For many local artists, participating in an art show is more than a way to promote their work. Rather, it’s about supporting local businesses.

When the Handmade Holidays Arts, Crafts, and Vintage Marketplace comes to the Maverick Activities Center on Friday, the UTA community will have a chance to support more than 50 artists, including current and former UTA students. The event will have fashion shows and live music along with the art vendors.

“The money you pay to the artist, it goes directly to them,” alumna and artist Stephanie Longoria said. “It’s not going to big corporations. So you’re supporting small businesses, supporting moms, dads, other students and helping them make a living out of something they love doing.”

The show is hosted by Etsy 817, a group of Etsy artists who live in the 817 area code. Etsy is an online marketplace for artists to sell their handmade items.

Handmade Holidays will feature many types of work ranging from photography to jewelry from both members and nonmembers of Etsy 817. Amy DeVoe, Etsy 817 member, said this show is a good way to support local artists.

“It’s good to shop handmade and it’s good to shop local,” said DeVoe who makes glass jewelry and accessories. “It’s a free event. There will be free entertainment, and it’s family- and kid-friendly.”

Longoria made crafts with her parents when she was a child. She continues to make art today. She said she is inspired by her Hispanic heritage when she designs her work. Her clothing, pillows and dolls have graphics from Mexican culture such as wrestlers and “Day of the Dead” skeletons.

One group of dolls she makes portrays Cucuy, the Mexican version of the boogeyman.

“My dolls are a spin trying to make him cute and trying to make kids not be afraid of him,” Longoria said. “My dolls are similar to a Hello Kitty style but with a Mexican background.”

Other artists, such as marketing junior Julie Grimmett, found their passions in adulthood. Grimmett stumbled upon knitting after she had children.

“I have twin boys, and they’re a handful. So in the evenings when I’d put them to bed, I wanted something that would help me unwind,” she said. “So, I taught myself how to knit, and I never stopped.”

Grimmett said she likes how technical knitting can be compared to other crafts.

“Knitting is very precise,” she said. “I like how organized it is. A part of what helps me relax is you have to keep track of how many stitches you have and you have to be very detail oriented.”

This is Grimmett’s first semester at UTA, and she said she’s excited to share her work with the community. She also said she’s excited about the fashion shows, which she said are unique to this Etsy art show.

“I’ve never been to a crafts show that had a fashion show,” she said.

Longoria said she looks forward to seeing the variety of work and what other artists will bring to the show.

“The Etsy shows are really fun,” she said. “There’s always great artists. You’ll find really great Christmas gifts, affordable Christmas gifts, one-of-a-kind gifts that you’re not going to find at the mall.”