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Crafty Wonderland
Portland’s biannual art and craft fair boasts unique handmade wares from 225+ local vendors.
Ellen Freeman
Barbara Streisand once sang “don’t rain on my parade.” For Torie Nguyen and Cathy Zwicker, Crafty Wonderland co-founders, more appropriate lyrics might have been “don’t rain on my craft fair.”
Tired of getting rained out and traveling to other cities to sell their work, the two Portland jewelry artists set to work creating an indoor marketplace for their work and the work of fellow local makers. “We decided to start it before someone else did,” says Nguyen.
Crafty Wonderland Art & Craft Markets
Know Before You Go
If you attend a Crafty Wonderland you might be the lucky winner of a goodie bag, handed out randomly throughout the day and filled with locally-made swag.
Founded in 2006, Crafty Wonderland is now the city’s biggest arts and crafts market, drawing hundreds of vendors and tens of thousands of visitors to the (nice and dry) Oregon Convention Center in Northeast Portland. The twice-yearly market returns in early December and May (just in time for holiday shopping and Mother’s Day, respectively!).
What began as a “pure DIY” production with 40 vendors and a couple hundred shoppers, Crafty Wonderland has grown into extravaganza of creativity. “It totally blows our minds that the little show we started 13 years ago has transformed into what it is today,” says Zwicker.
At Crafty Wonderland’s markets, you can find products like illustrated portraits of punk rock cats and hipster triceratopses by Ryan Berkley; pins, patches and prints of Adrienne Vita’s magical desertscapes; and elemental brass and copper metalwork combined with geodes and gemstones by Ttereve. (That’s not to mention a slew of clever t-shirts, unique stationary, funky pet accessories, small-batch mustards and nut butters, craft spirits, natural soaps, terrariums and more.)
Nguyen and Zwicker rotate the artists at each market — so even if you’ve attended a previous Crafty Wonderland, you’ll always find something new.
“We like to think there’s something there for everyone,” says Nguyen. “Sometimes having a face to put with a piece of art or knowing you’ve met the person who made your new favorite earrings makes them that much more special.”
In today’s online shopping milieu, Crafty Wonderland is a unique chance to support and connect with local makers. And across the table, the market offers accessible booth fees so that emerging artists are equally represented. “Markets like Crafty Wonderland provide a venue where artists can make a living selling their work,” says Zwicker, who notes that many of the makers who got their start at the market have grown to full-time businesses.
Pop-Ups and Bazaars
Discover Portland's maker scene at these locally beloved shopping events.
Portland Saturday Market
Open every Saturday from March–December, Portland Saturday Market is the largest arts-and-crafts fair in the U.S.
Holiday Shopping Events
Do your holiday shopping for locally made gifts at hip parties, makers' fairs, sprawling sales and garden grounds filled with handcrafted items.
Shopping Events in Portland
The shopping scene in Portland, Oregon offers colorful bazaars where visitors can score locally made goods at unbeatable prices, especially during these shopping events.
While you’re there, stop by the kids’ area where little entrepreneurs sell their creations, inspired by the market’s early days when Zwicker’s (now grown-up) son would sell his art. “We never know what they will come with — magnets, cards, jewelry, paintings and slime,” Zwicker says.
“It’s definitely a feast for the eyes and a big inspiration to see so much creativity in one place,” Nguyen says. “Portland is fertile ground for all creative pursuits.” She and Zwicker even joke that the rain — which provided the motivation for Crafty Wonderland in the first place— “gives everyone lots of time to practice their crafty hobbies indoors.”
Visit a Crafty Wonderland Brick and Mortar
In recent years, Nguyen and Zwicker have turned Crafty Wonderland into a year-round business, opening brick-and-mortar stores in downtown Portland and Northeast Portland’s Alberta Arts District.
At the shops, an Oregon flag is displayed across from a tattoo-inspired mural by Jennifer Parks of Spectral Gardens. Shoppers listen to Beyoncé spinning on vinyl while perusing wares like Michele Maule’s Pacific Northwest-themed watercolors and Aubrey Aiese’s plant holders painted with faces — plus all the locally-made treasures one could need to show their hometown pride or commemorate a trip to Portland.
“We love being able to say that our shop is completely locally made goods,” says Zwicker. So even if you can’t make it to a market event, Crafty Wonderland is “the best place for the perfect Portland souvenir.”
Upcoming Shopping Events
Farmers Market at Portland State University
The Portland Farmers Market at Portland State University will be open every Saturday, year-round. April through October hours are 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. November through March hours are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Market at PSU is located in Downtown Portland in the South Park Blocks between SW College & Montgomery Streets.
Portland Saturday Market
Open every Saturday from March–December, Portland Saturday Market is the largest arts-and-crafts fair in the U.S.
