CRAFT FAIRS: Shop for homemade gifts at local holiday marketplaces

Inquirer Staff, Journal Inquirer, Manchester, Conn.
·6 min read

Nov. 10—ELLINGTON — The Holiday Marketplace at the Nellie McKnight Museum, 70 Main St.,will be open through Dec. 19 for the holiday season.

The marketplace features a holiday boutique; the Mercantile offers Ellington-themed gifts and products by local artisans; the Vintage Wares Barn houses household items.

Proceeds support the Ellington Historical Society.

The Holiday Market Place will be open Saturdays through Dec. 18 and Black Friday, Nov. 25, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and Sundays, Nov. 27 to Dec. 19, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

For more information, visit: ellingtonhistsoc.org

THROUGH NOV. 20

VERNON — Arts Center East, 709 Hartford Turnpike, will present its annual Holiday Artisan Craft Fair for two weekends, showcasing more than 50 local and regional artisans and celebrating the season.

The handmade merchandise includes toiletries and self-care items, wood crafts, and home décor. The suggested maximum retail value is around $100, with most items priced less than $50.

Fair dates are Thursdays and Fridays, 1 to 5 p.m.; Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sundays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., through Nov. 20.

For more information, call 860-871-8222 or go to: artscentereast.org

FRIDAY — SATURDAY

COVENTRY — Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, 1600 Main St., will have its annual Christmas fair Friday from 6 to 9 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Features will include stitchery, handmade wooden items, pastries, and more. The kitchen will serve hot and cold foods for dine-in or take-out.

For more information, call 860-742-6355.

—ENFIELD — The annual craft fest at Enfield Congregational United Church of Christ, 1295 Enfield St., will be held Friday from 2 to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

A new feature includes an American Colonial Period broom squire with demonstrations and products for sale. The Farmhouse Café will offer dine-in or take-out fair favorites; Friday dinner will be available from 5 to 7 p.m. and and Saturday lunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

For more information, call 860-745-3646 or go to: enfielducc.org

—VERNON — Saint Bernard's Church Christmas Bazaar, 25 St. Bernard's Terrace, Rockville section, will be held Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Booths will include crafts, the Tiffany Table, toys, and more. The Women's Guild will offer lunch and dinner.

SATURDAY

COVENTRY — Second Congregational Church will have its Holiday Fair on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the church, 1746 Boston Turnpike.

There will be handmade holiday items, Cabot cheese, vendors, and more.

For more information, call 860-742-1616.

—MANCHESTER — Work_Space, 903 Main St., will host a Holiday Pop-Up Vendor Fair on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The fair will feature creations by local artists amidst the backdrop of the annual Perspectives art exhibit, this year themed "Perspectives on Our World," with work celebrating culture and heritage.

For more information, contact Traé Brooks at 860-647-3168 or Galleries@WORKSPACEmanchester.com.

—SOUTH WINDSOR — The Wapping Community Church will sponsor its annual Craft Fair, Baked Potato, and Homemade Baked Goods holiday fair on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the church, the white building at the corner of Oakland and Ellington roads and Sullivan Avenue.

Offerings will include children's books and puppets, health/beauty products, jewelry, and more.

NOV. 19

HARTFORD — The Ladies Guild of SS. Cyril and Methodius Church and the Polish Cultural Club of Greater Hartford will jointly host a Holiday Bazaar with a Polish Flair on Nov. 19 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at SS. Cyril and Methodius Church, 63 Popieluszko Court, directly behind the rectory at 55 Charter Oak Ave. and across the street from the Polish National Home.

The Ladies Guild will sell handmade potato/cheese pierogi, kielbasa, pastries, and other food for dining in or takeout; and there will be a jigsaw puzzle/games table, the Polish Cultural Club selling its recipe book, and more.

There will also be a display of Szopki, the traditional castle-like creches that originated in Kraków; linocut prints, pisanki, and more.

Proceeds from the Ladies Guild will benefit church programs and projects. Proceeds from the Polish Cultural Club of Greater Hartford will benefit its Jennie Marconi-Javorski Scholarship.

For more information, email francespudlo@att.net or call 860-659-0356.

NOV. 20

WEST HARTFORD — The Women's Fall Craft Celebration will be held at the Pond House Cafe at Elizabeth Park, 1555 Asylum Ave. entrance, on Nov. 20 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Twenty award winning Connecticut women artisans will display and sell their work.

The Pond House will serve brunch. Artists will be present to meet shoppers and discuss their work, which will include pottery, clothing, soap, and more.

Admission is free.

Raffle ticket proceeds will be donated to Foodshare.

For more information, email: womenscraftcelebration@gmail.com or visit womenscraftcelebration on Facebook.

NOV. 25-DEC. 24

MIDDLETOWN — The Wesleyan Potters annual sale, one of the oldest juried craft shows in New England, runs Nov. 25 through Dec. 24. Hours are: Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Friday, Monday, and Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

For more information, email: info@wesleyanpotters.com

NOV. 26-27

MONSON, Mass. — The Monson Arts Council's 43rd annual Holiday Craft Fair, which features hand crafted items, will be open Nov. 26 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Nov. 27 from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

More than 70 artisans, crafters, and non-profit organizations will offer items in four buildings in downtown Monson (Route 32 south, 200 Main St., Exit 63 off the Mass Pike): Memorial Hall, the House of Art, and the Universalist and Methodist churches.

For more information, visit: monsonartscouncil.org

DEC. 3

VERNON — First Congregational Church of Vernon, 695 Hartford Turnpike, will have its Holiday Fair on Dec. 3 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Choose from gift baskets, crafts, baked goods, and more. Stay for lunch.

For more information, call 860-875-7580.

DEC. 3-11

WILLIMANTIC — The Windham Textile and History Museum, 411 Main St., will sponsor a Holiday Shop Saturdays and Sundays, Dec. 3-11, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Mill Museum's Dugan Hall, 157-B Union St.

For more information, go to: millmuseum.org

—The Mill Museum will sell vendors' crafts during its Holiday Shop while artisans set up at another fair.

The fee is $65 for one weekend and $75 for two weekends. Send checks by Nov. 18 to: The Mill Museum, 411 Main St., Willimantic, CT. 06226. To obtain an application, contact Kira Holmes at director@millmuseum.org.