L to R: Key Candles, Negative Space Photo & Design. Photos courtesy of Craftstravaganza

Three interesting newsy bits from St. Paul’s thriving craft scene have caught my attention recently that merit passing on.

If you’re looking to shop: Andy and Jenna Krueger’s long-lived indie craft sale, Craftstravaganza, is on the docket for this weekend at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. Now in its eighth year, this well-curated fair has become a Mother’s Day tradition in my house. More than 90 artists are expected to show and sell wares this Saturday: decorative glass work and ceramics, beautifully made leather goods, limited edition prints and sweet handmade goodies for babies and kids, artisanal candies and candles, jewelry, paper products and wry greeting cards and other household tchotchkes. Admission and parking are free, and there are a number of make-and-take workshops and demonstrations planned through the day. The crowd is enthusiastic and the weatherman is promising sunshine this weekend.

The 2013 Craftstravaganza will be held on Saturday, May 11 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Minnesota State Fairgrounds Eco Experience Building (a.k.a. the Progress Center), 1265 Snelling Ave., St. Paul. For more information: http://www.craftstravaganza.com/2013/ Indie craft fair No Coast Craft-o-Rama is launching a summer event in partnership with mnartists.org and Silverwood Park on September 21, 2013.

If you’re a maker: For a second year, the cities’ other delightful indie craft fair, No Coast Craft-o-Rama, is expanding beyond its annual holiday sale to include a warm-season event as well, on September 21. No Coast organizers are partnering with mnartists.org (where, full disclosure, I work as editor) and Silverwood Park to host their fall craft show in conjunction with the annual arts festival in the park, Field Trip. They’re taking submissions now from prospective vendors. The application deadline for crafters and artists looking to exhibit/sell work is June 2.

For more information on application guidelines and eligibility, visit No Coast Craft-O-Rama online, or find the full call for vendors on mnartists.org.

The bonus “design” issue for 2013, available online. Courtesy of American Craft magazine

If you just want to look: Check this out – American Craft Council’s Twin Cities-based, nationally distributed glossy, American Craft magazine, released a bonus “Design” issue for 2013 last week, and it’s readily accessible online. So many beautiful things to see in their pages …