10 great craft fairs in Brooklyn

On the list of life’s pleasures, holiday shopping in your average mall ranks alongside going to the tow pound. But who doesn’t love a craft fair? Cupcakes, live music, onesies printed with curse words… There are so many to choose from this Festivus season that you can find a hand-quilted potholder for everyone on your list without ever leaving the BK. Aside from wading through the piles of beaded earrings and papaya-chocolate-cranberry scented soap, you can also gorge yourself on pie or learn how to make your own textiles. It’s a Christmas/Hannukah/Kwanzaa/non-denominational holiday miracle! And as always, if we missed your school, church or vegan commune’s annual shopfest, please let us know in the comments.

DECEMBER 4 & 5

Brooklyn Friends School Winter Craft Fair, 375 Pearl St., December 4 from 4pm-8pm and December 5 from 10:30 to 5
-Carnival rides, face painting, Guitar Hero competition
-80% of profits support Horizons at Brooklyn Friends

Holiday Gift Fair and Pie Social, PS29, 425 Henry St., December 5, 10 to 4
-Brooklyn shops Fork + Pencil and Half-Pint Citizens will donate proceeds of their sales to BK schools
-Craft workshops and film festival for children
-Pie Competition with judges from Food and Wine and Top Chef

DECEMBER 12 & 13

Task Trunk Holiday Sale, 100 N. 3^rd St., December 12 and 13, noon to 7
-Collaborative trunk show
-Cupcakes from Kumquat Cupcakery

3^rd Ward’s Handmade Holiday Craft Fair, 195 Morgan Ave., December 12, noon to 6
-Live music from Raya Brass Band and free coffee from Gimme!
-First 300 guests to arrive will receive free tote bags by local artist Fernanda Cohen full of vendor swag
-Free demos and workshops including Making Old Jewelry New and How to Make Your Own Textiles

Brooklyn Indie Market, Smith & Union St., December 12 and 13, 11-7
-Designers donate 10-15% of sales to benefit Brooklyn Community Housing and service

Bull and Bear Market, Invisible Dog, 51 Bergen St., December 13^th, starts at noon
-2 people dressed as the stock market’s Bull and Bear will compete in games
-Check out the Recession Art Benefit dinner at 6 PM: $28 in advance, $30 at door covers dinner, booze, and  the Bull and Bear games

NY Creates Craft Fair, Brooklyn Historical Society, 128 Pierrepont St., at Clinton, December 11 to 16, weekdays 11 to 7, weekends 12 to 5
-ceramics, jewelry, apparel, plush toys, organic cosmetics, glass works, photo art to home goods – all at affordable prices

DECEMBER 19 & 20

Brooklyn Lyceum Holiday Craft Market, 227 4^th Ave., December 19 and 20, 11-7
– 60 + local vendors including food by Luscious Brooklyn, Mogador Falafels, and Brooklyn Brine

Shiny Squirrel and It’s Ok my Dear Shopping Event,  246 Grand St., December 19 and 20
-Cupcakes, drinks, music

ONGOING
Winter Holiday Emporium, Hands on World, 132 4^th Pl., Saturdays 10am-3pm and Sundays 9am-12pm til December 20
-Supporting debut of Class Ceiling, Massilia Home and Garden, Amini Jewelry