A $4 tea cup, a $49 glass bead necklace ... craft fairs can be all things to all gift givers during the holiday season.

Now that Christmas is but 21 shopping days away, those in search of unusual or handmade items are shifting into high gear. Luckily for them, it's craft fair a-go-go this weekend and beyond. Admission to all events listed below is free.

TOWNIES ARE IN LUCK

One of the biggest concentrations of craft fairs and other crowd pleasers will be in the center of town, clustered in and around Thomas Square.

The Pacific Handcrafters Guild Winter Festival is from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. today and tomorrow at the park. In years past, this was the predominant fair of the season for quality and quantity of goods. These days, the quantity of artists has declined, but the quality is still up there, with ceramics, jewelry, clothing, wood crafts and more. There's entertainment and food booths, too.

Across the street, on the lawn near the Blaisdell Concert Hall, there's more food, clothing, jewelry and other gift items at the McKinley Band Boosters Craft Fair, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. today and the more family-centered A Family A-Fair at the same hours tomorrow.

And it's a big weekend for the Honolulu Academy of Arts, which offers its annual World Art Bazaar in the Academy Art Center at Linekona. Look for clothing, art and home decor pieces, ornaments and more from around the globe. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. today and Tuesday through Dec. 10, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. tomorrow and Dec. 11.

"Impressions," the Honolulu Printmakers' studio sale of etchings, lithographs, woodcuts and monotypes, also is at Linekona, from 1 to 5 p.m. today and tomorrow.

One last big event at the museum isn't a craft fair at all, but a chance to check out the renovated and newly designed Western art galleries. The free open house is from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. today.

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