home arts & hobbies

DECORATIVE ARTS & CRAFTS

Ever since county fairs began, a blue ribbon for the best cake or the prettiest quilt was a shining achievement. Home Arts & Hobbies is the competitive exhibit where cooks, crafters and collectors can shine!

• Jewelry and Beading
• Basketry and Gourds
• Decorative Painting
• Paper Crafts
• Polymer Clay
• Handmade Dolls, Stuffed Animals and Toys
• Ceramics and Mosaics
• Wood, including CNC designs, laser cutting, and engraving
• Upcycled and repurposed materials
• Special Needs crafts

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Competition Timeline

Entry Deadline	Monday, May 4, 2026, by 7:59pm
Entry Delivery- Decorative Arts and Crafts	Friday, May 15, 2026, 3pm-8pm and Saturday, May 16, 2026, 9am-2pm
Awards Ceremony	Saturday, June 13, 2026, 2pm
Fair Dates	Wednesday, June 10 – Sunday, July 5, 2026 (closed Mondays and Tuesdays)
Entry Pickup	Tuesday, July 7, 2026, 10am-6pm

Eligibility

• Open to all adults aged 18 years old by the Entry Deadline listed above.
• Entries must be original work of the exhibitor and completed in the last two (2) years.
• Work by two (2) or more artists is not eligible.
• Work, or nearly identical work, previously shown at the Fair, regardless of title, is not eligible.
• Work created by generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), either partially or completely, is not eligible.

CONTACT US

Veronica Navarro, Coordinator

Trish Bresser, Assistant Coordinator
San Diego County Fair Entry Office
2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar, CA 92014
Office (858) 792-4207 • Monday-Friday from 10am-4pm

2026 LOCAL RULES

1. Completion of online entry registration shall be deemed acceptance of all rules and permission to use your name, photograph, and images and description of entries in print, digital and other media.
2. Online registration is required for all competitions and one-day contests. Online entries and any required image/document uploads are accepted until the published deadline, which specifies a date and time. Late entries will not be accepted.
3. Once registered, the exhibitor name, entry description, title, and price may not be changed. Substitutions will only be allowed in accordance with current State Rules. Fair Management is not responsible for errors on entry forms which may lead to elimination or disqualification of an entry.
4. Processing fees must be paid online at the time of registration. Processing fees are non-refundable.
5. Exhibitors must be living at the time the online entry is submitted.
6. All non-livestock/non-agricultural entries must be the creative work of the exhibitor (whose name appears on the entry registration), be in good taste, and suitable for family viewing. Fair Management reserves the right to disqualify any entry/exhibit it deems objectionable or not in accordance with competition standards.
7. If an entry is disqualified after judging is complete, no changes will be made to the status of awards given for other entries.
8. Exhibitors are responsible for obtaining necessary permission from models and/or to use material in their entry that is considered copyrighted.
9. No entry will be accepted should the exhibitor describe the conditions under which he/she will exhibit, or the exhibit will be displayed.
10. Judges are selected for their expertise in the divisions or classes they evaluate. New judges may be appointed each year, and judging assignments may vary annually based on the needs of each competition
11. If a coordinator or judge deems an entry to be in the incorrect category, division, class, etc., he or she may direct the Entry Office to move that entry as appropriate. The Entry Office may combine divisions or classes to create an adequate judging pool.
12. Fair Management reserves the right to limit entries, and display thereof, to facilities available and to cancel any division or class in which, in its judgment, the entries are insufficient to secure adequate competition.
13. Entries must be delivered on the date(s) and times specified. Entries will not be accepted before or after the stated entry delivery date. All accepted exhibits must remain on display and shall not be removed until the stated entry pick up date. Any exhibit not picked up on the specified date becomes the property of the San Diego County Fair and will be disposed of promptly.
14. All exhibits are entered and shown at the owner’s risk. Reasonable care will be taken to prevent loss or damage to exhibits, but in no event will the 22nd District Agricultural Association (San Diego County Fair) be responsible for any injury or loss which may occur or for the actions of third parties. Insurance, if desired, should be obtained by the exhibitor at his/her own expense.
15. Any person who violates any Local, State, or Department rule or displays unethical conduct will forfeit all privileges and premiums and be subject to such penalty as the 22nd District Agricultural Association (San Diego County Fair) may order.
16. To ensure reliable award notification, exhibitors are responsible for submitting all address, phone number and email address updates promptly in writing to entry@sdfair.com or Entry Department, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd, Del Mar, CA 92014.
17. Premium money will be paid per the recorded placings in the official judging reports rather than the ribbon attached to the exhibit.
18. Donated Award recipients will be selected per the instructions given on the Donated Award Confirmation Form submitted by the donor.
19. Premium, donated cash award, and auction checks will be made payable to the exhibitor as listed on the online entry registration. Checks will be mailed within 30 days after the close of the Fair to the address shown on the online entry registration, or as updated by the exhibitor via written notification to the Entry Office. Checks not cashed within six (6) months from the date of issue will be forfeited. Replacement checks may be subject to a stop payment fee.
20. The 22nd District Agricultural Association (San Diego County Fair) is required by the Internal Revenue Service to report any premium payments totaling $600 or more. Exhibitors whose awards meet or exceed this amount must submit a W-9 form before their check can be issued.
21. The 22nd District Agricultural Association (San Diego County Fair) management reserves the right to amend or add to these rules and assumes no liability or responsibility not herein expressed.

