Family Matters: Buy Handmade this 2011 Holiday Season

Shop local.  Shop handmade. You may have heard it before, but it can’t be stressed enough. When we buy from our local artisans, we are not only buying beautiful unique items, we are supporting our community and showing our children the importance of individuals–their craft and their business. Holiday arts and crafts shows are in full bloom this time of year. It’s a great time to shop for the holidays and stock up for gifts in the coming year.

Be sure to check out these local shows and year-round shops selling handmade goods. If you know of others in your area, please add them to the comments.

3rd Annual Chez Pascal Craft Sale
Support local artists and the Rhode Island Food Bank. This small salon style show will feature a handful of local artists. Shop scarves, art, jewelry, metal home accessories, pottery and more!
Note: Before creating Kidoinfo, I made my living as a craft artist. I will be showing and selling my metal clocks and home accessories at Chez Pascal again this year!

Location: Chez Pascal — 960 Hope St., Providence, RI
When: Sunday, Dec. 4th, 11 AM – 3 PM
Cost: Admission is free. Please bring food to donate to the Food Bank.

10th Annual Craftland Show
While the Craftland Shop is open year round, it will soon shift gears from the shop to the annual month-long holiday sale. Featuring over 200 artists, the Craftland Show is where you will find everything from silk-screened onesies, stuffed toys in the form of slabs of bacon, as well as fine jewelry and paintings. Always eclectic and fresh, with special events scheduled throughout the month.

Location: 235 Westminster Street, Providence.
When: November 25 – December 31, 7 days a week, 10 AM – 6 PM. Open late on selected evenings.
Cost: Admission is free.

Special Events:

• Craftland Show Super Celebration Bash: Friday, December 2nd, 5-9pm. The first 150 shoppers receive highly-coveted goodie bags stuffed with freebies, coupons and more. Plus delicious snacks, drinks, and fun activities!
• BUY ART Reception Thursday, December 8th, 5-8pm.
• Meet the Artists Evening: Demos and refreshments! Thursday, December 15th, 5-8pm.
• Midnight Madness: Open till midnight! Friday, December 23rd, 10am-12am.
• Free coffee from White Electric on Saturdays!

The Foundry Show
The 29th annual Foundry Show encompasses both fine art and functional craft with works in a range of media, styles and functions including jewelry, ceramics, textiles, wood, home furnishings, clothing paintings, sculpture and photography. The show is on the first two weekends in December with a Gala Opening night (featuring live music and refreshments). A Charity Benefit Silent Auction showcasing items donated by each Foundry Artist will start on opening night.

Location: Pawtucket Armory, 172 Exchange Street, Pawtucket.
When: Friday, Dec 2nd, Noon – 8 PM
Saturday, Dec 3th, 10:00 AM – 8 PM
Sunday, Dec 4th, 10:00 AM – 6 PM
Friday, Dec 9th, Noon – 8 PM
Saturday, Dec 10th, 10 AM – 8 PM
Sunday, Dec 11th, 10 AM – 6 PM
Opening Gala – Thursday, Dec 1st from 5 – 9 PM
Cost: Admission is free (donations of canned goods are encouraged–they’ll be given to the RI Food Bank)

Rag and Bone Holiday Open Studio Sale
Rag and Bone Bindery is kicking off the holiday season in a big way by inviting customers into their world of quality handmade albums and journals. The bindery company will also be offering drop-in papercraft workshops for adults & kids as well as discounts on a wide selection of items.

Location: Rag and Bone Bindery — 1088 Main Street, Pawtucket.
When: Saturday, Dec. 10th, 10 AM – 2 PM
Cost: Admission is free.

Festival Fete Holiday Market
festival features an extraordinary collection of over 100 Contemporary American Craft artists, strolling entertainment, a farmers market, and children’s crafts and entertainment.

Location: Rhode Island Convention Center, 1 Sabin Place, Providence, RI
When: November 25th & 26th, 2011
Cost: $5, children under 12 are FREE.

Trunk Show with jewelers Micki Whelan and Leslie Block
Location: Cladin Wayland Square – 497 Angell St., Providence 02906
When: Saturday Dec. 3rd, 10 AM – 5:30 PM.  Sunday Dec., 4th, 11 AM – 5 PM

Boat House Holiday Sale
Local affordable handmade gifts.
Location: Aspray Boat House, Pawtuxet Village
When: Saturday December 10th,  10 AM – 6 PM

RISD Alumni Holiday Art Sale
Alumni from all over the world come back to Providence with thousands of items for sale, including toys, fine art, greeting cards, jewelry, furniture, clothing, ceramics, and much more. Admission is $7, free for children under 14 and current RISD students.
Location: Rhode Island Convention Center, One Sabin Street, Providence.
When: Saturday, Dec. 3rd, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM. (Arrive early to avoid–or to get a good place in–a long line.)
Cost: $7 admission

Craftopia
Presenting a keen collection of local artists and crafters creating a one-of-a-kind seasonal shopping opportunity.
Location: Hope Artiste Village – 999 Main Street, Pawtucket RI
When: Sunday, November 20th and Sunday December 11th from 10 AM – 4 PM
Cost: Free

OCRS Snowflake Bazaar
Shop from over 50 vendors including Kidoinfo contributing writer Elyse Major!
Location: 200 Old County Road, Smithfield RI
When: Saturday December 3, 9 AM – 3 PM

Ocean State Artisans 20th Annual Holiday Craft Festival
Location: CCRI, Knight Campus — 400 East Ave, Warwick
When: November 25 & 26. Friday, 10 AM -5 PM. Saturday, 9 AM – 4 PM

Audubon Holiday Craft Fair
Location: Audubon Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge — 12 Sanderson Rd, Smithfield
When: December 3, 10 AM – 4 PM

BUY ART
The city of Providence supports the arts with their new BUY ART program. When you shop from downcity merchants this holiday season you will receive a limited edition “I BUY ART” button created by Providence artists. Find out more about participating venues and local events at BuyArtProvidence.com.

Shop handmade locally all year long!

Kreatelier: 804 Hope Street, Providence, RI, 02906
Line and Pernilla. the owners of Kreatelier play a unique and vital role in the local community, not just by offering beautiful hand crafted wares of their own design and local artisans for sale but also by fostering a space in which people get inspired, learn about simple home solutions, exchange creative ideas or participate in workshops.

Studio Hop: 810 Hope Street  Providence, RI 02906

Craftland Shop: 235 Westminster Street, Providence
This co-op shop sells handmade goods all year round.

ModMama: 16 South Angell Street, Providence, RI 02906
A full service baby and kid’s shop for modern parents and families. The shop also features many locally made goods.

Roseberry-Winn Pottery & Tile: 3842 Main Road, Tiverton, RI
Roseberry-Winn sells low-relief patterned porcelain vases, lamps, serving ware and tile (all made by the artists), as well as hand-silk-screened pillows, and other home accents.