An alternative arts and craft fair featuring local independent artisans is being held this Saturday in Akron from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Crafty Fair organizers Juniper Sage and J Hudson came up with the idea after visiting different craft fairs in Ohio. Sage said they wanted to have an annual art show that was closer to the Kent, Akron and Canton areas.

“We’ll definitely do it again next year, and we’re already thinking of a possible idea for spring to do something on a smaller scale,” Sage said. “We’re just kicking around some ideas but we definitely want to see how this goes this weekend.”

Sage said the Crafty Fair will feature attainable art that is affordable for college students. Some of the art and crafts include: retro and recycled jewelry, posters, photography, paintings, silk-screen T-shirts, balms and bath bombs among others.

Charlie Wagers, vendor and co-owner of Three Bears Design said he is looking forward to the art show because Akron has never had anything like it. His company will sell silk-screen posters, T-shirts and lumberjack pillows.

“There’s a really great community of artists in Akron that not a lot of people know about,” Wagers said. “I think Crafty Mart is a good way to expose those artists to the rest of the community.”

On the Crafty Mart Web site, www.craftymart.com, there is a list of participating vendors and photographs of arts and crafts that will be featured at the event.

Food and drinks will be served and there will be music by local DJ Moose Malloy. Free parking is available at the Main Library parking deck on the southwest corner of High Street and Market Street.