Gettin' Made: As Seen on TV

If you haven't made the journey from Orange County to Sherman Oaks to visit indie craft uber-gift-shop Handmade Galleries LA, I'll put it simply: You. Are. Missing. Out.

Christmas ornaments by Skellramics, available at Handmade Galleries LA

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This mecca of handmade awesomeness sells everything from Crafty Chica to Gama Go to Bungalow 360 and more. Couple that with almost weekly in-store events and a chance to see someone famous show up from the E! channel's Keeping up with the Kardashians, it's high time you filled up your gas guzzler for a grade-A crafty road trip.

After the jump, I chat with Andy from Handmade Galleries LA and find what they have going on this weekend.

OC Weekly: Tell us a little brief overview what someone could expect when visiting Handmade Galleries LA. What's it all about?

Andy: Handmade Galleries LA is one part of the best indie craft fairs, one part creative fun quirky gifts and one part art gallery which all equals one awesome shopping experience. Los Angeles Magazine named us on of the Top 25 One-stop Shopping Experiences and the LA Visitors Bureau featured us in their Locals' Favorite Shops. As many of our customers say, "once again, I find the perfect gift at Handmade Galleries LA" Being about five times the size of your average gift shop makes us worth the trip no matter where you live.

OCW: Your shop's been featured on tv, right? What shows have we seen Handmade Galleries LA on?

A: We've been blessed with an abundance of TV coverage. We've been featured on ABC's Eye on LA and NBC's Your LA. We've also had reality shows like E! Channel's Keepin' Up with the Kardashians and MTV's Tila Tequila film at our shop and all the contestants of The Cougar shopped for their gifts here. Where else are you going to take 14 guys to find great gifts? Just a few months ago, filmmaker Brittney Bomann filmed her new movie, Melissa,
in our store.

Jenny Ryan of Silverlake's craft supply shop Home Ec gets down to some sewing with the Crafty Chica, a.k.a. Kathy Cano-Murillo at Handmade Galleries book release party for the Crafty Chica's Guide to Artful Sewing.

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OCW: Who are some of your favorite artisans that are in the store?

A: I love Stella Neptune, Spragwerks, Skellramics, Crafty Chica, Bughouse, but really it's like asking a mom which child she loves most. They're all wonderful in their own way and I am so grateful they are all part of Handmade Galleries LA.

On the next page: in-store events and how to get your crafts in-store!