Get a jump-start on holiday shopping at four local arts and crafts shows

Black Friday is traditionally thought of as the start of the Christmas shopping season, but savvy shoppers have a chance to cross a lot of gifts off their list the weekend before Thanksgiving.

On Nov. 17 and 18, Cape Girardeau will be home to arts and craft fairs featuring hundreds of vendors, offering everything from handmade jewelry to home goods and homemade jellies.

Sheryl Winschel, owner of the Golden Needle, organizes one of those craft fairs, and she says the earlier you start shopping, the better. "The first (person) in the door sees the best pieces," she says.

And don't think you can hang around and snag the best deals on Sunday night. "Crafters have no need to lower prices," Winschel says. "Vendors, when they do some things, lower prices because they don't want to pack it up and take it home. Crafters don't have to discount, because it's going to keep. They can use it for the next show."

Here's info on the four shows:

File photo Sarah Wright, left, and Janice Green look at wren bird houses hand-crafted from gourds by Robert Lee during the 2011 Christmas Extravaganza Crafts, Gifts and Collectibles Show at the Bavarian Halle.

37th annual River Valley Craft Fair

When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 17 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 18

Where: Arena Building and 4-H Building at Arena Park

The details: The River Valley Craft Club hosts this annual show, which has grown over the years. More than 150 vendors will be set up in two buildings this year, selling everything from furniture to hairbows. Santa has even been known to make an appearance in years past.

Cost: $5 Saturday, $3 Sunday

17th annual Crafts, Gifts and Collectibles Show

When: 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 16; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 17; 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 18

Where: Notre Dame Regional High School

The details: The only one of the craft shows open on Friday night, the Crafts, Gifts and Collectibles Show will feature about 100 vendors, according to Tony Buehrle, Notre Dame Regional High School's development director. For the first time, the show will be held at Notre Dame instead of the Bavarian Halle. "Obviously, we wanted to get closer to Cape," Buehrle says. "We took the show over about five years ago. Since we have the extra room with our multipurpose building, we decided to bring it here and have our kids more involved in it and our parents more involved in it." Proceeds will benefit the Notre Dame Performing and Visual Arts Program, as well as Soldier Packages, Toys for Tots, Toy Box and Christmas for the Elderly.

Cost: $1 Friday and Saturday, free Sunday

File photo Linda King looks at ornaments made from shells at the "She Sells Sea Shells" booth during the 2011 Arts and Crafts Extravaganza at the Osage Centre in Cape Girardeau.

42nd annual Christmas Arts and Crafts Extravaganza

When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 17 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 18

Where: The Show Me Center and Osage Centre

The details: The Christmas Arts and Crafts Extravaganza, sponsored by the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri, isn't only Cape Girardeau's oldest craft show; it's also the biggest, with more than 300 vendors spread over two locations. It attracts local crafters, as well as artisans from all over the Midwest.

Cost: $3 for Saturday only, $5 for Saturday and Sunday

Craft Fair Weekend

When: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 17, and Sunday, Nov. 18

Where: 342 S. Kingshighway in the former Siemers location

The details: Sheryl Winschel, owner of the Golden Needle, organizes and hosts this craft fair, which is in its second year. "Crafting has become a big thing. And, since the larger craft fairs tend to fill up quickly, this is a great opportunity for new crafters," Winschel told the Southeast Missourian last year. This year's show will have a "real wide variety of things," she says.

Cost: Free

Other craft fairs this month

St. Vincent craft fair

9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 10, and Sunday, Nov. 11, at the Parish Center gym, 1919 Ritter Drive.

VFW craft fair

10 a.m. To 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 10, at the VFW hall, 1049 N. Kingshighway.

File photo Marjorie Suedekum, right, looks at some aprons made by Beverly Lewis, of "Stitch-A-Roos" during a craft fair sponsored by the Golden Needle in Cape Girardeau on Nov. 19, 2011.

Holiday Shopping Bazaar

7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 17, at the Missouri National Guard Armory in Cape Girardeau. Proceeds will go to the local unit families and Heroes Way.