Fairs, festivals and finds, oh my!

November is the month that officially welcomes in the holiday season. Here are my Top 10 picks for fairs around New England that are the wow-you, stop-you-in-your-tracks kinds that will help you chip away at all those To-Do lists littering your countertops and planners...[they are in order by date, not by ranking...]

1. 22nd Annual Christmas Festival, Boston, Mass. - Nov. 7-9
Shop from 300 of America’s Finest Craft Artists, featuring distinctive work any holiday shopper desires to find under one roof. Featured artisans are on hand for demonstrations, thousands of unique products await your touch, spectacular holiday decorations fill the rafters, and samples of mouth-watering foods to buy and bring home round out the event. And don't forget to stop by The Gingerbread House Competition to be amazed by the sugary masterpieces. The sale of these “sweet real estate” deals benefit Rosie’s Place - an organization created in 1974 to provide a safe and nurturing environment for poor and homeless women. Ah, the true meaning of Christmas prevails. [Bracelet by vendor and artist Yumi Chen]

2. N.H. Open Doors, Various locations, N.H. - Nov. 8-9
In the first ever state-wide shopping and touring event of its kind, more than 160 New Hampshire made companies and artists are opening their doors and celebrating their N.H. roots. Visitors of all ages are invited to tour working studios of artists and craftspeople, distinctive shops and galleries filled with New Hampshire-made products and artwork, and roadside farmstands and orchards, among other attractions. It's a great opportunity to start holiday shopping, and sample local foods and beverages. Participating restaurants, hotels, inns, and bed-and-breakfast establishments are offering special dining and lodging packages for guests during this weekend as well, so get to making those plans! [Basket weaver, Meg Kupiec in her studio; Photo provided by N.H. Made]

3. Crafts for all Seasons Craft Fair, Manchester, Vt. - Nov. 8, 2008
The Kiwanis Club of Manchester & the Mountains hosts a small, yet fulfilling shopping event of crafts, fun, and food! Over 30 crafters offer the best quality and the most beautiful workmanship, including jewelry, pottery, knitted apparel, handbags, specialty foods, wood crafted items, and children's clothing and accessories. Free admission and plenty of parking. Fair takes place at the Manchester Elementary-Middle School Gym at 80 Memorial Ave, off Main Street approximately 1/2 mile north of malfunction junction Manchester Center, Vt. Call 802-683-4546 for more information. [Hand painted hub caps line a Manchester, Vt. fair; Photo by Jay Hathaway]

4. The Gifted Hand - Fine Art, Craft and Gift Show, Ellsworth, Me. - Nov. 14-15
This is one show on my list! A well thought out, juried show featuring 50 of Maine's finest artists and craftspeople. Featuring both nationally and locally recognized artisans, the show seeks to bring a variety of items and price points to appeal to Holiday shoppers. Serious arts and crafts collectors will find lampwork jewelry by internationally known artisan, Stephanie Sersich of Portland, fine handwovens by Christine Leith, whose work has been featured in Maine Home & Design Magazine, and acrylic landscapes and giclee prints by Maine painter Philip Frey. Keeping the big names company are proud artisans offering an abundance of goods in the $5 to $45 range, meeting everyone’s Holiday shopping needs. Visitors to the show will find an abundance of gourmet chocolates, handcrafted jewelry, clothing, quilts, lampwork beads, toys, papergoods, pottery, photography, woodworking, felted items, knitting supplies, fine art, sculpture and more more more! A cafe serving delish food is on hand, as well as, a fab silent auction table. Fair runs Fri. from 12-6 p.m. and Sat. from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. For more info call 207-664-2404. [Leslie Graduated necklace by Stephanie Sersich; Photo by Robert Diamante]

5. Artists Seconds Sale, Williamsburg, Mass. - Nov. 14-16, 21-23, and 28-30
Three fabulous weekends to find the perfect gift for crazy Aunt Mabel! Snow Farm’s mission is to provide the highest quality arts education in an inspiring setting. Every November, the artist's haven runs an extensive sale featuring the work of leading crafters from across the country. Three professional art studios, dining and common areas are transformed into a temporary holiday retail space open to the public for this much-anticipated event. And seconds here do not necessarily mean there is a flaw in the product. [Artist Josh Simpson's glass paperweights; Photo by TRSmith]

6. Sugarloaf Crafts Festival, Hartford, Ct. - Nov. 14-16
The one-stop shopping at the Sugarloaf Crafts Festival can help you put a dent in that Holiday list. More than 250 accomplished artisans fill the floors with unique and inspiring creations, both functional and decorative. The classic fair offerings of pottery, jewelry, photography and fashion will be present, as well as, more distinctive items such as, kaleidoscopes, garden sculpture, wooden toys and puzzles, and even tents and teepees. Tons of food, samples, music and a very creative children's theater area where dress-up and role playing will keep them busy for hours. [Photo of "Isotopes" created by artist Dawn Wendt]

7. Art & Artisans Holiday Market, Jericho, Vt. - Nov. 15-16
Size does not matter in this case. An offering of delightful collections by area artists, artisans and specialty foods companies. A wide variety of unique items to solve all of your holiday shopping needs. Cafe and live music too. Fair runs from 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. at Mount Mansfield Union High School on Browns Trace Road. Call 802-899-4690 for more information.

8. 2nd Annual Under $200 Holiday Show & Sale, Portsmouth, R.I. - Nov. 20-Dec. 21
The Portsmouth Arts Guild was founded almost 5 years ago to provide an opportunity for Portsmouth area artists to exhibit their work and create a medium to learn and inspire one another. Its members are painters and printmakers, photographers and sculptors, fiber artists and wood carvers, jewelers and craftspeople. Last year's Under $200 Holiday Sale was such a hit, they are back at it again, giving holiday shoppers the opportunity to find some one-of-a-kind gifts. [Photo of Big Redd, acrylic by painter Phyllis Dobbyn Adams]

9. Old Deerfield 21st Christmas Sampler Craft Fair, West Springfield, Mass. - Nov. 28-30
The Village of Old Deerfield, is the quintessential craft-fair-kind-of-town. The wonderful variety of crafts includes quilts, baskets, wood carvings, pottery, dolls, dried flower arrangements, teddy bears, decoys, tin, theorem, stenciling, jewelry and more. For 25 years running, this juried Fair has been among the highest ranked shows in Massachusetts and New England by Sunshine Artist Magazine - a major publication of the arts and crafts movement in the United States. The Christmas Sampler was in particular, recognized as "Best Show", and holding the #1 spot for Traditional Craft Fairs in New England. And this year, internationally acclaimed musician, Tim Janis, will be making a special appearance on all three days of the Christmas show. 'Nuff said.

10. Thanksgiving Arts and Crafts Show, Brewer, Me. - Nov. 28-30
This Show at the Brewer Auditorium is organized especially for the serious Christmas shopper who plans to get each name crossed off their list before December arrives. The long weekend following Turkey Day is a perfect time to get out and shop before worrying about snow and ice delaying your shopping. Free gift give-away every hour, live music and plenty of food. For information call 207-621-2818. [Freeport, Maine artist, Brian Hall, carving and painting Santa figurines; Photo by United Maine Craftsmen]