Unless you are under thirteen. Then, yes these are your mama’s craft fairs. And aren’t you lucky! We are in a time where people are returning to the wonderful world of the handmade and making some incredible items.
If you are wanting to shop locally this holiday season and support your local artisans, there are craft fairs starting this weekend and continuing all season long. We’ve also added some other shopping events to this list. Remember, you can always shop locally handmade products at Wholly Craft, Celebrate Local and the Etsy Team Columbus store inside of CS Gallery. As well as all of our normal local shops! For more great gift ideas, stay tuned for our upcoming Holiday Gift Guide, once again graciously sponsored by the Columbus Museum of Art Store.
Green With Envy – A Recrafter’s Art Faire. 
Saturday, November 10 and Sunday, November 11. Etsy Team Columbus and Franklin Park Conservatory’ and Botanical Garden’s first artistic collaboration! This eco-friendly faire will be held in the Conservatory’s Veridian. Free. Hours: Saturday (November 10: 10-5) and Sunday (November 11: 12-5). Shoppers who spend $20 or more at individual vendors’ booths will be given a receipt that can be redeemed at the Etsy information booth for either a $25 or $50 gift card to any Etsy.com online shops. Gifts: Stationary, Wool-felt hair accessories, clutches, rings, baby goods, pottery, plushies, clothes, jewerly, art, and more!
Holiday “Shop Around” at Grange Insurance Audubon Center. Saturday, November 10. Grange Insurance Audubon Center, 505 W Whittier Street. Gifts: arts, crafts, gifts for gardeners, bird lovers, hats, clothes, books and more! Past vendors include photographers, painters, jewelers, Wild Birds Unlimited, Global Gallery, fabric artists, and sculptors. We also provide refreshments and have a feature workshop on native plants and a 360 degree bubble. Free. Food Trucks: Tatoheads and The Green Meanie. Kids Activities.
Craftin’ Outlaws. Saturday, November 17. 11am-5pm. Gateway Film Center. Shop as an Early Bird from 10am-11am to become eligable for prizes in our Early Bird Raffle. Raffle items include gift certificate, free photo session and other amazing prizes from our sponsors. The first 100 prepaid early birds receive a free Outlaws tote. Early Bird passes cost $5.00 and will be available day of show. Proceeds from the raffle will be donated to Project: Zero Ohio. Otherwise, Craftin’ Outlaws is Free. Craftin’ Outlaws showcases ‘alternative’ crafts from all over the Midwest. Gifts: clothing, jewelry, paintings, posters, ceramics, knitted accessories, stuffed animals, soap, stationery, skateboards, and home décor. Refreshments available for purchase.
Columbus Fall Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show. Sunday, November 18. 1:30pm-6:30pm. The Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 555 N High St. Admission is $3, children under 12 are free. A portion of proceeds will benefit Columbus Ohio’s Pets Without Parents, a non-profit, no-kill, all-breed shelter for dogs and cats. Nearly 100 artists and crafters will be selling their original handmade items. The show will also feature a la carte lunch items from Berwick Manor Banquet Catering.
Dublin Arts Council Gift Shop Holiday Open House. November 27 – December 1. 7125 Riverside Drive in Dublin. Tuesday from 10am-7pm, Wednesday-Friday from 10am-5pm, Saturday from 11am-2pm. 30% discount on all merchandise, including uniquely Dublin and Irish-themed artwork from the Gift Shop’s Celtic Corner. Gifts: handmade items by local artists, holiday ornaments and cards, jewelry, ceramics, host and hostess gifts and more.
Winterfair. November 30 – December 2. At the Ohio Expo Center at the Ohio State Fairgrounds. Hours: Friday and Saturday: 10am-8pm, Sunday: noon to 5pm. Admission is $7. 12 and under are free. Free return. Art, leather goods, wood, jewelry, sculpture, glass, furniture, photography and more.
North Market for the Holiday Open House & Craft Extravaganza on Saturday, December 1 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, December 2 from 12-5 p.m. Merchants will be offering samples. Find forty-five local artisans and crafters on the second floor. Gifts: jewelry, glass, textiles, bath and body products and knitted items and more! Local musicians will provide holiday tunes to shop and dine by and the kids will enjoy the face painting and the Nutcracker Toy Solider. You’ll also be able to find your Christmas Tree on Saturday from 8am-12pm.
Crafty Mama Sale at Sprout Soup, 3286 N. High Street. Saturday, December 1. “Once again we open the Peaceful Sprout Community room to talented and creative local moms! Vendors: Young Love Design, My Wool Baby, Women of the Wildwood, Big Caboose, Infantaisle, Ella’s Silks and Stuff, Happy Family Brands, Karma Hudson. Our Crafty Mama Craft Fair will take place on Saturday, December 1 from 10am to 2pm. Come on out and support these wonderful moms and cross a few more names off your holiday list!”
Crafts Gone Wild! Saturday, December 8 at Wild Goose Creative. Crafts Gone Wild! is an interactive crafting event being held at Wild Goose Creative on Saturday, December 8th from 11am to 5pm. Established crafters, and the latest up-and-comers who are just beginning to sell their crafty wares. There’s free parking in the back lot, and more on the street. The third annual Crafts Gone Wild will have awesome local vendors selling unique goods (just in time for holiday shopping!), swag bags for visitors, mischievous fun, and more.
Junctionview Studios Holiday Art Market. Sunday, December 16 at 2:00pm. Free. The artists of Junctionview Studios (889 Williams Avenue in Grandview Heights) invite you to come visit, view, and purchase hundreds of works of art by some of Columbus’ best local artists. Guests will be greeted with hot drinks, snacks and raffle items provided by generous area businesses.
And a bit off the beaten path:
Hayley & Captain’s Yard Sale. Saturday, November 10. 11am-5pm. 1233 Hamlet St. just north of E. 5th Ave. in Weinland Park. Finds: Clothes, furniture, art, oddities, dvds. Possibly a massive cheese platter.
Enjoy shopping locally!