Springing for 2 crafts shows

Spring’s welcome arrival also signals the start of New England’s crafts show season. The timing couldn’t be a better boost to the local economy because money spent over the next two weekends puts dollars in the pockets of the professional regional and national artists who make a living selling their original work at such events. Plus buyers can add eye-catching additions to their wardrobes or home.
This weekend the Paradise City Fair of Fine and Functional Art takes over the Royal Plaza Trade Center in Marlborough, Mass., for three days. (March 20-22). Featuring 175 juried exhibitors working in wood, glass, furniture, jewelry, wearable fiber, decorative fiber, metal, painting, mixed media, and photography, there’s no excuse not to find something you’ll love. To encourage more spring vibes, the festival presents “The Gardeners of Paradise City,” an indoor exhibit of garden-related work.

Paradise City: Royal Plaza Trade Center, Rte. 20, Marlborough, Mass. 800-511-9725. March 20-22, Fri. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. (cq) $12, 2-day pass $15, seniors $10, students $8, under age 12 free.

Next weekend CraftBoston returns for the annual spring gathering of top American craftsmen March 27-29 at the Seaport World Trade Center on the Boston waterfront.
Sponsored by the nonprofit Society of Arts and Crafts, the juried show offers the work of 200 glassblowers, jewelry designers, furniture makers, sculptors, fiber artists, lamp makers, and metalsmiths. A special attraction is Vermont potter Todd Wahlstrom whose “booth” is a vintage Airstream trailer he converted into a gallery on wheels.
CraftBoston: Seaport World Trade Center, Seaport Boulevard, Boston. 617-266-1810, March 27-29, Fri.-Sat. 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. $15, seniors and SAC members $12, age 12 and under free. Admission is good all weekend. The Society hosts a benefit preview gala on Thursday (March 26) 6-9 p.m. with two levels of admission ($175 and $50) that includes all-weekend entry.

Photos of blown glass by Ed Branson from Paradise City Fair of Fine and Functional Art and Todd Wahlstrom's Airstream trailer from CraftBoston