[After posting a round up of Boston and Providence craft shows last week, Jason wrote in from Rag + Bone Bindery offering to cover the the first weekend of the month long Craftland show in Providence, RI. Couldn't pass up that offer, so here's the skinny reporting live from the artsy capital city of Providence, Rhode Island. Take it away, Jason!]

Craftland - Not Your Grandmother's Tea Cosy
By: Jason Thompson, decor8 contributor

The Craftland arts and crafts show in Providence, Rhode Island is truly a glittery, seasonal retail wonderland. Whether you're looking for gifts that will interest your more 'creative' friends and family this year, or merely searching for that quirky one-of-a-kind handbag, t-shirt, art for your blank walls, or a happenin' little journal, Craftland is your one stop shop. The best part about Craftland is that the fun lasts all month long (hours listed below) so you can return again and again to browse through the latest in 'made by hands' craft and design from over 100 artists. Yes, 100! There is something for everyone.

These folks caught our eye: If'n Books + Marks, Tiny Showcase (make sure you check out the Tiny Showcase Printing Machine - only $1.00 per print!), Fishcakes, Flying Fish Design, Eli + Ra, Scraps of Paper, Honorable Mention, Alec Thibodeau of Ink Ape, Heather Toupin Design, Egg-A-Go-Go and Jen Corace. Jen was very sweet to autograph the Craftland postcard, which she designed, for our five-year-old daughter. We left with a generous goody-bag from opening night and have already been back to shop again. It's quite addictive, so we don't think we'll stay away for long.

Hats off to Deb Dormody for putting together the hippest, most glittery holiday shopping event in beautiful downtown Providence!

psst: Watch a video of opening night on the Craftland website here. If that doesn't entice you to visit, maybe these photos will...

Welcome to Craftland, step inside!
Two great magazines that you should try getting your hands on. Both are usually stocked at Barnes + Noble but are available all month long at Craftland.
Shoppers enjoying a stroll through Craftland
Affordable art alert! This terrific print from Alec Thibodeau (aka Ink Ape) is only $25!
Sonic Temple bags caught our eye...
Sugarsnap Design hand screenprinted cards.
Eli + Ra goodies
Egg-A-G-Go cards, pillows, paintings, illustrations + more!
Fishcakes and the coolest tea cosy ever!
Sweet finds from Flying Fish Designs.
Faux vinyls from Heather Taupin.
Great graphic neckties from Hilary Treadwell.
T-shirts from Red Prairie Press.
Quilty bits from Jennicakes.
Art by Shawn Gilheeney (sorry no website).
Sarah Gray gives the 'vinyl' bag a whole new meaning (sorry no website).
Notepads from Sewing Stars.
Toys for Cats, "Things The Cat Should Not Be Playing With". (sorry no website.)
Tiny Showcase is amazing, as always.
Pillows and things from Three Cat Nite.
Jen Corace Journals.
James Quigley of Gunsho.
Crafty kits from Teresa Levy.
Jewelry from Magpie Molly.
For more photos and Craftland coverage, visit Jason over at the Rag + Bone Blog. Thanks, Jason!

[Craftland, 70 Eddy Street (near city hall), Providence. Friday Dec. 1st until the 23rd, open five days a week, Wednesday - Sunday 11-6, and Thursdays from 11-8 pm. Note: The storefront retail area is the back of the Peerless Building behind City Hall at the corner of Fulton Street.
Rain or shine. Free admission.]

(photography provided by Jason Thompson)