Spring, as always, brings with it a host of art fairs, gallery crawls and outdoor arts festivals. While none of us has money to burn these days, if you do have a bit of gift-buying to do, there are loads of delightful ways to shop smart and pick up something extraordinary: a one-of-a-kind bauble, a striking piece of original artwork or a gorgeous, hardcover art book.

What's more, you can accomplish this while supporting local businesses and artists. Here is just a sampling of such shop-portunities that came through my inbox just this week.

Fashionista-friendly
Among the many fashion-forward events of this year's MNfashion Week, it's worth making a point to check out the Hale Bob Trunk Show at Il Vostro Boutique in Edina this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Not only can shoppers catch a glimpse of the noted L.A. designer's new spring collection, but those who come early enough will also get a free Hale Bob jog set with a purchase of more than $100.

Browse through a wide selection of trendy apparel by area fashion designers this Saturday at Open House at Cliché boutique. Hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. In the evening, there will be a MNfashion Week reception celebrating these local designers, complete with music and models, from 7 to 11 p.m. Cliché is on Lyndale in Uptown, Minneapolis.

A cornucopia of local art
For this year's St. Paul Art Crawl, more than 350 artists will open their studios, and a bevy of area galleries in and around Lowertown will put out their best pieces for the public this weekend: 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, noon to 8 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. While you're out and about, be sure to check out Altered Esthetics' Art Vending Machine, near the Black Dog Café, where you can get an original piece of art for only $5; the contraption dispenses work by local artists from a re-purposed antique cigarette vending machine.

Coffee table art books for a steal
You can stock up on beautifully produced (usually quite expensive) books on contemporary art, photography and design, all published by Taschen, for up to 50 to 75 percent off the retail price. Magers and Quinn in Minneapolis is one of only 15 retailers in the nation participating. The sale runs through May 5, or until all the books are gone.

Just in time for Mother's Day
In what is quickly becoming a seasonal tradition, the Walker Art Center gift shop is hosting a Local Jewelry Artist Mart, featuring handmade baubles and trinkets by a slew of Minnesota artists, at every price point, on Saturday, May 9. Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Cargill Lounge.