Get crafty: A guide to holiday craft fairs in Southeast Missouri

Have you started your Christmas shopping yet? November brings a variety of holiday craft fairs, where vendors sell everything from handmade jewelry and blankets to baked goods and all-natural soaps.

Dixie Burnett, who books vendors for the annual Crafts, Gifts and Collectibles Show at Notre Dame Regional High School, says last year's show brought close to 170 vendors, and she's expecting nearly 200 this year.

"A lot of families share (booth) space to make extra income for the holidays," she says. "It's really interesting to see where they come from. Many have relatives in the area, so it's like a working vacation for them."

Between 7,000 and 10,000 shoppers visited the craft fair last year, Burnett adds.

"We see a lot of girls weekends out and mother-daughter weekends. We see that here year after year," she says.

Burnett's best advice for shopping area craft fairs is to not hesitate: "If you see something you want, you'd better get it then, because chances are when you come back around, it will be gone."

Here's a lineup of this year's Christmas craft fairs in Southeast Missouri:

Holiday Craft Bazaar

9 a.m. to 4 or 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7

Sikeston VFW, 709 Smith Ave., Sikeston, Missouri

Cutline-File Credit:Shoppers browse through the booths at the annual River Valley Craft Fair sponsored by the River Valley Craft Club Saturday, Nov. 23, 2013, at the Arena Building and the 4H Building at Arena Park in Cape Girardeau. (Cutline-File Credit:Southeast Missourian file photo)

This annual event features homemade crafts, holiday gifts, food and more. For more information, call (573) 471-7575.

Annual Christmas Bazaar

10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7

Trinity Lutheran Church, 100 N. Frederick St., Cape Girardeau

Trinity Lutheran Ladies' Aid will hold its annual Christmas bazaar in the church fellowship hall. Bazaar items include crafts, baked goods, homemade candies and jellies, books and pre-owned treasures. There will be a chicken and dumplings luncheon served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The cost is $8 for adults and $4 for children age 6 and younger. Carryouts will be available. Coffee will be served while you shop.

Some of the items for sale at the annual Crafts, Gifts and Collectibles Show Saturday, Nov. 23, 2013, at Notre Dame Regional High School in Cape Girardeau. (Southeast Missourian file photo)

Christmas Bazaar

Jill Nagel sports a bow during the annual Christmas Arts and Crafts Extravaganza Nov. 23, 2013, at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau. (Southeast Missourian file photo)

8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14

St. Vincent DePaul Center, 1912 Ritter Drive, Cape Girardeau

St. Vincent DePaul's Christmas Bazaar is free to attend, and lunch will be served.

Craft show and sale

8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14

Masonic Temple, 2307 Broadway, Cape Girardeau

Stop by for a craft show and sale with multiple vendors and fresh baked goods. Admission is free, free coffee will be served and there will be hourly prize drawings.

45th annual Arts and Crafts Extravaganza

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22

Two locations: Osage Centre and Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau

More than 300 crafters and artisans from across the Midwest will sell their wares at the craft show, just in time for Christmas. Each booth may sell only handmade items, and a Best of Show booth will be named at each location. A $5 ticket is good for both locations and both days. The cost is $3 to attend on Sunday only.

20th annual Crafts, Gifts and Collectibles Show

5 to 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20

9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21

9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22

Notre Dame Regional High School, Cape Girardeau

Admission is $1 on Friday and Saturday, and free on Sunday.

39th annual River Valley Craft Fair

9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21

9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22

Arena Building, 4-H Building at Arena Park

Admission is $5 Saturday or $3 Sunday.

Third annual Plowshares Sale

8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5

Abbey Road Christian Church, 2411 Abbey Road, Cape Girardeau

This sale features items handmade by artisans in developing countries.

Community Christmas Craft Fair

9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5

Advance High School, Advance, Missouri

A community Christmas craft fair will be held in the old high school gym in Advance, Missouri. For more information or to rent a booth space, call LaDena at (618) 318-9588.