Here are some of the best craft shows open to the public in the U.S. for finding unique, finely-crafted jewelry and, sometimes, gems, beads and materials to make your own. This list is updated regularly as dates become available.
Tucson Gem Show (photo Cathleen McCarthy)
FEBRUARY
Jan. 27-Feb. 14, 2011: Tucson Gem Shows (except for wholesale shows, most are free and open to the public)
Feb. 10-13, 2011: Tucson Gem & Mineral Show, Tucson Convention Center
Feb. 24-27, 2011: American Craft Council Show, Baltimore Convention Center, Baltimore MD
MARCH
March 4-6, 2011: Germantown Friends Craft Show, Philadelphia
March 4-6, 2011: Palm Beach Fine Craft Show, Palm Beach Convention Center, West Palm Beach FL
March 11-13, 2011: American Craft Council Show, Cobb Galleria Centre, Atlanta GA
March 18-20: Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival, Winter Park FL
March 25-27, 2011: Craftboston, World Trade Center, Boston
APRIL
April 14-17, 2011: Smithsonian Craft Show, Washington DC
April 14-17, 2011: SOFA New York, Park Avenue Armory NYC
April 15-17: American Craft Council Show, St. Paul, MN
JUNE
June 24-26, 2011: Des Moines Art Festival, Des Moines IA
JULY
July 2-4, 2011: Cherry Creek Art Festival, Cherry Creek CO
July 20-23, 2011: Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, Ann Arbor MI
July 8-10, 2011: Cain Park Arts Festival, Cleveland Heights, OH
July 29-31: Maine Craft Guild’s Directions Show, Mount Desert Island, Bar Harbor, Maine
AUGUST
August 4-7, 2011: SOFA Santa Fe, Santa Fe Convention Center, Santa Fe NM
August 12-14, 2011: American Craft Council Show, San Francisco, CA
August 26-29, 2011: American Craft Exposition, Northwestern University, Evanston IL
OCTOBER
Oct. 15-17, 2011: Westchester Craft Show, Westchester NY
Oct. 21-23, 2011: Craft Show, Academy Art Museum, Easton MD
NOVEMBER
Nov. 4-6, 2011: SOFA Chicago, Festival Hall, Navy Pier, Chicago
Nov. 4-6, 2011: Fine Craft Show, Memorial Art Gallery, Rochester NY
Nov. 4-5, 2011: Atlanta Contemporary Jewelry Show, Atlanta GA
Nov. ?, 2011: Jewelry Fair at Walters Art Museum, Baltimore MD
Nov. 10-13, 2011: Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show, Pennsylvania Convention Center, Philadelphia
Nov. 18-20, 2011: American Craft Show, Jacob Javits Center, NYC
Nov. 19-29, 2011: Craft + Design Show, Visual Arts Center, Richmond VA
DECEMBER
December 1-4, 2011: One of a Kind Show & Sale, Chicago
Dec. 2-4, 2011: American Craft Show, Sarasota Convention Center, Sarasota FL
Dec. 2-4, 2011: Washington Craft Show, Washington DC
Dec. 9-11, 2011: Craftboston Holiday, Boston Center for the Arts, Boston MA
