Handmade Gator Finds: A Visit to the O’Connell Center Craft Festival

Gator Wall Decor from Happy Scraps

Another popular booth is Happy Scraps. They customize puffy wall art and have awesome growth charts as well! This Gator Wall Decor option is cute for a boy. They also had a pastel, softer Gator, perfect for a little girl’s room.

Who doesn’t love a unique, handmade gift? Well, unless, it’s an ugly sweater, right? My choice for finding unique gifts each year is the annual Craft Festival at the O’Connell Center at UF. Although we’ve moved to Orlando, I try to return each year for this festival with its abundance of handmade Gator gifts, whether they are decked out in orange and blue, or are just made by someone who supports the home team.

This year it was a lot of fun to buy items for a little girl! I’ve had success in prior years finding gifts for everyone, but I came home really happy with my finds this year for my daughter. Check out the images below for some highlights of the craft festival. I actually bought some additional items, but I can’t share those yet as they are gifts for others!

  • Handmade dolls by LazyKatDesigns

    RAG DOLLS BY LAZY KAT DESIGNS. I LOVE these dolls and their cute Gator outfits (and others!). The eyes have a safety feature where they are securely attached on the inside, so safe for babies! Check out the website, lazykatdesigns.com by clicking the image. She also has an Etsy shop under FLJewel

  • Handmade dolls by LazyKatDesigns

    This is the doll I chose for Lily and some additional clothes to dress her in. They were sold out of the orange and blue outfit by the time I got to the booth, but I am super happy with these finds. All this was less than $25.

  • Race Car Track Wallet by Dotted Bee Boutique

    RACE CAR TRACK WALLET BY Dotted Bee Boutique. Perfect gift for your little boy and super easy to carry around in your purse; a handmade car track wallet.

  • Handmade dress by AvyAnne Originals

    HANDMADE DRESS BY AVYANNE ORIGINALS. Another popular booth! I got one of the last Gator dresses. I can’t wait for football season next year so Lily can wear this.

  • Handmade dress by AvyAnne Originals

    HANDMADE DRESS BY AVYANNE ORIGINALS. A cute springtime dress for little girls. It came with bloomers too! At time of publication, her Etsy shop only had contact info up. The purse was from another booth selling fabric notecards.

  • Handmade Gator Snowman Sign

    Cute Gator snowman sign! Sadly, I asked the couple for their card/website, and they only do shows around the Gainesville/Ocala area. You’ll have to check them out next year!

  • Tossed and Found Gator charm bracelet

    TOSSED AND FOUND GATOR CHARM BRACELET. This bracelet is from vintage jewelry maker Diane Mikkelson and was THE BOOTH of the show. It was packed with customers as she helped put together the charms and baubles people chose in order to make custom-designed jewelry. This bracelet was only $10. No website/Etsy shop, but her email is dianemikk at hotmail.com

  • Children's Crayon Holder

    Perfect stocking stuffer… I love this crayon roll for future entertainment at restaurants.

  • Barrettes by Mona

    BARRETTES BY MONA. Another instance where the vendor only does shows. I bought some of her Gator barrettes last year, and needed to restock! She has a wonderful selection of colors. See her next year at the craft show!

  • Sherry's Dips

    SHERRY’S DIPS. Great dip mixes that are soy free! So many of the ones in the grocery stores have additives that my allergy-prone hubby can’t have. Mix the dip with some sour cream and mayo, and you have an instant appetizer for any party. Click the image to visit her website.

Have you been to the O’Connell Center Craft Festival? What’s been your favorite purchase at the O’Connell Center Craft Show?

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