This is the fourth year the event will be held at the Unitarian Fellowship in Fredericton and, as in past years, a wide array of artisans and craftspeople will be taking part.
"It's quite a nice event. This year we've got a really nice lineup of craftspeople," says Janet Crawford, one of the event organizers.
Giving the event a bit of a different feel than other crafts shows, the vendors are spread out in rooms throughout the fellowship.
"And we have a kitchen on the go during (the event) and provide lunch for the vendors and then we have coffee and muffins for people," she says. "We sell them because this is a fundraiser."
Those who come out find the event welcoming, says Crawford.
"The craftspeople really enjoy being there, too, because it's quite homey."
This helps to set this craft fair apart.
"The other thing is, it's smaller, but at the same time we have a real selection of excellent craftspeople," she says.
"Some of the people who are in it are probably members of the crafts council, and then others are doing home crafts. There is a nice variety."
As part of the sale, there will also be a room of "new to you" quality items.
Those who come out will find jewelry, fine photography, hand-crafted glass works, crafts and clothes from India, Africa and Iran, woodworking, wax paintings, ink and watercolour drawings, oil paintings, pottery, homemade jams, jellies and baked goods, collages, quilting, ribbon wear, ceramic ware and more.
The event is also a great opportunity to meet the artists, says Crawford.
"People tend to stay quite awhile. They tend to enjoy roaming through the fellowship," she says. "It's a lovely old home."
Not only is Crawford one of the organizers, she is also one of the vendors. She is the owner and photographer behind Lightcatcher Photography, specializing in nature and garden photography.
"(My friends) seem to really enjoy dropping into this small venue," she says.
"I really enjoy the contact with the other craftspeople. Every year I find it is a happy atmosphere and it's really great to meet some other people doing the same thing."
The smaller venue allows them to be closer together, and to have a chance to see what the other vendors are doing.
"The camaraderie is really, really nice," says Crawford.
That is part of the appeal for Joanne Keezer of Jewels by Joanne. This is her third year with the sale.
"They're great hosts. They're very welcoming and it's a nice relaxed atmosphere," she says.
It is fun to reconnect with other crafters and artisans year after year.
"This time, I know there are another two jewelers that are going to be there, but we all do different things," says Keezer.
If she doesn't have something a customer is looking for, she is happy to send that person to another one of the jewelry vendors.
"I find that's the atmosphere (there), whether it's because you're in a home or if it's just the people who are there," she says. "It's not like when you walk through a big craft fair - it's much cosier."
Keezer works full-time and does jewelry on the side. She began seven years ago and has taken a number of different classes.
She works with Swarovski crystals, freshwater pearls, glass, gemstones, shells and lamp work beds, all crafted with sterling silver.
"It's a great sale, it's my first sale of the year usually and I look forward to it," says Keezer.
Amber Cober of Cober Glass is taking part in the Spring Fling Art and Craft Sale for the second year.
"This one's a little bit different. I'm used to some of the larger ones. This one is a little bit more quaint and it's also well organized. The ladies put a lot of effort into making it nice and cute," she says.
"A lot of the bigger shows are just an in-and-out for a lot of people. This one, you linger."
Cober doesn't blow glass, instead using a lesser known method called fusing.
"I use a kiln to heat up the glass and it gets manipulated in that. I also do the traditional method, but more contemporary, in the abstract form," she says.
This is the kind of craft show that would appeal to everybody, she says, as there really is something there for everyone.
Pat Kennedy will be at the show with her original oil painting. She mainly paints landscapes and flowers, but in the past has also done paintings of her two golden retrievers. This is her third year taking part and she says she is really looking forward to it.
"They are so hospitable. The congregation at the Unitarian church is just so friendly and warm - it's like being welcomed into someone's home," she says. "It just sets an atmosphere that is very warm and friendly."
She enjoys having the opportunity to chat with the visitors who come through the sale, as well as the other vendors.
"It's kind of a way of networking and meeting new friends," says Kennedy. "It's a lovely group of people, both the ones who are hosting it and the ones who are taking part."
The Spring Fling Art and Craft Sale is taking place on Friday, April 8, from noon to 7 p.m. and on Saturday, April 9, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There is no admission and everyone is welcome to come and browse.
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