The Shop Blog

A Pre-Holiday Flair Fair in November October 21 2019

Our biannual vendor market Flair Fair returns next month! This time it's right before the rush of holiday shopping begins, so get a jump on any gift-buying you have to do—all while supporting artists and small businesses!

Over a dozen independent artists and designers will descend upon New Haven for a Pin + Patch show that also includes zine, jewelry, art prints, socks, clothing, and more as well. It's FREE entry (thanks to our Sponsors) and located right across the Strange Ways storefront.

It's an easy road trip away from New York City, Providence, and Boston. If you haven't had a chance to visit Strange Ways before, this would be the day to come and visit! You can browse the market across the street. See y'all there!

Flair Fair 

Saturday, November 9th • 11AM–4PM
911 Whalley Avenue • New Haven, CT


Our Pin + Patch Market Turns 3! April 07 2019



Strange Ways organizes a vendor market geared specifically towards what we focus on best—pins and patches! Flair Fair has helped revitalize artist work in this area, specifically in the Northeast and New England area. We are proud that visitors keep coming out, so in turn we'll keep having them! This year marks going on 3 years since our first one in 2016, and this is our 7th one.

Our artist market is similar to other ones across the country like Renegade Craft Fair or Brooklyn Flea—but the makers focus on “flair” which all encompasses the collectable little goodies artists are making (and fans are often wearing). Enamel pins, iron-on patches, vinyl stickers, old school pinback buttons, and more are what you'll find at Flair Fair.

This Spring's market moves the location from historic Lyric Hall (currently being sold) to Lotta Studio—a unique co-working space and venue. This move also puts Flair Fair directly across from the Strange Ways storefront!

Flair Fair 

April 13th — 11AM–4PM
911 Whalley Ave • New Haven, CT


A Spooky Flair Fair This Year! October 03 2018



We're bringing back our vendor market Flair Fair for a 6th time—this round is the first one in October! We decided to have it a month later than usual to line up with City Wide Open Studios happening at the same time in the neighborhood. This allows us to get a little spooky with the poster art by Allison Bamcat.

The 1 day market features over 10 makers selling pins, patches, buttons, and more collectible pieces of art. If you like Strange Ways—you'll definitely enjoy Flair Fair! It takes places just a few steps away from our storefront in New Haven, CT. The event is free to attend, and will feature a food truck and official after party at Barcade downtown. See you all there! 

Flair Fair

October 13th — 11AM–4PM
827 Whalley Ave • New Haven, CT

Vendor List + Market Info
RSVP + Invite Friends


Flair Fair April 14th in New Haven, CT April 02 2018



Our vendor market returns again! This will be just the 2nd Spring-time version of Flair Fair and our poster art by Allison Bamcat shows our excitement for warm weather finally!

The 1 day market features over 10 makers selling pins, patches, buttons, and more collectible pieces of art. If you like Strange Ways—you'll definitely enjoy Flair Fair! It takes places just a few steps away from our storefront in New Haven, CT. The event is free to attend, and will feature a food truck and official after party at Barcade downtown! See you all there for another round. 

Flair Fair

April 14th — 11AM–4PM
827 Whalley Ave, New Haven, CT

Vendor List + Market Info
RSVP + Invite Friends




Our First Holiday Market! November 30 2017



We've had a really great time organizing pop-ups at our storefront, and expanding that into our own vendor market we call Flair Fair. But... we still felt there was something missing in the New Haven area and culture scene. The most advantageous time for creative entrepreneurs to get their work out there (and make money from it!) is during the holidays. People are in search of gifts to buy, and they love to support local to find unique items for their loved ones.

Hence, we decided to expand our Flair Fair and host the 1st Flair Fair : Holiday Bazaar. It'll be very similar to our past markets—but with a little bit more room in the vendor assortment beyond pins and patches. This holiday market will also feature other local artists and designers that make unique and interesting items that would make great gifts.

Flair Fair : Holiday Bazaar

Vendor List + Market Info
RSVP + Invite Friends on Facebook


Flair Fair is Back for Round 3! September 01 2017



Our vendor market has been so well-received, that we're back again! Our first one was a year ago, and we return this Fall for another round. Celebrating pins, patches, buttons, and more—over 10 vendors will be there to fulfill all your flair needs.

The event takes place at Lyric Hall in New Haven, CT which is a very short walk to our shop. The Strange Ways storefront will be open extended hours that day too.

Find out all the details: www.TheFlairFair.com
RSVP + invite friends to the Facebook Event




Flair Fair Returns! April 05 2017



Last Fall we held our very first vendor market. Flair Fair was dedicated to celebrating the resurgence of pins, patches, and other small collectible items. Over 300 people attended the market that featured 10+ artists/designers—many that we carry in our shop!

Due to the success, we're bringing it back again for Round 2 this Spring. On Saturday, April 15th we bring Flair Fair back to New Haven, CT. It's located at Lyric Hall, which is just a very short walk from our store. See you there!

Find out all the details: www.TheFlairFair.com
RSVP to the Facebook Event


Yale Daily News Covers Strange Ways and Flair Fair September 16 2016

Upon the completion of our first vendor market, Flair Fair, the local Yale Daily News covered the event by speaking with us, vendors, and students that stopped by. Published online and in print, it was a great write-up of what our shop and the event is attempting to do in New Haven.

“I hope we can bring more underground art to New Haven in the future.


It was overwhelming to see people from all over—yes, even in other parts of New Haven—make their way to the event and the storefront. Not everyone downtown makes their way to our neck of the city, and it was great to see people pay attention. The Strange Ways storefront probably had it's biggest day on Saturday too, so thank you all for coming!

Read the entire Yale Daily News article here.


Our First Vendor Market: Flair Fair! August 25 2016


We're going on 2 years of Strange Ways, and our product has always come from independent artists, designers, and small brands. One of the main goals of our shop is to showcase emerging talent we believe in. With the addition of our storefront a year ago, we've invited numerous people to also have pop-up shops in our store.

The natural progression of all of this is to have a larger event, the yearning for something to help establish and celebrate this sense of community in New Haven and beyond laid the seed for Flair Fair. It'll be our first vendor market. Hope to see you there!

Find out all the details: www.TheFlairFair.com
RSVP to the Facebook Event

An update: WE DID IT!