Craft fairs have historically been derided as places where amateurs share handmade wares that no one would want to purchase (or receive as a gift). That is no longer the case. As larger companies (cough: Amazon) have stepped onto the scene, it has become more difficult to find things that are actually unique and personal.
I have always been a crafter, though I haven’t always been proud of it. “Crafting” is a deeply gendered phrase that often devalues the artistic contributions of women and relegates them to the county fair (not to hate on county fairs — from sixth to eighth grade I showed my pipe-cleaner crafts to audiences I would have never otherwise reached). Women “craft,” yet men get to be “makers” and show at celebrated “maker faires.” But the concept of a craft fair is getting a new lease on life thanks to the artists who sell their products there.
Disclaimer: These products are artisanal, and artisanal products are getting a bad rap for being overpriced and emblematic of the wealthy. But the high price is often what it takes for these local artists to survive.
Here are a number of craft fairs that show in the Bay Area and/or Los Angeles. I’ve marked the dates — most of them haven’t happened yet, but the ones that have passed are annual. I’ve also spotlighted some of our favorite artists, who offer a range of gifts. I can’t stress enough that none of these vendors has paid me to say these things. I’m simply an avid fan of the homemade, and I want to share my finds with you.
✨ CRAFT FAIRS ✨
Renegade Craft Fair
LA: December 9–10; San Francisco: November 11–12
Renegade is a national mainstay, with locations in several major cities in the US (and in London)! It has had, perhaps, the largest hand in the rebranding of craft fairs as modern and trendy. Both LA and SF host Renegade in famous venues: LA’s is at the State Historic Park, and SF’s is at Fort Mason. Renegade has both a spring and a winter touring date. Here’s their Instagram.
Urban Air Market
Oakland: December 3, Jack London Square
This craft fair, or “air market,” is the largest outdoor festival and marketplace dedicated to sustainability. They even have their own holiday gift guide that spotlights some of their artists by category.
Unique Markets
LA: December 2–3, California Market Center
From their website: “Over $10 million has been spent at our pop-up marketplaces, and we’ve worked with and have featured close to 10,000 entrepreneurs!” Admittedly, I haven’t gone to this one yet, but I am titillated. The space is apparently the size of two full football fields. Of course, their Instagram is great.
SF Bazaar
SF: regular events
A San Francisco mainstay, SF Bazaar holds their own events, such as Urban Epicurean, but also partners with places like the Exploratorium and events like the Maker Faire. Many of the local vendors you’ll find at the other fairs can be found here as well. Check out their website for an updated schedule.
✨ VENDORS ✨
Here are three of my favorite Bay Area vendors:
Woo Garden
Here’s something you normally can’t do at the grocery store: taste-test jams. That is precisely the experience this vendor provides at Renegade and part of the model of the product. You can buy a set of three mini samplers or a larger jar of preserves, depending on your taste. The branding is beautifully suited for gift giving, and it’s pretty difficult to dislike something that is both thoughtful and practical. It’s especially great for holidays when the whole family is present and mitigates part of the stress associated with feeding everyone breakfast. Woo Garden is based in San Jose. Check out their Instagram.
MXM Jewelry & Design
MXM specializes in delicate jewelry. Their pinwheel collection is a large part of their claim to fame and comes in nearly every form imaginable: earrings, necklaces, cuff links, tie bars and pins. They’re also prolific, showing not only at Renegade but also Re:Make (Brit + Co), Maker Faire, SF Etsy and Urban Air Market, among others. Their shop is always crowded. MXM is based in Oakland. Check out their Instagram.
Melissa Joy
If you’re a local, I guarantee you’ve seen this hand-embroidered hoop curated in a boutique. Melissa also has a line of embroidery kits that includes a California poppy and the feminist slogan “The Future is Female.” Her Etsy page offers her most popular products, but she offers so many more in person. It’s worth the trek to check out her table and she what she’s cooking up next. She’s also just a wonderful person to chat with and an empowering example of someone who has turned a hobby and a passion into a business. Melissa Joy is based in San Francisco.
I haven’t been in LA long, but here’s the one that comes to mind immediately:
Pocket Square Clothing
Finding a great suit can be difficult, never mind styling it appropriately. Enter Pocket Square Clothing, a shop that modernizes old prints and pattern mixes with ease. They’ve been featured in Best of LA, and they were awarded Best Menswear Boutique in Downtown LA. The owners are genuinely fantastic humans, and if you visit their fair booth, you might get the chance to meet them. Their Instagram is outrageously beautiful and well styled.
