I’ve got the skinny on the indie craft shows that are coming to your town this holiday season. Looking to fight the urge to shop for the stale and mass-produced and at “The Mall”, but aren’t sure about this new-fangled online shopping or just want to check out the goods in person, then check out these indie craft shows!

Raleigh, North Carolina
Rock and Shop Market on December 2nd from 1-5pm. Over 35 emerging artists will be showcasing their designer goods with live performances by The Midtown Dickens, The Octobers and DJ Marco. Located at Tir Na Nog, 218 South Blount St.

Baltimore, Maryland
Squidfire’s Holiday Mart on December 9th from 12-6pm at the First Unitarian Church on Charles and Franklin St. Baltimore’s First D.I.Y. Craft Fair featuring 20 artists selling everything from jewelry to puppets to t-shirts! You will see yours truly at this one.

Seattle, Washington
Urban Craft Uprising, December 2nd & 3rd from 11am-5pm at the Seattle Center Exhibition Hall.

Providence, Rhode Island
Craftland is an annual holiday sale that celebrates all kinds of handmade objects and the people who make them. This year Craftland will open its doors at 70 Eddy St. on Friday December 1, 2006, and will be open until December 23. CRAFTLAND is open five days a week, Wednesday - Sunday 11am - 6pm, and Thursdays 11 - 8pm December 1st - 23rd! Opening party on Friday, December 1st, 5 - 9pm.

Ypsilanti , Michigan
Shadow Art Fair at the Corner Brewery located at 720 Norris Street, at Forest Avenue in Ypsilanti’s Depot Town. December 1st and 2nd.

Cleveland, Ohio
Bazaar Bizarre on December 2nd from 12-9pm at the 1300 Gallery located at 1300 W. 78th St.

Berkeley, California
Maven Craft Fair December 1-3 located at 1700 Dwight Way.

Richmond, Virginia
Richmond Craft Mafia’s Handmade Holiday Trunk Show, December 2 at the Bainbridge Art Center. Sponsored by the Richmond Craft Mafia.

Chicago, Illinois
The Renegade Craft Fair on December 9th and 10th from 12-5pm at Pulaski Park located at 1419 W. Blackhawk.

Brooklyn, NY
Bust Magazine Holiday Craftacular, December 9th from 11 am to 9pm at the Warsaw, Williamsburg, Brooklyn, 261 Driggs Ave.

Hollywood, California
FELT CLUB, December 9th from 12-7pm at UCC, 4315 Melrose Ave., Hollywood.

Brooklyn, NY
Indie*Licious Holiday Bazaar at the MicroMuseum December 17th from 12-5pm. Sponsored by the Ladies Independent Design League.

Portland, Oregon
Crafty Wonderland will feature 40+ independent artists and crafters selling their work! The 2nd Sunday of every month from 11-4 pm at the Doug Fir Lounge - 830 E. Burnside.

New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans Craft Mafia Mafia “Last Stop Shop” Holiday Market/Party, December 21st from 6-10pm at The Big Top, 1638 Clio. Sponsored by the New Orleans Craft Mafia.

Boston, Massachusetts
Plus Decor8 has put together a kickass guide to indie craft shows in the Boston +Providence areas.

I received the best tip today about the coolest felted knitting pattern site and I just had to share it. Pick Ups Sticks is the felted knitter’s dreamsite. They offer both felted knit patterns and kits–choose a pattern if you want to strike out on your own or choose a kit if you want to get the look featured on the site. There are the cutest scarves, bags, pillows, hats, and even a sushi wallet among other designs. This is another great idea for the crafter on your holiday list.

I have found the ultimate in bath and body self-indulgence—Bella Luccé. If you are looking for luxurious, high quality, distinctive, natural bath and body products you must try the Bella Luccé line of globally inspired beauty products. I tried the Tuscan Wine Therapy line of products and they are amazing. Absolutely Mediterranean skin heaven—the red wine and olive oil work wonders on rough dry skin like mine. The Chianti & Grape Seed Crush is a decadent body scrub that exfoliates to reveal smooth and radiant skin. The Bacchus Body Oil, which is packaged in a miniature wine bottle, is a sumptuous massage oil that leaves your skin silky and soft. To round out the line is the Mediterranean Wine & Honey Masque made from natural clays, honey and red wine. In addition to feeling magnificent, everything smells so good you don’t know whether to eat it or rub it on your body.

If the Tuscan Wine Therapy sounds nice, but wine isn’t your thing, try the Peruvian Chocolate Collection, the French Polynesian Collection, or try any of the tempting body scrubs, lotions, body washes, or masques that are available in an array of magnificent scents. I totally recommend the line of Bella Luccé products for a luxurious treat for yourself or as an unforgettable holiday gift.

It’s not too late to order your holiday cards and get them in the mail before you get cut from everyone’s holiday card list for next year. Of course, you want to make sure to send stylish greetings and I’ve compiled some of the best I’ve seen this year (I’m working hard so you don’t have too). It was difficult to decide which cards to include, I’ve seen so many wonderful and original designs, but it had to be done. Please feel free to comment if you can recommend some other cool discoveries.

This is a completely fantastic gift idea for that toddler in your life. Make your toddler feel special with his or her own Toddler Tote Bag from One Little Monkey. The perfect bring along bag for visits to the doctor, visits with grandma and all those holiday car trips. This would make a great gift from aunts and uncles, grandparents, or siblings. Fill it with a new box of crayons, a small coloring book, and a book or two to make the gift complete!

This is a shameless plug for my own site Tilting Swiftly. I am having a 50% off After Black Friday Sale for 2 days only. Use code HOLIDAY at checkout to receive 50% off orders over $25. This offer ends November 27th at midnight. Code not valid for Guest Designer items or the Earring of the Month Club and may not be used with any other offer.

I am also offering 20% off the Earring of the Month Club subscription. The Earring of the Month Club is the perfect gift to wow the jewelry diva on your holiday list. Your gift recipient will receive 6 pairs of exclusively-designed Tilting Swiftly earrings over the course of one year and a postcard notification. The first delivery will go out the first week of December, so they will arrive in time for the holidays. Use the code EOTMC20% when checking out.