If I catch anyone I know shopping at the mall this Christmas,
I’ll… I’ll… well actually they’ll probably get away with
it because I never go to the mall. But if I hear about it I will
be very disappointed. Aside from the Shangri-la of independent
boutiques we live amongst, Portland’s DIY/craft scene is so booming
that from now until Christmas there are umpteen opportunities to shop
the craft sales and bazaars that will soon be ubiquitous.
In the past, I’ve never had more success with finding gifts than at
these fairs. You almost can’t go wrong, especially when buying for
friends and family who live out of town. People really appreciate it
when you share a little piece of your hometown with them.
The following is a list of some of the best events and sales coming
up, to help you plan and navigate this year. Have fun, and good
luck!
• Handmade for the Holidays
(Now through
Jan 6, Museum of Contemporary Craft, 724 NW Davis,
Tues-Sun 11
am-6 pm, Thurs 11 am-8 pm) Artists from across the country offer
their top-notch craft goods—it’s unlikely you’ll encounter
anything amateur here.
• Secret Society Sale (Sun Nov 25,
11 am-5 pm, The Secret Society Ballroom, 116 NE
Russell) Includes a silent auction to benefit the Oregon Food Bank,
as well as fantastic gift ideas from some of the coolest locals.
• Feast on Art (Fri Nov 30 & Sat Dec
1,
11 am-4 pm, Garden Fever, 3433 NE 24th) Look for everything
from garden art to vintage placemats and recycled clocks.
• Fourth Annual Kenton Firehouse Sale (Sat Dec 1, 11 am-6 pm, Kenton Firehouse, 8105 N Brandon) Locals
offer up small housewares, art, and accessories.
• Forest Market: Sustainable Holiday Fair (Sat
Dec 1 & Sun Dec 2, 10 am-4 pm, Tryon Creek Park, 11321 SW
Terwilliger) Keepin’ Christmas greener than green.
• Holiday Craft Bazaar at the Overlook House (Sat Dec 1, 10 am-5 pm & Sun Dec 2, 9 am-3 pm, Overlook House,
3839 N Melrose) Baked goods, ceramics, jewelry, and more.
• I Heart Indie Holidays (Sun Dec 2, noon-
5 pm,
Wonder Ballroom, 128 NE Russell) Complete with a TV lounge for
non-shoppers to wait it out.
• Sixth Annual Cheap Art & Craft Show (Thurs Dec
6, 6-9 pm, Reading Frenzy,
921 SW Oak) Don’t miss this awesome
sale, where everything’s $100 or less.
• Da Vinci Middle School Arts Fair
(Fri
Dec 7, 4-8 pm & Sat Dec 8, 10 am-
4 pm, Da Vinci Arts Middle
School, 2508 NE Everett) Part of the proceeds from this huge sale
benefit the school.
• SCRAP Holiday Bazaar and Bake Sale (Sat Dec 8, 11
am-6 pm, SCRAP, 3901A N Williams) Repurposed crafts and homemade
treats.
• Rebel Rabbit Craft Fair (Sun Dec 9 & 16,
noon-5 pm, Hipbone Studio, 1847 E Burnside) All the hippest,
hottest crafters will be out for this.
• Oregon College of Art & Craft Holiday Sale (Fri Dec 14, 7-9 pm, Sat Dec 15 10 am-5 pm, & Sun Dec 16, 10
am-4 pm, Oregon College of Art & Craft, 8245 SW Barnes) Spring
for the $3 suggested donation at the opening, or slide in for free over
the weekend.
• Crafty Wonderland Super Colossal Holiday Sale (Sun Dec 16, 11 am-5 pm, Norse Hall, 111 NE 11th) The mother
lode.