California State Rules apply and are available here.

Entry Limit

Two (2) entries per exhibitor per class. Exhibitors may enter as many classes as desired.

Entry Fees

• Adult divisions: $10 per entry

Entry fees are payable online with a credit card and are not refundable.

Fair Tickets

Each exhibitor will receive two (2) Fair Entry Tickets.

How to Enter

1. After reading all entry materials, click the “Enter Now” link below to go to the ShoWorks Entry Homepage.
2. Register as an Exhibitor (or Quick Group if entering for members of a club or guild and checking out with one cart).
3. Select the appropriate division and class and input the required information. (See “Divisions and Classes” below for a list of all divisions and classes.)
A. In the Description field, provide appropriate information, including the technique, so that the work can be identified if the entry tag becomes unattached. For example, “Child’s wool sweater, knit, original pattern,” or “San Diego Padres Bobblehead Collection – 27 pieces.” Character limit is 100 including spaces.
B. In the Sale Price field, enter the piece’s purchase price, or “NFS” if the piece is not for sale. (See Sale of Entries.)
C. In the Social Media field, please enter your preferred social media contact (optional).
4. Review your entry before completing registration to ensure that you have entered the correct division and class for each entry.
5. Click the check-out button and pay for all entries.
6. Read the confirmation statement and type YES. Do not click multiple times, as it will charge you each time.
7. You will receive a confirmation email with a summary of your entry(ies).

If you plan to make changes to your entries or need to leave ShoWorks at any time, SAVE YOUR CART before exiting out.

For additional help with entering and uploading images, review this detailed step-by-step guide: Entry Tutorial

Still have questions?
Please call or email the Entry Office.
Phone: (858) 792-4207, Monday-Friday, 10am-4pm

Sale of Entries

Exhibitors wishing to sell their entry must enter the sale price and preferred social media contact on the online registration form. Price and social media information will be printed on the entry tag for display in the exhibit. All sales must be negotiated and completed directly between the exhibitor and the buyer.

No business cards or personal advertisements will be displayed in the exhibit.

How to Prepare Your Entry for Delivery

Please see individual categories, divisions, and classes for specific entry requirements.

• Fabrics must be clean, reasonably odor-free, and free of pet hair and dander.
• Framed work must be able to stand on its own or be ready to hang with wire.
• Pillows and pillowcases must be finished and have forms inside.
• Wall Hangings, wreaths, and macramé must include a secure means for hanging. Exhibitors may provide a stand that will be returned at entry pick-up.
• Delivery bags, boxes and containers may be used for delivery but will not be saved in the exhibit. Exhibitors should take them away after delivery.
• 3-D artwork must be independent, freestanding, and viewed from all sides shall be no more than 7 feet (84 inches) tall and 5 feet (60 inches) wide or deep.

Judging

The Decorative Arts & Crafts Competition uses the American system of judging.

Judging Results

Results will be announced at the Home Arts & Hobbies Awards Reception and posted on the San Diego County Fair’s website by the second week of the fair.

Entry Delivery & Pickup

Entries must be delivered to the Fairgrounds. Please refer to the Exhibition Timeline for in-person delivery dates. Exhibitors will be emailed delivery and pick up instructions including a map showing access to the Fairgrounds.

