From jewelry to baby blankets, crafters and their goods have created a significant presence in Chicago the past couple of years. Though there are many different craft shows, not one is the same.

The Depart-ment craft show will be celebrating its 5th anniversary Dec. 5-7 at AV-aerie, 200 W. Fulton St. The three-day show will showcase handmade items from more than 100 artists, and the theme this time will be holiday gifts.

Since the event launched in December 2003, it has become a great outlet for artists and shoppers, held three times a year. Vendors can choose to volunteer to help out, but aren’t required to.

The setup of the event is similar to a store’s. There’s a section for accessories like hats and jewelry, another for garments, stationery sets and so on. Customers can walk through the tables and pick what they want, then they pay at the door instead of every table, like at other craft shows. This way if they like something better, they can simply put it back without having to return it to the vendor.

Janet Ecklebarger is the chief financial officer of Depart-ment, a group made up of volunteers who share the common interest of Chicago’s craft scene. Her title includes completing income taxes and buying necessary supplies for the show, like tables and decorations for events.

Ecklebarger joined the show in 2003, when she was looking for an event that wouldn’t make her pay for her table and have her stand behind it the whole time. She said the event is an alternative shopping experience for people.

“We make $100,000 a year,” she said. “When we have four shows a year, we pull in that much.”

Aside from being part of the committee, she also sells through her company. Her past projects include clothing items, jewelry and baby blankets.

“[Depart-ment is] important because it’s very accessible,” she said. “No one pays to get in. It’s free so that those interested can come in and see what artists offer.”

Most of the volunteers and participants are from Chicago, like Laurie Freivogal, who joined the craft scene in 2004 through Depart-ment when she decided to start her own business, Kiku Handmade. She uses fused glass, a glass that has been heat-processed, to make colorful belt buckles, jewelry and coasters. To her, every event is different because of the new themes.

Each Friday night opening is very similar to a gallery night opening, as it includes a party with a DJ and a fashion show where models walk around in the garments and jewelry being sold.

Freigoval said Depart-ment started after many people were interested in joining the DIY trunk show and the Renegade Craft Fair but got turned away because of the limited space at those shows.

Her experience at the show has been very successful so far. Freigoval said that as long as the vendors participate all weekend, they will get a lot out of it.

The profit of the event is split between the vendor and Depart-ment. Another aspect which makes this show successful is that if vendors volunteer, the organization asks for only 10 percent of the profit; if they don’t volunteer then it’s 20 percent. The fees gathered are used for their website, Depart-ment.com, and advertising.

Organizing the show is what takes the longest. Ariel Samara has volunteered for two years. She said the weeks prior to the event are the busiest, when she spends more than 20 hours preparing for the opening night show.

“The event doesn’t change drastically every time we have it,” Samara said. “We want to be more like a store that people could come to, three or four times a year.”

Like most volunteers, Samara sells items, as well. She started making belts, purses, earrings and clothes a couple of years ago. Having the freedom to experiment and create different things is one of the reasons why she is part of the craft Depart-ment.

“There’s people that make stuff out of auto parts and make creative things without worrying if they’re going to sell or not,” Samara said.

Ecklebarger hopes to have a bigger turnout this time around since more people are becoming familiar and interested with the craft scene in Chicago.

“It’s a welcoming environment,” she said. “It’s not just about buying things. It’s a social event, as well as a shopping event.”