This is one huge weekend for Art and Craft shows throughout the Cleveland Area. I’d like to take a second to highlight a few shows where you can find some of the Cleveland Handmade Members:

You can find me (Valerie Tyler Designs) at the St. Albert PTO Craft Fair this Saturday. It’s a HUGE, and I mean really huge arts and craft show. Think three gigantic halls of artists and crafters, reasonable prices and all your holiday shopping complete in one day.

Details:

6667 Wallings Rd.
North Royalton, Ohio
8 am – 3 pm

Check out Copper Leaf Studios work at the Art Craft Building Show this entire weekend:

2570 Superior, 12-5 Sat, 12-9 Sun,More Details: www.artistsofcleveland.com/holidaysale.htm

You can find tons of the Etsy Cleveland Street Team at the Bizarre Bazaar

Saturday Dec 1st from Noon-9pm. This year it is at the Sincere Building at 2079 E. 4th Street in Cleveland. Cleveland Handmade will be representing with their own table including lovely designs by Ramona, Strawberry, Lemonade, KcJewelbox, Handmade and Monaco. Coterie, BuzzBuzz Designs, and Supastarr will have their own tables at the show as well. Check out the Cleveland Handmade page to check find links to many of the artists online stores.

A few other shows to check out:

Christmas by the Lake at Avon Lake High School
175 Avon-Belden Rd. (Rte. 83) Avon Lake, Ohio
9 am–3 pm $3 admission charge

Cleveland Etsy seller: Virtuallori

Garrettsville Holiday Social

Cleveland Etsy seller: LazyTcrochet

Artisan Bazaar at Laurel School, a Two-Day Event December 1st and 2nd,
Shaker Heights, Ohio

Cleveland Etsy seller: PetiteLibellule

D’Nora’s Holiday Open House
D’Nora’s Art Studio
32662 Center Ridge Rd.North Ridgeville, Ohio
9 am – 6 pm

Cleveland Etsy seller and Studio Owner: Dnoras

North Ridgeville First Congregational UCC Annual Craft Show
36363 Center Ridge Rd. North Ridgeville, Ohio
9 am–4 pm

Cleveland Etsy seller: Lazymamadesigns

Basically, just get in the car early in the a.m. Mark out a plan on the map and make a day of it. There’s certainly no end to the arts and crafts to be found this weekend!

This weekend (November 17th) is the Autumn Harvest of Fine Arts and Crafts which is a benefit for the Women’s Alliance for Recovery Services. It takes place at Rocky River Memorial Hall, 21016 Hilliard Road in Rocky River from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. With the selection of jewelry, household arts, scarves, clothing, photography and other handmade artisan items it’s a great opportunity to get a jump on your holiday shopping before the crush of mall crowds. Not only that, your $2 entry donation as well as their raffle benefits women in need.

This weekend is Open House for the Cleveland Institute of Art. It’s an opportunity for you to check out the residences, tour the school and meet the staff. Find more info atCIA open house registration

A handbag can be a work of art, and the perfect accessory for the most particular of divas. Ok, so I’m not the biggest purse diva, though I do sport a lovely *designer*(yeah, right) bag bought on the lovely streets of NYC. I can’t say I understand the concept of spending over thousands of bucks for…well…a bag. Especially a bag that looks like any other bag. I DO understand the importance of a gorgeous accessory though, which is why for all you discerning women I recommend that you check out the 3rd annual funky diva purse auction. If you truly want to be a trendsetter, pass up the waiting lists for overpriced “corporate” bags and bid on a truly gorgeous work of art!

The event takes place Saturday November 10th with the VIP reception from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and the main event continues from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at St. Josephat Arts Hall. VIP tickets are $100 and include a preview of the purses, open bar, hors d’oeurves, entertainment and a funky diva gift bag. Main Event tickets are $50 and include two drink tickets, entertainment and hors d’oeurves as well. Better yet, proceeds of the auction benefit the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center. Visit Funky Diva Purse Auction for specific details, maps and information.

You can bid on custom-made works of art by many local artists. Many are one-of a kind and highly unique.

Petitelibellule is one artist who has donated one of her masterpieces to the auction. Her purse designs are whimsical and unique, and sure to attract attention. You can bid on her”Over the Shoulder Boulder Holder” (seen below) at the auction. If you simply can’t wait until then several of her pieces may also be found at la petite libellule on Etsy.

I also find her Madam ChiChi and sac de Zodiaque bags quite striking and unique as well. Check them out below, and see if you don’t agree that they are absolutely darling, and definitely one-of-kind!

Need another reason to attend? Perhaps this bag by HiAnnie will entice you!  The color combination is absolutely fresh, and the design so natural.  I love that the handles bring out the colors in the accent design and the attention to detail.

I love it when the holidays are fast approaching. What I find really fun are all the holiday events and festivities that occur. Of course, with so many events it is often hard to choose which to attend. Personally, I’m not a huge fan of country kitsch, cross-stitch, or anything smacking of cheap materials. I’ve decided to compile a list of a few of my favorite arts and crafts bazaars, fairs and shopping events to help keep track of some great ideas for gift shopping (and some eye candy!) that have a few crafters and artists doing something special or shows that have tons to things to choose from. In addition, many of these are fundraising events or benefits so they offer the opportunity to be slightly charitable!

November 6th (preview night) and November 7th

Mrs. Claus’ Closet at Wagner’s Counrty Place in Westlake

This fundraiser for The Gathering Place is now in it’s 37th year. It’s a fine arts and crafts show with over 130 artists. If you want a sneak preview attend the wine and cheese event on November 6th for $25, if not regular admission is $5 on November 7th.

November 10th & 11th

Heartfelt Holiday @ Brecksville Center for the Arts

This shopping event is billed as an “upscale marketplace” and boasts over 50 artists in boutique settings, selling jewelry, pottery, home decor and gift items and more.

November 17th

Autumn Harvest of Fine Arts and Crafts at Rocky River Memorial Hall

A benefit for Women’s Alliance for Recovery Services, this show includes lots of one-of-a-kind items, accessories and gift items.

November 18th

Gifts from the Heart Holiday Boutique @ the Executive Caterers at Landerhaven

This event runs from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and a portion of the proceeds from the door entry fee and basket raffle benefit the Drew’s beads program at the Cleveland Clinic. Furthermore this show does not allow any manufactures representatives, but instead tries to have a well-balanced presentation of handmade items.