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Chimera Art Space, Sebastopol: Sebastopol is a maker’s mecca. It’s the birthplace of Maker Media, producer of Maker Faire and publisher of Make magazine, the bible of the modern DIY movement. It’s also home to Sonoma County’s first makerspace, Chimera. Housed in a 3,000-square-foot warehouse, this community workspace provides members access to donated tools: 3D printers, a laser cutter, welding equipment, and more. Members can use the space between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. daily. Monthly fees are $45 for three days a month, $80 for 10 days, and $150 for unlimited use. Chimera also organizes a variety of workshops open to the public, from wood-shop classes to Wordpress intros. 6791 Highway 12, Sebastopol, 707-8610278, chimeraarts.org
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180 Studios, Santa Rosa: This 15,000-square-foot makerspace, located just off Highway 101 in Santa Rosa, provides professional equipment to students, hobbyists, and professional makers. The building houses several studios dedicated to welding, woodworking, machining, electronics, and robotics. There’s also a “fab lab” equipped with computer-controlled tools that allow for digital fabrication, like 3D printers and laser engravers. Membership fees range from $52 per month (student) to $120 per month (unlimited access). There are also 10-visit punch cards for $100. Upcoming classes include welding shops and “Stitch n’ Bitch,” a needle-based/fiber arts meet-up. Both are free and open to the public. 150 Todd Road, Santa Rosa, 707-843-4363, 180studios.org
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Fiber Circle Studio, Cotati: Sonoma County local Alisha Reyes opened this Cotati studio for fiber artists in January of this year. All equipment — sewing machines, spinning wheels, weaving looms, carding machines, and dyeing stations — is available for use through memberships, ranging in price from $15 a day to $75 a month. Skilled instructors lead workshops in pretty much anything fiber-related. Recurring events include “The Immigrant Yarn Project,” part of a national art project that will be installed in San Francisco in May 2019. 8099 La Plaza, Cotati, Suite H, 707-242-3400, fibercirclestudio.com
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Make your own boho yarn tapestry at Fiber Circle Studio in Cotati. On trend, it makes a great holiday gift. (Courtesy photo)
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Art Escape, Sonoma: Created by five women artists in early 2012, Art Escape provides affordable hands-on visual arts and crafts workshops to people of all ages. Classes are taught in a “bilingual environment” (English and Spanish) and the nonprofit regularly hosts summer camps, exhibitions, training workshops for teachers, and free after-school classes for local students. Visitors to the Boyes Hot Springs art gallery and studio can try their hand at collage, calligraphy, jewelry, mixed media, mosaics, cartooning, sculpture, and photography, among other creative outlets. 17474 Sonoma Highway, Sonoma, 707-938-5551, artescapesonoma.com
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Frame your child's or your own art creations. They add an artistic and personal touch to your home.
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Made Local Marketplace, Santa Rosa: This downtown Santa Rosa marketplace showcases the depth and breadth of North Bay artistry. The store, founded by Kelley Rajala in 2010, initially featured handcrafted goods from 35 local artists and makers. That number has since grown to over 700. A great gift-shopping destination, there’s something for every taste here: ceramics, scarves, jewelry, clothes, teas, jam, hats, and more. You can always count on finding something unique and, if you’re lucky, you’ll meet the person who made it. Some of the vendors also work in the store, like Diana Rose, a local artist who creates one-of-a-kind outfits by stitching textiles — often brightly colored and with interesting patterns — to used articles of clothing. 529 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 707-583-7667, madelocalmarketplace.com
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The Barlow, Sebastopol: This marketplace in Sebastopol offers an opportunity to watch Sonoma County makers in action. Whether you’re seated at a farm-to-table restaurant, sipping a craft beer, having your morning cup of joe, or wandering through art studios and clothing stores, the artisan spirit is everywhere. Holiday shoppers can buy a special treat from the person who made it at several of the shops, including Adelle Stoll (handcrafted handbags, jewelry, and home decor), The Passdoor (art and design), and Tamarind (clothes and accessories with multicultural influences). 6770 McKinley St., Sebastopol, 707824-5600, thebarlow.net
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Handcrafted felt and leather handbags from Adelle Stoll. (Courtesy photo)
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Clothes and accessories with multicultural influences at Tamarind. (Courtesy photo)
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In the Making, Petaluma: In the Making houses the open studios of local artisans Jenn Conner of Pennyroyal Design and Siri Fritch of Siri Hansdotter Jewelry. The pair create and curate handmade goods. Conner creates custom-made leather handbags. Clients can choose from a range of classic styles that can be altered according to personal preference, or design their own creation in collaboration with Conner. Fritch incorporates diverse cultural influences in her heirloom rings, necklaces, and earrings. Events and workshops are in the making too; check their website for more info. 122 American Alley, Petaluma, inthemakingpetaluma.com
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Sterling silver and 14k gold fill hoop earrings with bezel set Aquamarine drops by Siri Hansdotter. (Courtesy photo)
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West County Craft Faire, Sebastopol, November 17-18: This free annual craft fair was conceived in the wake of 9/11 with the aim to “build strong community support and resilience.” Now in its 17th year, it is hosted by the Sebastopol Grange and offers an opportunity to connect with local craftspeople while shopping for unique holiday gifts. The event features handmade products from over 50 North Bay makers: jewelry, soaps, wearable goods, ornaments, and felted creations. For hungry and thirsty fair-goers, there will be food truck and beverage options. A selection of gift baskets will be raffled each day to benefit local nonprofits. 6000 Sebastopol Ave., Sebastopol, sebastopolgrange.org
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Chateau Sonoma's Meet the Makers Holiday Marketplace, Sonoma, November 24, 10am-4pm: A destination for francophiles and lovers of vintage, Chateau Sonoma will host a holiday market featuring handmade gifts to the sound of live French music. Local artisans will mingle with guests and showcase carefully crafted creations such as holiday ornaments and hand-poured candles, wool blankets and throws, textiles and scarves, stoneware and pottery, handmade leather purses and vintage prints. There will be cocktails too: a classic French gin-champagne duo dating back to World War I, by the name of Soixante Quinze or simply French 75. 23570 Arnold Dr, Sonoma, 415-840-6845, chateausonoma.com.
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The Chateau Sonoma store at Cornerstone Sonoma, the location for the Makers Holiday Marketplace on Saturday, November 24. (Courtesy photo)
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Vintage ornament from Wendy Addison at Chateau Sonoma. (Courtesy photo)
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Purses from Pennyroyal at Chateau Sonoma. (Courtesy photo)
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Paper goods from Austin Press at Chateau Sonoma.
