These events are perfect for shopping local and supporting local artists and businesses. But with so many of them going full-throttle from now until Christmas it can be hard to figure out which ones to go to. Makeology last weekend, and Stuffed this Saturday. Make sure that you put Handmade Hamilton on your list of places to check out!

Handmade Hamilton is this weekend Saturday and Sunday from 11am-5pm at the Staircase theatre. Lisa Pijuan-Nomura artist and event organizer has curated a super fine selection of 32 amazing local Hamilton artists.

Here’s a round-up of some of my favs.

Hand & Shadow, screen printed shirts & scarves

 Claygirl Ceramics cups, mini-bowls

Heidi van Veen Designs, screen printed totes, pouches, pillows & tea towels

Jelly Brothers, neighbourhood maps and Hamilton graphics

HITOKOO, seriously some of the most beautifully handcrafted clothes & accessories

We will be there too (on Sunday only) selling our limited edition Hamilton Gems prints at a special reduced priced for this weekend only!

Hamilton Gems map by Jacqui Oakley (made in collaboration with This Must be the Place & The Academy of All Things Awesome)

Stop by and say “Hi” and if you’re one of the first 50 shoppers (on either Saturday or Sunday) you will get a Swag Bag!

*Handmade Hamilton, S&S Nov 26-27, 11-5, 27 Dundurn Street North, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram

This Saturday, at The Cotton Factory, Hamilton’s largest craft fair is about to happen.

Melissa Lowry is the creative visionary force behind the event. She’s an illustrator, graphic designer, founder of Makeology, and maker of Milo&Ben (adorable hand-crafted felt animals). So it’s no wonder that she’s got a natural keen eye for helping to search out the best of the best makers (and then putting them all under one roof).

Makeology is a one-day craft fair that will feature 80 vendors ranging from clothes and textiles, to jewellery, stationary, kids/baby goods, houseware and my fave –all things Made in Hamilton!

The Shoppery, leather goods

TJ Indigo

Coven, jewelery

Heidi van Veen Designs, screen printed totes, pouches, pillows & tea towels The Wild, accessories and apparel for kids, babies & adults Aren’t You Fancy, sleep mask

Wolf Dottir, upcycled reworked vintage china

Besides buying gifts for yourself (cause who doesn’t want to treat themselves) or others, you’ll be able to stay fuelled with caffein from Durand coffee shop (Hamilton’s newest hip cafe to hit the scene), Foundry‘s small batch gourmet ice-cream (flavours like roquefort & honey and vegan cherry chocolate coconut), and handmade confections from Sweet & Simple Co. For a little more substance Ramped up Catering will be on-site selling mouth watering bites to eat like their pork-belly sliders.

Makeology is from 11am-6pm on Saturday, April 16th. Admission is $2. Kids under 12 are free. A dollar from all admission fees will go towards 541 Eatery’s button exchange (amazing!) and FYI there is an elevator to get you where you need to go.

The Cotton Factory is located at 270 Sherman, and In case you didn’t know, it’s an old 100,000 square-foot cotton factory and textile mill in centre of Hamilton’s Industrial heartland. The space is now a creative industrial complex dedicated to artistic endeavours and home to over 60 artist studios! The venue alone is worth checking out, especially if you’ve never been before.

 *Makeology, Saturday April 16th 2016, 11am-6pm, at 270 Sherman, @Makeology, Facebook