Fox Valley arts and crafts

Nov. 20-21

Merry Makers: For the 15th year, the Merry Makers will open the doors to the public at 816 W. Highland Ave., Elgin, for its annual Holiday and Crafts Show from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21. The show will feature handmade crafts, table runners, home decor and baked goodies. Admission is free. For details, call Karen at (847) 888-2230.

Holiday bazaar: Ambition Dance and Performing Arts, 184 N. La Fox in South Elgin, will host its first holiday craft bazaar from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21. The vendors will include: Beijo Purses, Bottle Cap Top Necklaces, Close to My Heart, Girls-Hair Bowes and Ties, Glass Blown Jewelry, It's a Girl Thing, Lia Sophia, Marshmallow Creations, Mary Kay Cosmetics, Partylite, Send Out Cards, and Tastefully Simple. Gold Rush gold buyers will also be here so bring your gold to earn cash. At 1 p.m., there will be a Zumba fitness demonstration and dance performances throughout the day. For details, call (847) 841-1447.

Guge Family Holiday Sale: The annual Guge Family Holiday Sale from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21 in Gilberts. The event is by invitation only. The Guges have four artists all in one family that do their own style of art. Robert and Joshua Guge are two well-renowned artists in sculpture. For information, visit finsinwood.com, wingsinwood.com and gugeinstitute.com.

Nov. 21

Christmas Fair: The Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren invites the community to its "Peace on Earth" Christmas Fair from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, at the church, 783 W. Highland Ave., Elgin. For sale will be handicrafts, baked goods, religious books, fair trade gifts, specialty foods and peace-themed items. Lunch will be provided by the church youth. Blood donation will be available; call the church office to schedule an appointment. All proceeds will benefit local and global charities, including Habitat for Humanity, Heifer International, Soup Kettle, PADS, Koinonia Farms, SERRV, Equal Exchange. For details, call (847) 741-5124 or visit hacob.org.

Holiday Craft Fair: 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, 1S450 Wyatt Drive, Geneva. There will be many crafters selling handmade items. 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. For details, contact Peggy Szarzynski at (630) 593-5475 or pszarzynski@marklund.org.

Fair Trade Gift Fair: The fifth annual fair trade Gift Fair will be held for one day only from noon to 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21 at Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Woodstock, 221 Dean St. The fair features socially responsible gifts that benefit the buyer, seller and the planet. The sale include handcrafted items and textiles from imported from the Third World directly from artisan co-ops as well as fair trade coffee, tea, and chocolate. The fair is sponsored by the Green Sanctuary ministry. For information, call (815) 338-0731 or visit cucw.org.

Shop for Shelter: St. Mark's Lutheran Church, 101 S. Sixth Ave. in St. Charles, will host a benefit for Lazarus House, "Shop for Shelter," from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21. There will be more than 25 vendor booths featuring fashion, jewelry, health and beauty, home goods, kitchen ware, and more. There will be door prizes and giveaways, as well as a cafe for refreshments. Admission and parking are free. For details, call (630) 888-6755.

Nov. 21-22

Red Bird Craft Fair: Epworth United Methodist Church, 37W040 Highland Ave. in Elgin, will host the Red Bird Craft Fair from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22. Find quality American made artisans and their wares on display. For details, call (847) 931-5400.

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, free for kids younger than 12. Call (847) 301-8543 or visit stepbystepcraftshows.com.

Nov. 27

Santa Comes to Hampshire: The Hampshire Area Chamber of Commerce will host its annual Santa Comes to Hampshire event from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 27 at Hampshire Middle School, 560 S. State St. For details, call Robbi Burklow at (847) 514-3657 or Stacey Ekstrom at (847) 683-1122.

Nov. 28

Vendor and Home Decor Fair: The Elgin Junior Woman's Club is hosting a Vendor and Home Decor Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 28, at Epworth United Methodist Church, 37W040 Highland Ave. in Elgin. Items from Mary Kay, Tastefully Simple, Celebrating Home and many more vendors will be available. There will also be craft and bake sale items to choose from. For details, contact (847) 224-4318 or slr735@comcast.net. Proceeds will benefit Children's Research Foundation.

Nov. 28-29

Christmas Craft Show: Marmion Academy Alumni Association hosts its 19th annual "A Marmion Family Christmas" Craft Show from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 28 and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 29 in school gym, 1000 Butterfield Road in Aurora. Parking is free both days with free shuttle bus service on Saturday. The Sports Boosters will have food service available both days. Admission is $3 for those age 12 and older. Santa Claus will be visiting the show on Sunday and will be available for photos from noon to 2 p.m. No strollers will be allowed, but free baby-sitting will be available. For details, call (630) 897-6936, ext. 228.

Dec. 5

St. John's Craft Fair: St. John's Lutheran Church and School Parent Teacher League is sponsoring its 22nd annual Country Christmas Arts and Crafts Festival from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, at St. John's, 300 Jefferson St. in downtown Algonquin. There will be arts and crafts, vendors and door prizes. St. John's still has a limited number of booths available for vendors and crafters. For details, call Char Eineke at (847) 854-2304.

Cookie Walk: First Congregational Church, 900 S. Eighth St. in West Dundee, will host its ninth annual Cookie Walk from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5. Admission is free. Homemade holiday cookies and candies will be available in many varieties and will be sold by weight. A boutique of holiday items and handmade mittens, hats and scarves will also be on sale. Call (847) 426-2161, ext. 210, or visit fccdundee.com.

Dec. 12

Cookie Walk/Mission Mart: First United Methodist Women will host its annual Cookie Walk and Mission Mart from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Dec. 12, at the church, 216 E. Highland Ave., Elgin. For details, call (847) 741-0038.