Come Saturday morning, Agora’s parking lot will transform from a blasé asphalt patch into a vibrant crafts fair.

The event, aptly titled the Athens Indie Craftstravaganzaa, began two years ago when local artist Serra Ferguson decided to fill the crafts fair void in Athens’ arts scene.

Since 2007, she has coordinated a spring and holiday fair each year, and the number of vendors has since grown significantly.

“We started out with probably about 38 people, and this time we have close to 80 different vendors,” Ferguson said.

The variety of goods has also increased over the years.

“We have everything from jewelry, fashion and accessories-oriented things to photographers and people who do watercolor and oil paintings,” she said.

Ferguson will be selling handmade clothing, jewelry and hats under the moniker Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves.

University sophomore Nate Williams will sell bracelets and hand-sewn shirts under the name N/A.

Williams uses a reverse appliqué method to apply designs to otherwise plain T-shirts.

“I’m really inspired by nature, but I really like stuff that doesn’t really make sense,” he said. “I really want each shirt to be completely original.”

During his senior year of high school, Williams became increasingly interested in the art of hand-sewing, He eventually connected with Alabama-based folk artist Natalie Chanin, who provided him with the tools necessary to perfect his craft.

“I got to stay with her in her workshop and learn how everything works,” he said.

Williams’ T-shirt designs include eagles, squirrels, blue raindrops and brightly-colored elephants. Each shirt takes “about two to eight hours” to complete, he said.

According to Ferguson, this year’s Craftstrava-ganzaa marks the first time it will span two days. It will also sport several new features, including live music and a kids’ crafts table.

The HighWire Lounge (formerly The Mercury Lounge) will be open on Saturday so patrons can “enjoy some relaxation and libation” between browsing, according to the Web site.

Above all, Ferguson said the fair is about bringing the community together to appreciate the handiwork of local and regional vendors.

“A lot of times you go to these shows and it might not be as much about the money as it is about the networking,” she said. “It definitely fosters a sense of community and connection.”