors who work with metal, wood, fabric, plastic, and repurposed items. They sell antiques, art, vintage clothing, jewelry, furniture, food, craft beer, pet toys, olive oil, perfumes, soaps, and more.
     January's market was held indoors, but craftswoman Lisa Inez DeFehr told us that the market is sometimes held outside and stretches all the way down the waterfront. Lisa's shop was one of our favorites. She handcrafts unique pieces of jewelry: necklaces with bottle charms containing tiny bird feathers, dandelion seeds, paper roses, or flash mobs. She also had a necklace with three little pig charms and a wolf. She said many of her pieces have an element of fairytale in them, and one walks away from her booth feeling a bit of the enchantment.
     One of the best parts of Bay Area art and craft festivals is that you get to meet the designer, creator, or artist and talk with them about their creative process. Artist Sean Murphy ushered me to his booth with the Force. Actually, it was his Star Wars-themed art, specifically a picture of the Millenium Falcon flying over the Golden Gate with the Death Star posing as the moon in the background. He also had a picture of storm troopers sitting in a vintage Batmobile and a Darth Vader Buddha. Besides Star Wars, Murphy had pictures of Smurfs engaged in a little illegal gardening, if you know what I mean, and alien ships flying over the Golden Gate.
     All of Murphy's art is funky, surprising, and humorous. He signed the print I purchased and told me about how each is made, what the materials he uses are, and the effort it takes to produce just one. I plan to make my living room wall a tad cooler with the Millenium Falcon print I couldn't pass up.
     I was pleased to see hrvst/3D at the market and to check out the new Bay Bridge charm I hadn't seen before. Hrvst/3D makes earrings, necklace charms, and tiny figurines of beloved Bay Area landmarks and features like shipping cranes, the Transamerica Building, Golden Gate Bridge, Bay Bridge, Sutro Tower, and the oak tree (for Oakland). Most of their charms are made of 3D printed nylon, but they also have sterling silver and gold charms. Their pieces are so local and so unique!
     We were able to find items that friends and family will love, such as Giants wine glass bottle cap charms and finger puppets/pen toppers. There were multiple vendors selling a large variety of scarves in beautiful and unexpected shapes and sizes. There was a vendor selling rubber ducky soaps, another selling recycled steel drum sculptures, and still another selling repurposed wood tables of all shapes and sizes. And many of the Bay Area food trucks that have become a favorite at Off the Grid were gathered outside the market to satisfy hungry shoppers.
     One of the best things about this market is that it's dog friendly. Many people usually ignore the posted "No Pets" signs that are common at Bay Area festivals, but the atmosphere is not welcoming. At Jack of All Trades, pets were warmly acknowledged. I was happy to see the many dogs at the market and to do my shopping beside them.
     Overall, this market has one of the friendliest atmospheres of the Bay Area fairs, markets, and festivals. The latest Patchwork Show at Jack London required visitors to sign in at a table and walk down a sort of chute into the show, which made the atmosphere a little less inviting and a tad more chaotic. At Jack of All Trades, there were security guards but the atmosphere was relaxed and welcoming. If you're in the Bay Area, you can't miss this market. Not only will you find items that will surprise and delight you, but you'll be supporting many local and independent craftspeople. And that just feels good.

Giants Wine Glass Bottle Cap Charms

Hand Knit Finger Puppets and Pen Toppers

Bottle Charm Necklace with Dandelion Seed by Lisa Inez DeFehr

Visit her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thelisainez

Shipping Crane Earrings by hrvst/3D

Visit their website: hrvst3d.com

Dog Friendly!

Trendy Furniture Pieces

Handcrafted Tables

Food Trucks!

Golden Gate Bridge Pillow by OodleBaDoodle

Visit her shop on Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop/OodleBaDoodle

