So, you're an admirer of independent design & craft, but feel a little lost when it comes to finding the coolest places to shop? There are, of course, great online resources (one of my favorite strategies is to check out the "links" pages of shops & artists I like, since they are usually linking up with stuff that they like, & so on) & directories that you can check out, but sometimes nothing but a hands-on shopping experience will do.

Craft fairs/shows are a great way to meet some cool artists & see some cool stuff (in fact, lots of people make things specifically to sell at shows or bring the one-of-a-kind products that they don't sell online), & hip new markets are popping up all over the country. Spring means the beginning of outdoor market season, & shopping a craft fair is a great way to spend a sunny afternoon (although, let me be quick to acknowledge that when I did Renegade Craft Fair Chicago last year, it thunderstormed practically the whole time & there were still plenty of people who thought RCF was a great way to spend a windy & rainy afternoon!).

So, how do you find these shows? Well, if you check out the online indie design scene, you will probably see plenty of people announcing on their sites that they've got this or that show coming up. There's also the Indie Craft Shows Directory, a site where artists & organizers can list upcoming show opportunities, & where you can get the scoop on what's happening when & where. On the local, offline, level, it's really common for show organizers to have flyers &/or postcards at independently owned shops & coffeehouses, so keep an eye out!

To get you started, here are some links* to upcoming shows, as well as some ongoing craft fairs:

Bazaar Bizarre San Francisco (CA)
Spring Bada-Bing (VA)
Renegade Craft Fair Brooklyn (NY)
Art Star Craft Bazaar (PA)
I Heart Rummage (WA)
Crafty Wonderland (OR)
Felt Club (CA)
The Handmade Market (NC)

*links are more or less randomly picked, with a definite West Coast bias! There are plenty of other shows going on all the time -- check out the Indie Craft Shows Directory for more!