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Artisan markets

Locally crafted with care products for your holiday shopping needs

Libertine Tacoma will be among the local vendors at this year’s Tacoma is for Lovers. Photo credit: Tacoma is for Lovers Facebook

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Let's face it, once the ghoulish shenanigans come to a close on Halloween, Christmas lights begin to line windowsills around town. Out with the pumpkin spice and in with the gingerbread, Santa is making a list and checking it twice because it's time to get prepared for the gift-giving season. Elevate your gift-giving and shop local by perusing any number of local artisan markets right here in the South Sound. You can meet the makers themselves and purchase one-of-a-kind, crafted with care items. 

One of the most popular and well attended markets each season is the Tacoma is for Lovers Holiday Artist Craft Fair hosted by King's Books Store. On Nov. 18-19, dozens of vendors line the aisle of Kings and neighboring retail space, Destiny City Comics to sling their wares. The whole vision of the gathering is to promote the visibility of local artists and encourage reuse, intentionality, sustainability and high craft, which reflects in each of the vendors' selections. Participating vendors include Anagram Press, Libertine Tacoma, EarthNerd Treasures, Pepperpot Polish and so many more local crafters.

Tacoma is for Lovers Holiday Artist Craft Fair, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Nov. 18-19, Destiny City Comics, 218 St. Helens Ave., Tacoma

The Meeker Holiday Bazaar invites you to come browse and buy with a selection of gifts from jewelry, crafts, holiday décor, clothing and more. This event boasts over 60 vendors onsite and proceeds help to benefit 12 middle school student ambassadors on their exchange trip to New Zealand.

Meeker Holiday Bazaar, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Nov. 18, Meeker Middle School, 4402 Nassau Ave. NE, Puyallup

The Tacoma Striezelmarkt aims to set the ambiance for tradition. Think twinkling lights, the scent of mulled cider and Christmas tunes. Their marketplace will set up shop in the heart of Tacoma's Stadium District and is teeming with vendor booths indoors and out. There's face painting for the kiddies and everything from vintage duds, laser-cut ornaments, handmade shawls, scarves and accessories, jewelry and more. Plus, gingerbread and gluhwein.

Tacoma Striezelmarkt, noon-5 p.m., Nov. 25, 417 North E St., Tacoma

This year's Shipwreck Beads Winter Artisan Market extends to two days. There will be over 80 local artisans on hand with all their artistically crafted goodies. Please bring non-perishable food donations for the Thurston County Food Bank as well. Every two non-perishable items will get you one raffle ticket to win one of many fantastic prizes.

Shipwreck Beads Winter Artisan Market, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Nov. 25-26, 8560 Commerce Dr. NE, Lacey

Urban Grace Church hosts a Fair Trade Market for a three-day weekend of holiday festivities. Handmade baskets, ornaments, food products and more all made with care. L'Arche will be in the house with fresh evergreen wreaths and handmade crafts as well.

Fair Trade Market, 2-6 p.m., Dec. 1; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Dec. 2-3, Urban Grace Church, 902 Market St., Tacoma

Village 253 and Handmade PNW aim to fill the Union Club with their 3rd annual Handmade Market and Mingle. There will be over 20 local vendors highlighting handmade goods including Happy Fox Studio Jewelry, Intertwined by Bella, Sanity Skin Products, Succulent Boutique and more. This is a family-friendly gathering and 10 percent of all sales benefit a charity. Furthermore, there will be a charity raffle with items to score like a $500 Alaska Airlines gift card, and other goodies.

3rd annual Handmade Market and Mingle, 3-7 p.m., Dec. 9, Union Club, 539 Broadway, Tacoma

On the same afternoon you'll spy Market Nouveau. Set in the North End's historic beauty Rust Mansion, Market Nouveau aims to set an elegant showcase for the area's most skilled artists and crafters. There are treats to be imbibed and complementary gift-wrapping to be indulged in. I hear that ole beardy guy in red will even be there.

Market Nouveau, noon-5 p.m., Dec. 9, Rust Mansion, 521 N. Yakima St., Tacoma

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