This Weekend's Craft Fairs — Dec 9-11

As the holidays inch ever closer, this weekend hosts an abundance of indie fairs, festivals and bazaars to help you along. From a wonderland of crafts in Portland to an edgy Floridian explosion of all things handmade, this weekend has the craft adventure just right for you.

The West

Crafty Wonderland 

Dec 10-11, 11-6  

In a season rife with overspending, we bring you an indie craft fair offering not only free admission but also goodie bags, good cheer and (because it's in Portland) lots of good "spirits." 

Oregon Convention Center, 777 NE MLK Jr. Blvd, Exhibit Hall C, Portland, Oregon, craftywonderland@yahoo.com, Crafty Wonderland

Fourth Avenue Street Fair

Dec 9-11, 10-6 

With over 400 arts and crafts booths, a Hands-on-Kids Art Pavilion and fry bread (as good as it sounds, we hope), Arizona wins our crafty hearts. And stomachs. 

9th Street and University Blvd. along 4th Avenue, Tucson, Arizona, Fourth Avenue

KPFA Crafts & Music Fair
Dec 10-11, 10-6 

Considered the largest craft event in Northern California, this monstrous marketplace will showcase over 200 vendors exclusively from the Western states.

Concourse Exhibition Center, 635 8th St., San Francisco, California, varnerpr@sbcglobal.net, KPFA

Deluxe Indie Craft Bazaar

Dec 10, 11-5 

No resellers allowed! This indie craft fair in Oklahoma admits only crafters of the handmade and small-batch variety.  

3001 General Pershing Blvd, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, sara@deluxeok.net, Deluxe Oklahoma

The South

Handmade Holiday
Dec 11, 11-5

The Craft Mafia strikes again! Its latest hit: Richmond, Virginia, where indie crafters and designers are gathering 'round for a handmade marketplace. We hear there might even be rampant caroling, infectious good cheer and other holiday nonsense. Consider yourself forewarned! 

Plant Zero in Richmond's Manchester District, East 4th St, Richmond, Virginia, rvacraftmania@gmail.com, Richmond Handmade Holiday

Atomic Holiday Bazaar

Dec 10-11, (Sat) 10:4:30, (Sun) 12-5:30 

Add a little Halloween camp to your holiday glam with this trendy but misfit marketplace, which, rather than whimsy and sentiment, spotlights crafts of the amusing and ironic variety. Expect creepy-cute plush toys, hobgoblin home decor and tattoos. Lots of them.

SRQ Municipal Auditorium, 801 N Tamiami Trl, Sarasota, Florida, atomicholidaybazaar@gmail.com, Atomic Holiday Bazaar 

Christmas Holiday Shoppe 

Dec 10, 9-4 

Return to the roots of craft fair-ing with this traditional church bazaar in North Carolina, which features old favorites like a raffle and bake sale as well as a few clever updates, like the Candy Cane Coffee Bar. Intriguing! 

St. Thomas More School, 920 Carmichael Street, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 919-929-1546, St. Thomas More School

The Midwest

Firefly Handmade

Dec 9-11, (Fri) 6pm-10, (Sat & Sun) 11-6 

Celebrate with small-batch goods at this stylish craft fair, which features over 70 vendors, a kids craft area and (our favorite) a self-serve wrapping station! Proceeds go to benefit a local autism charity and there are even green transportation directions. 

Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art, 1750 13th Street, Boulder, Colorado, fireflyhandmade@gmail.com, Firefly Handmade

Art for the Holiday
Dec 11, 11-6 

Going to that DAM craft fair? This unique art and craft marketplace in the trendy section of Detroit (written without a trace of irony) is put on by the Detroit Artists Market and features sculptures, handmade stationary and other unique artworks, all from local artisans. 

Detroit Artists Market, 4719 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, Michigan, Detroit Artists Market

Image credits (from top): flickr.com/fortandfield, flickr.com/fortandfield, Fourth Avenue, KPFA, Deluxe Oklahoma, flickr.com/citygirlsews, Atomic Holiday Bazaar, St. Thomas Moore School, Firefly Handmade and Detroit Artists Market