San Francisco craft fairs offer hip, handmade holiday goods
Posted by Sherezada on Nov 25, 2009
The holidays seem to arrive earlier each year, and with them, the pressure to buy, buy, buy. There are many alternatives, though, to purchasing mass-produced products from malls and mega-websites — making your own gifts, buying handmade goods, or donating to charitable organizations.
If you don’t have the time to craft your own presents, you can still keep the spirit of the season by doing your holiday shopping at independent craft fairs, many of which benefit charitable or community organizations. These events are not only a great place to score one-of-a-kind finds, but offer buyers a chance to meet the makers themselves.
San Francisco is a haven for the handmade renaissance, and offers plenty of unique craft fairs during the holiday season. Featuring live music or DJs, cocktails, refreshments, and/or crafty activities, these fairs often have a relaxed, community vibe that you won’t find at your average shopping outlet. Hint: Be sure to stock up on cash before you hit up these fairs, since many vendors don’t accept credit cards or checks.
Celebration of Craftswomen
November 28-29 and December 5-6
Herbst Pavilion, Fort Mason Center (near the Fisherman’s Wharf Hostel)
Admission: $8.50 / $6.50 Seniors, students, and people with disabilities / Free for children 12 and under. Save $2 with this coupon.
Now in its 31st year, the Celebration of Craftswomen offers a unique opportunity to find one-of-a-kind holiday gifts, fine crafts, and contemporary art all made by women. The show features the work of 300 female artists (150 different artists during each of the fair’s two weekends), offering luxury personal care items, home accessories, paper goods and frames, dining wares, lighting, photography, paintings, and more. Complimenting the work will be live music, gourmet food, and a silent auction. More info
Handmade Ho Down
December 3
1015 Folsom Nightclub
Admission: Free
Part craft fair, part cocktail party, part charity event, the Handmade Ho Down showcases new, local artisan talent. Sip on drinks while you shop for unique handcrafted goods such as letterpress cards, screen prints using organic and reclaimed materials, one-of-a-kind jewelry, fabric arts, and things that defy categorization. DJs, raffle drawings, a photo booth, free swag bags, and gift wrapping stations round out this event benefiting Drawbridge, an arts program for homeless children. More info
Lightbox: The Holiday Craft Hour
December 5
The Makeout Room
Admission: Free
Lightbox — a support network for local artists — hosts its third "Craft Hour" at San Francisco’s Makeout Room in the Mission District, just in time for the holidays. Part happy hour, part trunk show, this event features unique, handmade goods selling for $50 or less. Come enjoy drink specials, mingle with artists, and find that perfect holiday gift. More info
KPFA Crafts and Music Fair
December 12-13
Concourse Exhibition Center
Admission: $10 / $7 Seniors (65 and over) and persons with disabilities / Free for children under 17
KPFA — the country’s first nonprofit listener-sponsored, free speech public radio station — presents its 39th annual Crafts and Music Fair in San Francisco. The largest juried holiday crafts market in Northern California, the event draws thousands of KPFA listeners and supporters for a celebration of arts, music, and free speech radio. Each year, the fair’s panel of judges selects more than 200 of America’s finest artisans and artists to participate. Visitors can also listen and dance to live music hosted by popular KPFA personalities during the fair, as non-stop performances by jazz, hip hop, bluegrass, spoken word, world music, and blues artists grace the fair’s stage.
Complimentary shuttles to the fair are provided, departing from the MUNI bus stop at 8th and Market (next to the Civic Center BART station), as well as the Caltrain station at 4th and King streets. More info
Bazaar Bizarre San Francisco
December 12-13
San Francisco County Fair Building, Golden Gate Park
Admission: $2
Bazaar Bizarre San Francisco is a handmade market, indie entertainment extravaganza, and do-it-yourself (DIY) festival all under one roof! With 100+ carefully juried artists and designers from across the country attending, shoppers will find the creme de la creme of indie goods: handbags, pottery, letterpress stationary, silk-screened T-shirts, baby clothes, body products, and more.
It’s not just about the shopping at Bazaar Bizarre. Groove all weekend with crafty DJs from Slide and Spin Studios. Make-and-take your own DIY projects, strike a pose in the Magnolia photo booth, or try your luck in the free raffles. Be sure to check out the book signings and workshops by crafty authors such as Jenny Hart of Sublime Stitching. Also, for $5 and a bag of clothes you can enter the famous clothing swap and workshop Swap-O-Rama-Rama, where DIY experts help you cut, sew, print, and personalize your up-cycled fashion finds. More info
Root Division Under 100 "H" Sale
December 12
Root Division Gallery
Admission: $1-$10 sliding scale
Root Division — a San Francisco community arts organization — gathers more than 30 of the Bay Area’s finest local artisans and emerging artists for a one-night-only art sale where everything’s priced under $100. Browse through unique drawings, paintings, photographs, handmade jewelry, fair trade clothing, knitwear made from recycled yarn, and more. Enjoy drinks and DJs while you shop, and know that your dollars are helping support not only local artists, but Root Division’s youth education program. More info
Renegade Craft Fair Holiday Sale
December 19-20
Herbst Pavilion, Fort Mason Center (near the Fisherman’s Wharf Hostel)
Admission: Free
The first Renegade Craft Fair Holiday Sale in San Francisco celebrates the crafty holiday spirit of the Bay Area. A unique DIY event with festivals spanning four cities, Renegade Craft Fair showcases hundreds of the most talented local artists and crafters. Find all sorts of cool handmade stuff, including clothing, jewelry, plush items, stationery, holiday items, posters, prints, and much more. More info