Reap what they sew

Amanda Watkins spends her afternoons whipping up cupcakes in flavors such as peanut butter, caramel apple and chocolate mint. But cupcakes aren't all she thinks about. The 29-year-old baker and third-generation seamstress often contemplates craft ideas, as well. Last year, the baking and craft concepts that swirl through her mind like fudge ripple coalesced while she was at work in her House of Sweets, located in the rear of the Delray Beach clothing store House of Vintage.

"I was looking at all my sprinkles one day, and I said, 'Hmm, I wonder if I could make something with these?'" she recalls.

As it turns out, she could make necklaces from cupcake sprinkles set in resin. "That's my thing now," Watkins says. "I'm very excited about those. … That's the longest I have kept with one particular craft."

Watkins discovered another way to make the most of her interests: She organized Stitch Rock, an indie craft fair and bazaar that drew 45 crafters and some serious shoppers to Old School Square in Delray Beach. The fair will return for its second year Saturday, this time with a few new vendors, including Our Lady of Perpetual Pickles, which specializes in several varieties of its nominal condiment. "It's not so much in the traditional sense of craftiness, but it's still a handmade product," Watkins asserts. "And I love pickles."

Watkins is also eagerly anticipating JDStar's hand-woven friendship bracelets. "There's something nostalgic for me about friendship bracelets that you hand-make and give to all of your friends," Watkins says.

"She has a little different spin on them. She uses a hand loom to make them, which I think is really cool. And they have a [snap] so you don't have to wear them until they get really yucky and almost fall off. She's modernized them a little."

She also is a fan of the work of Bean-blossom, a vendor who creates dolls with condoms hidden inside them and cozies for personal products such as dildos. The fair's other vendors include Stay Creative, which incorporates antique skeleton keys, vintage buttons, African trade beads, animal bones and other objects in handmade jewelry and accessories; Janie's of Miami, which sells vintage hats, tiaras, crowns and hat boxes; and Dog Save the Queen, whose clothing for dogs is loosely based on fliers for punk-rock concerts.

In addition to all the arts and crafts, House of Vintage co-owner Michele Parparian will present a fashion show in which models will don vendors' clothing and accessories. Miami artist Lebo, meanwhile, will paint in the square throughout the afternoon. Shoppers may want to plan on lunching here, as the owner of Pali's in Lake Worth will serve sandwiches, and Watkins will, of course, hawk her cupcakes.

Contact 561-635-8086 or Rockthestitch.com.