With Tax Day looming, what better way to celebrate your relief at being filed (or provide yourself with further distraction, if not) than a craft fair? Yarn Crawl LA, Washington D.C.'s Sugarloaf Craft Festival and CREATE South, a tech fair for newbie craft professionals, are just a few of this weekend's unique craft fairs and events.
While we can't write about every craft fair and marketplace happening across the country we do like to highlight a handful of notable ones each week. If you'd like more people to know about your event, list it on the Craft Map and we'll gladly consider it for coverage. You can also email us at info@craftfoxes.com.
The East
Sugarloaf Craft Festival April 13-15, (Fri & Sat) 10-6, (Sun) 10-5
Over 250 artisans from around the nation will gather at this weekend craft fair in Maryland, just outside Washington D.C. Interactive demos, entertainment for kids and a massive marketplace are just a few of the features offered.
Montgomery County Fairgrounds, 16 Chestnut Street, Gaithersburg, Maryland, 301-990-1400, sugarloafinfo@SugarloafFest.com, Free Admission for 12 and Under, Adult Admission $9, Sugarloaf Craft Festivals
The South
CREATE South April 14, 9-5
This annual South Carolina tech conference brings together those interested in the marketing side of crafting, such as blogging, branding and social media, and is great for beginner craft professionals. Expect hands-on demos, introductory presentations and lots of networking.
HGTC Convention and Business Center, 950 Crabtree Lane, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, info@createsouth.org, $10 Admission, CREATE South
Spring Bada-Bing April 15, 11-5
Brought to you buy the
Richmond Craft Mafia, this independent spring craft fair features recycled leather bracelets, trendy metal jewelry and upscale aprons as well as a happy abundance of mob-related puns. Delightful!
Plant Zero, 0 East 4th Street, Richmond, Virginia, springbadabing@gmail.com, Free Admission, Richmond Craft Mafia
The Midwest
Urbana-Champaign Mini Maker Faire April 14, 10-4
Chicago hosts this small installment of the Maker Faire, a family-friendly craft event, which celebrates making over finishing. There will be a kid DIY station via
CU Fab Lab, locally grown food stalls and the general excitement of science buffs getting geeky.
The West
Yarn Crawl LA CountyApril 12-15, Hours vary
Another craft event that launches this week is a yarn crawl throughout California's Los Angeles county. Knit and crochet enthusiasts can purchase a Yarn Crawl Passport and then tramp through all the trendy independent yarn boutiques. Need a ride? The event is even organizing carpools.
Various locations around Los Angeles, California, layarncrawl@gmail.com, 818-840-0800, Yarn Crawl LA
Northern California's Cherry Blossom Festival April 14 & 15, 21 & 22, Hours vary
This annual event, now in its 45th year, celebrates the blooms as well as Japanese crafts. Check out shishu (embroidery) or washi ningyo (paper dolls) demos. Or, held during the same weekends, stop by
Bazaar Bizarre and the art gallery
New People's joint collaboration, a vertical craft village marketplace.
Japantown, Post and Buchanan Streets, San Francisco, California, info@sfcherryblossom.org, 415-563-2313, Free Admission, NCCBA
The Bella Bazaar Art and Gift Show April 13-14, (Fri) 2-10, (Sat) 10-8
Utah hosts this spring craft fair premiering this weekend. The handmade marketplace promises gourmet sweets, chic jewelry and unique gifts.
550 North University Avenue, Provo, Utah, info@thebellabazaar.com, Free Admission, The Bella Bazaar
Image credits (from top): CREATE South, VagabondJewelry.net, CREATE South, FisticuffsLeather.com, Urbana Champaign Mini Maker Faire, Yarn Crawl LA, NCCBA and The Bella Bazaar
