Roberta Horsman might never have guessed she would discover a passion for the 5,000-year-old craft of wheat weaving. Then one day a woman decked out in Renaissance garb jumped out of a beat-up old truck in Vermont and showed her wares.

Horsman bought an introductory book at Jabberwocky Bookstore in Newburyport and has been making a living from the craft ever since, spending up to 10 hours a day on her creations.

“We (artisans) find ways to do what we love,” Horsman said.

This time of year, they have to. While many crafters like Horsman offer their wares year-round, the next month is by far the busiest. Horsman goes to an average of one craft fair a month the rest of the year, but this time of year looks for more because of the buying frenzy.

The hard part is getting into the fairs, which often fill up months ahead of time. Horsman also organized the Holiday Arts and Fine Crafts Show and Sale at the Unitarian Church in Newburyport on Dec. 8 and said she had more crafters than she could accommodate.

Judy Klein, who by day works as Governor’s Academy director of communications, also sees both sides of the battle. She planned the Governor’s Fine Crafts Faire for this weekend, and as a crafter looks to get her handmade jewelry out at this time of year, sometimes hitting two fairs per weekend.

Klein makes jewelry pieces from old car parts and sells them year-round in stores across New England, but says the holiday season fairs are her busiest time of the year.

Klein said pieces selling in a store move a little slower, but at a fair she can sell anywhere from 10 to 25 pieces in one day. And she needs to have a supply ready for other fairs, sometimes just hours later.

“This is a very busy time of year,” Klein said. “Many of us are juggling two or three fairs a weekend. You have to make sure you have enough product to be in two fairs,” Klein said. “It’s a little pressure but exciting.”

Meredith Toumayan, who landed one of the limited spots at the Governor’s Fine Crafts Faire, will be selling her handmade mittens and winter hats for the first time and said she is excited to see how she does.

Toumayan loved the centuries-old craft of spinning so much that she purchased two angora goats and two sheep and cares for them year-round, shearing each twice a year for her homemade yarn and thread.

She has been preparing since August, knitting about 20 pairs of mittens, each of which takes about three hours.

Because of limited space, the Governor’s Fine Crafts Faire plans to have an application process for artisans interested in next year. This year’s space was filled in early September.

Similarly, Horsman said she had to start a waiting list for the Holiday Arts and Fine Crafts Show and Sale in Newburyport, because so many vendors were interested in displaying work this year.

“I have a list of core artists, and once word gets out I receive lots of calls,” Horsman said. “Crafters come out of the woodwork.”



Craft Fairs

Saturday, Dec. 1



PLUM ISLAND — Plum Island Holiday Fair from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Plum Island Taxpayers Association (PITA) Hall. Includes Christmas tree sale, kissing balls, wreaths, a raffle and refreshments. The Mother’s of Plum Island Association arranged for Santa to arrive on a Newbury Fire Department truck at 1:30 p.m. The fair benefits the operation of PITA Hall. All Plum Island residents receive free Christmas tree delivery.

ROWLEY — Pine Grove Craft Fair from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Pine Grove School, Route 1 in Rowley. Includes 150 professional artisans. Free admission.

WEST BOXFORD — Winter Festival from 9 a.m. to dusk at West Boxford Village, Washington Street, Route 133. Includes horse-drawn carriage rides, shopping, crafts, church fair, peppermint ice cream; photos with Santa for children and pets, hat and mitten tree, and letters to Santa. Sponsored by West Boxford Improvement Society. Free admission. www.boxfordwestvillagewinterfestival.cfsites.org.

IPSWICH — Winthrop School Holiday Boutique, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Bay Road, Route 1A. Includes more than 45 vendors, crafts, holiday gifts, children’s secret shop, cookie walk, white elephant, and photos with Santa.

HAVERHILL — Holiday Fair, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Universalist Unitarian Church of Haverhill, 15 Kenoza Ave. Coffee Shop open from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. and a soup and sandwiches lunch served from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tables include Attic Treasures, Food Court, Cookie Carousel, Apple and Pumpkin pies, gift and raffle baskets, jewelry, handmade goods, fresh greens and Fair Trade items.

NEWBURYPORT — I’m Dreaming of a Green Christmas Fair, 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Central Congregational Church, 14 Titcomb St. Includes handcrafted items, a silent auction and lunch including chowders and chilies. An alternative gift table where purchases will benefit local charities and earth-friendly information tables will also be present.

Sunday, Dec. 2

BYFIELD — Governor’s Fine Crafts Faire, 1 to 5 p.m. at The Governor’s Academy’s Performing Arts Center. Features the work of 15 local and regional fine artisans, including photography, pottery, jewelry, sculpture, hand-painted furniture and wearable fiber art. Free admission. For information, call Judith Klein at 978-499-3236.

Friday, Dec. 7



NEWBURYPORT — Holiday Art and Fine Crafts Show and Sale, 4 to 8 p.m. at The Unitarian Universalist Church, 26 Pleasant St. Features 28 local artisans, live Celtic harp music, and refreshments. Benefit for CRFA Virgin Natividad, a girl’s school in Pacca, Peru. Free admission; all welcome. For information, call Roberta Horsman at 978-462-0713.

Saturday, Dec. 8

IPSWICH — Holiday Craft Fair and Bake Sale, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with The Melissa Society of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church at the Hellenic Community Center, County Road (intersection of routes 1A and 133).

NEWBURYPORT — Holiday Art and Fine Crafts Show and Sale, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at The Unitarian Universalist Church, 26 Pleasant St. Features 28 local artisans, live Celtic harp music, and refreshments. Benefit for CRFA Virgin Natividad, a girl’s school in Pacca, Peru. Free admission; all welcome. For information, call Roberta Horsman at 978-462-0713.

BYFIELD — Governor’s Fine Crafts Faire and Closing Reception, 6 to 8 p.m. at The Governor’s Academy’s Performing Arts Center. Features the work of 15 local and regional fine artisans, including photography, pottery, jewelry, sculpture, hand-painted furniture and wearable fiber art. Free admission. For information, call Judith Klein at 978-499-3236.

Sunday, Dec. 9

HAVERHILL — Holiday Craft and Gift Fair, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Winnekenni Castle, 347 Kenoza Ave. Admission $2 for adults. Includes raffles. www.winnekenni.com.