The 11 Markets of Christmas

Our Pinterest-obsessed world has made us covet the crafty. So head to a market this holiday season to impress your friends and family with handmade and upcycled goods and shake the hands of the makers who shaped them. With more than ten markets to choose from, you’re sure to cross a few names off your list.

Photo courtesy of Cleveland Bazaar

Heights Arts Annual Holiday Store
More than a dozen new artisans have joined the 13th annual event at Heights Arts, bringing one-of-a-kind ceramics, leather works, watercolors and more. New this year, make reservations select weekends to bring the entire family for festive workshops to create hand-stamped holiday cards or paper pinwheels. Now thru Dec. 30, 2175 Lee Road, Cleveland Heights, 216-371-3457 

Rocky River Avant-Garde Art and Craft Show
Shop for a good cause by selecting items from more than 100 crafters. A portion of the proceeds from your holiday haul benefit Project Night Night, a nonprofit group that donates thousands of care packages to homeless children, each including a security blanket, book and stuffed animal. Nov. 15 & 16, $3 admission, children under 12 free, Rocky River Memorial Hall, 21016 Hilliard Blvd., Rocky River, 440-227-8794 

Cleveland Flea
Busy families and hipsters alike have two chances to browse popular flea makers and food vendors this year. Bonus: This round is indoors, so stay toasty while browsing with a cup of cocoa. Holiday Kickoff Market, Nov. 21-23, tickets available soon for Nov. 21 private event, 6555 Carnegie Ave., Cleveland; Holiday Maker Market, Dec. 12-14, tickets available soon for Dec. 12 private event, Slovenian National Home, 8653 E. 80th St., Cleveland

Collective Upcycle
Leisurely and eco-conscious shoppers, this one’s for you. This pop-up boutique of more than 30 artisans has a Rust Belt vibe by showcasing the creative repurposing of clothing, furniture, jewelry and more. On Nov. 29, the collective starts the season at Gordon Square Market and continues in Matt Zone’s old offices every Thursday, Friday and Saturday until Christmas. Nov. 29, Gordon Square Market, 6415 Detroit Ave., Cleveland; Dec. 4-20, 6501 Detroit Ave., Cleveland

Beary Merry Christmas Craft Show
This midweek market features holiday entertainment, door prizes, a Chinese raffle and handmade gifts to benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure Northeast Ohio. Dec. 3 & 4, $3 admission, Normandy Party Center, 30310 Palisades Parkway, Wickliffe 

E.J. Thomas Hall Holiday Arts & Crafts Show
For nearly 30 years, the University of Akron event has showcased artisans from Ohio and throughout the country. Dec. 5-7, $4.50 admission, children under 12 enter free, E.J. Thomas Hall, 198 Hill St., Akron, 330-972-7570

Manly Mart Holiday Market
What do you get for that dude in your life? This market, presented by Crafty Mart and Cleveland Bazaar, is teeming with male vendors selling manly items your guy will love. Dec. 5 & 6, 5th Street Arcades, 530 Euclid Ave., Cleveland 

TerraVista Studios Holiday Sale
For 15 years, TerraVista Studios has opened its doors to offer silver, gold and leather jewelry, organic clay wares and handmade crochet hats. Dec. 5-7, 1400 E. 30th St.  Suite 401, Cleveland, 216-523-1387

ArtCraft Holiday Show
Located across the street from TerraVista Studios, the ArtCraft Building is hosting their 27th annual holiday sale the same weekend, turning the two warehouses into one, big holiday party. Dec. 6 & 7, 2570 Superior Ave., Cleveland, 216-407-3685

Cleveland Bazaar Holiday Show
Formerly called the Bazaar Bizarre, this annual holiday show has called 78th Street Studios home for ten years, and more than 100 crafters are ready to celebrate its anniversary and the holidays. Dec. 13 & 14, Early admission and 10th-anniversary merchandise is available with $20 ticket purchase, regular admission is free, 78th Street Studios, 1300 W 78th St., Cleveland 

Last Minute Market 
Procrastinators, challenge yourself to not wait until the very last day before Christmas to do your shopping. This last-minute event, where Screw Factory artists and other makers sell, gives you a healthy five-day lead. Dec. 20, The Lake Erie Building, 13000 Athens Ave., Lakewood

My Cleveland

This mini musing on the interesting and exciting things that happen in, and come from, Cleveland begins at a gallery and ends at a bar. Last week the husband and I went to the 78th Street Studios for Third Fridays. The sprawling repurposed industrial building is a hotbed of creative activity, and tenants throw open their doors to welcome visitors one night, every month. The first thing I noticed when we pulled into the parking lot was the new Touch Supper Truck. It’s hard to miss: The vehicle is garishly painted with cartoonish females and red-orange flames. It’s the mobile side of Touch Supper Club and just rolled out in August. There was a guy performing doing DJ duties so folks chowing down on tacos and sliders had some musical entertainment.

We didn’t stop, too full from an excellent dinner at home and in a hurry to get to an opening at Tregoning and Company, an art gallery. The show, called Spiritus, is a collection of compelling black and white photographs made by Elizabeth Sunday in Africa. (It's up through November and shouldn't be missed.) Though she now lives in California, Sunday was born here and has deep Cleveland roots: Her grandfather Paul B. Travis was a painter who taught at CIA for more than 30 years, and her father, Douglas Phillips, a renowned designer of stained-glass windows, had his studio here. We met James Wyman, curator, gallerist and fine arts consultant, who helped organize the show. He’s recently relocated to Northeast Ohio and is brimming with ideas and energy for the local arts community. No doubt we’ll be hearing more about him.

I ran into someone from my book club at the show. She wanted to know if I’d read The Paris Wife , the new novel by Paula McLain about Ernest Hemingway, his first wife Hadley and the six years they lived together among the literary greats who flocked to Europe in the 1920s. I’d just finished it the night before. We’ll be discussing it at our next gathering, and McLain, who lives in Cleveland Heights, will being joining us.

Next stop was the Velvet Tango Room for a nightcap, and there’s no place in this town, or any other, that better evokes the glamour and style of pre-war watering holes. Coincidentally, the last time I had a cocktail here, it was a Hemingway Daiquiri. The temperature was 40 degrees warmer, and it proved to be just the thing for a sweltering summer evening. This visit, we arrived just minutes ahead of a fill-the-house crowd and snagged the last two seats at the bar. The chill in the air prompted me to order an apple brandy sour. As always, it was perfectly made, the delicate balance of alcohol and acid achieved with just a whisper of sweetness. The husband had the potent Widow’s Kiss. We sat and sipped for a pleasant hour, talked about Sunday’s photographs and went home happy. It was a good night in Cleveland.