7th Annual Charlotte Mason Spring Handicraft Fair

Welcome to the 7th Annual Charlotte Mason Spring Handicraft Fair!

The Handicraft Fair is a local event for Charlotte Mason Homeschoolers to inspire and cultivate the art of quality homemade handicrafts. Family, friends and other homeschoolers are welcome to come and browse and purchase – many kids work very hard on their handicrafts so let’s do our part to support their efforts and quality workmanship. All items must be hand made by the children. Selling and bartering are welcome and optional. It is up to each child how they would like to display their handicrafts – some lay down a mat, others come up with creative displays.

PARTICIPATION FEE

$5.00 per selling family (extended family included) payable via paypal to: ngoegan@gmail.com – Please try to submit your payment no later than May 10th. Non-selling visitors are free. Please purchase something from the kids! 

*There is a $3 parking fee for every vehicle upon entry charged by OC Parks.

LOCATION

We will be at the same location as the Holiday Handicraft Fair (see the smaller red circled area in the map just below the restrooms). Parking 16 is the closest lot, when that is full, you can park in Parking 14 and walk past group area 3 to the Handicraft Fair area.

WHO/WHAT IS CHARLOTTE MASON?

Charlotte Mason was a late 19th/early 20th century educator whose ideas and methods have inspired and informed educators anew in recent years. She wrote six volumes, now titled “The Original Homeschooling Series,” which outlined her thoughts on education and documented the success of her methods when applied as an integrated whole. For more information, visit our About CM page.

THE STORY BEHIND THIS HANDICRAFT FAIR

Years ago a small group of Charlotte Mason homeschoolers met for the first Handicraft Fair.

It all began somewhere around Almanzo’s prize pumpkin. After reading about it and the County Fair in Farmer Boy where the children showcased handmade & homegrown items, we thought “Why not have our own fair!?” It paired perfectly with the CM method where quality handicrafts are as much a part of education as learning to read or math. That year began the first CM Handicraft Fair and it has grown ever since.

In fact, it has grown so much that we now have to file permits and purchase liability insurance to cover the space and safety of all the attendees! But we’re glad you’ve all joined us because it has turned into a favorite event for many families and the unique creations of all the kids are truly inspiring.

The Handicraft Fair is now held twice a year; once in the Spring and once between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Children not only benefit from learning new handicrafts, they also learn about the value of money, how to trade and negotiate as well as understanding some of the concerns of running a little shop. They learn about time management and planning. Some families share their musical ability with the community which adds to the joy of the day. Many are found eating too many sweets and hopefully learn not to do that too often!

USED BOOKS FOR SALE

Families are welcome to bring their used books/curriculum to sell.

DISPLAYING SAMPLE WORK

If your child would like to display some of their CM school work from throughout the year in addition to their handicrafts – nature journals, book of centuries, drawings, maps, commonplace books, or others, please do so. Many people are interested in learning about CM and would love to see samples of work and other kids can be inspired by the quality work of others. Make sure it is clear that those items are for display only.

WHAT IS A HANDICRAFT?

Here is a quote by Charlotte Mason to help parents guide their children in the selection of their handicrafts:

The points to be borne in mind in children’s handicrafts are: (a) that they should not be employed in making futilities such as pea and stick work, paper mats, and the like; (b) that they should be taught slowly and carefully what they are to do; (c) that slipshod work should not be allowed; (d) and that, therefore, the children’s work should be kept well within their compass. ~Charlotte Mason, Vol. 1, p.316

And here is an outline from a lesson in handicrafts to point out some of the purposes of teaching our children handicrafts:

I. To introduce the children to a new handicraft, and to show them how to deal with a new material.

II. To increase observation and appreciation of beauty in form.

III. To give the children the pleasure of creating.

IV. To concentrate the children’s attention and to increase their patience and perseverance.

The following link has pictures from a previous Handicraft Fair:

http://livingcminca.blogspot.com/search/label/handicraft

SOME HANDICRAFT IDEAS

macrame
knitting
crochet
rug hooking
embroidery
plastic canvas needlework
cross stitch
felt projects
clay sculpting
jewelrymaking
painting
beadwork
carving-soap or wood
quilting/patchwork
weaving-paper, yarn etc.
braiding/knotting floss e.g. friendship bracelets
lanyards
wax modeling
woodworking
woodburning
carpentry
basket weaving
paper cutting
doll making
spool knitting
applique
smocking
tatting
needlepoint
wire sculpting
calligraphy
ceramics
gardening
robotics
string art
flower arranging
iron sculpturing
leather work
pottery
paper sloyd
temari

This list is in no way exhaustive – there are many, many wonderful handicrafts out there.

We all know people often throw stuff together last minute and call it a day simply to attend this fun event, and that’s fine – we’ve all been there at one time or another. But when that begins to be the norm rather than the exception for most of the kids at the fair, we really begin to lose something. We are thrilled by all the interest in this fun event, and encourage everyone to attend, at the same time please keep in mind that it is a Charlotte Mason handicraft fair so if you are not interested in the Charlotte Mason method and teaching your kids to make quality handicrafts as part of their education, please, for the sake of the community and the fair, do attend, but refrain from selling your items. There are many craft fairs for homeschoolers out there, but only one CM handicraft fair. Let’s work together as a community to preserve the wonderful thing it has, and continues to be.

PARENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE BEHAVIOR OF THEIR CHILDREN AT ALL TIMES.

All attendees are responsible for the behavior of their children and must not let them take or damage any of the items presented at the fair. CME is not liable for any items bought or sold at Handicraft Fairs, it is your responsibility as a parent to ensure the safety of your child’s purchases and the items they give/sell at the Handicraft Fair.

We hope you will join us for this wonderful community event!