Craft Fair Directory
Below is an alphabetical list of worthwhile craft fairs in Maine and New England I’ve had personal experience or correspondence with… or a good recommendation from a friend. If you know of any other events I should add please leave a comment below!
Arootsakoostik
More information to come. Good sources told me this was GREAT last year – so if you want to pack up your car and go to the tippy-top of Maine and sell some stuff…go for it! July 9th, 2011 in New Sweden, Maine.
Art With Heart Hootenanny
Location: Mayo Street Arts Center, 10 Mayo St.
Date: Early February
Website: http://mayostreetarts.org
Here is a great opportunity to donate, and possibly make money, too! Every year the Mayo Street Arts Center holds a silent auction fundraiser where artists donate pieces of artwork. You have the option to give a pure donation or take a 25% commission of any sales (the rest is donated to Mayo Street and all the wonderful things they do. This is great exposure and a great, art-y cause!
Biddeford Art Walk
Location: Downtown Biddeford, ME.
Table Fee: $20 (for Handmade Holiday Fair in December 2010)
Date: Saturday, December 17th, 2011
Website: http://www.biddefordartwalk.com
I had so much freakin’ fun at the Handmade Holiday sale in Dec. 2010. Two options for set up: Mardens’ abandoned store front and The Oak and the Axe, which used to be the Hogfarm Annex. The Mardens space was where we were set up: I’d recommend requesting having a spot in the front of the store because not everyone was turning the corner to come see us. Surprisingly, I had a pretty good day: I guess Biddeford loves bottle caps. Go early to set up and have breakfast at the Palace Diner being the Marden’s space: it’s Maine’s oldest diner! And the owner is super friendly, I met him at the fair. On the converse, the space at The Oak and The Ax was intimate and fit about 10 sellers (max). Can’t wait to give it a go again next year! Also, check the Biddeford Art Walk website to see the alternating months they are doing a regular art walk on Final Fridays.
The BIG THAW/CHILL
Location: Mayo Street Arts Center, 10 Mayo St. Portland, ME.
Table Fee: $40 for upstairs (entrance level) $30 for downstairs (studios)
Date: Late April (Thaw)/Early December (Chill)
Website: http://thebigthawportland.wordpress.com
Oh, snap! Guess what? I KNOW this one will be good because myself and some other crafty Maine ladies are organizing it. The words grassroots, DIY and community come to mind when I think of this one. We’ll be showcasing at least 40 different vendors and snuggling up with each other in the cozy AND beautiful newly renovated Mayo Street Church. This will be the venue’s first craft fair, and they’ll be opening their snack/refreshments bar to keep delicious sugar and calories within reach throughout the day!
The Creatorium
Location: Lincoln St. Center in Rockland, ME.
Table Fee: Appx. $50
Date: TBD (Early December)
Website: http://www.thecreatorium.org/
Although I didn’t participate last year, I heard about The Creatorium from several reliable sources. Turns out, one of the organizers is a fellow Etsy Maine Team person so she filled me in that they are indeed planning on doing another one this year! Yes. Consider me there. Last year there were some phenomenal names from my personal greatest hits list: Roots & Tendrils, Herbal Revolution, Quench Metalworks and Finns & Flowers just to name a few. If you or someone you know sold here, feel free to leave a comment below about your experience!
Elks Lodge – Portland, Maine
Location: Portland Elks Lodge, 1945 Congress St. (near the airport)
Table Fee: $25-$40 (varies by fair)
Date: TBD November, December
Website: http://www.maineelks.org/portland.html
A friend, Malaika, from HandMeDownDesigns recommended this location to me for keeping an eye out for future fairs. Her rate of return was successful at two different shows around the holiday time – the #1 thing crafters must keep in mind when they’re getting ready for a show! I’m intrigued…will definitely check this out for next year.
PICNIC!
Location: Lincoln Park on Congress St. in Portland, Maine (Summer) and the Irish Heritage Center on State and Gray St. in Portland, ME (December)
Table Fee: Ranges $70ish (Summer, 1 Day) to $120 (Holiday, 2 days)
Website: http://www.picnicportland.com
I always write “PICNIC” in caps…Why? ’Cause I love it that much! Held once in August/September and once in December, the Picnic Arts + Music Festival is like Christmas for big people. Picnic is a juried show, which I prefer because the quality of the work showing is so high, and they do let you split tables with another crafter to help extend your dollar and the variety of the work selling! Put together by Ferdinand and Pinecone+Chickadee the Picnic never disappoints.
USM Craft Show
Location: University of Southern Maine, Costello Sports Complex
Table Fee: Varies. $50 for 8′x8′ space – works for me!
Website: http://www.usm.maine.edu/athletics/craftshow/
Dates: Saturday, April 30th. November 12 + 13th for Holiday Fair.
Yeah! I’m going to try this. Applications were due for jewelry sellers Feb. 1st but anyone else can apply until April 1. This is kinda cool since I missed the deadline for jewelry, what I normally sell – I can focus on ‘accessories’ (bottle cap pins and magnets) and photography. Now might be a good time to start working on my drawings and sell those as originals or greeting cards. Exciting to do something totally new!
