If holiday shopping is a contact sport — there have been casualties — artists markets are the secret weapon. Local crafters and makers set-up booths selling unique presents perfect for picky friends and family members. They provide gifts that, “haven’t been mass-produced. They’re made by hand from the community,” says Karen Tauches, Swan Coach House Gallery creative director. Artists markets “illustrate the taste and aesthetic of the area. And it’s always great to support artists,” she says. Miniature sculptures, jewelry, paintings, ceramics, specialty soaps, kids puzzles and traditional German ornaments are among the goods for sale at Atlanta artists markets. Here are seven you don’t want to miss.
Indie Craft Experience Holiday Pop-Up Shop. Indie Craft Experience produces several artist markets throughout the year. Their holiday pop-up shop gathers more than 60 local crafters for a seven-week fair at the company headquarters in Candler Park. This year's vendors include Atlanta artists such as sQuishiepuss, whose pink bulldog-slash-octopus adorns buildings and restaurants in the city. Beard oil from Smyrna-based The Hairy Gentleman and Kate Funk's "The World's Most Super-Amazing 100% Awesome Cat Calendar" also make for great presents. Info: Through Dec. 23. Hours vary, Tuesday-Sunday. Free. Indie Craft Experience Headquarters, 1390 McLendon Ave., Atlanta. www.ice-atlanta.com.
Holiday Artists Market at the Spruill Gallery. The Spruill Center for the Arts has hosted this six-week event for more than two decades. "A lot of our normal vendors are doing new work this year so it looks completely different," says gallery director Jennifer Price. "People who come back year after year might find that its kind of like a whole new show." More than 100 vendors were invited this year, several specializing in environmentally conscious, upcycled products. Glāk Love turns film negatives into delicate nature scenes encased in glass ornaments while KingsBench Creations makes canine-inspired art from refurbished wood and bottle caps. A special gift bazaar, held 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 12, is perfect for present-hunting. Select artists will be onsite selling items that top out at $75. Info: Through Dec. 23. 10 a.m.- 7 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays, noon-5 p.m. Sundays. Closed Thanksgiving Day. Free. Spruill Center for the Arts, 4681 Ashford Dunwoody Road, Dunwoody. 770-394-4019. www.spruillarts.org/gallery
Little Things Mean A Lot. The Swan Coach House Gallery's annual "Little Things Mean A Lot" exhibition changes constantly. Every time a piece is bought, a new one takes its place. The market features work eight inches or smaller from 115 southeastern art-makers, ranging from art students at SCAD, University of Georgia, Spelman and Georgia State to established artists. Jaime Keiter's ceramic piece "Number 50," part of her geometric shape collage series, and Bill Mayer's "Butterflies," a gouache painting of butterflies flocking to a girl's hair are among pieces available for purchase. Prices range from $40 to $400. Info: Through Dec. 30. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays. Free. Swan Coach House Gallery, 3130 Slaton Drive NW, Atlanta. 404-261-0636. www.swancoachhouse.com
Atlanta Christkindl Market. Atlantic Station transforms into a Christkindl market, German Christmas market featuring the sale of traditional German Christmas decorations, toys, glass art, food, wine and beer. Christollen, buttery bread packed with chopped nuts, raisins and candied orange peels and sprinkled with powdered sugar, will also be available for purchase. Live music and other special events are scheduled to take place throughout the festival. Info: Nov. 24-Dec. 23. 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, 1-8 p.m. Sundays. Atlantic Station, 1380 Atlantic Drive, Atlanta. 706-457-5799, www.christkindlmarket.org
Peachtree Road Holiday Artists Market. Homegrown gifts are just as prevalent as homegrown food at the Peachtree Road Farmers Market's 7th annual holiday artists fair. "In the same way we want you to buy your food locally, we want you to buy your gifts locally," says executive director Lauren Carey. Everything vendors bring must be made by hand, whether it's Kathy Wolfe's animal portraits or wood bowls by Doc's Woodturning. Alex Gordon Hi-Fi provides instrumental music as shoppers wander through the market's more than 40 artists booths. Info: 9 a.m.-noon, Nov. 25. Free. The Cathedral of St. Philip, 2744 Peachtree Road. 404-365-1078. Peachtreeroadfarmersmarket.com.
Decatur Holiday Marketplace + Cafe. Now in its 26th year, the marketplace helps raise money to buy new PE equipment, classroom supplies and fund infrastructure improvements for Clairemont Elementary. More than 100 local and national artists will be onsite selling everything from pottery to paintings. Hungry attendees can snack on food truck offerings or buy baked goods provided by parents and local businesses from the cafe. Color Wheel Studios and Science of Fun provide free art and science activities on Saturday for kids to participate in. Info: Dec. 1-2. 5:30-9:30 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday. Free. Clairemont Elementary School, 155 Erie Ave., Decatur. www.decaturholidaymarketplace.com.
Indie South Sunday Holiday Market. Indie South organizes artists markets all over the Southeast. More than 40 artisans were selected including Piedmont Provisions' small batch preserves, Maelu Design's hand block-printed textiles and Cameoko's resin jewelry. Monday Night Brewery provides chill vibes for the market. "I get a lot of people who come to my events and say they get inspired to pick up something they did years ago or to try something new," says Indie South founder Serra Ferguson. "I feel like it creates a little pop-up community and something that lasts long after the event." Info: 11-6 p.m. Sun., Dec. 10. $2. Monday Night Brewing, 933 Lee St. SW. 404-352-7703. http://theindiesouth.com
