At the recent American Craft Show in San Francisco the American Craft Council presented its Awards of Excellence to a select few artists. Chosen from among 250 exhibitors by guest jurors Ted Cohen, an exhibition designer, Mike Holmes, co-owner of Velvet da Vinci Gallery in San Francisco and Julie M. Muniz, the Imogene Gieling Curator of Decorative Arts at the Oakland Museum of California, the recipients are representative of the vibrant American craft scene. Honored were jeweler Petra Class of San Francisco, Eric Silva, a jeweler from Whittier, California, and Darbury Stenderu from Seattle, Washington, for her decorative quilts. The team of Steven Ford and David Forlano, jewelers based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, received the award for outstanding booth design.

As the summer sun sets in the Northeast, the Council shows prepare to head south for the remainder of the year. If you’re anywhere near Charlotte, North Carolina, from October 31 through November 2, stop by the Charlotte Convention Center and treat yourself to an eye-dazzling array of furniture, clothing, jewelry, home decor and more by the nation’s leading artists. Or if Sarasota is in your sights between December 5-7, here’s the perfect opportunity to purchase unique, high-quality handmade objects for your friends and loved ones. Just in time for the holidays! And of course, don’t forget about yourself! All it takes is a trip to the Sarasota Bradenton International Convention Center on any one of those days.

If you’re planning ahead remember that the granddaddy show in Baltimore is really not so far off. While sunny skies are not guaranteed the widest variety of craft by hundreds of gifted artists still shines brightly at Baltimore’s Convention Center from February 24 through March 1. The retail portion of the show takes place February 27-March 1.

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