It’s that time of year again— craft shows and projects galore! The holiday season ‘tis the season for making, decorating, and showing off handmade goods (whether you created them yourself or purchased them from a professional crafter or artist).
I know what you’re thinking— where can I find a place to let my creative side out? You’re in luck! We have crafted a list of vast proportions. From classes to full-fledged fairs and festivals, there’s no end to the possibilities. So, whether you want to DIY or BUY, this list of events will give you plenty to look forward to as the weather becomes colder and your home becomes warmer and more inviting!
Thursday, 11.19: DIY
Hardcore CRAFTers Craft & Draft
Join Amber Yockey, local artist and Collingwood Arts Center instructor, for a fun-filled evening of hardcore crafting with adult beverages. The evening’s project is embossing everything from custom frames to jewelry.
7pm | $25 | Collingwood Arts Center, 2413 Collingwood Blvd. | 419-244-2787 | collingwoodartscenter.org
Friday, 11.27 & Saturday, 11.28: BUY
Crafts for Christmas Show
Come to Lucas County Recreation Center, now known as LineDrive Sportz, for the winter spectacular event held by the Toledo Craftsman’s Guild on two big shopping days. This is a showplace of fine handmade crafts, gifts, and holiday decorations that will make your season bright. They will be collecting donations for Toys for Tots. For information about this show, contact Dave Grabarczyk at [email protected].
10am-5pm Friday, 10am-4pm Saturday | Lucas County Recreation Center, 2901 Key St. #2, Maumee | 419-874-6367 | toledocraftsmansguild.org
Saturday, 11.28: BUY
All Good Things Craft Show
The All Good Things gift shop at Lourdes University in the Franciscan Center will be hosting its first annual craft show to benefit Bethany House, a long term transitional shelter for victims of domestic violence and their children. Purchase handmade items from local vendors.
10am-4pm | Lourdes University Regina Hall Conference Room, 6832 Convent Blvd., Sylvania | 419-824-3749 | allgoodthingsof.org
Thursday, 12.3: DIY
Quilled Snowflake
Try a twist on snowflakes and learn an art form that is 500 years old— "Paper Quilling." This is the craft of arranging rolled and shaped strips of paper to make a plethora of designs. Learn the basic techniques and make a unique snowflake to use as an ornament or make into a one-of-a-kind card. Make sure to bring a ruler with you! Registration required.
6:30-8pm | $15 | The 577 Foundation, 577 E. Front St., Perrysburg | 419-872-0305 | 577foundation.org
Friday, 12.4-Sunday, 12.6: BUY
2015 Detroit Urban Craft Fair
This annual, alternative craft fair is brought to you by Handmade Detroit and is Michigan’s largest and longest-running indie craft fair. There will be more than a hundred indie crafters and makers to shop with at DUCF this year for shoppers to purchase one-of-a-kind items and meet the people who made them. With its festive music and historic setting, this is sure to be a weekend you won’t want to miss out on! Help Detroit Urban Craft Fair’s mission to elevate handmade goods as an alternative to mass-produced items, support and elevate small craft business by providing a place for them to sell during the busy holiday shopping season, and raise awareness of handmade craft.
6pm-9pm Friday, 10am-8pm Saturday, 11am-7pm Sunday | $1/admission, $10/Friday night preview party, free/children 12 and under | Masonic Temple, 500 Temple St., Detroit | 313-832-7100 | handmadedetroit.com
Friday, 12.4-Sunday, 12.6: DIY & BUY
2015 Columbus Winterfair
Ohio Designer Craftsmen (ODC) presents their 2015 Columbus Winterfair. Featuring fine art and craft made in American studios, this fair will feature 2-D mixed media, 3-D mixed media, jewelry, sculptures, wood art, drawing and pastels, and even more mediums! Attend a book signing, enjoy the Ballet Met, and/or try your hand at a new craft with instructions from local artists and crafters.
10am-7pm Friday & Saturday, 11am-4pm Sunday | $7/three-day admission, free/ages 12 and under | Ohio Expo Center, 717 E. 17th Ave., Columbus | 614-486-7119 | ohiocraft.org
Saturday, 12.5 & Sunday, 12.6: BUY
45th Annual American Holiday Fine Arts and Crafts Show & Sale
This annual art and craft show will run both days, all day long. Be sure to stop by and look at or purchase beautiful and creative crafts and works of art. This is the perfect way to immerse yourself in the holiday spirit! Email [email protected] for information.
All Day | $5 admission | Butler Institute of American Art, 524 Wick Ave., Youngstown | 330-743-1107, ext. 123 | butlerart.com
Saturday, 12.12 & Sunday, 12.13: BUY
DIYpsi Holiday Market
The event includes two days of fabulous and unique holiday shopping opportunities. The market will include 80+ art vendors in the gallery, theater, dance studio and other areas of the Riverside Arts Center complex
11am-7pm Saturday, 12pm-6pm Sunday | Riverside Arts Center, 76 N. Huron St., Ypsilanti, MI | 734-480-2787 | diypsi.com
Saturday, 12.12 & Sunday, 12.13: BUY & Kids DIY
Holiday Art Fair
Discover unique gifts that will long be treasured by family and friends. The fair presents 100 jury-selected artists plus holiday entertainment and kids’ art activities.
$5. Children 12 and under free.10am-6pm Saturday, 11am-5pm Sunday | Eastern Michigan University Convocation Center, 799 N. Hewitt Rd, Ypsilanti, MI | 734-662-3382 | holidayartfair.com
Sunday, 12.13: BUY
Winter Festival of Crafts
Complete your holiday shopping and decorating with a purchase of a fine, handmade craft item created by one of the juried members of The Toledo Craftsman’s Guild at their Winter Festival of Crafts show. This is the last show of the Craftsman’s Guild year-long 40th anniversary celebration. You will have the opportunity to purchase quality hand-crafted items not usually found in stores. Some of the items that may be available are jewelry, pottery, woodworking, fragrances, lotions, fabric, soft sculpture, decorative painting, photography, and more. There will also be a fine selection of holiday wreaths and seasonal decorations. If you can’t find what you want, many of the Craftsman’s Guild members will also create that one-of-a-kind gift just for you as a special order.
10am-4pm | Franciscan Center at Lourdes University, 6832 Convent Blvd., Sylvania | 419-874-6367 | toledocraftsmansguild.org
Monday, 12.14: DIY
Stamped Cards & Papercrafts
Ready for Christmas? Make some quick, easy-to-duplicate gifts! Make tags that will add that special touch, a beautiful holly gift card enclosure, holiday/winter thank you cards, and a treat container filled with goodies. Techniques include die cuts, heat and dry embossing, glitter, glitz & more. Registration required.
6:30-8:30pm | $20 | The 577 Foundation, 577 E. Front St., Perrysburg | 419-872-0305 | 577foundation.org
Saturday, 12.19: BUY
2nd Annual Last Call Locavore Craft Fair
With some favorite Toledo vendors, this craft fair will provide seasonal procrastinators one last chance to find that perfect locally made gift. With a wide variety of vendors, you will easily be able to find something special for anyone. Vendors that you will see there include: Humblebee Family Farm, Christie’s Stuff, One Love, Novel Design by Deidre, honeycombcalligraphy, Found and Feather, Actual Coffee, and more! Contact Sean Smith at [email protected] for more info.
11am-3pm | The University Church, 4747 Hill Ave. | theuniversitychurchtoledo.org
