Pleasant Pop-Up Market

The Ford Hanger, located at the Lansing Municipal Airport in Lansing, Illinois, is an airplane hanger built in 1927 by Henry Ford to connect southland Chicago with his factories in Detroit and to produce and display Ford Tri-Motor airplanes. It was established as a historic building on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985. —Ford Hanger Foundation

Fetching Market with Upcycled Art by Elise Fryxell (front)

This past weekend I had the chance to go to the first-ever Fetching Market at the Historic Ford Hanger in Lansing. This event was right in my backyard. After missing the Chicago Remix for the second year running, and having a hard time fitting the Renegade Craft Fair into Saturday's schedule, this satisfied my urge for unique, eclectic, artisan products. It hits all the buzzwords: modern, organic, handcrafted, artisan, and vintage. But the point is they have pretty things to look at that you won't find anywhere else.

The space was architecturally significant. Its design was revolutionary at the time it was built. The cantilevered construction made support columns unnecessary. The architect incorporated five large window openings to bring light into the building. Unbeknownst to chief architect, Albert Kahn, these two architectural components made it an ideal space for this event! 

This event was right on par with the Chicago art fairs I've been to. It was small, about the size of the winter Bucktown Holiday Art Show. They had over 50 artisans, a couple of food vendors (including the delicious Cottage on Dixie) and a local brewery (One Trick Pony) serving up drinks. 

They had live and recorded music setting an overall feel in the bright open space. The melodies were upbeat and mellow at the same time.

At first, it was overwhelming. It was crowded with no clear path. I just dove in. I walked from corner to corner, grabbed a bourbon sangria, and walked through again. It cleared out some, and I started moving in a more organized fashion. From row to row and back again. I found many treasures. Each time I walked past, I saw something new. Booths displayed antiques (refurbished and original), handcrafted pieces, and some that were both.

Antiques, Pressies Under Glass by Susan Powell, and The Mudslinger

Hand-poured candles in old tin measuring cups. Screen-printed shirts and old-fashioned styles. Old chairs, telephone benches, and sporting equipment. Bags made of books, records, and fabrics. Ceramic pots and wild mushrooms. Fancy pocket mirrors, copper earrings, and pendants made of old keys. Journals made of old Golden Books and other classics. Antique silver and glass platters. Full sets of glassware from days past. Intricate images and guitars made of cardboard boxes and other recycled materials. Tiny images tucked between glass panes and soldered. Even an old suitcase filled with antique doll parts. 

I left with a ring that looks as if it's on a metal watchband with a copper gear on it from Donna's Designs. It will go well with the rest of my watch part jewelry.