holidaycraft Shopping with meaning
Local craft markets offer one-of-a-kind handmade gifts By Alli Marshall With all the talk about every day being Black Friday, it’s easy to fall prey to coupon crazes and power-hour frenzies. But there is a way to shop for meaningful, one-of-a-kind gifts without the hassle of mall parking or mounting credit card debt: Craft fairs. Yep, those artsy markets stocked with handmade treasures sufficed just fine back in your grandmother’s day. And, what with the DIY movement, economic slumps and the trend toward simpler, greener, locally sourced possessions, craft markets are not just viable options, but downright hip hubs of holiday shopping (many also involve food, drink, live music and activities, so plan to make a day of it). Here’s a sample of the area’s offerings. Check Xpress’ Community Calendar for full listings throughout the season. The Arts Council of Henderson County’s annual Holiday Artist Market includes reasonably priced fine art, folk art, paintings, photography, fiber work, textiles, jewelry, clay, woodwork, glass and more. Through Saturday, Dec. 19 (Monday-Saturday, 1-5 p.m.) at 538 North Main St., Hendersonville. acofhc.org or 693-8504. An artist’s holiday cocktail party and sale, featuring work by Shelley Schenker (magazinemosaics.com) benefits local Keep America Beautiful affiliate Asheville GreenWorks. Thursday, Dec. 3, 5-8 p.m. at Brixx Pizza, Biltmore Park. www.ashevil-
Craft-matic: Selling handmade wares at the twice-yearly Big Crafty, which returns to Pack Place on Sunday, Dec. 6. photos by brandy bourne
legreenworks.org or 254-1776. Stop by the Grove Arcade where local businesses, craftspeople and artists take part in the Holiday Market. A percentage of sales go to the nonprofit Western North Carolinians for Criminal Justice (WCCJ) which runs restorative justice programs. Friday, Dec. 4, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. & Saturday, Dec. 5, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. at Grove Arcade (1 Page Ave., Suite 101, Asheville) Enka High School’s Occupational Course of Study holds its 22nd annual craft fair at Enka High. More than 30 crafters will be on hand with a variety of items. Saturday, Dec. 5, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Info: 670-5000.
Seeing the forest: “Fall Forest” by Ben Freeman, who sells art at the Arts Council of Henderson County’s market.
22 DECEMBER 2 - DECEMBER 8, 2009 • mountainx.com • HOLI D AY C E NT R AL
The Rugby Craft Fair (on the Rugby Middle School campus in Hendersonville) includes more than 100 crafters from around the Southeast. Children can make crafts to take home in the free children’s craft room. Saturday, Dec. 5, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Info: rugbyfair@yahoo.com.