Give Local: Guide to Holiday Art Fairs [Part One]

Each year there seem to be more craft fairs and art bazaars offering their locally, handmade goodness as an alternative to the mall shopping scene. We're certainly not complaining - it's hard for us to find holiday joy in line at Wal-Mart on X-mas Eve. We'll be bringing you more details about upcoming holiday art fairs in the coming weeks - until then, check out our rundown of the crafty happenings taking place this weekend.

Opening today, and kicking everything off, is the 9th Annual Blue Genie Art Bazaar. The free art show and sale runs through Christmas Eve and features the work of more than 100 artists. The Art Bazaar will again be held at the Monarch Event Center (6406 North I-35, Suite 3100) and is open from 10am until 10pm on Sunday through Thursday, 10am until midnight on Friday through Saturday, and from 10 am until 6pm on Christmas Eve.

On Saturday from 11am until 6pm, the Ghost Room (304 W. 4th St.) is hosting the Austin Flea, a shopping opportunity with wine and beer tastings (is there any other kind?). Around twenty vendors will be at the bar selling art, plants, jewelry, stationary, and much more. Blue Dog Rescue will be selling their 2010 Music & Mutts calendar featuring photos of musical greats (including Ray Benson, Ozomatli, The Indigo Girls, and Redd Volkaert) sharing their rock and roll love with Austin's shelter dogs. Admission to the Flea is free with a donation of 2 canned goods for the Capital Area Food Bank.

If you find yourself south of the river on Saturday, make sure to check out the holiday edition of the First Saturday on South First shopping extravaganza. Stop by Amelia's Retro-Vogue & Relics where Moxie A Go-Go and other local vendors will be selling their wares. Stores and restaurants in the neighborhood are offering a variety of discounts and enticing treats to shoppers on their holiday strolls beginning at noon.

Etsy Austin's Craft Riot will take place this weekend on Saturday from 10am to 8pm and on Sunday from 11am to 7pm. This handmade revolution will be held at the Wines.com Headquarters (5005 Commercial Park Dr.) and everyone's $3 entrance fee includes a drink (kids 12 and under are free). Shopping highlights will include handcrafted jewelry, clothing, accessories, soaps, goodies for babies, and other great gifts. Photographer Trevor Ray Thompson will be on hand capturing photos with Santa. The first 25 shoppers through the door each day will receive an Etsy Austin goodie bag rife with re-gifting potential.

The Wheatsville Arts Festival is also happening this weekend from 10am to 5pm on Saturday and Sunday. The newly expanded co-op is holding their annual holiday shopping festival all over the neighborhood. Dozens of artists will have booths at Wheastville and in the parking lot across the street. Down the road, Tom's Tabooley, Sonny's Vintage, and Antone's Records will also host artists and sidewalk sales. Spider House will have acoustic music on their outdoor stage and more bands will be playing at the Wheastville stage. Stop inside to warm up with a Fair-Trade, organic, soymilk latte (or something less hippie).

Follow this post after the jump for upcoming holiday art fair event details.