Amplifying the Arts at EMU, or AMP!, hosted its annual holiday art market, Handmade for the Holidays, on Dec. 3, 2025.
For more than ten years, AMP! has created a space for student artists to connect with audiences, sell their work and for people to buy art as holiday gifts for their loved ones.
“It's an opportunity for [student artists], free of cost, to sell their stuff, get their name out there and connect with audiences," said Kaylynn Haapala, president of AMP! "We’re doing really good this year; we have more vendors than we’ve ever had."
The market featured more than 15 student vendors. Learn about five of the vendors below.
Fashion Marketing Innovation Craft Club
Jenna Long and Neveah Ford sold handmade products for Fashion Marketing Innovation Craft Club.
The Craft Club is not an official club on campus, but a group within the FMI program. Ford sold custom punch-needle coasters. Long sold crochet pieces and they will have a variety of hats, many of them Five Nights at Freddy’s themed, along with handwarmers, tops and shorts.
“My main goal when creating is to combine whimsy and functionality and [I] see my pieces as the final accessory to an outfit," Long said. "When making crocheted items, I normally take inspiration from my favorite pieces of media and create, envisioning my favorite characters/artists wearing my pieces."
The Crafty Queer
Jade Traska, or The Crafty Queer, sold handmade crochet items. Their work consists of wearable items like cardigans, vests, tank tops, bandanas, hats and scarves, though they sold smaller items such as keychains and plushies.
"I am the type of person who always needs to be working on something with my hands so I crochet all day, every day," Traska said. "I have been crocheting for a while, so most times, I will start with a pattern and then add my own spin on it to match with the vibe I am going for."
Traska is inspired by the way their mom and grandmother taught them to crochet and wants to sell their art to help pay for college, as well as finding joy in the hobby and sharing that with others.
Crochet with Ty
Tyler Huddleston, of Crochet with Ty, sold crochet Amigurumi.
Amigurumi is a Japanese art form that uses crochet to create small stuffed toys.
Huddleston often finds herself looking at the creations of others to find inspiration. She loves to crochet and her main purpose with the craft is to share that joy with others.
briarfate
Lily Elliot, selling art as briarfate, was selling a variety of prints, as well as greeting cards and fabric patches.
“My work tends to appeal to an alternative audience, embracing the grit and imperfections that come along with most printmaking," Elliot said. "The subject of much of my print work tends to reflect current internet culture through a feminist lens, often as a response to online conversation. I aim to repurpose hateful speech and ideas into designs that empower objectified groups and stir new conversations."
She also offered a number of pieces with more lighthearted themes.
EMU National Art Education Association
Lauren Lakin, vice president of EMU NAEA operated a booth selling items made by herself and other members of NAEA.
Lakin's products include ornaments, jewelry, key chains, crochet items and buttons. NAEA has themed craft nights where the organization comes together to create things.
“This work is meaningful to us in multiple ways," Lakin said. "We have fun together and build community, and we are present and contribute to campus life and events to provide fun, enjoyment and exposure to the arts for all students."
The organization's proceeds are going toward funding an upcoming conference this spring, as well as future events.
