Unique craft festivals and marketplaces, including the Winter Woolfest and De Anza Flea Market
For those stuck in a post-Christmas craft withdrawal, a windfall of classes and fairs promises to bust you out of even the deepest of funks. Head to the Winter Woolfest in Kansas where knitters can get the lowdown on DIY yarn spinning, or skip up to Boston, where the Museum of Fine Arts is putting blowtorches into the hands of (responsible?) teens. Craft classes not your thing? Then spice up your winter weekend with vintage shopping at California's De Anza Flea Market or The Villages Craft Fair, a Floridian favorite.
Have an event you would like to see in our roundup? Don't forget to add it to CraftFoxes' Craft Map.
The East
Ongoing
As the kids head back to school, so too can Mom and Dad. The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, offers one-day to multi-week art classes, and crafters can choose from basic jewelry making to advanced fiber crafts, or even sign up their teens for a welding class (a productive way to express those pyro urges).
Class locations vary, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, 465 Huntington Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts, 617-267-9300, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
Class locations vary, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, 465 Huntington Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts, 617-267-9300, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
The South
Jan 7-8, 10-5
An outdoor craft fest in January? Oh, in Florida. This unique fair offers more than just temperate climes. Expect treasures like jewel-spangled gardening trowels, metal-embossed home decor and fine art jewelry.
Spanish Springs Town Square, 1118 Main Street, The Villages, Florida, info@artfestival.com, Art Festival
The Midwest
Jan 7, 10-4
This yarn summit features the latest and greatest techniques for spinning, knitting and even flocking (i.e. owning your own yarn producers). The mini-classes and demos offer an easy intro for those new to the ewe crafts while also promising challenges, shopping and camaraderie for the experienced.
Columbian Theater, 521Lincoln Ave, Wamego, Kansas, jennifer@wickedstitchyarn.com, Wicked Stitch Yarn
The West
Ongoing
For those wanting the authority of an experienced craft teacher, consider signing up for a sewing course at this Portland institution. Get the basics on machine sewing, finesse your fashions with decorative finishes or even make a homemade pair of tighty-whities with the four-hour underwear class.
Jan 7, 8-4
Held the first Saturday of every month, this California flea market is hosted by local college students. The market features over 800 vendor stalls and attracts over 15,000 shoppers as well as lots of good deals.
De Anza College Parking Lots A and B, 21250 Stevens Creek Boulevard, Cupertino, California, FleaMarket@deanza.edu, De Anza Flea Market
Jan 5, 6pm-10
Arts, crafts and even food vendors station themselves along this Arizona city bridge to sell their crafty handmades. If Thursdays don't fit with your schedule, then check out SouthBridge Sundays.
7100 East Camelback Road Scottsdale, Arizona, Artisan Markets
Image credits (from top to bottom): MFA, MFA, Art Festival, Winter Woolfest, PDX Seamsters, De Anza Flea Market and Artisan Markets