10 great places for a hands-on craft experience

— -- Get in touch with your creative side during National Craft Month, then celebrate the joy of making things at these events throughout the year. Victor Domine, spokesman for the non-profit Craft & Hobby Association (craftandhobby.org) shares his list for hands-on fun with Kathy Baruffi for USA TODAY.

Indie Craft ExperienceAtlanta "The Indie Craft Experience (May 30-31) is not your grandmother's kind of craft fair," Domine says. "The crafts at ICE have a hipper edge or an ironic playfulness not usually associate with traditional crafts." Vintage fabrics or repurposed material might be incorporated into designs for cellphone and iPod covers. Crafting workshops, vegan baked goods and live bands are all part of the mix. ice-atlanta.com

Maker Faire Bay AreaSan Mateo, Calif. "This two-day family-friendly event in the Bay area (scheduled for May 30-31) is one of the largest DIY craft festivals in the country," Domine says. "Described as craft fair-meets-science fair-meets county fair, it attracts over 80,000 people." Creations from last year's event included robots, costumes and cupcake-shaped electric cars, complete with icing and sprinkles. makerfaire.com

Great American Scrapbooking ConventionArlington, Texas "Just outside Dallas, this is one of the largest public scrapbooking events in the country," Domine says. "Thousands of scrapbooking, card making and rubber stamping enthusiasts come to try new tools and practice their craft." The three-day event, scheduled June 4-6, features more than 200 classes, cropping parties (rooms full of people who bring their supplies and do scrapping together), door prizes, shopping and free demonstrations. Two other conventions in Chantilly, Va., and Chattanooga, Tenn., are planned later in the year. greatamericanscrapbook.com

BUST Spring Fling CraftacularBrooklyn, N.Y. "Indie designers and crafters enjoy taking crafting to the next level," Domine says. "This event is a celebration of their handmade goods and edgy designs." The annual BUST Spring Fling Craftacular is created by Bust Magazine, a hip, women's lifestyle magazine. It's an all-day party on May 17, jam-packed with the best in indie crafters, plus dancing, DJs, and drinks. Buy a raffle ticket and you could win a Singer quilting machine. bust.com/Craftacular/BUST-Spring-Fling-Craftacular-2009.html