Tri-Cities arts and crafts

Oct. 17

Autumn Arts & Crafts Show: The Batavia Mothers' Club Foundation is making a last call for crafters for its 24th annual Autumn Arts & Crafts Show. It has consistently assembled a diverse cast of artisans, attracting thousands of patrons. The show will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, at a new venue this year - Rotolo Middle School, just off I-88 near Butterfield and Kirk roads.

The event showcases juried booths of crafters offering creative handmade items including paintings, drawings, pet accessories, jewelry, dolls and more. Painters and artists specializing in pottery, glass and woodworking are encouraged to apply.

Applications for the 150 available booths are being accepted now. Space is limited and fills very quickly. To complete an application, go to www.bataviamothersclub.org or call (630) 748-1501.

The Autumn Arts & Crafts Show is the Batavia Mothers' Club Foundation's largest fundraiser. Proceeds are given to organizations dedicated to improving the quality of life for families in need in the community.

Oct. 24

Craft fair: Crafters are needed for the fourth annual Craft Fair from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, at St. Charles Episcopal Church, 994 N. Fifth Ave. (Route 25), in St. Charles. This is a juried show and applications can be downloaded from www.stchalresepiscopal.org or by calling Fay at (630) 497-8799. Only handcrafted items will be sold. Past exhibitors have sold specialty towels, elegant stone oil lamps, wonderful fleece items, Christmas decorations and more.

Nov. 7

Holiday Market Sale: The Swing Set Preschool will host the event from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, at Congregational Church of St. Charles, 40W451 Fox Mill Blvd. For details, visit swingsetpreschool.org.

Habitat for Humanity Craft Show: It will feature 35 crafters, bake sale, raffle, cafe from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, at Christ the Lord Lutheran Church, 12N462 Tina Trail, Elgin. Free admission. It benefits Habitat for Humanity-New Hope.

Nov. 21

Holiday Craft Fair: Calling all crafters. Marklund's 2009 Holiday Craft Fair will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, at the Marklund Hyde Center, 1 S. 450 Wyatt Drive, Geneva. All types of crafters are welcome to apply for booth space and to join the fun. There will be many crafters selling their handmade items as well as unique gifts. The Holiday Craft Fair also welcomes cosmetics and food vendors. In addition, there will be a Marklund booth featuring items handcrafted by Marklund's developmental training clients.

A 6-ft. by 8-ft. space is available for $35. A table and electricity each cost $5 extra. Setup times are 4 to 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20, and from 7 to 9 a.m. the day of the craft fair. Also, crafters agree to donate one item valued at $5 or more to Marklund for a raffle to be held during the Holiday Craft Fair.

Space is limited; crafters and vendors are encouraged to reserve their spots without delay. For information, call Peggy Szarzynski at (630) 593-5475 or pszarzynski@marklund.org.

Nov. 21-22

Festival of Arts & Crafts Show: The show will feature 170 booths of quality handcrafted items from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22, at the DuPage Expo, 4050 E. Main St., St. Charles. Cost is $2 or free for ages under 12. There is free parking. For exhibitor information, call (847) 301-8543 or visit stepbystepcraftshows.com.

Nov. 27

MALLternative-A Holiday Bazaar and Vendor Show: Why fight the crowds at the mall the day after Thanksgiving, when you can do one-stop shopping at Calvary's Holiday Bazaar and Vendor Show? Crafts, holiday items, things for the home, jewelry - something for everyone. All proceeds from the event benefit the outreach ministries of Calvary, including such local agencies as Mutual Ground, Lazarus House, Batavia Interfaith Food Pantry and Hesed House. Admission is free. The show will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 27 at Calvary Episcopal Church, 222 S. Batavia Ave. in Batavia. Admission is free. All proceeds from the event benefit the outreach ministries of Calvary, including such local agencies as Mutual Ground, Lazarus House, Batavia Interfaith Food Pantry and Hesed House.

Nov. 28-29

Christmas Craft Show: Marmion Academy will host its annual Christmas Craft Show on Saturday, Nov. 28, and Sunday, Nov. 29, 1000 Butterfield Road, Aurora. For details, contact the Alumni Office at (630) 897-6936, ext. 228, or visit www.marmion.org/alumni/alumni.html. Last year's show featured 158 crafters and more than 3,400 customers.

Christmas of the Fox Art & Craft Show: A juried show with over 90 artists and craftspeople, lunch and pastries from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 28, and Sunday, Nov. 29, at the Kane County Fairgrounds, 525 S. Randall Road, St. Charles. Admission is $2. For details, call (815) 772-3279.