Urban fair crafts community, togetherness, charity through Becket’s event
The Oshkosh Area Humane Society received a whopping $1,000 from the most recent Fall in LOVE with Handmade Urban Crafts fair event hosted at Becket’s on Feb. 7. Over 40 vendors were featured, selling goodies ranging from canned goods, to jewelry, and even pet rocks. The event was organized by Michelle Guehrer, inspired by her love for handmade art and ideas for a modern and local take on a craft fair. Throughout the day, guests could come in and enjoy live music and handmade crafts from vendors traveling from as far as three hours away.
Alaska Burroughs, from the Oshkosh Area Humane Society, has been involved in the OAHS booth for two years. She appreciates the benefits they receive from this event, including a free booth, and $500 being donated from the Fall in LOVE with Handmade Urban Crafts alone. Guehrer’s husband’s employer also matches that amount. Events like these allow the Humane Society to take in more stray animals as they rely heavily on private donations.
“Michelle reached out to us, because she covers our booth fees. I believe that partial booth fees from everyone end up getting donated to the Humane Society as well,” she said.
Nikita Tapia, also from the Humane Society, appreciates what events like Fall in LOVE with Handmade Urban Crafts Fair do for the community. She enjoys how the Crafts Fair, and similar functions, can encourage togetherness within a local setting while raising awareness for other local opportunities.
“We have our volunteers that’ll make our product for us and donate it to us, and it gives them that sense of community and accomplishment,” she said. “We’re able to distribute and share that with the community here.”
The creativity and passion of local vendors shone through in this event, with a wide variety of talent displayed in each booth. Not only were the vendors grateful for Guehrer’s event, but local students as well.
In particular, West sophomore Hazel Nuon was impressed with the work all of the vendors put into their products, with time ranging from an impressive five to 32 hours.
“It’s really cool because everything’s handmade. So, you know that people put their heart and soul into these things. And it’s just really nice to see. Plus, you support people from around your area,” she said.
Shenna Vang, a baker who specializes in cookies and cupcakes, also had a booth at the Urban Craft Fair. She came all the way from Green Bay to sell her very beautiful and delicious cookies. This was her first year at the fair, joining the many vendors at the location. However, she does frequently attend similar events around the area.
“The location is in a great place; it brings attention to good vendors and also provides profit to the Humane Society,” she said. “As a baker, to make these pastries it takes awhile because it’s all fresh”
Vang believes local events bring people together and support small businesses, as they are generally where businesses can grow.
“Especially for me, as a cottage baker, these are a big thing here in Wisconsin,” she said.
Vang hopes to draw attention to the many struggles that prevent local businesses from thriving. She was impressed by the number of vendors the Urban Craft Fair already had and knows that the previous history this event has in Oshkosh is a good sign of this event continuing.
“Events like this are very important and ensure that small places can grow instead of being stamped out,” she said.
An event like the Urban Craft Fair wouldn’t be possible without the organization of Guehrer. When she started making crafts in 2001, there were no spaces where she could openly sell her products. By creating a market for others, she achieves her goal of organizing the kind of event that she never had the opportunity to be a part of.
Guehrer selectively curates the booths set up, making sure that those applying provide pictures and describe what they do. This ensures that there is no competition within the area and if two vendors sell the same product, they’re different enough that it doesn’t drive sales away.
“By coming to the Urban Craft fair, you support local artists and provide the chance to experience the community firsthand. The event also drives visitors to check out Becket’s, supporting another local business,” she said.
By keeping money within the community, less is spent on online shopping, and the wide variety of prices means that visitors can shop to their heart’s content.
Guehrer and her husband feel empathy for the Oshkosh Humane Society, having five of their own pets at home. The couple donates to the Humane Society annually in hopes of giving back to the community.
“There is no doubt that this event will continue as long as humanly possible,” said Guehrer. “After all, here, there is always something for everyone.”
by Jocelyn Johnson and Sophia Mazza
Published March 2, 2026
Oshkosh West Index Volume 122 Issue V