Home Arts & Hobbies will provide entry tags at entry delivery. Please allow time to attach entry tags to projects with materials and assistance provided by fair staff. Exhibitors will be responsible for attaching tag.

A claim check will be issued to each exhibitor upon entry delivery and must be presented at the time of entry pick up. If an exhibitor is unable to pick up their artwork, they may arrange for another person to bring in their claim check with a signed written authorization from the exhibitor.

Quick Group Delivery Appointments - If you registered as a Quick Group (clubs, guilds, organizations) and plan to deliver all entries in the group together, please CLICK HERE to request an appointment time on one of the in-person delivery dates.

Awards

Award checks will be mailed within two (2) weeks of the last day of the Fair. Please submit address updates to the Entry Office in a timely manner.

Award-winning exhibitors will receive an invitation to our Home Arts & Hobbies Awards Reception and free Fair admission for the day of the event.

Fair-themed items will have the opportunity to be displayed in the Theme exhibit.

People’s Choice Award will be announced after the Fair and will have the opportunity to be recognized at the 2027 Fair.

The following will be awarded:

1st Place - Awarded in each class	$25 and ribbon
2nd Place - Awarded in each class	$20 and ribbon
3rd Place - Awarded in each class	$15 and ribbon
Honorable Mention (awarded at judges' discretion)	Ribbon
Best of Division - Chosen from 1st Place winners in each class	$25 and ribbon
Best of Show - Chosen from Best of Division winners, awarded in each Adult Category	$100 and rosette
Fair Theme Award – Chosen from Fair-themed entries from all Decorative Arts and Crafts classes for best representation of the Fair theme “Once Upon a Fair”	$50 and rosette

Special Awards

Chana Mannen Award for Excellence in Original Design In recognition of Chana Mannen, former Home & Hobby Coordinator	$100 and rosette
Eva Peterson Award for Superior Craftsmanship In recognition of Eva Peterson, former Home & Hobby Coordinator	$100 and rosette
Nyla James Award for Innovation In memory of Nyla James, former Home Arts Coordinator	$100 and rosette
People’s Choice Award	$100 and rosette

Donated Awards

Misti Washington Gourd & Basket Guild	(2) $50 Cash Awards
Fallbrook Quilt Guild	$50 Cash Award
Brush Whackers Decorative Painting Club	(4) $50 Cash Awards
Muchas Manos de San Diego	Ribbon + 1 Year Membership

DECORATIVE ARTS AND CRAFTS Divisions and Classes

See Glossary for all definitions

Division 112: Decorative Arts

All entries must be original designs. Kits are not permitted.
JUDGING CRITERIA: Craftsmanship (40%), Creativity (40%), Level of Difficulty (20%)
Class 001 Gourd Art, including carved, painted, pyrographic, dyed, and polished
Class 002 China and Glassware Painting
Class 003 Stained Glass and Mosaics
Class 004 Tole Painting and Folk Art
Class 005 Wood Designs*, including CNC, laser cut, engraved and burnished
Class 006 Other Decorative Arts not listed. Specify materials and techniques.
*Please see Design in Wood for more woodworking categories.

Division 113: Decorative Crafts

All entries must be original designs. Kits are not permitted, though purchased components are allowed.
JUDGING CRITERIA: Craftsmanship (40%), Creativity (40%), Level of Difficulty (20%)
Class 001 Paper Crafts - Cards, Scrapbooking, Origami, etc.
Class 002 Polymer Clay (except jewelry)
Class 003 Assembled Jewelry and Beading*, including wire wrapping, wire crochet, leather, fibers, chains, gemstones, charms, 3D printed items, etc.
Class 004 Handmade Dolls, Stuffed Animals, and Toys (non-crocheted)
Class 005 Crafts Using Upcycled and Repurposed Materials
Class 006 Ceramics
Class 007 Baskets
Class 008 Tufting
Class 009 Other Decorative Crafts not listed. Specify material(s) and technique.
*Please enter fabricated and constructed jewelry projects in Gems, Minerals, and Jewelry.

Division 114: Special Needs Arts and Crafts

Kits and purchased components are permitted. Exhibitors may receive assistance.
JUDGING CRITERIA: Craftsmanship (40%), Creativity (40%), Level of Difficulty (20%)
Class 001 Decorative Arts (any technique listed in Division 112)
Class 002 Decorative Crafts (any technique listed in Division 113)
Class 003 Other Arts and Crafts not listed. Specify material(s) and technique.

Enter Now!