Rhododendron Show & Sale
The Early Blooming Rhododendron Show returns to Crystal Springs. Presented by the Portland Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society, this show focuses on rhododendron species and hybrid plants that are among the first to bloom. Admission to the show is included with regular garden admission.
Trillium Festival
For 43 years, Tryon Creek has celebrated the return of the Trillium, an early-season perennial native to local forests. This beautiful white flower awakens each year in late February and early March. It slowly turns to a reddish-purple by the end of April or early May, making it an excellent beginning to the spring wildflower…
Grand Opening Indigenous Marketplace
Grand Opening event at the new office space where Indigenous and Black vendors are ready to help with all your gifting needs. Portland Indigenous Marketplace (PIM) is a culturally-specific, community response organization. All members of PIM’s board and staff reflect the community served. As active Indigenous and Black Artists and Entrepreneurs, they utilize their extensive…
Quilt, Craft & Sewing Festival
At the Quilt, Craft & Sewing Festival, you will find a wide variety of sewing, quilting, needle-art and craft supply exhibits from many quality companies, along with make ‘n’ takes, free demos, daily door prize drawings and more.
Portland Flea + Food
The Portland Flea + Food is a gathering place for the creators, curators and collectors held the last weekend of the month from April to October in Portland, Oregon. Every market features 80+ local artists, makers, and curators of the best vintage, handmade and locally sourced goods in town. Saturdays at Ecotrust: 721 NW 9TH…
Portland Night Market
The Portland Night Market showcases many unique businesses that call Portland home. Blending food, culture, music, drinks and retail for an adventurous evening in the Central Eastside. Meet some of Portland’s best makers and creators. With almost 200 hundred makers, the Night Market offers food carts, drinks, clothing, lifestyle goods, home goods, body care and…
Crafty Wonderland Art + Craft Market
Meet the makers. Over 250 artists will be selling their goods at the Crafty Wonderland Spring Art + Craft Market. Crafty Wonderland is excited to be back in person for the Spring Art + Craft Market Pre-Show Ticketed Shopping Event on Friday General Admission – Timed Entry Tickets on Saturday
St. Johns Bizarre and Parade
The St. Johns Bizarre is a uniquely crafted celebration that kicks off the summer street fair season in Portland. Held annually on the second Saturday in May, the Bizarre brings music, crafts, and food to the crowds who traditionally attended the St. Johns Parade. After the parade, a portion of the business district in St….
Unique Markets
Shop from 150 of Portland’s best-emerging brands and designers. Enjoy complimentary drinks, creative DIY activities, photo booths, food and more. Discover and support the best of Portland and beyond’s independent designers, artists and emerging brands at Unique Markets Portland. Support your community, shop with your squad, make it a date, or bring the whole family….
My People’s Market
My People’s Market showcases local entrepreneurs and makers of color, connecting them with industry professionals and consumers.
GeekCraft Expo
GeekCraft Expo is a curated craft market specializing in handmade, “geek”-themed crafts of all kinds; clothing, accessories, toys, home decoration, furniture, art . . . if it’s geeky and made by hand, it can be found at a GeekCraft Expo. Cosplay is highly encouraged and admission is free (you just need to pre-register).
Mississippi Street Fair
Bustling North Mississippi Avenue closes down for a day of food, vendors, music and fun at Portland’s largest street fair, Mississippi Street Fair. This year the fair will have the following: Three Music StagesKids ZoneGrandfathers Rib-Off CompetitionHundreds Of VendorsShopping and Dining
Multnomah Days
This beloved annual event incorporates a one-day open-air, family-friendly street festival with 100+ vendor booths, live music, street entertainers, art, food and beverage carts, plus outdoor street dining. Additionally will be a Kids Zone at Multnomah Arts Center and other entertainment. Back this year will be a COMMUNITY STAGE featuring local community talent in addition…
Lents Cultural Fair
Lents Cultural Fair at the Lents International Farmers Market. Live Music. Dance Performances (Portland Lee’s Lion and Dragon Dance Team, Moon Patrol Breakdancers, and more.) Prizes and giveaways too. Free / All ages. (PBOT plaza SE 91st and Foster in Lents Town Center.)
Meet the Makers
Interact and peruse works by Portland's many makers and DIY enthusiasts.
Portland Open Studios
For two weekends every October, Portland Open Studios invites visitors to explore the houses and offices of artists across the city.
Makers
Portland is a hub for artists, entrepreneurs and creators alike, with community studios, warehouses and makerspaces that let you DIY your way around town.
Luxe Local Leather
Portland artisans are using high-quality, beautifully tanned and sustainably dyed leather for their goods, crafting pieces that will last for decades.
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