About The show

 
 

What is the Holiday Shindy?

The Holiday Shindy is at its heart, an environmentally focused, handmade craft fair bringing together a carefully curated group of artisans, makers, designers, craftspeople with shoppers in the heart of the Berkshires. Lovingly called ” the Shindy” by repeat customers and vendors, our concept brings the traditional craft fair to a more intimate and celebratory level, while supporting the local economy within the arts, attracting shoppers from all over the Berkshires and our corner of New England and adjacent New York state. Shop small, shop Shindy!

Our mission:

  • Connect shoppers with the opportunity to purchase directly from sellers who specialize in eco-conscious and environmentally friendly, handmade, high-quality wares in a magical, merry and bright environment. 

  • Introduce up-and-coming local artisans, craftspeople, and designers to a community long seen as a center for the arts. We work closely with our vendors to ensure that they have the best show they possibly can and provide extra support to folks just starting out, offering consultation on layouts and other logistics.

  • Further engagement with long-standing Shindy “family”, the folks who have been coming for 2, 5, 9 & 17 years! Vendors and shoppers alike, the bread and butter of the event– these are the people that keep the magic sparking and make our hearts warm!  We love getting these folks together year after year and watching the community grow.

  • Encourage education by working with vendors to support in-booth demonstrations, shining a light on the joy and work of processes.

  • Promote local non-profit organizations whose missions align with the spirit of the Shindy, sharing with folks in our community who are low-income or have barriers in participating.

The Team

The Holiday Shindy was founded by upcycling pioneer and textile alchemist Crispina Ffrench back in 2006. What started as a small pop-up sale in her Pittsfield atelier soon blossomed into an annual holiday shopping destination for the Berkshires. Thus, the Shindy Family was born. In 2016, Lauren Barenski and Liza Gennari, long-time Shindy co-conspirators and lovers of all things local,  took the mantel and continue the tradition of producing a mainstay of the Berkshire holiday season. 

Now in its 17th year, Lauren and Liza continue to develop the market and find the sweet spot where direct-to-seller sales can foster connections between the maker and the community. Read more about Liza and Lauren here.

For more info, or to simply say howdy, email Lauren and Liza at holidayshindy@gmail.com