Arts and Crafts

September 27-28

Pumpkin Days Fun Fair and Craft Show: Immanuel Lutheran School and Parent-Teacher League will have its third annual Pumpkin Days Fun Fair and Craft Show from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27 and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 28. Crafts, games, food and pumpkins are just part of the fun. Pumpkin Days are held on the school grounds located on the southeast corner of Main Street (Route 72) and Van Buren in East Dundee. All are welcome. For details, call (847) 428-1010.

October 11

31st annual bazaar: The Holmstad will host its 31st annual bazaar from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11 at the retirement center, 700 W. Fabyan Parkway, Batavia. Featured will be crafts, needlework, jewelry, books, plants, homemade candy, season decorations, and other items. There will be a raffle for a handmade quilt. Admission and parking are free. The bazaar will benefit several worthy causes. For details, call (630) 879-4444.

October 17-19

Heartland Creative Arts and Craft Show: Heartland Creative Arts and Craft Show will be Friday, Oct. 17 through Sunday, Oct. 19 during all mall hours at Spring Hill Mall, routes 31 and 72 in West Dundee. A variety of handcrafted items from local artists feature a wide variety of handcrafted items, such as fabric, wood, candles, jewelry, portraits, oil and acrylic paintings, soft sculpture, sport plaques/pictures, and other works. For information call (847) 428-2200.

October 18

Autumn Arts & Crafts Show: The Batavia Mothers' Club Foundation will host its annual Arts and Craft Show from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18 at the Mooseheart Fieldhouse, on Route 31 on the Batavia/North Aurora border. The show will include over 100 artisans, featuring handmade fine art, glass, photography, quilting, woodwork, floral items and more. Admission is $3. Start your holiday shopping early. As always, there will be a wide selection of arts and crafts from which to choose.

The Arts & Craft Show also boasts one of the largest bake sales in the area, featuring a wide selection of cakes, pies, cookies, breads and more, plus a limited supply of the winning brownies from this year's Brownie Bake-Off. The best brownies will be chosen by some of Batavia's very own local officials at the new Limestone coffee shop in downtown Batavia and will be available for purchase at the craft show. Come early as these brownies sell fast!

During the show, the foundation will offer a limited breakfast and lunch. A raffle will feature gift packages and crafter packages.

Proceeds from the show are distributed to local charities whose work improves the lives of children, mothers and families in the Fox Valley community. For information, visit www.bataviamothersclub.org or call (630) 748-1501.

The Batavia Mothers' Club Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for children in the Fox Valley area. Each year, the club donates more than $25,000 to local charities, including the Batavia Clothes Closet and the Batavia Interfaith Food Pantry, whose activities support this mission. The Batavia Mothers' Club Foundation is open to all mothers in the area who are interested in local philanthropic, service and community activities. Visit www.bataviamothersclub.org for more information.

St. Paul's Country Craft Show: St. Paul's United Church of Christ, 485 Woodstock St. in Crystal Lake is looking for crafters to participate in its 35th annual Country Craft Fair on Saturday, Oct. 18. Anyone interested in an application can call the church at (815) 459-5096 or e-mail LuAnn at HoponHop@gmail.com. The fair will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 18, at 485 Woodstock St., Crystal Lake. Skilled craftspeople in a variety of media, homemade bakery items, silent auction, drawings, and a delicious lunch. Admission is free, handicapped accessible building. For more information, call (815) 459-5096 or visit Web site www.stpaulsucccl.org.

Gingerbread Lane Bazaar: On Saturday, Oct. 18, Epworth United Methodist Church in Elgin will hold the annual Gingerbread Lane Bazaar from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sweets, treats, hand-crafts and decor will be showcased by local crafters and confectioners. Jellies and jams, candies and holiday items will be available, and there is something for every age. There is still time to reserve a space for all interested crafters. Call the Epworth Church office for details on registration. (847) 931-5400, or log on to www.epworthumcelgin.org.

October 25

Craft fair: St. Charles' Episcopal Church, 994 N. Fifth Ave. (Route 25) in St. Charles, is hosting a craft fair from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25. Additional exhibitors for this juried show are welcome. Only hand crafted-items will be considered. Proceeds from the sale will support outreach activities at Hesed House in Aurora, the church's commitment to St. Barnaba Church in the Sudan, Habitat for Humanity, Lazarus House and other regional and national groups. Email Fay at Canadafay@comcast.net. More information and an application are available from www.stcharlesepiscopal.org.

October 25-26

Fair Trade Fare: Join second Fair Trade Fare where you can purchase beautiful handmade clothes, purses, baskets, jewelry, gift items, sugar, coffee, chocolate, olive oil and dried fruit and nuts-all fair trade. It will be from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25 and noon to 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26 at Zion Lutheran Church, 330 Griswold St., Elgin. Enjoy a sample cup of coffee and a snack while you shop among the beautiful items.

Zion Lutheran is partnering with Ten Thousand Villages, one of the oldest and largest fair trade retailers in North America. This is not a fundraiser, but an opportunity to support artisans in other countries to provide for their basic needs and plan for the future. There is no admission cost. For information, visit www.zionelginil.com.

November 8

Holiday in the Halls: St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Elgin will host its annual "Holiday in the Halls" from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8 at the church, 1625 W. Highland Ave., Elgin. More than 80 booths, raffles, food and refreshments will be available, as well as a bake sale. Admission is free. Applications for crafters are still available. For booth information, call Laura at (847) 888-4363.

Mistletoe Magic: World Overcomers Church will host its annual craft bazaar from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8 at the church, Route 20 and Naperville Road, Bartlett. In addition to the crafters and artists, there will be vendors, bake sale, raffle, lunch, free parking and more. For an application to participate, visit www.bartlettwomansclub.org or call CJ, (847) 732-8475 or Peggy, (630) 483-0285.

November 14

Handmade in Hanover: The Hanover Township Senior Center will host its annual craft show from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14 and Saturday, Nov. 15 at the senior center, 240 S. Route 59, Bartlett. There will be more than 40 crafters, food concessions, and a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus. Crafters of handmade items, who live in Hanover Township, are invited to participate. Space is limited. For information or an application, contact Tracey Colagrossi at (630) 483-5673 or e-mail tcolagrossi@hanover-township.org.

November 29

Vendor and Craft Fair: Elgin Junior Woman's Club is hosting a Vendor and Craft Fair on Saturday, Nov. 29, at Epworth United Methodist Church, 37W040 Highland Ave., Elgin. The club is looking for crafters and vendors with holiday items interested in participating. If interested, call Loretta Revesz at (847) 224-4318.

November 29-30

Christmas Craft Show: Marmion Academy's two-day Christmas Craft Show will be 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 29 and 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 30. The juried craft show will be held at the academy, 1000 Butterfield Road, Aurora. Admission is $3 for those 12 and older. Complimentary baby-sitting service is offered both days. For information or to obtain an application, 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 drew more than 3,400 paying customers.