If you’re tired of playing retail roulette for your gift shopping, the Cleveland Bazaar, Cleveland Flea and Crafty Mart holiday markets are here this month with local, handmade, vintage and quirky items for everyone on your list.
Cleveland Bazaar
Nov. 24, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
Opening Season: 2004
What You’ll Find: More than 75 vendors sell handcrafted jewelry, T-shirts, toys, pet treats, greeting cards and more. Who To See: The Social Department carries T-shirts, sweaters and more that all play toward Cleveland humor. Pro Tip: Walk through the entire layout a couple times, says Alexander Draven, owner of The ExCB, a maker of watches and jewelry. “There is something hidden in every corner,” he says. “There is a good possibility that you will miss something special.” 5th Street Arcades, 530 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, clevelandbazaar.org
Cleveland Flea
Nov. 16-18
Opening Season: 2013
What You’ll Find: More than 75 vendors sell vintage items, handmade jewelry and kitschy couture alongside local food and holiday-themed cocktails. Who To See: Discover handmade jewelry such as necklaces, earrings and rings as well as handcrafted candles and perfumes at Oceanne Jewelry. Pro Tip: Avoid the crowds, says Mimi May, of Maeve’s All Natural Skin Care. “The first couple of hours when it opens and the last hour before it closes is typically slower than usual,” she says. The Madison, 4601 Payne Ave., Cleveland, theclevelandflea.com
Crafty Mart
Nov. 23 & 24, Fri 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. & Sat 11 a.m.-5 p.m
Opening Season: 2009
What You’ll Find: More than 50 artists from across Ohio set up shop with trinkets, hand-lettered art, totes, teas and more. Who To See: Geek out over Robot Consortium’s mini wooden robots crafted into characters such as Harry Potter, Vikings and more. Pro Tip: “Treat Friday like a shopping-eve,” says Tea Dude co-owner Christopher Charek. “Saturday is usually super busy, so I’d use Friday to get a jump-start.” The Northside Marketplace, 21 Furnace St., Suite 300, Akron, craftymart.org
