The Country's Coolest Craft Fairs
The floor of last year’s Detroit Urban Craft Fair (Photo: Detroit Urban Craft Fair)
Been crafting for years and ready to get your stuff in front of thousands of shoppers (at least for a few days)? Try applying to get a spot in one of these coveted craft fairs around the country. And for those with an eye for buying, or simply perusing, you’re guaranteed to end up wandering the booths for hours … and you may just end up with a one-of-a-kind piece you’ll treasure forever. Here, 10 notable craft fairs offering everything from chic ceramics to hipster hoodies.
Detroit Urban Craft Fair
Detroit, December 6-7, 2014
This alternative craft fair features more than 100 handmade crafters and indie artists and encourages shoppers to mingle with the artists who make these one-of-a-kind items and support small craft business. Time is running out though. Applications are due this week!
Crafty Wonderland
Portland, Ore., December 13-14, 2014
The application period for the upcoming “Super Colossal Holiday Sale" may be over, but keep an eye out for deets on how to participate in next year’s spring sale. Either way, hit up the December fair to get your holiday shopping done in one fell swoop with 250 vendors selling handmade wares at the Portland Convention Center.
Green With Indie Craft Show
St. Louis, March 14, 2015
A craft fair with a focus on eco-friendly artists, this smaller one-day show only hosts around 65 vendors, with a focus on those who make things that are “earth-friendly, salvaged, upcycled, recycled, home grown, home made, revamped, refurbished, and 100% unique.” Those who fit the bill can apply between December 8, 2014 and January 2, 2015.
Smithsonian Craft Show
Washington, D.C., April 23-26, 2015
This top-notch juried exhibition and sale features 120 craft artists who organizers feel push the envelope of creativity, innovation, and technical merit. And artists and attendees can feel good knowing that all proceeds benefit the Smithsonian’s educational, research, and outreach programs. Getting in as an exhibitor might be tough as this one is super competitive, but you can get all the scoop on the Smithsonian Craft Show here.
Crafts at Lyndhurst
Lyndhurst, New York, May 2-4, 2015
This contemporary craft and art show, featuring more than 275 exhibitors in New York’s beautiful Hudson Valley is part of the Artrider series of shows that also take place in Rhinebeck and Purchase, New York; Westport, Connecticut; and Morristown, New Jersey throughout the year. Apply for any of the shows here. The application fee is waived for new applicants who apply before January 5.
A Columbus Arts Festival patron. (Photo: Columbus Arts Festival)
Columbus Arts Festival
Columbus, Ohio, June 12-14, 2015
This late spring fest set up along the downtown Riverfront has grown over the last 50 years and now hosts more than 300 artists from around the nation. In addition to picking up awesome arts and crafts, festival goers can try food from local restaurants, take in live concerts, dance and theater performances, and film screenings and participate in hands-on art activities with their kids. Artists have until January 16 to apply.
Some of the hundreds of displays at the Sawdust Art & Craft Festival. (Photo: Sawdustartfestival.org)
Sawdust Art & Craft Festival
Laguna Beach, California, June 26-August 30, 2015
Everything from musical instruments to metal work is welcome at this non-juried show that runs nearly two full months on the Southern California coast. The mega-festival lines up its artists well ahead of time, with applications due by December 7 for next summer. In addition to hundreds of crafters and artists selling their goods, the festival offers both serious classes for pros and fun ones for festival goers.
Craft Lake City DIY Festival
Salt Lake City, August 7-8, 2015
Calling all DIYers! This outdoor festival focuses on “handmade culture.” At the most recent festival, exhibitors were hawking items like handmade and up-cycled clothing, crocheted goods, lighting displays, furniture, screen-printed designs, handmade body care products, stencil artwork, photography, and jewelry. Organizers will start accepting applications in March for next year’s festival.
A booth at the Austin Renegade Craft Fair (Photo: Renegadecraft.com)
Autumn Crafts Festival
New York City, October 3-4 & 10-11, 2015
A whopping 250 juried craft displays created by artists hailing from all over the nation line Lincoln Center for this fall festival that just wrapped up last month. Get information on joining one of next year’s shows here.
The Renegade Craft Fair
Various Cities and Dates
This indie craft fair travels to multiple U.S. cities (and even the U.K., giving local artisans the chance to showcase everything from ceramics to stationery to clothing, and gives attendees the chance to participate in art-making activities. Check back for dates for next year’s fairs in Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Austin, and London.
