Markets and Festivals

Local

Monthly

Crownpoint Rug Auction

An institution since 1968, this community-based event features a diverse selection of Navajo rugs. It is held at the Crownpoint Elementary School, generally the second Friday of every month.
www.crownpointrugauction.com

Seasonal Events

El Rancho de las Golondrinas

Learn about Spanish colonial fiber arts in context at this living history museum in an 18th century rancho in La Cienega, south of Santa Fe.  Topical festivals feature fiber animals and traditional fiber arts demonstrations.
http://golondrinas.org/2011_Calendar_of_Events/

New Mexico Farmers' Markets

Many farmers markets feature local and handmade fiber products. Although summer is peak season, some are open year-round.
www.farmersmarketsnm.org

New Mexico Studio Tours

New Mexico is home to a host of rural art and craft studios. Contact individual tours for updates.
www.newmexico.org/experience/fine_arts/studio_tours.php

New Mexico Women’s Foundation Rag Rug Festivals

Festivals around the state exhibit and market the weaving and other arts of the Foundation’s grantee organizations and individual artists.
www.nmwf.org/events

Semiannual Events

Spanish Market

Held the last full weekend of July on the Santa Fe Plaza, the Market celebrates the unique artistic heritage of Hispanic New Mexico and Colorado and features many fiber arts. Winter Market is held in December.
http://www.spanishcolonialblog.org/?page_id=79

Santa Fe Indian Market

The Southwestern Association for Indian Arts sponsors this premier event every August, including work by Native American fiber artists. The Winter Showcase is held in November , and other events occur year-round.
www.swaia.org

Annual and Biannual Events

Albuquerque Fiber Arts Fiesta

This biennial juried show and exhibition is at the Manual Lujan Complex, EXPO New Mexico in May. Hosted by the Albuquerque Fiber Arts Council, a coalition of 17 local fiber arts guilds, it includes vendors, demonstrations and workshops.
www.fiberartsfiesta.org

Estes Park Wool Market

The Market is held annually in Estes Park, Colorado in early June, and includes workshops, exhibits, demonstrations, competitions, and vendor booths, amidst fiber animals, farmers and artists.
www.estesnet.com/events/

East Mountain Fiber Farm and Studio Tour

Spend a day with alpacas, sheep, camels, angora goats and rabbits, llamas, and knowledgeable fiber farmers and artists. The annual event, in early June, includes fiber studios and farms east of Albuquerque.

www.newmexico.org/calendar/ or www.perfectbuttons.com for a map/brochure

Sheep is Life

Held every June, the Celebration is sponsored by Diné bé Iiná, Inc. and the Diné College Land Grant Program. Visitors may learn about the unique qualities of Navajo Churro wool through discussions, workshops, and demonstrations.
www.navajolifeway.org

Intermountain Weaving Conference

This biennial four-day conference includes a workshop, vendor market, exhibits, a keynote speaker, and a fiber and fashion show. Held at Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado, the conference is open to anybody interested in fibers.

http://www.intermountainweavers.org/index.php

Taos Wool Festival

Held in October by the Mountain and Valley Wool Association, this celebration of wool includes regional traditional and contemporary fiber arts, yarn and tools, books, demonstrations and workshops, vendors' booths, and fiber critter displays.
www.taoswoolfestival.org

Recycle Santa Fe

Hosted each November in cooperation with Keep Santa Fe Beautiful, the events include an art market, juried art exhibits, and a trash fashion show.
www.recyclesantafe.org

Global

Funky Finds

This website hosts a calendar of indie handmade markets and festivals worldwide, including the Maker Faire ("world's largest DIY festival"), and the Renegade Craft Fair ("held yearly in urban epicenters of creative indie-entrepreneurship").
www.funkyfinds.com

Spinning and Weaving Association

Devoted to promoting the joys of handspinning and weaving, the SWA hosts a comprehensive list of annual fiber festivals throughout the United States and Canada.
www.spinweave.org