Handmade Nation: Film, Book Signing, and Craft Bazaar This Weekend

A few years ago, a strange thing began happening. You could be riding the bus downtown, when all of a sudden the young woman in the bench across from you would pull out a knitting project. The hip girl at the coffee house was suddenly having to don her cat-eye glasses to focus on her embroidery. Even some dudes picked up a needle and thread for the first time - all in the name of DIY. The craft revolution has ebbed and flowed, and is currently celebrating yet another resurgence thanks to an economy where it really is cheaper to make some things than to buy them.

In 2006, photographer and craft fair founder Faythe Levine traveled to fifteen cities to interview the crafty movers and shakers around the country. At the end of her trip, she had enough material for a movie and book. Levine's documentary, Handmade Nation, is premiering in Austin at the Alamo Drafthouse this Sunday. A weekend-long celebration of all things hand-crafted begins on Saturday with a book signing at Domy Books. Levine will be accompanied by a number of artists who are featured in Handmade Nation including the fabulous Whitney Lee, who has perfected the art of latch-hook porn (slightly NSFW).

After picking up a copy of the book, join the do-it-yourselfers on Sunday at the Alamo Drafthouse on South Lamar for the film screenings and a craft bazaar featuring demos and some of the best vendors around. The craft bazaar is free and runs from noon until 6pm. Levine will be at both screenings answering audience questions. At 6:30pm, Austin Handmade is hosting the movie after party with music from DJ Team Fabrication, free drinks by Treaty Oak Rum, snacks from Nada Moo, and many handmade goods.

Follow this post after the jump to watch the Handmade Nation stop motion trailer.