Western Massachusetts

Handmade gifts are pretty special, especially when it’s your own hands doing the work. But we all don’t have time for that! So what’s better than a gift you made yourself? How about something a local artisan made? Hampshire County in Western Massachusetts is home to several unique artist communities, some tucked away in the lush hill towns and others behind the doors of an old factory. Such a large pool of artisans and craftspeople in the area means there is an abundance of handmade goods being made right here. But how do you get them?  Once annually or a couple times a year, these communities open their doors to the public, giving visitors a chance to meet the artists themselves, buy unique gifts for the holidays, and most importantly, support a booming local creative economy.

Arts & Industry Open Studios
November 1`2-13, 10 am to 5 p.m.
Every second weekend in November, artists of the Arts & Industry Building in Florence open their spaces to display and sell their work. Fun Fact: The Arts & Industry Building used to be a toothbrush-factory!

Snow Farm Seconds Sale
November 11-13, 18-20 and 25-27, 10 am to 4 p.m. every day
Snow Farm: The New England Craft Program is a destination for rejuvenation through learning a craft from master craftspeople. To celebrate the work produced by its artists and guests, Snow Farm holds its annual Seconds Sale weekends in November. An outing to Snow Farm Seconds Sale can include glassblowing your own ornament, a stop at the cafe for hot drinks or a light lunch, and of course excellent shopping. More than 150 craftspeople from across the country are represented at the annual sale, featuring high quality seconds at amazing prices:  glassware, pottery, painted furniture, scarves and bags, jewelry and much more.

Makers Market at the Parlor Room
November 19, 10-5 and November 20, 11-4
You know the Parlor Room in Northampton for its fine taste in live music, but Makers Market is an opportunity to see what else they like. An invitational craft show, Makers Market features contemporary, one-of-a-kind goods and gifts. Buy local, handmade, original art and crafts from vendors featuring unique, affordable and high-quality jewelry, metal work, pottery, apparel, home decor, fashion accessories, paintings, prints, journals, dolls, toys, and more.

Cottage Street Open Studios
December 2-4 and December 10
Easthampton has become quite the mecca for creative people and businesses, and Cottage Street Studios located at 1 Cottage Street for 30 years is just one piece of that scene. These studios are the home of dozens of regionally, nationally and internationally recognized and awarded artists and artisans. The factory building which over two decades ago enclosed almost four acres of empty space now sports a lively complex of human service programs, craftspeople, light industries and artists. 

And if you can't make it to these events, check out some of our artisan holiday pop-up stores!

Eastworks Holiday Pop-Up Shop
November 1 - December 31, 2016
Eastworks, Easthampton

Pop Artisans Collective
November 2016 - January 2017
Thornes Marketplace, Northampton