The nation's best craft fairs and festivals
Settle into autumn with some rebel indie craft shows and a few cozy fall retreats.
While
we can't write about every craft fair and marketplace happening across
the country (or the world), we do like to highlight a handful of notable
ones each week. If you'd like more people to know about your craft show
or event, list it on our Craft Map and we'll gladly consider it for coverage. You can also email us at info@craftfoxes.com.
The West
Oct 12-15, Hours vary
MQX – West has found its home in Portland, Oregon. With unique exhibits like the "Cover to Cover" book club quilts, which feature bestseller-inspired cozies as well as the "Quilting in the Family," a juried display of generational quilters, this craft expo promises a cozy retreat from the runny, rainy drizzle that is a Pacific Northwest autumn.
Oregon Convention Center, 777 NE Martin Luther King Blvd, Portland, OR, Info@MQXShow.com, 866-675-7247, Machine Quilters Expo
Oct 16-20, Hours vary
Speaking of retreats, consider this “go away to crochet” event off Puget Sound in Washington (the state, that is). For a $300 convenience fee, retreaters will be able to network, relax and, of course, craft. Or, consider the mini version via Griffin Dyeworks & Fiber Arts, which is offering a one-day crochet retreat.
Cama Beach State Park on Camano Island, in Washington State, Crochet Liberation Front
The East
Oct 14-16, (Fri) 5-9, (Sat) 10-7, (Sun) 11-6
Self-proclaimed as the world's largest (as if size really mattered), this fair devotes itself exclusively to original vintage posters, selling over 10,000 prints from around the world. Visitors can marvel not only at Mao-sprinkled propagandism but also explore the cultural history each poster archives.
Metropolitan Pavilion, 123 W. 18th St, 4th Floor, New York, NY, 800-856-8069, info@posterfair.com, Vintage Poster Fair
Oct 15-16, (Sat) 10-6, (Sun) 10-5
This big and bold craft fair features a compendium of over 70 local and national craftsmen (and women) and features unique crafts like Japanese gyotako, wood-turning and tatting – which is not nearly as naughty as it sounds. Shoppers can also explore the fair's Craft Hour Morning Workshop as well as the E.M.E.R.G.E Craft Show Incubator, a program for first-time-to-show artists.
340 Dekalb Pike, Blue Bell 19422, 717-431-8706, handmade@pacrafts.org, PA Guild of Fine Craftsmen
The South
Oct 15, 9-5
A consortium of Etsy sellers — all located in the sun-baked area surrounding Fort Worth, Texas — have combined their craft powers for good and are hosting this fourth annual craft fair. Free admission, over 90 local artists and a climate-controlled setting (a big sell in Texas!) combine for a unique craft event.
Will Rogers Memorial Complex, Amon G. Carter Exhibits Hall, 3400 Burnett Tandy Drive, Fort Worth, TX, Cowtown Indie Bazaar
Oct 15-16, 9-5
Voted a top ten art fair by American Style Magazine, this diverse craft fair juxtaposes crafts like contemporary glass sculpture alongside traditional pottery. Learn more about southern basketmaking or blacksmithing via educational craft demos or browse the unique crafts, all while listening to local bluegrass music and chowing down on some spicy Cajun fare.
503 Main Avenue, Northport, AL, 35476, 205-758-1257, kentuck@kentuck.org, Kentuck Festival of Arts
The Midwest
Oct 14, Gates open at 6 pm
Not a craft event, but an "art happening," the unique Art Romp features trendy local crafters demo-ing their creativity via glass-blowing, metal-welding, fire-breathing, belly-dancing and more. You had us at fire-breathing.
Foundry Art Centre, 520 North Main Center, St. Charles, MO 63301, 636-255-0270. sarah@foundryartcentre.org, The Foundry Art Centre
Oct 15, 10-5
Support your local craft-slinger with this unique indie art show. Featuring over 100 local crafters, free admission and even a Craft Corner Deathmatch, this show is all for the benefit of independent crafters. Together, we can make it happen.
Gateway Film Center in the South Campus Gateway, 1550 N. High St in Columbus, OH, megan@craftinoutlaws.com, Craftin' Outlaws Alternative Craft Fair
Image credits (from top): mamas2hands.com, valentinequiltsworks.com, Kristi O'Harren / The Herald, Vintage Poster Fair, Pennsylvania Guild of Fine Craftsmen, flickr.com/1derwhy, Kentuck Festival of Arts, The Foundry Art Centre and Craftin' Outlaws.