North Park Festival of the Arts
Bracelet by Crystal B, whose work will be at the SoNo fest The Holiday Season, with capital ‘H’ and capital ‘S,’ has begun. It starts as soon as Halloween fades to morning, candy wrappers strewn about the streets. With that light comes a pressing need to shop. And that really is why I write these 700-something words every other week.
We’re going to begin the consumer odyssey by highlighting the handmade, by showcasing the small, championing the crafty. That’s right, it’s not just Holiday Season—it’s Craft Fair Season.
And, thankfully, these are not the craft fairs of our youth, with hand-crocheted doilies or straw-branch brooms. Today’s craft fairs abound with modern jewelry, hand-blown glass, ironic stuffed animals, clever knitwear and hand-screened, hand-sewn and hand-altered clothes. Get your pens and calendars out; you’re gonna want to take note.
The season kicks off with an oldie but a goodie: The Curie Elementary School Craft Fair (from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5; 4080 governor Drive, UTC). In its 33rd year, you can expect some grandma crafts and candles—lots of candles. But it’s a wholesome family affair with carnival games, bake sales and some solid vendors. Part of the money raised benefits the school, and all public schools need help these days.
The Yellow House at 2940 B St. in Golden Hill is the place for the Handmade Revolution Annual Holiday Trunk Show from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 6. This collective includes painter Linda Ivey, The Novel Novel—which takes old books and turns them into new journals—vintage goodness of all shapes and sizes from Fire and Flowers and the re-worked jewelry of Colleen Townend, plus others. It’s not the size of this one; it’s the quality, and the quality is top-notch.
The Local Color (from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 13), which benefits the public charter Museum School, has deep connections to me and my family (my daughter attends the school). Now that that’s out of the way, I can tell you the event also includes MIHO Gastrotruck parked outside, a kid zone of crafty activities and more than 20 vendors like Grammatique, Tend, Penny Sparkle purses and my most-favorite local artist and crafter, Susie Gharemani of Boy Girl Party. South Park stores Make Good and Progress will be there with even more wares, and DJs Claire and Ikah Love will be spinning. It all goes down at Glashaus art studios, 1815-B Main St. in Barrio Logan.
The Goods Show-Black Friday is showcasing mostly art and design items with an emphasis on responsible shopping. Some of the money raised goes to Corazon De Vida Foundation, which supports several Baja orphanages. The whole thing takes place at 3rdSpace (4610 Park Blvd. in East Village) from noon to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 25. There will be music and drinks and auctions and food, and $5 gets you in. 
The 13th Annual SoNo Park Holiday Fest & Chilipalooza, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4, is a beautiful thing. Local ceramicists sell their hand-thrown bowls, then you fill them with chili and vote for your fave. Add beer, bands and booths filled with local crafters and you’ve got yourself a fine day out. Plus, you can buy extra bowls for gifts! The event’s located in the neighborhood called Alta Dena, at 32nd and thorn streets, and benefits McKinley Elementary School.
The Holiday Hit List, brought to you by the North Park Craft Mafia, is possibly the largest of the local craft events. This time, they’re holding the shindig at the Corky McMillan Event Center in Liberty Station (2875 Dewey Road in Point Loma) from noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4. Their parties are always packed with good stuff in every price range.
The South Park Walkabout, from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, is less craft fair and more neighborhood happening, but it’s the home of Make Good, which is home to many local craftspeople and artists. Plus, independent vendors line the streets and the stores serve snacks and wine. It’s a shopping extravaganza masquerading as a street party.
Write to clea@sdcitybeat.com and bookmark her blog: sdcitybeat.com/urbanscout and superclea.blogspot.com.
