From handcrafted jewelry and award-winning wildlife photography to homemade preserves, the Oct. 17-18 fair offers something beyond ordinary shopping.
WILMINGTON — A jar of homemade Delaware preserves, a piece of copper jewelry colored by fire or an award-winning photograph of wildlife could become someone’s favorite holiday gift this year.
Those are just a few of the discoveries awaiting visitors to the annual Hagley Craft Fair, returning Saturday, Oct. 17, and Sunday, Oct. 18, to Hagley Museum and Library along the Brandywine.
The two-day event brings together artisans from across the Mid-Atlantic, transforming Hagley’s historic upper property and Soda House into a marketplace of handmade jewelry, fine art, pottery, woodworking, textiles and gourmet foods.
For Delaware residents, the event is more than an opportunity to begin holiday shopping. It’s a chance to meet the artists and small-business owners behind the products, discover regional talent and enjoy one of the state’s most picturesque historic properties during the fall season.
Among this year’s exhibitors are several makers whose work and personal stories offer a glimpse into the creativity behind the fair.
From a Delaware backyard to a thriving food business
One of the fair’s distinctly Delaware exhibitors is Backyard Jams and Jellies, a Milton-based company offering more than 90 varieties of jams, jellies, mustards, chutneys and other preserves.
The business traces its beginnings to founder Krista Scudlark, who started making preserves from fruit grown in her backyard more than 25 years ago.
What began as a way to use an abundant harvest grew into a specialty food business recognized at farmers markets and shops throughout Delaware.
In 2023, Andrew and Janece Pipon purchased the business, continuing its small-batch production methods and original recipes while introducing additional varieties.
The company remains connected to Delaware agriculture through its use of ingredients from regional farmers.
Its selection ranges from traditional fruit preserves to pepper jellies and savory products, offering shoppers an opportunity to discover gifts made close to home.
Turning fire into wearable art
Visitors looking for something less traditional may be drawn to 222 Creations, which specializes in torch-fired copper enamel jewelry and flame-painted copper designs.
Unlike jewelry produced using standardized manufacturing techniques, flame painting uses heat to produce changing colors and patterns on copper.
The result is jewelry that can be difficult to reproduce exactly, making individual pieces distinctive.
The artist behind 222 Creations explains that while the flame patterns can be guided, the resulting colors are influenced by the heating process.
The work demonstrates one of the attractions of an artisan show: discovering how an artist transforms an ordinary material into something unexpected.
Jewelry designed to become an heirloom
Another featured exhibitor, Anna Biggs Designs, approaches jewelry as a form of sculpture.
Biggs creates hand-carved designs in silver and gold, producing pieces that combine fine-art craftsmanship with jewelry intended to be worn.
Her collections include rings, earrings and necklaces featuring distinctive shapes and detailed metalwork.
For shoppers interested in a special gift or a piece of jewelry that can be treasured for years, her work offers an alternative to mass-produced accessories.
Delaware photographer earns recognition beyond the state
The fair also features the work of Heather Orkis, a wildlife photographer from Townsend whose photographs have earned recognition in national and international competitions.
Orkis specializes in wildlife, particularly ducks and other waterfowl.
Her accomplishments include a 2023 honorable mention in the National Wildlife Federation’s photography competition, recognition from the Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art and a winning entry in a Ducks Unlimited waterfowl photography competition.
Her photographs also have appeared in a national Ducks Unlimited calendar.
Orkis, who works as a paramedic, describes wildlife photography as an opportunity to find solitude and relaxation away from the demands of emergency medical work.
Her photography demonstrates that Delaware’s creative community includes artists whose work reaches well beyond the state’s borders.
More than jewelry and fine art
The fair’s variety extends far beyond these featured exhibitors.
Visitors can browse handmade pottery, wood carvings, furniture, hand-dyed textiles, leather goods, decorative metalwork, glass art and specialty foods.
Other exhibitors on Hagley’s 2026 vendor list include the Delaware Woodworkers Guild, Blue Fox Studio, Avant Garden Pottery, Blazing Bella and Waggies by Maggie & Friends, a nonprofit dog-treat business whose mission includes employing people with intellectual disabilities.
The mix of established artisans, small businesses and specialty producers makes the show attractive to visitors with different interests and budgets.
For those shopping ahead of the holidays, the fair offers opportunities to buy gifts directly from their makers while supporting independent businesses.
A fall outing with a little history
The setting is part of the appeal.
Exhibitors will occupy Hagley’s upper grounds and historic Soda House building, allowing visitors to browse inside and outside while enjoying the surrounding landscape.
The Hagley Museum Store and Hagley Handwork Group also will be located in the Library Copeland Room.
Food trucks will provide refreshments, and shuttle transportation will be available throughout the event.
Admission includes access to the historic du Pont family home and gardens, giving visitors an opportunity to combine shopping with an exploration of Delaware history.
Tickets are valid for both days, and the fair will take place rain or shine.
For anyone who enjoys handmade craftsmanship, local entrepreneurship and the colors of a Brandywine Valley autumn, the Hagley Craft Fair offers an opportunity to experience all three in one weekend.
TO GO BOX: Hagley Craft Fair 2026
What: Hagley Craft Fair — fine arts, crafts, and specialty food market
When:
Saturday, Oct. 17, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 18, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Hagley Museum and Library, Wilmington. Enter from the Buck Road East entrance off Route 100.
GPS address: 298 Buck Road, Wilmington, DE 19807
Admission:
Tickets
Advance online
At the gate
Adults
$10
$15
Children ages 6-14
$8
$10
Children under 6
Free
Free
Hagley members
Free
Free
Parking and transportation: Follow event parking directions from the Buck Road East entrance. Shuttles will operate throughout the grounds.
Included: Admission to the du Pont family home and gardens. Food trucks will offer refreshments for purchase.
Important: Tickets are valid both days. The event is rain or shine. Dogs are not permitted.
Tickets, complete exhibitor list and details: Hagley Craft Fair 2026
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