by Noella Noelophile™
Wow. How did this happen?
Five minutes ago, we were in the middle of summer. Now, Thanksgiving’s coming up, in less than two weeks. So, by the time everyone’s munching on leftover turkey sandwiches, there will be–gasp!–twenty-six days till Christmas.
Christmas is so NOT about shopping. But no one denies that giving a gift to someone you love, and watching his or her face light up, has to rank in life’s top-ten experiences.
And if you’d like to give unique, handcrafted gifts made in the USA and support independent artists, here are a list of upcoming crafts festivals and special places you might like to check out, for your Christmas 2013 shopping. You could have a lot of fun in the process!
Patchwork Show Modern Handmade Festival
California Dates/Times:
November 17, Long Beach, 11 am – 5 pm, 5255 Paoli Way.
November 24, Oakland, 11 am – 5 pm, Jack London Square Pavilion, 98 Broadway.
December 1, Santa Ana. 11 am – 5 pm, 125 North Broadway.
The Patchwork Show was created by artist/entrepreneur/writer/general renaissance woman Nicole Stevenson, with the idea of creating a vendor-friendly venue and “making cool stuff happen where you are”. And has she ever! She and her aunt/fellow creative entrepreneur and co-founder, Delilah Snell, now run six of these shows a year–and they just added an “edible edition”, in Costa Mesa, this past October. And, heads-up if you’d like to give an “experience” gift to someone this year–they also host an incredible craft entrepreneurs’ conference, called “Craftcation”, every spring. Craftcation 2014 is accepting registrations now!
When Chicago-based independent artist Susie Daly couldn’t find a venue for new artisans in 2002, she created one! And her idea took off: Brooklyn, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Austin and London now have all gone “Renegade”! A definite, fun plus here–besides the unique and eclectic crafts that include jewelry, wind chimes, soaps and clothing–Susie’s husband Mat Daly created the Renegade Fair’s signature owl. So every year, he creates a new poster and T-shirt, incorporating the owl–and this year’s is especially gorgeous!
California Dates/Times:
December 14 and 15, 10 am – 5 pm, Los Angeles, Los Angeles State Historic Park, 1245 North Spring Street.
December 21 and 22, 11 am – 6 pm, San Francisco, Concourse Exhibition Center, 635 8th Street (at Brannan).
CRAFTED at the Port of Los Angeles
Last year, the Port of Los Angeles found itself with two open, available warehouses. The question was–what to do with the space? More than twenty options were on the table. In the end, they decided to go with a proposed year-round craft marketplace, which opened in June of 2012.
Their decision proved an excellent choice.
Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, CRAFTED hosts live performances, DIY workshops, and food trucks. Special occasions they’ve hosted include Etsy parties, and they always have new additions to their more-than-100-exhibiting artists in Warehouse Ten, the first of the two warehouses they’ve renovated.
Last Christmas season, they celebrated with “Twelve Days of Craftsmas” sessions, where they taught attendees to make Christmas ornaments and jewelry using everything from fused glass and shrink paper to nautical knots! When you stop in for a visit, say “hi” to new tenants the San Pedro Art Association. And check out the brand-new (huge) weaving loom, courtesy of Dana Chapital Pecot of The Indigo Isle!
California Dates/Times:
Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 11 am to 6 pm, San Pedro, Warehouses Nine and Ten, 110 & 112 E. 22nd Street. 
This one is a brand-new “Christmas gift” to us “crafty” folks! Ardent crafters/artists Eva Lacy and Danielle Ochoa just opened A Little-Known Shop last May. They exhibit the handmade work of more than thirty independent artists on-site, including scented soap, hand-stitched stuffed toys and some very cool tiny earrings that I, personally, couldn’t resist buying!
They’re also very community-active. In their shop’s six months of existence, Eva and Danielle have already worked with The Makery‘s Lisa Cherry on “Crafternoons”, a series of summer art workshops for kids, as well as participating in a “Summer Series” art gallery and craft show, and creating a documentary about opening their small business for like-minded entrepreneurs!
Admittedly, you’ll have to look for this one–you won’t see the plaza in which it’s located, when you first drive up. But look for the “Community” sign, step through an archway and you’ll find yourself in a creative-entrepreneur’s special place. Can’t wait to see what they’ll come up with, for Christmas season 2013!
California Dates/Times:
Tuesdays through Fridays, 10 am – 7 pm; Saturdays, 11 am – 6 pm, Anaheim, .423 South Brookhurst Street (south of West Broadway), Suite “M”.