Twenty-two years ago Leslie Gray and Connie Barbour founded the Harvard Square Holiday Bazaar - the unique gift mecca located at the corner of Church Streets and Mass Ave.

Click on the image to see a short interview with Leslie about this annual phenomenon.

You can’t miss Leslie’s booth- it’s the burst of color and light just as you come down the stairs inside the church. Gorgeous Asian fabrics recycled into bags, shirts, and skirts; hand carved mirrors with paint and inlays; she is one of the few importers at the fair.

Click the image to see her fabulous fabrics and magnificent mirrors!

It’s hard to tell whether Lisa Bess's jewelry is art or accessories. “It’s art that solves a problem or does a job,” she says. “Why have a boring solution when you can have a creative solution?”

Click the image to see a short video of Lisa's delightful and original creations and hear her explain her work.

Lisa’s adventure as a crafter of efficient accessory jewelery began in 1996. Originally a painter -- theatrical scenery, masks, and costumes -- Lisa needed a change. So she designed a whimsical booth and began filling it with fun, affordable, original jewelry made from found and recycled objects.

Her aim is to infuse humor, spirit, and fabulous color into each piece, which she does with charm, energy, and skill.

She makes all her works by hand in her studio in Portland,Maine...Ayuh.

Stop by her booth at the Harvard Square Holiday Bazaar or visit her online at her website www.LisaBess.com.

You'd never believe Lennie Kaumzha’s colorful candle lanterns were made from ordinary household tin cans unless you saw how he made them.

Using an oxy-acetylene torch with a pencil-thin flame, he burns original designs into the tin cans without drawing or stenciling. The action of the heat on the metal turns the tin dark, almost like pewter. The cans are then shaped by hand after they cool down.

The lit lanterns – both electric and candle – cast intricate dancing shadows on walls and ceilings.

Click the image to see a short video of Lennie and his lanterns at the Harvard Square Holiday Fair.

He has been selling his work throughout New England since 1989.

For more information about Lennie and his tin can lights, stop by his booth at the Harvard Square Holiday Fair or visit his web site www.tincanlights.com.

Paul Fata has been selling his “Cheap Art” at the Harvard Square Holiday Fair for 18 years now.
“I used to play in a band,” he says, “and I did the band’s flyers. Everyone loved my flyers, but they weren’t too crazy about the music…so I stuck to the art…although I am still a musician on the side.”

Click the image for a short video of Paul’s “Cheap Art” made from recycled construction materials.

For more information about the Fair see Veni, Vidi, Visa - I came, I saw, I shopped!

For EVEN more info see the Harvard Square Holiday Fair Website.