Skip the stress and shop superlocal at holiday art and craft pop-up shops. Bookmark this post: We’ll add others as we find out about them.
• New on the holiday pop-up scene, the African American Business Association holds its inaugural vendor fair. The Holiday Extravaganza, at The Edington Center, 133 Livingston St., on Saturday, Dec. 9, 1:30-4:30 p.m., is an opportunity to support local African American entrepreneurs while purchasing unique gifts for family, friends and coworkers.
• “Firestorm’s annual craft fair is a small scale, affordable holiday pop up featuring local artists,” says the calendar listing for the Craft Fair Extravaganza! held at Firestorm Books & Coffee, 610 Haywood Road on Sunday, Dec. 10, 11 a.m. Held in the bookstore’s community room, it includes work from Ariadne’s Thread, Carmen Ybarra, Gabriel Echeverri’s Wildcraft Print Shop and many others. firestorm.coop
• The “Urban Gypsy Trunk Show is probably the most fun you can have while shopping,” boasts a Facebook invite for the pop-up, which sets up camp at Asheville Mercantile, 61 1/2 N. Lexington Ave., on Saturday, Dec. 16, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. While not specifically holiday-themed, the second-hand clothing sale (most items are in the $8 range) is sure to have a celebratory feel. “Expect to move your booty a bit while shopping, it’s called ‘shancing’ (shopping & dancing simultaneously) and make some new friends,” says Urban Gypsy maven Elle Erickson. “Local artists join in to offer wonderful experiences like tarot readings and henna art.”
• “This one’s for the whole family,” guarantees an invite to the Mom ’n Pop Up Shop set to take place at Habitat Brewing Co. Tavern & Commons, 174 Broadway St., on Sunday, Dec. 10, 1-6 p.m. Peruse the wares of handmade crafters and resale vendors of upscale children’s items. habitatbrewing.com
• Asheville Community Yoga, 8 Brookdale Road, will host a holiday art market on Sunday, Dec. 10, 11:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. More than 40 vendors will display candles, ceramics, jewelry, natural body products, photography, handmade wreaths and other arts and crafts. A percentage of all sales will benefit Asheville Community Yoga. ashevillecommunityyoga.com
• Blue Ridge Books, 428 Hazelwood Ave., Waynesville, hosts the annual READ Sale on Wednesday, Dec. 13, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. “READ benefits libraries in the Andean Mountains of Ecuador,” says a press release. “Come and buy crafts handmade in Ecuador, including blankets, scarves, jewelry and more.” blueridgebooksnc.com
• The Show & Tell Pop Up Shop brings a 14-day spectacular to the Masonic Temple, 80 Broadway, from Thursday, Dec. 7 to Wednesday, Dec. 20. “We’ll be showcasing the best in local/indie handmade and vintage as the Show & Tell team transforms the the entire third floor, including the theater, into a festive shopping experience full of carefully curated goods featuring 125+ local/indie handmade and vintage vendors, including housewares, food, decor, jewelry, clothing, gifts for baby and more,” says a press release for the event. Find a full list of vendors at showandtellpopupshop.com.
There will also be a visit from Santa on Saturday, Dec. 9, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., as well as workshops, demos, a raffle, and a gift wrapping station where proceeds benefit Homeward Bound.
The pop-up is open Sunday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. with a preview party on Wednesday, Dec. 6, 5-9 p.m.
• On Friday, Dec. 8, the Haywood Community College’s Professional Crafts holiday sale offers work from students in fiber arts, jewelry, pottery and woodworking programs. The students will also demonstrate “on the pottery wheel, as well as hand weaving, spinning and spoon carving,” says a press release. Stop by the Mary Cornwell Gallery of the Creative Arts Building, 185 Freedlander Drive, Clyde, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. A preview party and meet and greet takes place on Thursday, Dec. 7, 5-7 p.m. Info at haywood.edu.
• The Grey Eagle hosts the Holiday Mingle & Jingle Local Craft Fair on Saturday, Dec. 16. “We’ll have local vendors set up selling handmade goods, arts and crafts just in time for holiday gift-giving,” says the venue’s website. “Be sure to grab a bite from our in-house Taqueria and a drink from the bar as you peruse Asheville’s finest makers.” Classic holiday tunes will soundtrack the fair. Interested vendors can email events@thegreyeagle.com. 10 a.m.-4 p.m., free. thegreyeagle.com
• The Southern Highland Craft Guild’s annual Guild Holiday Makers Sale returns to the Folk Art Center, Milepost 382 on the Blue Ridge Parkway, on Saturdays, Dec. 2 and 9, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Shop for ceramic tableware, jewelry, hand-woven and dyed apparel, bound journals, etched cards, turned wooden bowls and blown-glass vases and ornaments, among other offerings. “Buying from artisans supports the local economy and promotes the Guild’s mission to cultivate the crafts and makers of the Southern Highlands for the purpose of shared resources, education, marketing, and conservation,” explains the press release. Learn more at southernhighlandguild.org/holiday-sales.
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