• Individual craft makers and artisans specializing in handmade crafts take part in craft fairs to display and sell their handmade items.The United Kingdom, which includes England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, offers a variety of craft fairs throughout the year. The artists rent designated stalls to display their merchandise.
  
  

Birmingham's Frankfurt Christmas Market & Craft Fair

• As one of the most popular Christmas markets in the UK, the Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market & Craft Fair is the largest German market outside of Germany and Austria. Craft fair visitors have more than 180 stalls to peruse, hosted by local artists and traders. The craft fair runs from Nov. 12 through Dec. 23, 2010, and is located in Birmingham's Victoria Square. Wooden chalets are the backdrop setting for the fair and artists feature handcrafted gifts, such as candles, wooden toys, dolls and jewelry.
  
  

South West Wales

• Pembrokeshire, which is located in South West Wales and is home to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, has a series of craft fairs featuring original work by craft makers and artists. Creative Fusion hosts the selling exhibitions in different venues throughout Pembrokeshire. Crafts include jewelry wire work, twisted thread textiles, photography, furniture and sculptures. The fairs are generally open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and admission is free. However, if you plan to attend a show with a garden entrance, be prepared to pay.
  
  

Ipswich, Suffolk, England

• Trinity Park hosts the Christmas Craft Food and Country Gift Fair at Trinity Park. Trinity Park also is home to the Suffolk Show, which is held on its own showground outside Ipswich. The fair will be held the weekend of Nov. 6 and 7, 2010. Crafts include glass paintings, beaded jewelry, watercolor greeting cards, lacy shawls, pressed flower gifts, coin jewelry, handmade soap, handcrafted silver jewelry as well as handmade magnetic therapy products. Living Heritage Events hosts the craft fair.
  
  

Northern Ireland Christmas Craft Fairs

• Visitors searching for handcrafted Christmas ornaments as well as decorations will enjoy perusing the fairs at the Rowallane Gardens between Belfast and Downpatrick, or the Contemporary Craft and Art Christmas Fair at the Strule Arts Centre in Omagh. The St. George Christmas Craft Fair and Market, held in Belfast City, is a mix of food and crafts. The Saint George Market is one of the oldest attractions in Belfast and is known as one of the best markets in the UK and Ireland. The Winter Craft Fair, which is held at the Burnavon Arts and Cultural Centre in Cookstown, Northern Ireland, has a variety of crafts, such as metal jewelry, ceramics, textiles, original prints, wood items and soaps.