Shop Local Holiday Arts and Crafts Shows

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. 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. If you know of others in your area, please add them to the comments.

Chez Pascal Holiday Gift Sale
Shop for handmade gifts, support a local charity (www.pawswatch.org) and eat from your favorite mobile food truck all in one day…and oh the bar will be open.
Participating Artists: Deb Hickey, Karen, Miller, Beth Falk, Jan Willett, Ruth Scotch, Anisa Raoof, Christine Guanipa, Karissa Chase, Pam Laurenzo.

Location: 960 Hope Street, Providence
When: Sunday, December 5, 11am – 3pm.

Craftland Holiday Show features products from 200 artists from around New England and the entire country. Craftland shoppers will find an expanded store filled-to-the-brim with  thousands of thoughtfully made items from handmade housewares and masterfully-crafted handbags, to adorable stuffed animals, cozy crocheted and knitted goods, one-of-a-kind art pieces, beautiful books, clothing, and the now-famous print wall, featuring dozens of screen printed pieces in a variety of prices and sizes. With prices from $1 to $300, there are handmade goodies for every budget. As always, purchases from Craftland are tax-free. Park at the Grant’s Block parking lot for two hours free with a validation stamp from Craftland.  More parking information can be found on the Craftland Show website.

Location: 235 Westminster Street, Providence
When: November 26 — December 31, 2010
Open seven days a week 10am – 6pm. (Open late Thursdays and Saturdays 10am – 8pm)
Craftland Show Opening Party: Thursday, December 2, 5-9pm
Meet the Artists Evening: Thursday, December 16th, 5-8pm

jewelry by K. O’Brien Jewelry :: pin cushion by Made in Lowell :: nightlight by Happy Owl Glassworks :: canning labels by River Dog Prints :: belt buckle by Buncombe Buckles :: plush monsters by Sappy Mouse Tree ::  map journal by Kristin Crane

The Foundry Show 2010 will feature more than 65 local artists.  Formed nearly 30 years ago by a community of artists working in their Foundry Building studios in Providence, RI, the group has since expanded its size and scope, becoming one of the premier artisan collectives in the area.  The group consists of artists and craftspeople from Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut, offering a wide array of original works of fine art and functional crafts in every type of medium.  Each year, a silent auction is held to benefit local organizations.  This year’s beneficiaries are The Providence Animal Rescue League and the Pawtucket Armory Center for the Arts.  For more information, visit The Foundry Show website.

Location: The Pawtucket Armory, Center for the Arts, 172 Exchange Street, Pawtucket, RI 02860
When: Friday, December 3rd, 12-8pm. Saturday, December 4th, 10-8pm. Sunday, December 5th, 10-6pm. Friday, December 10th, 12-8pm. Saturday, December 11th, 10-8pm.  Sunday, December 12th, 10-6pm
Opening reception: Thursday, December 2, 5-9pm

ceramic mugs by Bruce Winn :: pillow by Balanced Design :: mixed media by ArtHead Studio :: handbag by Blue Maya Designs :: illustration by Eric Sturtevant

RISD Alumni Holiday Art Sale features thousands of items designed and created by alumni from all over the country and the world. Items for sale include fine art, home accessories, greeting cards, jewelry, paintings, furniture, rugs, clothing, photographs, glass and ceramics.  For more information, visit RISD Alumni Sale.

Location: RI Convention Center, 1 Sabin St, Providence
When: December 4, 10am-5pm
Admission: $7; children under 14 + current RISD students (with ID)

Rag & Bone Bindery Holiday Open Studio Sale
Rag & Bone Bindery offers a wide variety of custom handmade journals, albums, baby books day planners, etc., all of which will be on hand and for sale during the event.  In addition, there will be open studio deals on one-of-a-kind products, with as much as 25% off regular priced merchandise, and 50%-70% off of already reduced clearance items. Two “re-purposed book” workshops will be at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. and the class fee of $15 will include all materials and the tutorial.  Pre-registration is suggested.

Location: Rag & Bone Bindery Studio – 1088 Main Street, Pawtucket, RI  02860
When: Saturday, December 11th. 10:00AM – 4:00PM
The studio sale is free and open to the public.

Ocean State Artisans 20th Annual Holiday Craft Festival
Location: CCRI, Knight Campus – 400 East Ave, Warwick
When: November 26 & 27. Friday, 10am-5pm. Saturday, 9am-4pm

Winter Carnival
Location: St Ann Arts and Cultural Center – 84 Cumberland St, Woonsocket
When: November 27-28. Saturday, 9am-5pm. Sunday, Noon-5pm

Audubon Holiday Craft Fair
Location: Audubon Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge – 12 Sanderson Rd, Smithfield
When: December 4, 10am-4pm

The Spirit of Christmas Arts & Crafts Festival
Location: St Philomena School, Portsmouth
When: December 4, 10am-4pm

The Junior League of RI Holiday Marketplace
Location: Hope Artiste Village – 1005 Main St, Pawtucket
When: December 11, 10am-3pm

CRAFT-O-RAMA is downtown New Bedford’s seasonal open market for artists, designers, crafters, vintage sellers, & more! The HOLIDAY POP-UP SHOP is a special 3- day event. To find out more, e-mail nb.craftorama@gmail.com
Location: Purchase St, Downtown New Bedford, MA, 02740
When: December 10 – 14

Check the 2009 Holiday Shopping List for more ideas.

Linda Cox Demers moved to Barrington from Chicago with her husband and her two boys, ages 13 and 9.   She runs her handbag and accessories business, à la mode, from home.  As an independent designer, Linda enjoys promoting local artists and the “buy handmade” movement. Visit her blog at www.alamodestuffblog.com.