This weekend's craft fairs offer a welcome breeze of inspiration during Lent (aka, the sad man's New Year). Whether or not you create any Lenten-resolutions, fairs like the contemporary American Craft Council and the cozy Akron Home and Flower Show will offer a few stylish treats to satisfy any crafty palette.

The East

American Craft Council Show
Feb 24-26, (Fri) 10-8, (Sat) 10-6, (Sun) 10-5 

The American Craft Council, a craft-promoting nonprofit, hosts its 36th craft fair in Baltimore. The massive marketplace will showcase several unique departments like the Greencraft, which markets only recycled or repurposed materials, as well as several hundred crafters from around the nation. 

Baltimore Convention Center, 1 West Pratt Street, Baltimore, Maryland, council@craftcouncil.org, 612-206-3100, American Craft Council

Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival XXIII

Feb 23-26, (Thur-Fri) 10-6, (Sun) 10-4

Quilt workshops, lectures and a massive marketplace will be just a few features at this fiber and wearable art craft fair. Held this year in Virginia, this show, designed specifically for quilt lovers and textile crafters, will also host several fabric competitions, a bingo-styled giveaway and more.

Hampton Roads Convention Center, 1610 Coliseum Drive, Hampton Virginia, mancuso@quiltfest.com, Mancuso Show Management

The South

That Takes the Cake! Show 
Feb 25-26, (Sat) 10:30-6, (Sun) 9-5 

Capital Confectioners, an Austin-based nonprofit, hosts its 8th annual cake competition for local hobby decorators. This year's challenge will explore a Renaissance theme. While crafters browse gumpaste and fondant sculptures, they can also check out the mini-classes, a Celebrity Decorating Panel and even classes taught by cake-decorating celebrities. 

North Austin Event Center, 10601 North Lamar Boulevard, Austin, Texas, press@capitalconfectioners.com, 512-371-3401, That Takes the Cake

The Midwest

Akron Home and Flower Show 

Feb 24-26, (Fri-Sat) 11-9, (Sun) 11-6 

This spring-inspired home decor and gardening show, now in its 18th year, will also offer an Art and Craft Showcase. Look out for educational seminars from experts like The Duct Tape Guys and Mike McGrath, radio host of You Bet Your Garden; cooking demos and, of course, hundreds of home and garden displays.

John S. Knight Center, 77 East Mill Street, Akron, Ohio, info@akronhomeandflowershow.com, Akron Home and Flower Show

The West

Fresno Handmade Bazaar

Feb 25, 12-5 

As a smaller craft fair, this Fresno-based marketplace creates a cozy yet trendy charm that only indie shows seem to capture. Expect a variety of local crafters, including Etsy jewelry seller Make Pie Not War and funky crafter Swell Designers. 

 

Fulton 55, 875 Divisadero Street, Fresno, California, soulflowergroup@gmail.com, Fresno Handmade Bazaar

PrimeXpo Jewelry, Bead and Gift Show 

Feb 24-26, (Fri-Sun) 11-6 

This Nevada jewelry show hosts a massive bead, gem and tool marketplace. Shoppers can enter a raffle for a $3,000 necklace, browse the wares of jewelry vendors from around the world or even gain free admission tickets.

Ring Convention Center, 219 N Center Street, Reno Nevada, info@PrimeXpousa.com, PrimeXpo 

Bay Area Quilt, Craft and Sewing Festival

Feb 23-25, (Thurs-Fri) 10-5 

San Francisco celebrates its favorite fiber arts with this needlework craft show. Shoppers can expect classes, the latest sewing patterns and tools as well as free admission (with a Recession-inspired coupon). 

San Mateo County Event Center, 1346 Saratoga Drive, San Mateo, California, vickiehundert@msn.com, Quilt, Craft, Sew 

Image credits (from top): Alana Little / Make War Not Pie, American Craft Council, Mancuso Show Management, Kathleen Boyce / Capital Confectioners, Akron Home and Flower Show, Swell Designers, PrimeXpo and Quilt, Craft, Sew.