A new generation is redefining the craft fair. No more crocheted tea cozies: These fairs rock.
Holiday Fair
Dec. 16
Portland, Ore.: Crafty Wonderland has so many applicants (70 at last count) that vendors are rotated monthly. Button-making and gift-wrapping clinics are offered at the DIY table.
830 E. Burnside St., craftywonderland.com, second Sunday of every month.
Holiday Fair
Dec. 8-9
St. Louis: Jessi Cerutti underestimated how hungry St. Louis was for cutting-edge crafts when she put together the twice-annual Rock n Roll Craft Show. "I thought it would be a rinky-dink fair, but we ended up with 50 vendors," says Cerutti. A slate of bands play — but the monkey mascot is what won us over.
2727 S. 12th St., rocknrollcraftshow.com.
Holiday Fair
Dec. 8
Chicago: The energy at the Handmade Market is hard to beat: The bar serves mimosas, the DJ spins techno, and many vendors make wares on-site. Among the merch: Clothespin's hand-dyed onesies and storybook art by Bee's Knees Industries.
1035 N. Western, handmadechicago.com, second Saturday of the month, Oct.-March
Holiday Fair
Dec. 1
Baltimore: When nine women in Austin, Texas, formed Craft Mafia in 2003, they never expected their crafters' collective to expand to 42 chapters across North America and the U.K. One of the newest members is Charm City Craft Mafia in Baltimore.
2640 St. Paul St., charmcitycraftmafia.com, two fairs a year.
Holiday Fair
Dec. 15-16
New York City: Brooklyn Indie Market only has 20 vendors, but the talent is huge. There are tote bags made from old sails, skirts fashioned from vintage velvet jackets, and dog-treat pouches that resemble wallets.
Smith St. at Union St., brooklynindiemarket.com, weekends May-Dec.