When things get tough, everyone begins making stuff. From the old fashioned doily dollies to a sleek glass bowl hand blown and swirling with colorful patterns, the craft fairs (or faires) are upon us this holiday season and you can’t escape them. If you live in California it’s likely that you’ll find at least one craft fair nearby, and usually many more between now and December 25.

There are many events and things to do in California. Car Shows and Craft Fairs are just a few on the massive calendar of events. In addition to the farmers markets that combine produce and hand-made goods for sale, the special craft fairs have become fundraising efforts for schools, churches, nonprofits to help kids, sports groups–you name it. California is also home to a variety of companies that specialize in producing craft fairs for for profit. These companies are based throughout the state and produce their annual events in cities ranging from Sacramento to San Diego.

California Craft Fairs This Week:

• Valhalla Holiday Faire
  November 18 – 20, 2011
  Tallac Historic Site – South Lake Tahoe, Calif.
• Gifts ‘n Tyme Holiday Faire
  November 18 – 20, 2011
  Napa Valley Expo – Napa, Calif.
• Just Be Claus
  November 18 – 20, 2011
  American Legion: Club Room – Napa, Calif.
• Sacramento Harvest Festival Original Art & Craft Show
  November 18 – 20, 2011
  Cal Expo – Sacramento, Calif.
• Mountain Mandarin Festival
  November 18 – 20, 2011
  Gold Country Fair Grounds – Auburn, Calif.
• Atascadero Holiday Boutique
  November 19, 2011
  Pavilion on the Lake – Atascadero, Calif.
• Gifts and Goodies Boutique
  November 19, 2011
  Norman P. Murray Community Center – Mission Viejo, Calif
• Gifts ‘n Tyme Holiday Faire
  November 18, 19, & 20, 2011
  Napa Valley Expo, Chardonnay Hall, Napa, Calif.
• California Utah Women Fall Boutique
  November 19, 2011
  Disneyland Hotel – Anaheim, Calif.
• Homecrafter’s Marketplace
  November 19, 2011
  Sunset Center parking lots – Carmel, Calif.
• Montrose Art Walk
  November 19, 2011
  2300 & 2400 Blocks of Honolulu Avenue – Montrose, Calif.
• Lynbrook Holiday Craft Faire
  November 19, 2011
  Lynbrook High School – San Jose, Calif.
• Holiday Craft Faire Extravaganza
  November 19, 2011
  Lutheran Church of the Resurrection – Granite Bay, Calif.
• Winding Commons Holiday Craft Faire
  November 19, 2011
  Winding Commons – Carmichael, Calif
• Country Folk Art Craft Show Pleasanton
  November 19 – 20, 2011
  Alameda County Fair Grounds – Pleasanton, Calif.
• Santa’s Shelves Craft Faire
  November 19 – 20, 2011
  Felton Fire Station – Felton, Calif.
  
• Sawdust Art Festival – Winter Fantasy
  November 19 to December 11, 2011 weekends only
  Sawdust Art Festival Grounds Laguna Beach, Calif