Patchwork Show at Jack London Square

     If there is one event in the Bay Area where I can really get into trouble, financially speaking, it's the Patchwork Show at Jack London Square in Oakland.  The Patchwork Show is a collection of local vendors who sell handmade products from art and clothing to food. The show was founded by Delilah Snell and Nicole Stevenson who call it a "modern handmade festival" (see their website at www.patchworkshow.com). The show has been going on in various areas, especially California, twice a year.  And just last year the show came to Oakland, a test of the handmade market in the Bay Area.  Needless to say, demand is thriving.
     To give you a better sense of what you'll find at the show (and won't be able to live without), I'll walk you through my own path of destruction.  My first stop was at MisoHandmade where I found tote bags with a silhouette of my favorite dog breed (pug) sewn onto the front.  I also found a set of magnets of funny pug close-ups, a set of magnets with crafting quips, pro-pet pins, and a squeaky donut for the pug himself.  Next was Bottle of Clouds where I found hand cut and hand painted wooden pins by Min.  Her designs are cute, classy, unique, and very Bay Area.  I chose one with a picture of a scooter and a heart.  Then on to OopisNein where I found a few more "plushies" for the pug in my life, two cute little creatures artist Gretchen Lewis calls "Baby Octopods."  I picked up one-of-a-kind scarves from Lazy Lotus and Harlequin Feltworks, handmade stickers from Bird vs Bird and PapaSupply, and a wall hanging of the mounted head of a monster called "Uniworm" from Ghoulie Girls.  I was also tempted by handbags, shirts, art, jewelry, and knick knacks.
     What will impress you the moment you enter the show is the detail each artist has put into their business.  This detail starts with the materials used for the products (antique metals, repurposed maps and wood, handmade paper...) and extend down to things as small as the business cards.  Each card is a work of art in itself, and it is a fun challenge to collect one from every booth for a scrapbook of future shopping.  Each piece from every vendor is of the highest quality.  The designs are fresh, unique, and full of local flavor.  If you want a necklace, a wallet, or a scarf that set you apart and beg for compliments, this is the first place to look.  And almost every vendor has a shop on Etsy so you can continue shopping after the show.  This is an event that proves that the American craft scene is alive and thriving.  You can visit the show's website at www.patchworkshow.com (seriously, this is your second chance to CHECK IT OUT) to get a feel for the designs you'll encounter, pictures of the event, locations and times, and other info.
     The Jack London show is held in the old Barnes and Noble building right down by the water.  And this May's event coincided with the Jack London farmer's market, so shoppers could take a break and pick up a few pieces of fruit, a slice of stone fired pizza, or some freshly baked bread.  Shoppers could also take a break and enjoy the free yoga session on the water's edge.  I personally enjoyed having lunch on a bench watching the ships pass.  And I definitely needed to take a time out.
     Overall, Patchwork is a show that reinvigorates shoppers.  I usually can't help making frequent outbursts about how cute, unique, or new an item is at every single booth I visit.  Much to the joy of the vendors.  The artists' use of their material is brilliant.  There handiwork is exceptional.  And everyone is so happy.  These are people who do what they love, make what they sell, and support their local economy.
      If you missed May's show, you have another chance to redeem yourself.  The next show is on November 24th from 11 to 5pm.  Christmas shopping.  Check it off.  Oh, and you better start saving NOW.

Photos (top to bottom): My sister Hilary wearing one of the felt scarves from Harlequin Feltworks; a view of the farmer's market with the water in the distance; unique finds at this year's event; and the Jack London Pavilion where the event took place.

Alameda Theatre

              If you want a positive experience at a Bay Area theater, you need to find the right one.  For me, the perfect theater is affordable, in a safe location so I can go to late movies without being mugged or harassed, and has a respectful group of movie-goers who know quiet time starts when the movie does.  Alameda Theatre is therefore my ideal movie theater, and we'll get to why after I give you a little info on other Bay Area theaters you might be considering.
               The Regal Cinemas at Jack London Square is, unarguably, the most affordable theater if price is your only concern.  On Tuesdays and Sundays, tickets are just $5 without restrictions ($8 for 3D movies).  And if you're a Regal Crown Club member, your ticket purchase earns you points towards free drinks, popcorn, and movie tickets.  That being said, safety might make you rethink this theater.  In 2012, there was a shooting just outside the doors of the Jack London Regal Cinemas, and homeless people who roam the area can be both very verbal and very confrontational.  You often have to fight large crowds, which you can avoid somewhat by using the ticket kiosk rather than going to the window.  And your fellow movie-goers are often loud, rowdy, and just plain hostile.  Expect talking, shouting, chair-kicking, and the occasional racial slur during your feature.
              Grand Lake Theater in Oakland, on the other hand, is in a moderately safe area and, though crowds do get large from time to time, movie-goers are reasonably peaceful and respectful.  The Grand Lake also has a classic feel with its old neon sign, giant theaters with carved, ornamental walls and curtains, and the semi-tacky concession stand.  General admission is $10 with a matinee at $7.  Getting to and parking at the theater, however, drops this one down the ladder.  It's situated right in front of the off-ramp of the freeway, and it is difficult to turn around or circle back when looking for a parking spot.  And parking.  Metered.  Yikes.  Guess it's the late movie so you can avoid the parking cost, but then you pay a higher ticket price.
             There's also a Regal Cinema in Dublin, but this is a long way for a lot of people to drive or BART.  Plus, the ticket prices are OUTRAGEOUS.  And there are often loud and poorly controlled kids even in adult movies.  Theaters in Emeryville and San Francisco might be nice if you are in those cities for other things, but driving, parking, and even BARTing to these locations isn't worth it.
             Alameda Theatre in Alameda (of course) is reasonably priced.  General admission is $10.50, and a matinee is $7.75.  However, parking is CHEAP.  There's a parking garage attached to the theater, and it only cost me $2 for four hours of parking.  Plus, you get a parking voucher for your next visit if you ask for one at the box office.  And, trust me, you'll want to hang out after the movie because Park Street has a ton of cute, local eateries and shops.  Alameda Theatre is also beautiful and full of history.  The lobby is high-ceilinged, rich-hued, and ornate.  The theater was designed by Timothy Pflueger and opened in 1932.  You can watch a documentary on the theater's history at the theater's website: www.alamedatheatres.com.  Your fellow movie-goers are also respectful and quiet during the movie, the neighborhood is not only safe but buzzing with local life, and you don't have to fight large crowds to see your film of choice.  This theater also plays classic films at reduced prices and has community talent shows.  Did I mention they recycle and compost?